Couple, one child, one dog, which van?

[audiosculpture]

Hello everybody, and what a wonderful forum.

We are a couple with a 4 year old, and aspirations for a dog.
We'd like a california to function as our bigger car, with a small suv/hatchback as a primary runaround.

But...we are tying ourselves in knots a little around which edition.
Older beach is ruled out as my wife can't do the manual roof.
The new beach manual roof is fine.
But we are at a bit of a sticking point around storage and kitchen facilities.
I think in combination with a better storage system instead of the removable seat, the new ocean with an outside hob could be pretty good.
But not sure if a beach, with an inside cheap gazpro, possibly with storage/table system instead of an internal seat, could be better, when specced with a larger leisure battery than standard ( e.g. Battery 380 A (68 Ah))
Both of the above to rely a little on a third party company coming up with a solution, but it seems like an obvious need to me (?).

We aren't massively attached to cooking all the time - but i do think there is value in being able to hunker down when you arrive at the campsite in the rain, and offgrid possibilities.


Then there is the old ocean - which looks great, and is tried and tested - but i am v attracted to the more refined drive & 'fancy' trims on the newer model, and suspect newer one would work better as a regular drive. Maybe this is a red herring.

We are thinking short weekend getaways along sw coast area, and longer weeks trips up north and across the channel.

It feels like this would be a great time in our lives to get one, and would also ask if anyone can comment on the feasibility/factor of getting a campervan with our small family and possible dog.

Really, any thoughts welcome here!! everything will help come to a decision.
Thank you.

 

[audiosculpture]

i meant to write 'would also function as our bigger car when needed'. dual purpose rather than hierarchical.

 

[BenCar]

Well my tuppence:
We have a T6 Ocean and a convertible Mini as our 2 family cars. One teenage daughter, dog and me and the wife. I think it's the perfect 2 car garage (and so do many of our peers).

90% of the time we're in the mini, the camper van gets used for those longer or special trips. To that end we decided on the ocean as its tried and tested and we keep it stocked and ready to go so we can be spontaneous if we want to head off for a night or weekend away at the beach. UHT milk, teabags, water tank half full and sleeping bags ready stored.

However, the T6 drives like a posh van, I gather the new T7 is more of a MPV to drive so that may swing it for you. Depends what percentage of the time you're driving what car. We did France and Spain in the Camper last year and I couldn't think of a better vehicle for the purpose.

Ben

 

[BeeBee]

t6 and t6.1 ocean offers more storage space and cooking/ (more heating up for us) options with two burners, than the new t7.
t7 two sliding doors seems ‘why’ to us and the fridge seems a ‘faff’.
With a dog you have more floor space too with t6 or 6.1.
A must for us was ‘camping’ , t7 seems like a ‘day tripper’.
If buying used think ‘reversing camera’, auto , electric roof and door, especially if your wife is concerned re driving.

 

[Kayleigh]

I’m not sure what is too problematic with the old Beach roof. It’s quite easy to use once you get the hang of it.

Just my opinion, but I suspect the T6 variants are better for longer trips away. I love travelling in my T6! The T7 has less storage capability and the single burner hob means you may need to supplement with another camping cooker.

Where does the dog sleep? The T7 in all variants has less floor space when the lower bed is made. Do you need a portable toilet for nighttime use? Again this is not really possible inside a T7.

Hopefully, some T7 owners can provide their view, but maybe you could try hiring for a weekend to help you decide.

 

[audiosculpture]

Thanks folks - i'm definitely erring toward a 6.1 Ocean at this point. Having watched a lot of videos, the storage space difference is real. However the allure of the new is tricky, and i do feel like removing the middle seat and replacing with a table storage system (that hasn't been invented yet...) could solve that issue.
The old beach roof seemed to require a lot of muscle to pull down and then clamp in the 2 places. Maybe it just needs a bit of practice?
You can't hire every model so although we have rented a conversion and have a good sense of things, the little nuances seem to make a big difference on each model.
Thanks again.

 

[CaliforniaSeb]

Have you checked out the caliboard? It a great way to safely have the kids in the pop top and also have a bit of adult privacy downstairs? Lots of threads here "50 Nord Caliboard". We bought it for our 6.1 so that we can sleep upstairs and use all the open space over the cab area.

 

[OGII]

The old beach roof seemed to require a lot of muscle to pull down and then clamp in the 2 places. Maybe it just needs a bit of practice?

Don't underestimate the flexibility of the original Beach, not having fixed wardrobes, sinks etc can be a blessing when juggling a growing child, a dog and whatever variation of a trip you are on. You use whatever combination of bags/boxes etc you find works for you. Some love cooking inside, others hate the idea and always cook or eat out.

The roof is easy once you are used to it and doesn't have any sagging, resetting midway through the night, control panel, sensor or motor issues to worry about as it ages. Finding the right priced 2 or 3 seat version with the options you'd like could be trickier.

As for the shiny new versions, only you can say if they are worth it for you.

Enjoy the journey.

 

[Phil Dub]

Get a beach. Putting the roof up and down is easy, but be aware there are some slightly different layouts with the cabinet and rear panel board.

 

[Ocean Spirit]

We went on a trip around Europe very comfortably.
A couple, a 10 year old and a puppy.
T6 ocean.

 

[Christine Kirk]

Firstly I would ask what size dog?
We managed just fine with three of us (adult son) and small terrier in Westport Ireland camping in windy and very wet weather:
Bit more of a challenge when we camped with our Labrador, Eddie!
It’s down to size.
As to driving as an everyday car we have managed just fine with both our Transporters: T4 Caravelle, now nearly at 300,000 miles, and the T6 California
Below are some photos of our current dog , a Lancaster Heeler, and Eddie

 

[shudycamps]

Hello everybody, and what a wonderful forum.

We are a couple with a 4 year old, and aspirations for a dog.
We'd like a california to function as our bigger car, with a small suv/hatchback as a primary runaround.

But...we are tying ourselves in knots a little around which edition.
Older beach is ruled out as my wife can't do the manual roof.
The new beach manual roof is fine.
But we are at a bit of a sticking point around storage and kitchen facilities.
I think in combination with a better storage system instead of the removable seat, the new ocean with an outside hob could be pretty good.
But not sure if a beach, with an inside cheap gazpro, possibly with storage/table system instead of an internal seat, could be better, when specced with a larger leisure battery than standard ( e.g. Battery 380 A (68 Ah))
Both of the above to rely a little on a third party company coming up with a solution, but it seems like an obvious need to me (?).

We aren't massively attached to cooking all the time - but i do think there is value in being able to hunker down when you arrive at the campsite in the rain, and offgrid possibilities.


Then there is the old ocean - which looks great, and is tried and tested - but i am v attracted to the more refined drive & 'fancy' trims on the newer model, and suspect newer one would work better as a regular drive. Maybe this is a red herring.

We are thinking short weekend getaways along sw coast area, and longer weeks trips up north and across the channel.

It feels like this would be a great time in our lives to get one, and would also ask if anyone can comment on the feasibility/factor of getting a campervan with our small family and possible dog.

Really, any thoughts welcome here!! everything will help come to a decision.
Thank you.

We have a Cali T5.1 and go camping with 6 dogs (yes, I know...). Campi has been a part of the family since 2015 and has served us well. Aside from the canines, we have on top of the bike rack the luggage bag (comes into its own) and pack a Vango IV. On our last trip to España in April, we left Vikki Vango at home and just used the curtains around the role out awning. In all honestly, the Vango IV goes up quicker than messing about with hanging the curtains and, obviously, gives the whole "family" more room. We used to take the Eurotunnel, but when my breeder friend passed Doggett No 6 to me; we now take DFDS from Newhaven to Dieppe. I quite like it AND discount for being old. We also book a cabin for the journey and have a great nap and doggetts stay in the hold with Campi. We're in our 70s and have never looked backwards or regretted buying Campi 10yrs ago.

 

[Hill2]

Well my tuppence:
We have a T6 Ocean and a convertible Mini as our 2 family cars. One teenage daughter, dog and me and the wife. I think it's the perfect 2 car garage (and so do many of our peers).

90% of the time we're in the mini, the camper van gets used for those longer or special trips. To that end we decided on the ocean as its tried and tested and we keep it stocked and ready to go so we can be spontaneous if we want to head off for a night or weekend away at the beach. UHT milk, teabags, water tank half full and sleeping bags ready stored.

However, the T6 drives like a posh van, I gather the new T7 is more of a MPV to drive so that may swing it for you. Depends what percentage of the time you're driving what car. We did France and Spain in the Camper last year and I couldn't think of a better vehicle for the purpose.

Ben

Hi Ben
We’re thinking of going to France and N Spain this summer in August and wondered if you had any recommendations of route, places to stay and did you pre book everything ?
Thanks
Mike

 

[secret lemonade drinker]

We had a T6 Beach with seven seats as the main car for two teenage children, dog and occasionally one set of grandparents, remove the second row seats for camping, still a five seater, the addition of a slidepod in boot gave us full kitchen under tailgate, kingsize double downstairs and small double upstairs, and have toured as far as the Algarve and Northern Italy, never had issue with "small" standard leisure battery.
the Kids are now grown up and gone, so the beach isn't needed to be multi purpose so a motorhome has replaced it.
The only downside to the T6 Beach is the rear passenger is on the offside but thats only a problem in the UK at roadside drop offs.

 

[Princess Doris]

My wife and I, now retired, started thinking about a campervan 2 years ago. Decided very quickly that it had to be a VW. Iconic !
We rented a converted 6.1 and then A California Ocean. It was night and day.
Ocean it was. We decided to go full on and ordered a new van that we took ownership of I March 2024.
We totally love it. We have a second car and both are used daily. My wife always takes the Cali as first choice.
We use it mainly as a couple but several times have taken our grandaughter and her dog for long weekends.
It's a brilliant vehicle. Also have the 5th seat which we put in and take out as required.
It's a 5 year project for us and I expect a huge depreciation in that time.
I can definitely recommend a 6.1 Ocean and if you can find a good second hand one, then in hindsight that would be my option now.
Good luck.

 

[audiosculpture]

Hello everybody,

I wanted to say thanks for ALL the comments - every one helped us forward with our decision. I know there was oddly quite a similar thread at the same time going on, and it was super useful seeing everything there.

In short, we have just paid a deposit on a 1 year old 6.1 Ocean w/shower, tow bar, media pro, and extra drawer. Very excited! there was some chopping and changing about the colour (sports package + white vs iridium grey), and in the end have gone for the grey.

Already planning our first trips, and looking forward to contributing to the forum more in the future.

regards,
AS

 

[Sad]

In short, we have just paid a deposit on a 1 year old 6.1 Ocean w/shower, tow bar, media pro, and extra drawer. Very excited! there was some chopping and changing about the colour (sports package + white vs iridium grey), and in the end have gone for the grey.

Another yay for the indium grey!

With the extra drawer, does it also have the extra net in the roof above the front seats? Not the child safety net! It was part of a "Storage compartment package" with a "net pocket in roof".

 

[FamCamping]

We just ordered T7 Beach, 2 adults + 2 kids (3 and 1yo). Our reasoning:, good size beds, kitchen in the back wouldn’t be a problem, -5 seats, all working for us. We want to use it as a daily car as well from time to time, as kids have so much stuff.

 

[audiosculpture]

Another yay for the indium grey!

With the extra drawer, does it also have the extra net in the roof above the front seats? Not the child safety net! It was part of a "Storage compartment package" with a "net pocket in roof".

It does!

 

[Sad]

It does!

Just as a warning, some find it gets in the way particularly when folding away the canvas when putting the roof down.

 

[Viktorgeorge]

Just as a warning, some find it gets in the way particularly when folding away the canvas when putting the roof down.

Others like me find the net in the roof access zone invaluable when folding the canvas: though it can anyway be removed easily.

 

[BeachCamper123]

Hi,

We have 2 kids and Labrador and a T6 2 seater beach. Using Vanessa window bags and a ceiling locker (https://camperx.ch/produkt/dachschrank/) I think we have similar/more storage than an ocean/coast. Under bed drawer and storage unit in the 2 seater is a big plus.

What swung it for us was a king sized bed, more room if the weather is bad, and the fact we don’t really want to cook in the van. Family cinema time in the evening if the weather is bad.

Used as 2nd car, a few weekends a year away with the dog in the uk, and a 2-3 week annual trip to the continent sans dog.

The right option for you probably depends on the type of sites you prefer. Our preference is for sites with good facilities so lack of sink isn’t an issue. Our preference is to use the beach for luxury camping with a lightweight setup that comes out quickly and goes away quickly to allow moving sites easily or weekend away.

Cinch hub for awning setup on the continent. We generally spend little time in the van in the summer except sleeping. We’ve tried an air awning and it’s great to have the room but is huge to pack away and takes ages in comparison. Awning side and front panels provides loads of options which are quick.

Never wished for a larger battery provided ehu is available or the van is driven to recharge.

Hope that helps.

For France we’ve been a lot pre kids. Last summer we did beach trip in the landes, Pyrenees (amazing options with little legs by using ski lifts), dordogne, puy du fou trip (highly recommended). This year it’s lake annecy, Italian lakes, French Riviera.

This site near perpignan/spain is also amazing:
https://www.lescriques.fr/ des portelis. La brazilia closer to perpignan is another more commercial option that has pool the kids loved, and is very nice.

Portsmouth-Caen or Le Havre overnight are good options to avoid Dover chaos depending on where you are located.

Hope that helps.