Do we go bigger ?

[BeeBee]

We’ve read most of the previous threads and we are still in a quandary! Should we go bigger from our so well loved , nearly 7 year old California Ocean ?
Just about to get a couple of tickets for the Scottish Caravan and Motorhome show and hoping it gives us a better insight into the pro’s & con’s, not entirely sure it will !
There are two of us , plus dog ( Labrador, so not small ). In our early 70’s so a toilet on board and a fixed bed seem attractive. We are both fit and agile so at the moment me accessing the pop top is still pretty easy and hubby downstairs with the dog.
The thought of not having to make up a bed is appealing and just arriving and being ‘set up’. Currently we have a drive away awning, not difficult but a faff.
On line research has led us to looking more closely at the Westfalia Columbus 5.40 and the Ayers Rock 5.40 … phoned Wandahome and they’re not exhibiting the Columbus at either of the shows in February.
All thoughts welcome.

 

[WelshGas]

We’ve read most of the previous threads and we are still in a quandary! Should we go bigger from our so well loved , nearly 7 year old California Ocean ?
Just about to get a couple of tickets for the Scottish Caravan and Motorhome show and hoping it gives us a better insight into the pro’s & con’s, not entirely sure it will !
There are two of us , plus dog ( Labrador, so not small ). In our early 70’s so a toilet on board and a fixed bed seem attractive. We are both fit and agile so at the moment me accessing the pop top is still pretty easy and hubby downstairs with the dog.
The thought of not having to make up a bed is appealing and just arriving and being ‘set up’. Currently we have a drive away awning, not difficult but a faff.
On line research has led us to looking more closely at the Westfalia Columbus 5.40 and the Ayers Rock 5.40 … phoned Wandahome and they’re not exhibiting the Columbus at either of the shows in February.
All thoughts welcome.

My personal opinion. How do you use the California?
Presumably not as a daily driver.
Do you just drive from campsite to campsite and cycle/walk/ public transport while on site or use the California to visit local towns/attractions while on site?
If the former then larger will make no difference.
If the latter then more problematic.
The California is designed as a tourer, to visit anywhere a car can go and sleep in.

 

[BeeBee]

My personal opinion. How do you use the California?
Presumably not as a daily driver.
Do you just drive from campsite to campsite and cycle/walk/ public transport while on site or use the California to visit local towns/attractions while on site?
If the former then larger will make no difference.
If the latter then more problematic.
The California is designed as a tourer, to visit anywhere a car can go and sleep in.

It’s a wee bit of both actually and that complicates things further.
I use the van a few times a week when husband is using the car. And when on 2/3 day trips we do leave it ‘parked up’, but on a week plus trips we don’t use the awning as we are moving on to other areas.

 

[RedWhiteMonkey]

I would agree with what WelshGas has said. If you go any longer than a California (i.e. longer than 5m) it starts getting problematic to use as an everyday car. At the same time I can see why a fixed bed and toilet might be appealing for your needs. There are some exceptions but the next class of van up from a California tends to be at least 5.40m long.

 

[chockswahay]

We have had both (previous was an Ayers Rock). It may not appear so big on paper but the 5.4 van is considerably bigger on the road, less pleasant to drive, more restricted by roads and lanes than wouldn’t even be on your Cali radar. On the other hand, once on site the bigger van is a much more comfortable place to be. ‘Pays yer money and takes yer choice’ ………

 

[sticky1]

Over the years I have gone from an original T2 camper through to a full six berth, to a two berth 6.3m and now down to a T7.
There have been times where a fixed bed, loo and hot shower have been marvellous, however what they don’t mention is the cold weather preparation you need to do around ensuring the pipework doesn’t freeze. I had to drain down all of the pipes when it got cold and cold snaps happen so often I pretty much avoided having water in the system from October.
This also goes for the toilet maintenance and whilst it’s not onerous, it is something you end up having to do regularly, to the point where we tended not to use the on board facilities unless we really needed them.
As WelshGas points out, the smaller vans allow you to go where cars can go, we used to have to park on the outskirts and travel in, which is not something I worry about with the T7.

 

[BeeBee]

Taking everything you’re all saying ‘on board’ and starting to think maybe just keep our wee Van.
I was out in our van today and really love driving it, over to the vets , dog on board and it’s so easy.
We’ll still go ‘have a look’ at the SSEC show, but I think I’ll start looking at a new drive away awning.
Been really useful hearing thoughts and experiences, thanks.