Does a black California attract the heat?

Plinky · Nov 15, 2014

I am looking at a black California next week, but wondered if anyone has had any experiences of owning a black van. Does it become much warmer in hot conditions than a lighter coloured van?

Thanks

T5WOB · Nov 15, 2014

Re: Does a black Cali get very hot?

had a black one for 6 yrs can't say its to hot .just a pig to keep clean .you never go back

calikev · Nov 15, 2014

Re: Does a black Cali get very hot?

what do you mean had :crazy :crazy

mountaindancer · Nov 15, 2014

Re: Does a black Cali get very hot?

unlike the non-Cali t5s, the Cali is pretty isolated due its mattress and roof. I guess, if there are differences in colors, they are minor.

Plinky · Nov 16, 2014

Re: Does a black Cali get very hot?

I have to admit it's something I'm worried about as I intend to go to hot parts of Europe. I'm thinking grey , silver , or the lighter beige might be a safer bet. It's such an expensive purchase and a mistake would be disastrous .

18hunts · Nov 16, 2014

Re: Does a black Cali get very hot?

Just had my door mirror repaired after a minor altercation with a wall, I lost, and the paint/repair specialist said that my Sand beige was the best colour to look clean even when dirty. He said dark colours look great when you've just cleaned them but soon look mucky. Think carefully about dark colours unless you like cleaning rather than camping.

Plinky · Nov 16, 2014

Re: Does a black Cali get very hot?

Yes the cleaning side of things is a worry too, but I must say it's the heat aspect that worries me the most.

Freeley · Nov 16, 2014

Re: Does a black Cali get very hot?

Ours isn't black but is the very dark blue. I think the amount of glass makes more of a difference than the colour so on a hot day it will be hot inside no matter what colour you have.
A few open doors and windows makes it bearable though.
Agree about the cleaning thing though, ours looks dirty very quickly

briwy · Nov 16, 2014

Re: Does a black Cali get very hot?

We had a black mazda bongo and did get very hot in the sun compared to our silver cali

cpjb@btinternet.com · Nov 16, 2014

Re: Does a black Cali get very hot?

I can say that having a black Cali has not been problematic even in 40c in South of France.

I will agree that it looks dirty very quickly.

However, in it's defence let me just say this. When just cleaned, it's a stunning head turner. It probably won't stay looking clean for more than 2 hours in the winter, but those two hours are the best two hours in the week. Would I choose black again. Every time. No other colur can touch it.

Goldie · Nov 17, 2014

Re: Does a black Cali get very hot?

Sunny Yellow is the way go! I've brought mine out to NZ from UK and it is the ideal colour in a hot climate; keeps cool, looks good in sun and of course every rental camper is white. :lol:

To be honest Sandy Beige would be my other choice, I had VW Scirocco in a similar colour in the 80's and it was much better than my parents silver Scirocco, even they admitted it

Andy

Kirk · Nov 17, 2014

Re: Does a black Cali get very hot?

I would never buy black again, nightmare to clean and absorbs too much heat when in hotter countries, I think white is the new black?

T5WOB · Nov 17, 2014

Re: Does a black Cali get very hot?

Calikev said:
what do you mean had :crazy :crazy

sorry i have had :headbang

calikev · Nov 17, 2014

Re: Does a black Cali get very hot?

Has it gone to a new owner :?:

Plinky · Nov 17, 2014

Re: Does a black Cali get very hot?

Thanks for all the responses to the 'Black California" question. I've decided to go for either a silver or beige van. I will be principally in warm countries with musical instruments in the van, so think its best to play safe in terms of keeping interior temperature down as much as possible. Cheers