Don't we just love to knock a Cali ...

[GrannyJen]

It's natural. We all have the same generic vehicle so when things go wrong we naturally want to share it. I did.

When something comes along that on the surface seems to be so much better we all love to critically appraise.

Albert has one niggling fault with him. Otherwise he has been crashed, over the debris of a rockfall, shredding tyres and crashing his bottom over rocks. New tyres, back to normal.

He has been driven through deep mud, interior trashed with splashes and wash-overs. No problem. Carpets in the washing machine and hose pipe over the bare interior.

He has had 10 year olds using him as a playground, bouncing off seats and swinging from the upper bed when pressed into a guest dormitory. Never mind. Nothing that can't be cleaned.

He has been a refuge. Weather so bad it has been pull into the side of the road, sorry, can't see the road - nudge up against the snowdrift, heater on, water on, gas on, warm and cosy and comfortable and safe and my shelter keeping me alive.

He has been my hotel on posh frock events; My dining out on warm summer nights; my trusted friend.

This week my son took my Sister to see Mum, in a care home up in the pennines. Freezing fog, bright sunshine, black ice. ...... "Don't take your car Iain, take Albert, 4WD, winter tyres, loads of space, heater keeping frost off overnight .....".

Iain came home tonight full of praise, "wow! So secure, so solid, so safe ......."

Albert is not pretty and Glitzy. He just does the job that I bought him for. Safe and reliable. Sometimes we lose sight of why we have our Albert's. My Albert is something that I would trust anywhere, anytime. OK, things go wrong; we don't have it all; frustrating niggles; etc...etc. When it counts, really counts, I can count on my Cali.

 

[Borris]

It's natural. We all have the same generic vehicle so when things go wrong we naturally want to share it. I did.

When something comes along that on the surface seems to be so much better we all love to critically appraise.

Albert has one niggling fault with him. Otherwise he has been crashed, over the debris of a rockfall, shredding tyres and crashing his bottom over rocks. New tyres, back to normal.

He has been driven through deep mud, interior trashed with splashes and wash-overs. No problem. Carpets in the washing machine and hose pipe over the bare interior.

He has had 10 year olds using him as a playground, bouncing off seats and swinging from the upper bed when pressed into a guest dormitory. Never mind. Nothing that can't be cleaned.

He has been a refuge. Weather so bad it has been pull into the side of the road, sorry, can't see the road - nudge up against the snowdrift, heater on, water on, gas on, warm and cosy and comfortable and safe and my shelter keeping me alive.

He has been my hotel on posh frock events; My dining out on warm summer nights; my trusted friend.

This week my son took my Sister to see Mum, in a care home up in the pennines. Freezing fog, bright sunshine, black ice. ...... "Don't take your car Iain, take Albert, 4WD, winter tyres, loads of space, heater keeping frost off overnight .....". Iain home, full of praise, "wow! So secure, so solid, so safe ......."

Albert is not pretty and Glitzy. He just does the job that I bought him for. Safe and reliable.

A lovely thread GJ and so true.

 

[daveyboydanger]

My Cali has become a very welcome and needed safe space for my eldest who has Autism (and Downs Syndrome, Nystagmus and ADHD!). He struggle to settle anywhere new but having a mobile place he feels safe and calm is a god-send. Visiting family at Christmas with new houses and places to negotiate was rather traumatic for him. It took him so much effort to even manage 10 minutes in some family gatherings and so having the van as a haven in a confusing strange world for him has been so welcome.
We love our campervan. It allows us as a family to go places we couldn't, to embark on adventures that are pathetically small to others but far-flung for our usually house bound clan.
It also allows me to have little one night breaks with my other two kids so we still manage what could almost be called a holiday!

I love our van. It's so safe and warm and cosy and friendly that I don't have to go far to get that feeling of escape and rest - I'm even happy sitting in the far flung corner of a supermarket car park in it.

 

[Tony hylton]

It's natural. We all have the same generic vehicle so when things go wrong we naturally want to share it. I did.

When something comes along that on the surface seems to be so much better we all love to critically appraise.

Albert has one niggling fault with him. Otherwise he has been crashed, over the debris of a rockfall, shredding tyres and crashing his bottom over rocks. New tyres, back to normal.

He has been driven through deep mud, interior trashed with splashes and wash-overs. No problem. Carpets in the washing machine and hose pipe over the bare interior.

He has had 10 year olds using him as a playground, bouncing off seats and swinging from the upper bed when pressed into a guest dormitory. Never mind. Nothing that can't be cleaned.

He has been a refuge. Weather so bad it has been pull into the side of the road, sorry, can't see the road - nudge up against the snowdrift, heater on, water on, gas on, warm and cosy and comfortable and safe and my shelter keeping me alive.

He has been my hotel on posh frock events; My dining out on warm summer nights; my trusted friend.

This week my son took my Sister to see Mum, in a care home up in the pennines. Freezing fog, bright sunshine, black ice. ...... "Don't take your car Iain, take Albert, 4WD, winter tyres, loads of space, heater keeping frost off overnight .....".

Iain came home tonight full of praise, "wow! So secure, so solid, so safe ......."

Albert is not pretty and Glitzy. He just does the job that I bought him for. Safe and reliable. Sometimes we lose sight of why we have our Albert's. My Albert is something that I would trust anywhere, anytime. OK, things go wrong; we don't have it all; frustrating niggles; etc...etc. When it counts, really counts, I can count on my Cali.

Well said Jen

 

[Alan]

It's natural. We all have the same generic vehicle so when things go wrong we naturally want to share it. I did.

When something comes along that on the surface seems to be so much better we all love to critically appraise.

Albert has one niggling fault with him. Otherwise he has been crashed, over the debris of a rockfall, shredding tyres and crashing his bottom over rocks. New tyres, back to normal.

He has been driven through deep mud, interior trashed with splashes and wash-overs. No problem. Carpets in the washing machine and hose pipe over the bare interior.

He has had 10 year olds using him as a playground, bouncing off seats and swinging from the upper bed when pressed into a guest dormitory. Never mind. Nothing that can't be cleaned.

He has been a refuge. Weather so bad it has been pull into the side of the road, sorry, can't see the road - nudge up against the snowdrift, heater on, water on, gas on, warm and cosy and comfortable and safe and my shelter keeping me alive.

He has been my hotel on posh frock events; My dining out on warm summer nights; my trusted friend.

This week my son took my Sister to see Mum, in a care home up in the pennines. Freezing fog, bright sunshine, black ice. ...... "Don't take your car Iain, take Albert, 4WD, winter tyres, loads of space, heater keeping frost off overnight .....".

Iain came home tonight full of praise, "wow! So secure, so solid, so safe ......."

Albert is not pretty and Glitzy. He just does the job that I bought him for. Safe and reliable. Sometimes we lose sight of why we have our Albert's. My Albert is something that I would trust anywhere, anytime. OK, things go wrong; we don't have it all; frustrating niggles; etc...etc. When it counts, really counts, I can count on my Cali.

It makes me feel quite humble that I'm lucky enough to own a Cali after reading your post G.J.

Alan

 

[Jabberwocky]

Wow! You got me all over emotional and I don't even own one yet!! I am soooooo looking forwards.

 

[Smiffy4bikes]

My Cali has become a very welcome and needed safe space for my eldest who has Autism (and Downs Syndrome, Nystagmus and ADHD!). He struggle to settle anywhere new but having a mobile place he feels safe and calm is a god-send. Visiting family at Christmas with new houses and places to negotiate was rather traumatic for him. It took him so much effort to even manage 10 minutes in some family gatherings and so having the van as a haven in a confusing strange world for him has been so welcome.
We love our campervan. It allows us as a family to go places we couldn't, to embark on adventures that are pathetically small to others but far-flung for our usually house bound clan.
It also allows me to have little one night breaks with my other two kids so we still manage what could almost be called a holiday!

I love our van. It's so safe and warm and cosy and friendly that I don't have to go far to get that feeling of escape and rest - I'm even happy sitting in the far flung corner of a supermarket car park in it.

What a lovely post It brought a tear to my eyes, not least because my son too has autism. I completely relate to your comments about having a safe and secure haven, which benefits both your son and the rest of the family! Camper vans, whatever their origins, are so much more than simply a vehicle, they really do become part of the family, for so many reasons.
Being able to have days out, trips out, holidays, whatever, even a drive to the local park and back for a walk and a cuppa, are priceless when ordinarily none of these things would be easily achievable without a lot of forward planning, and often, upset of some sort along the way.
When I tell people that the arrival of Mr.Blu will be life-changing, for all of us as a family, I don't think they quite get exactly what I mean. Apart from the fact that I am BEYOND EXCITED about owning such an awesome vehicle, the difference it will make to my son and the family unit is what keeps me awake at night with the excitement and happiness...

 

[daveyboydanger]

What a lovely post It brought a tear to my eyes, not least because my son too has autism. I completely relate to your comments about having a safe and secure haven, which benefits both your son and the rest of the family! Camper vans, whatever their origins, are so much more than simply a vehicle, they really do become part of the family, for so many reasons.
Being able to have days out, trips out, holidays, whatever, even a drive to the local park and back for a walk and a cuppa, are priceless when ordinarily none of these things would be easily achievable without a lot of forward planning, and often, upset of some sort along the way.
When I tell people that the arrival of Mr.Blu will be life-changing, for all of us as a family, I don't think they quite get exactly what I mean. Apart from the fact that I am BEYOND EXCITED about owning such an awesome vehicle, the difference it will make to my son and the family unit is what keeps me awake at night with the excitement and happiness...

Team autism!
I really hope your van arrival will be all that you hope! It's the best thing we've done for our family. Day trips are now possible that were just a dream before.

 

[GrannyJen]

Team autism!
I really hope your van arrival will be all that you hope! It's the best thing we've done for our family. Day trips are now possible that were just a dream before.

+1

My son is home after 18 years living in the USA. I had forgot just how difficult some things are.

 

[daveyboydanger]

+1

My son is home after 18 years living in the USA. I had forgot just how difficult some things are.

Our team is growing! Nice to have people who understand.

 

[Borris]

My Cali has become a very welcome and needed safe space for my eldest who has Autism (and Downs Syndrome, Nystagmus and ADHD!). He struggle to settle anywhere new but having a mobile place he feels safe and calm is a god-send. Visiting family at Christmas with new houses and places to negotiate was rather traumatic for him. It took him so much effort to even manage 10 minutes in some family gatherings and so having the van as a haven in a confusing strange world for him has been so welcome.
We love our campervan. It allows us as a family to go places we couldn't, to embark on adventures that are pathetically small to others but far-flung for our usually house bound clan.
It also allows me to have little one night breaks with my other two kids so we still manage what could almost be called a holiday!

I love our van. It's so safe and warm and cosy and friendly that I don't have to go far to get that feeling of escape and rest - I'm even happy sitting in the far flung corner of a supermarket car park in it.

It is so nice to discover that this already wonderful vehicle takes on such an increased significance for those who find day to day life difficult at best. I hadn't really thought about this dimension much before reading your post. I now realise what a godsend it must be to those with autism etc and also for those who care for them. Your words,"I don't have to go far to get that feeling of escape and rest", sums up the essence of Cali ownership for me. For anyone who has to spend most of their time at home it must take on an even more heightened significance.

On a slightly different note, we only have our Cali thanks to the generosity of my late mother. Her bequest enabled us to give a large lump sum to each of our four children and also buy our gorgeous Cali. We thought that it would be a fitting way to use the money she had left us. Most of her life she had suffered from the severe effects of Polio which she contracted in her early twenties. Not being that mobile, she always loved being taken out for a drive and picnic in the country and also loved camping and caravaning as well. Unfortunately in later life she suffered from amongst other things, agoraphobia and dementia so didn't want to leave the house at all. However, before she had reached this stage, she would have loved the Cali lifestyle and would have thoroughly approved of our purchase.

 

[daveyboydanger]

It is so nice to discover that this already wonderful vehicle takes on such an increased significance for those who find day to day life difficult at best. I hadn't really thought about this dimension much before reading your post. I now realise what a godsend it must be to those with autism etc and for those who care for them. Your words,"I don't have to go far to get that feeling of escape and rest", sums up the essence of Cali ownership for me. For anyone who has to spend most of their time at home it must take on an even more heightened significance.

On a slightly different note, we only have our Cali thanks to the generosity of my late mother. Her bequest enabled us to give a large lump sum to each of our four children and also buy our gorgeous Cali. We thought that it would be a fitting way to use the money she had left us. Most of her life she had suffered from the severe effects of Polio which she contracted in her early twenties. Not being that mobile, she always loved being taken out for a drive and picnic in the country and also loved camping and caravaning as well. Unfortunately in later life she suffered from amongst other things, agoraphobia and dementia so didn't want to leave the house at all. However, before she had reached this stage, she would have loved the Cali lifestyle and would have thoroughly approved of our purchase.

Thanks for that post Borris. I'm sure your late mum would have loved the Cali. It's familiar surroundings. No matter where you go you can make it perfect for some (not all, granted) who have dementia or autism. A brilliant way to spend the inheritance she left and honour her with new memories being made each week. Many happy trips to you and yours for 2017.

 

[sapto]

Thank you @Borris @daveyboydanger for your posts and happy Cali trips!

 

[Mr & Mrs B]

Great post Jen. We're still waiting for Cali and hopefully she will arrive at the beginning of May - for us she will mean a different lifestyle. We're not waiting for her with rose tinted specs and we are anticipating some niggles, but we are still very, very excited.

 

[Rich20]

We have just started going out again in our Beach after a very busy period. A quick trip on Dartmoor last week and heating up some soup made for a very pleasant outing. I just don't think we would do that with a normal car and no way am I taking a flask! It was good to fetch the gear from the garage, dust it off and then try and remember everything. It all makes our Cali fun to use.

 

[Herman]

My Cali (The Hippo) is now two years old and having read of so many problems I thought that I would share my experiences with you. Rather than start a new thread I have revived this one as it is relevant and positive.
My first VW was a T2, self-converted with some help from Holdsworth in Reading some forty years ago. With hindsight, it was a horrible vehicle; slow and thirsty with a tendency to steer where it wanted to and a reluctance to stop. But we loved it.
Hippo is now two years old; he has done twenty-one thousand miles, has been from Portsmouth to Orkney and from Anglesey to Wells in Norfolk and not needed a drop of oil. He has done a steady average 34 mpg (real, not taken from the computer) since new, this rises to 40+ on long motorway trips and drops to 25 when shopping. He is happy at 70 mph but is still stable when I lose concentration and he creeps up to 90. Driving fast affects the mpg less than slow stop-start driving on small roads.

 

[Herman]

Sorry, I save the last page accidentally. It continues......
Hippo came from VW Commercial in Preston. Guy Vincent, the salesperson, did an excellent job; he gave a good discount, a few extras, took over an hour on the handover and generally was very helpful. The first service at 20,000 miles was quick, the rear stoplight cover was replaced with one which should not fall out - the old one did, and the Hippo was returned clean inside and out. The tyres look good enough for one more summer.
Problems?
The wheels were corroded on and took a lot of shifting when I swopped them round. It is annoying to have to open the doors to rotate the seats and the rear-view mirror is set too high. If it was 10mm lower I would be able to see all the road behind. That's it. no roof bubbling yet and no, I havent looked under the rubber strip - why should I want to?
Thanks for the forum; it's a good read.

 

[Bellcrew]

My Cali (The Hippo) is now two years old and having read of so many problems I thought that I would share my experiences with you. Rather than start a new thread I have revived this one as it is relevant and positive.
My first VW was a T2, self-converted with some help from Holdsworth in Reading some forty years ago. With hindsight, it was a horrible vehicle; slow and thirsty with a tendency to steer where it wanted to and a reluctance to stop. But we loved it.
Hippo is now two years old; he has done twenty-one thousand miles, has been from Portsmouth to Orkney and from Anglesey to Wells in Norfolk and not needed a drop of oil. He has done a steady average 34 mpg (real, not taken from the computer) since new, this rises to 40+ on long motorway trips and drops to 25 when shopping. He is happy at 70 mph but is still stable when I lose concentration and he creeps up to 90. Driving fast affects the mpg less than slow stop-start driving on small roads.

We also had a Holdsworth T2, 40 years ago, exactly the same proclivities, lived in it for months all over, unfortunately the throttle cable froze solid on the M62, travelled down the other side at amazing speed, inevitably dropped a valve head onto a piston, a very effective method of slowing a van down! what fun.

 

[jts46]

@Herman you can remove mirror and set it 10mm lower, try a windscreen repairer for the new sticky pad you will need, in fact they may even do it for you.

 

[DM]

Great initiative for the post Jen. it's great to read some happy and good news stories about our Calis. I've posted my share of problems here - both about the vehicle and dealer / VW problems. But, considering the bcomplexity of the vehicle, these are no worse than other new vehicles that I've had from Vauxhall, Citroen and Mercedes over the years (never mind the slightly used cars that I've had). I waved goodbye to a 7 month old Merc C class on the back of a transporter a few years back because it could only select second gear (interesting that Mercedes used curtain sided recovery wagons to hide the shame)! I never saw it again.

Mrs DM and I love our Cali. I wish we'd taken the plunge years ago (although tbf we couldn't really afford it then). It offers a freedom to explore and just 'do stuff' that we've never had before.

Yes there are some problems but none that would change my opinion that its a great vehicle and associated lifestyle choice.

Ours is purely for pleasure but its heart-warming to see the stories here about those for whom it makes a real difference to the challenges of every day life.

 

[Teejay]

This turns out positive in the end I believe

I've documented somewhere on here that I did not want a camper. My wife has wanted a one for some time, trouble is she really wanted a Romahome. I did not fancy driving around in an old Citroen with half a caravan on the back. They are cute but I wouldn't want to live with one day to day.

Then out of the blue she emailed me a link to the AutoExpress Ocean review with the subject "one of these please...." I laughed it off as a daft idea. Just to play along we decided to hire and try it.

Well after a few days away I was smitten. I could see the potential to drive out-and-out rather than out-and-back (hub and spoke style). My big pooka (aka little JoJo) is a delight to drive, so easy and has fabulous view of the road ahead. I don't even mind being stuck in traffic!

She even came on time, we were expecting a delay and delivery around now. So far she has give us nothing but good times and as of 28th Feb, 18 nights away with another couple this weekend.

We've joined the newly named Caravan Club for more options and we are planning a week away going to Islay and Skye at the end of April.

I'm even trying to change job so I no longer have to be on-call at weekends. So we can be away 4 weekends out of 4!

Yeah you might have some troubles if you are really unlucky. Remember that those who are unhappy look for a place to vent.

If anyone is reading this and you have the money. You've come this far, pull the trigger I promise "YOU WILL NOT REGRET IT!".

Phew !

...message ends..

 

[Digger]

This turns out positive in the end I believe

I've documented somewhere on here that I did not want a camper. My wife has wanted a one for some time, trouble is she really wanted a Romahome. I did not fancy driving around in an old Citroen with half a caravan on the back. They are cute but I wouldn't want to live with one day to day.

Then out of the blue she emailed me a link to the AutoExpress Ocean review with the subject "one of these please...." I laughed it off as a daft idea. Just to play along we decided to hire and try it.

Well after a few days away I was smitten. I could see the potential to drive out-and-out rather than out-and-back (hub and spoke style). My big pooka (aka little JoJo) is a delight to drive, so easy and has fabulous view of the road ahead. I don't even mind being stuck in traffic!

She even came on time, we were expecting a delay and delivery around now. So far she has give us nothing but good times and as of 28th Feb, 18 nights away with another couple this weekend.

We've joined the newly named Caravan Club for more options and we are planning a week away going to Islay and Skye at the end of April.

I'm even trying to change job so I no longer have to be on-call at weekends. So we can be away 4 weekends out of 4!

Yeah you might have some troubles if you are really unlucky. Remember that those who are unhappy look for a place to vent.

If anyone is reading this and you have the money. You've come this far, pull the trigger I promise "YOU WILL NOT REGRET IT!".

Phew !

...message ends..

Totally agree

 

[briwy]

@Herman you can remove mirror and set it 10mm lower, try a windscreen repairer for the new sticky pad you will need, in fact they may even do it for you.

Unless you have the auto wiper/lights sensor located behind the mirror. Stupidly the plastic locator for this is bonded to the screen and comes as part of the screen so it won't come off.
Found this out when we had a new screen. None in stock anywhere so had to wait a couple of days for it to be obtained.

 

[WelshGas]

If no one had any problems with a New vehicle then there would be no need for a warranty and there would be no need for Forums. I've yet to come across a Forum that has a significant number of Posts/Threads/Sections relating to problems and a paucity of Posts/Threads/Sections relating to the great things about the said vehicle, road trips add-ons etc:.
This is one of the Few where the Enjoyment/Lifestyle and The Journey seem to be in the majority. Long may it be so.

 

[Julie and Archie]

Had my Cali for several months now. Yes I've got roof issues. And light grey carpets were a bit intimidating. And I drive it daily a few miles to local station and learned about diesels clogging up. Had several daft moments (clipped fence at station, trapped roof bellows, chipped cupboards, Archie had upset tummy in van (not to be repeated) so now have fully relaxed, stopped worrying and just enjoy it. Even back on drive without holding breath now.

Been to France, Wales, Bridlington, York, Norfolk. In the winter. Goodness knows how good it will be in the summer. Planning to go to France at Easter, May and August, Norfolk (was a bit disparaging so giving it another chance - bit flat for Oldham girl), Suffolk, Cornwall, Wales a lot, Cirencester and I've still got lots of spare weekends.

Love it.