First adventure…lots of lessons!

[DavidBoothby001]

Had our first trip in the new Cali at the weekend and thought I would share our thoughts!



We decided to stay relatively local and keep it to a couple of nights as we knew that we were bound to learn a lot of lessons on our first outing! Turns out it was the right thing to do and we will be much more informed for our future, longer voyages.

So in no particular order this is what we learned…..

1. The Cali is a great vehicle to drive and for its size / weight gives pretty good mpg. I used to have a caravelle around 10 years ago and they really have matured. Surprised how well it holds the road and also they are pretty good down the bumpy tracks!
2. Levelling ramps are a must have! Relatively easy to get the van onto them, although with the DSG you need to make use of the handbrake as well to stop rolling back down before you can get on the foot brake! I love the levelling feature on the screen. Very helpful! Once you are on the levelling ramps it’s a real pain rotating the drivers chair as you have to take the handbrake off to turn the chair around…….think a set of chocks would be good here as a bit tricky keeping footbrake on to avoid loading the gearbox in park, while turning a chair! Any tips appreciated!
3. External thermal screen covers are really good at blacking out the van. Much better than the internal built in blinds…..although a big dry bag to put them in if it rained is a good idea!
4. The upstairs bed is comfy and not to bad to get in and out of when you get the knack. The canvas is very dark with the windows shut too. Not so great on the soundproofing though if you have thoughtless people on the site that let their kids shout and scream until 1am! It’s also a bit unsettling if you are in the middle of a big lightening storm! Is it safe?!
5. The downstairs bed is great with the Vango California rock and roll inflatable mattress on it….as long as you just let it self inflate and don’t put more air into it which makes it way to hard! The bed is a little on the narrow side for two adults. Lots of crashing against cupboards when turning over!
6. Sleeping downstairs steams up the van! However a Karcher window vac is utterly brilliant!
7. Don’t put your tea and coffee in the lower left cupboard if you’re sleeping downstairs. You can’t get to it in the morning!
8. Cadac’s are brilliant…so easy to clean…but we knew that before getting the van.
9. Don’t forget a rubber mallet! Awning tie downs are hard to peg out with just your hands!
10. The hinges used for the fridge lid are rubbish. Our glass it coming adrift and wobbling about already…….being replaced under warranty. Anyone else had this issue? Think either lid is too heavy or hinge to stiff so too much stress on it.
11. The pop top doesn’t leak in a downpour. Sadly my rear boot seal does and water drips on your head when sleeping downstairs…….another warranty job!
12. The fly screens are ok, unless its raining and if you want to lower the blinds.
13. Get a bug light for inside just before going to bed. I got eaten alive!
14. The fridge likes to freeze things on anything above 3!
15. Running the fridge etc barely seems to use any power, after 2 days and 2 nights we still had almost a full charge…..i guess you could almost do a week off grid?
16. Nothing useful fits in the little slide out window blind / spice rack!
17. Kitchen towel is your friend!
18. Must plan food a bit better. Too much of what we didn’t need and not enough of what we did!
19. Two nights away is just too short! Closely coupled with…we don’t get enough annual leave!

I think that’s about it! Overall we loved our new Cali and can’t wait to escape again soon. Perhaps a little further afield next time!

 

[calibusje]

Wow, this after two days? Very nice cali! Now, loose the Kärcher. Really? A Kärcher Windows vac thing? Seriously, whatever does it for you.
You should already know about the refrigerator that it doesn’t use much of the batteries and you can make ice cubes in it. because that's general knowledge. just kidding.
The bed: could hardly be a surprise, right? It is narrow but ok. The judicious use of the many storage places large and small will also get used to along the way and also what to take or leave at home. We do not use an inflatable mattress; slept on for years during the summer trips with our tent long ago and never again: much too hard or flat.
It does indeed drive quite well and we compare it with a 31 year old T4 westfalia. Leveling ramps, rubber mallet: true.
Enjoy you california!
Greetings

 

[Mrs Big John]

We had an issue with the lid over the sink. The glass came away within week 1 (replaced under warranty).
We're still learning too and a lot of your comments sound familiar

 

[DavidBoothby001]

We had an issue with the lid over the sink. The glass came away within week 1 (replaced under warranty).
We're still learning too and a lot of your comments sound familiar

I fear the glass lids and hinges will require regular trips for warranty work. The dealer mentioned that they had done quite a few already.

 

[TwoDogs]

Get internal thermal window covers and you won't need to worry about them getting wet!

But a Karcher window vac in a camper van? That's a first

 

[Ch1pbutty]

Ditch the Karcher, save some space & get one of these instead:

 

[Perfectos]

The learning and tweaking is constant part of Van life and you will embrace the challenge of making your set up work for you, I’m sure.

 

[Velma's Dad]

Ditch the Karcher, save some space & get one of these instead:

Or... just leave a window open a bit at night.

 

[DavidBoothby001]

Get internal thermal window covers and you won't need to worry about them getting wet!

But a Karcher window vac in a camper van? That's a first

Was thinking the same thing with the blinds.

The Karcher was a recommendation from friends that have been living in and out of vans for years travelling the globe. Clears all the condensation off the windows in seconds without the smears you get with a microfibre cloth etc. I had one in the house so just took it away with us and worked a treat!

 

[DavidBoothby001]

Or... just leave a window open a bit at night.

Yep. Usual preferred option but sideways rain ruined that plan!

 

[Perfectos]

Yep. Usual preferred option but sideways rain ruined that plan!

Wind deflectors will prevent water ingress (such as team Heko etc, search the forum )

oh no, not another accessory!

 

[AJQ]

Sounds like you had a brilliant time, lots to learn but that’s the fun.

For this one:
7. Don’t put your tea and coffee in the lower left cupboard if you’re sleeping downstairs. You can’t get to it in the morning!

It took me twenty plus years of campervanning to realise the easiest thing in the morning is to fill the kettle the night before, and leave it out on the worksurface plus teabags and mugs, ready to go.

Have a great summer!

 

[bob_summers]

Glad you enjoyed it and yeah, it's a honing process each time you go away, the following trip will be smoother. We recently got our first Cali but it follows years of tent camping so everything is already pretty streamlined. The biggest problem for me is fretting over dirt, grease, suncream handprints etc! Can't wait for it to look a bit more lived-in and I might relax a bit.

Sorry to hear about the leaking tailgate - there was a recent thread on here I think. Hope it's sorted quick.

Re: the poptop in bad weather. I have a 2-man tent and a thermorest I use for cycle/moto touring, it takes up no room in the van, and in case of high winds I can lower the roof, mum & lad can sleep downstairs and I'll be in the tent.

Spanish campsites are always "lively" with kids until late, you just get used to it. It's the adults that annoy me, they can be up til 5am talking (rubbish, usually), blissfully unaware of the cycle tourists a few feet away who have a 6am start...

 

[Velma's Dad]

Spanish campsites are always "lively" with kids until late, you just get used to it. It's the adults that annoy me, they can be up til 5am talking (rubbish, usually), blissfully unaware of the cycle tourists a few feet away who have a 6am start...

Worst we've ever had was on a very rural Czech campsite, that also had a row of dilapidated holiday chalets that actually I thought were disused. We set up in a quiet corner but about 10pm two coaches arrived, parked about three metres away, one either side of us (why, for $%&'s sakes?), disgorged holidaymakers to lug their suitcases across the large field to where the chalets where. Then the two coach drivers and a couple of their mates set up camping chairs and started debating politics, or Sparta Prague's latest match, god knows what, around a large crate of beer.

I tried polite requests/gestures but they seemed genuinely baffled about what/why was the problem. Finally I went 'downstairs', started the van and drove (pop-top still up and Mrs VD still en-suite) to other end of field where we could get some peace.

 

[GrumpyGranddad]

Yep. Usual preferred option but sideways rain ruined that plan!

Wind deflectors allow you to leave the windows slightly open and avoid ‘sideways rain’ coming in.

 

[soulstyledevon]

The biggest issue I have with my California is external noise whilst sleeping in the pop top.
I’ve tried all sorts, can’t seem to get on with ear buds and sleeping.
Possibly the only reason I might change to a tin-top van at some point in the future…

 

[pluc99]

The biggest issue I have with my California is external noise whilst sleeping in the pop top.
I’ve tried all sorts, can’t seem to get on with ear buds and sleeping.
Possibly the only reason I might change to a tin-top van at some point in the future…

By earbuds did you mean earphones or ear plugs?
Two things that work for me that you could try if you haven't already.
Soft foam ear plugs. You have to wet them and push them all the way into your ear canal. Noise cancelling headphones. You can optionally play some soft music.

 

[larrylamb]

The biggest issue I have with my California is external noise whilst sleeping in the pop top.
I’ve tried all sorts, can’t seem to get on with ear buds and sleeping.
Possibly the only reason I might change to a tin-top van at some point in the future…

100% same here.

 

[soulstyledevon]

Yes, ear plugs.
I sleep on my side and haven’t found a comfortable ear plug.
It’s why I’ve considered a Joker in the past. Hoping the tintop would help insulate external noise. I’ve had drunk passers by, rivers, seas and other campers keep me awake…

 

[GrumpyGranddad]

The biggest issue I have with my California is external noise whilst sleeping in the pop top.
I’ve tried all sorts, can’t seem to get on with ear buds and sleeping.
Possibly the only reason I might change to a tin-top van at some point in the future…

Don’t worry when you get to my age you’ll hear less anyway

 

[Perfectos]

Hoping the tintop would help insulate external noise

NOT From @flying banana ‘s HUGE TOOOOOOONS on his Bad boy

 

[ardm17]

Don’t worry when you get to my age you’ll hear less anyway

Pardon??

 

[larrylamb]

Yes, ear plugs.
I sleep on my side and haven’t found a comfortable ear plug.
It’s why I’ve considered a Joker in the past. Hoping the tintop would help insulate external noise. I’ve had drunk passers by, rivers, seas and other campers keep me awake…

Sorry for thread hijack, have you tried these? very soft and comfy.

 

[66tim99]

Levelling ramps are a must have!

My Thule ones take up a lot of space and are a faff. I’ve rarely used them and tend to leave them at home, preferring to make sure my feet are lower than my head whilst sleeping

Get a bug light for inside

Would like to hear positive experiences of these. I seem to be on the mosquitoes menu often waking with a group of several bites in one place

Kitchen towel is your friend!

As are wet wipes

Nothing useful fits in the little slide out window blind / spice rack!

These trivets fit well, and can be wedged in with eg a small packet of paracetamol. They are then to hand to prevent damaging your glass tops...
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01MT5XPH6/?tag=eliteelect-21

Good looking van - Nice sports pack

 

[Benh76]

Was thinking the same thing with the blinds.

The Karcher was a recommendation from friends that have been living in and out of vans for years travelling the globe. Clears all the condensation off the windows in seconds without the smears you get with a microfibre cloth etc. I had one in the house so just took it away with us and worked a treat!

I find this one of the best options, drys windows in seconds and no smears