Ford Nugget Plus v California comparison

[The Blue Merle]

Just like the Cali, Ford have decided to use their commercial vehicle dealerships to sell the Nugget. This means you get a broad spectrum of competency in both. We choose a Breeze equivalent dealer that specialises in campervans as we felt that offered the best long term option. We already know that they have persevered with finding a solution to a problem with the heater in some owners vans where others couldn’t.

Does that mean they fix stuff on the camping side too, or send you to a westy dealer?
The nugget is a clever thing, love the hightop but have seen cali camper family having issues on YouTube with Ford fobbing them off to a westy dealer

 

[Ch1pbutty]

A few decades ago Transits used to rust and were nowhere near as good as VW's offering, but VW really needs to work hard on the Cali successor if it's not to be overtaken by competition like this!

It's just the roof that rusts on a Cali!

 

[Azteccamper]

We looked at the Ford Kelsey at the NEC. I’m sure that was Westfalia - similar to the Nugget or am I dreaming it? Spoke to a guy from Wandahome about it and he made it clear that Ford do the mechanics but wouldn’t touch the habitation side of things - got to find a Westy dealer.

 

[ArunAlec]

We looked at the Ford Kelsey at the NEC. I’m sure that was Westfalia - similar to the Nugget or am I dreaming it? Spoke to a guy from Wandahome about it and he made it clear that Ford do the mechanics but wouldn’t touch the habitation side of things - got to find a Westy dealer.

Your correct the Kelsey is a Westfalia….. https://www.campersales.co.uk/cs/821/

 

[Georgiegirl]

We looked at the Ford Kelsey at the NEC. I’m sure that was Westfalia - similar to the Nugget or am I dreaming it? Spoke to a guy from Wandahome about it and he made it clear that Ford do the mechanics but wouldn’t touch the habitation side of things - got to find a Westy dealer.

They are both Westfalia but the Nugget is more like a Cali in that Ford sell them, whereas all other Westafalias are sold by their dealer network. The dealer we used has resolved both camper and vehicle issues and that is why we decided to buy through them (although other garages had cheaper vans).
We did consider the Kelsey but preferred the ‘2 room’ nugget layout and didn’t like the lower bed jenga cushions.

 

[larrylamb]

They are both Westfalia but the Nugget is more like a Cali in that Ford sell them, whereas all other Westafalias are sold by their dealer network. The dealer we used has resolved both camper and vehicle issues and that is why we decided to buy through them (although other garages had cheaper vans).
We did consider the Kelsey but preferred the ‘2 room’ nugget layout and didn’t like the lower bed jenga cushions.

I believe Alan Myerscough Ford in Ulverston are a good Ford/Westy dealership to deal with and know their stuff.

Allen Ford dealerships on the other hand were awful imo. Cheap, but you get what you pay for sometimes.

 

[calibusje]

We looked at the Ford Kelsey at the NEC. I’m sure that was Westfalia - similar to the Nugget or am I dreaming it? Spoke to a guy from Wandahome about it and he made it clear that Ford do the mechanics but wouldn’t touch the habitation side of things - got to find a Westy dealer.

Similar yes just not quite the same; the Ford Kelsey is the layout of the Kepler one (in a VW Transporter van) built into a Ford Custom and indeed a Westfalia.
Quick question: why don’t do those who sell them, the 'habitation side of things'. For example, one buys the Kelsey at Vanomobil (a Belgian dealer of, among other things, Westfalia products, and more) and they do that. Wandahome sells them but they are not a Westfalia dealer and won’t help with the furniture?
I'm just wondering because it seems that the Westfalia dealership is quite unclear for a lot of (former) interested and maybe even potential buyers.

 

[mrkjd]

We recently went through months of comparing the pros and cons of ocean /beach/ nugget / nugget plus / hi-tops and spent ages at dealerships tinkering around in them and having hired a Cali for two weeks 10 years ago. As a couple and small dog wanting access to small campsites and the odd city camp we went cali but for much of the search we thought the SWB nugget was going to be the way to go.

The most difficult decision to make was whether to go LWB and hi top / low top for all the usual reasons. Certainly quite a few Cali owners seem to make the leap to a bigger van. We owned a large twin axle caravan for 10 years so like space but the use case for the Cali is entirely different and our driveway is very tight for a hi-top so we decided SWB / low top was the way to go. As others have said, the hi-top Nugget is a compelling choice if only it was available.

The reasons we had the Nugget as our first choice initially were:

• The rear walk thru kitchen
• The bigger pop top bed
• The twin sliding doors
• The roomier feel

We felt the Nugget was much better for a family, particularly with 3 kids. That’s not us. The Nugget kitchen is better in full camp mode but when we hired the Cali we found ourselves using the kitchen quite often with roof down so what we thought was a major advantage in the Nugget wasn’t actually as clear cut in reality.

The Cali pop-top bed has incrementally improved since the T5 we rented years ago and the bellow window options are better than the Nugget. Having said that the leaking bellows issue is a concern.

The twin sliding doors on the nugget are great but we hated the small window with very limited opening. The Cali sliding windows are much better - but do they leak? We felt that if use was to include pitching awnings then the Nugget was better. We don’t intend to do this much and it seems many Cali owners find they don’t use awnings as much as they thought they would.

Although the Nugget felt roomier it also felt less well put together and had no rear AC. The lower bed was clunky to make up and less comfortable as a seat. Curiously not as nice a place to be despite feeling roomier. I suspect this was very subjective but we both felt it.

The loo question prompted much debate and changing of minds as we are of an age where a night visit is the norm. LWB Nugget rules here but find the smell of the chemicals masks the - errr - odours - but permeates everything, even if it’s meant to be “spring fresh” or whatever! Choices of chemical free separating loos etc and the fact we are not squeamish about a loo in the living area or a pop up tent mean we feel the flexibility of not having a fixed loo may actually be an advantage. This is an area where only time will tell if we’ve made the right choice.

The Cali cab Was much more bling than the nugget and less plasticky but also less practical and hard wearing. I agree with those that feel the 6.1 is not as good as the original 6. I agree with what others say that the Cali / Nugget drive very similarly. I was concerned about wet belt failures in the Nugget but the Cali engine has also had its issues. Potential Wet belt issues did ultimately influence our choice though as it highlights dealer support. Not that I’m putting AVW on a pedestal here!

The Cali “boot” type storage makes it a far better daily driver - something we will be using it for.

The Cali shows its evolution in many many small ways but I think it was the choice of aftermarket tweaks that allow owners to improve the van to their specific use that was the deciding factor. The Nugget simply does not have that user base and support. As others have said, the Nugget fills a place between the Cali and Beach. A more motorhome than daily driver solution (for good and bad).

 

[calibusje]

I agree with those that feel the 6.1 is not as good as the original 6.

And why is the t6.1 not as good as the ‘original’ t6? Such a long text to express some negative thoughts about the t6.1. Everyone has their own idea of course and you share your idea with others. Ok, but I do not agree with that: I have made many good trips with it for two years and use it as a daily means of transport to my satisfaction. And I'm certainly not alone in that experience. I didn't have any more issues in the beginning of many other california ever released from the t5 onwards or even campervans from other brands. None is sanctifying.

 

[chockswahay]

I'd say the argument for both is clear cut. If you always stay on sites, sleep upstairs, and never want a quick brew or meal whilst on the road then the Nugget wins. If you don't always stay on sites or always sleep upstairs and like to be able to eat or drink just about anywhere (Lidl carpark for example) then the California wins. For application they are two very different vehicles.

As for the loo? well it will always be a compromise in such a small van so its a case of 'choose your victim'.

Any road up, us Cali owners are a blinkered bunch, so suggesting anything is better than a Cali on a forum for Cali owners will rarely win the argument

 

[The Blue Merle]

And why is the t6.1 not as good as the ‘original’ t6? Such a long text to express some negative thoughts about the t6.1. Everyone has their own idea of course and you share your idea with others. Ok, but I do not agree with that: I have made many good trips with it for two years and use it as a daily means of transport to my satisfaction. And I'm certainly not alone in that experience. I didn't have any more issues in the beginning of many other california ever released from the t5 onwards or even campervans from other brands. None is sanctifying.

No CD player

 

[chockswahay]

No CD player

Haha, that is one thing I shall never miss!

 

[Ch1pbutty]

We just upgraded to a Club Joker (complete with CD player!), but would have also looked a Nugget had they released the high-top version in the UK. (No interest in Grand Cali.)

Westfalia seems very well built and most camping relating items are easily accesible so can be worked on by any motorhome specialist (or DIY), who probably have more experience than say VW, who just replace rather than attempt a fix.

Having one garage that can fix both mechanical / habitation seems great, but not if you have to wait a few months to get a slot, when all that's needed is a replacement sink pump etc.

Cali, Nugget, Westfalia are all great vans & comes down to what works best for the individual.

 

[calibusje]

We just upgraded to a Club Joker (complete with CD player!), but would have also looked a Nugget had they released the high-top version in the UK. (No interest in Grand Cali.)

Westfalia seems very well built and most camping relating items are easily accesible so can be worked on by any motorhome specialist (or DIY), who probably have more experience than say VW, who just replace rather than attempt a fix.

Having one garage that can fix both mechanical / habitation seems great, but not if you have to wait a few months to get a slot, when all that's needed is a replacement sink pump etc.

Cali, Nugget, Westfalia are all great vans & comes down to what works best for the individual.

A Westfalia club joker is a fine campervan, nice!
Indeed, it always comes down to what works best for the individual, I just don't think it's necessary to keep tearing down the T6.1 as some keep doing but I guess that’s just the way it is. Pity.
I ditched a CD player years ago, ever since I traveled with our old T4 Westy

 

[Barry Chuckle]

We just upgraded to a Club Joker (complete with CD player!), but would have also looked a Nugget had they released the high-top version in the UK. (No interest in Grand Cali.)

Westfalia seems very well built and most camping relating items are easily accesible so can be worked on by any motorhome specialist (or DIY), who probably have more experience than say VW, who just replace rather than attempt a fix.

Having one garage that can fix both mechanical / habitation seems great, but not if you have to wait a few months to get a slot, when all that's needed is a replacement sink pump etc.

Cali, Nugget, Westfalia are all great vans & comes down to what works best for the individual.

I think the Club Joker is an outstanding vehicle, but I'm biased being a Westfalia fan!!!

The only thing I think goes against them is their relative cost, as they're not mass produced they seem a lot more expensive than the competition. Are you still as pleased with it as when you first bought it?

 

[Ch1pbutty]

I think the Club Joker is an outstanding vehicle, but I'm biased being a Westfalia fan!!!

The only thing I think goes against them is their relative cost, as they're not mass produced they seem a lot more expensive than the competition. Are you still as pleased with it as when you first bought it?

Only had it a few weeks, still very happy!

 

[derek_j_buchanan]

I previously posted to say we had downsized from a Ford Ducato having previously been Beach and then Ocean owners, but had now decided to go to a Ford Nugget Plus. I promised to write a review once we had been on our first camping trip which happened over Easter weekend. So how does the nugget compare to the Cali?

Community - Cali wins
No waves from other vans in the Ford ( although to be fair Nuggets are fairly rare so we haven’t met one of those yet!). Most Transits are builders vans but I do miss the friendly waves and the Nugget forum is much smaller than this treasure trove of advice (but we have already used it to solve a few problems)

Looks on the outside.- Cali wins
I can’t help but still love the VW it’s the van I always wanted and it still holds my heart. Having said that our transit is a looker having a sports pack, so it’s not exactly ugly. We managed to get one of the Active spec vans which has roof rails, tow bar, running boards, partial leather upholstery, and black mirrors which does make it look smarter than your average builders van

Drive - draw
Both our Ocean and the Nugget are autos with adaptive cruise control making motorway cruising a breeze. Our nugget has a reversing camera which is a nice addition. Overall though I’d say it’s too close to call

Storage space accessible from outside - Cali wins
The Nugget doesn’t have a boot, so the Cali wins hands down on this one. Having said that there are some very large storage areas both under and behind the bench seat which holds the majority of things you would store in the boot in a Cali, like bedding and a cadac, but you won’t be able to use your perfectly packed storage boxes!

Passenger space - Nugget wins
The rear bench easily seats 3 so the nugget gives you the perfect combination of beach seat configuration and ocean full camper. It also has sliding doors both sides so easy for everyone to get in and out

Roof - Cali wins
The nugget is manual roof only and seemed impossible to close until we found a tip on the forum so I’d say the Cali wins for ease!

So far the Cali is doing well, but once you get on the inside on a camping trip the Nugget really comes into its own!

Toilet - nugget wins
We have the plus version which comes with a proper toilet with separate water tank for the flush and a removable waste unit. We anlso have a separate drop down sink all hidden behind a privacy screen. Even the normal nugget has a cupboard specifically for a camping toilet.

Hot water - nugget wins
There is a small boiler which can be used in both sinks and the shower attachment (outdoor use only)

Kitchen - nugget wins
The back of the van has no boot because this space is essentially the kitchen. The roof pops up at the back and the head height is massive so you can stand to cook while others sit further down at the dining table. There’s is an L shaped worktop with fridge similar to the Ocean, 2 burner hob and sink. Because these are spaced out you have loads more preparation space than the Cali. The cupboard space is slightly smaller but still room for plates, cooking equipment and a cutlery drawer. I stored some food further down the van which I had been a bit worried about but actually that worked well.

Bed - nugget wins
The upper bed is massive - wider and longer than the Cali. It’s got froli springs which I haven’t had before and they make such a difference to comfort levels. There are 2 lights which you can switch on and off from the bed and a shelf to store your phone etc. We didn’t try the downstairs bed on this trip but it’s made out of the bench seat and a final piece that appears from underneath once the bench has been lowered. Some other Westfalia Fords needed extra cushions which are a pain to store, so this was an extra tick for us with the nugget.

Wardrobe - nugget wins
The ocean has a better wardrobe for hanging space but the nugget has a small hanging space behind the toilet plus a large shelved cupboard where we stored our clothes in packing bags, towels and wash stuff. It’s easier to access and full length as it’s in the walkway through from the dining area to the kitchen so it’s not blocked by anything

Dining - Cali wins
You can’t beat the table in the Cali - the nugget has a large table which is stored loose behind the bench seat and a separate leg screws into the floor. This is a bit of a pain to use and store, and we will probably end up buying an alternative. The nugget comes with a larger outside table stored in the tailgate and 2 chairs - we left the chairs at home as they are large and we used the storage area for our rainbow screens roof and screen covers.

Umbrella - nugget wins
Yes there really is a Westfalia umbrella next to the door. A great idea for rainy days ( and it came in handy to help tuck in the pop top cover when we installed it!)

So overall we are very pleased with the Nugget. Coming from a larger van we had been spoilt and it’s offered us a good compromise with a smaller package. Ideally we would’ve gone for the fixed high top version (similar to the Club Joker) but it’s not available in the UK.

I’m happy to answer any questions that anyone has. Thanks for listening!

Space for the large dog crate plus sailing kit in the boot - Cali wins hands down, double hands down no other van if it’s size compares.

 

[Corradobrit]

If swrvicing needs are considered, the Cali wins handsdown. Ford won't even touch the habitation in a Nugget, and Westfalia are a PITA to deal with directly. This is firsthand experience of the CaliCamperFamily.

 

[chez786]

thanks for this comparison. Seen one at a show and think the layout is brill