Forgive me forum for I have sinned..

[rich-s]

Have been to view another van

We are just finding the Cali a bit small. Yesterday we went to view a Westfalia Columbus 641E. Fantastic quality fit out on a 6.4m Fiat van conversion. Just can't decide if the extra room, huge bed, and on board loo, is worth the trade off in ability to park the Cali anywhere.

 

[Hotel California]

If we ever swap the Cali for a diffrent type it would most likely be a van in such a range .
Not to big but more comfort than a Cali.

You are forgiven my son....

 

[2into1]

It all depends on what the non camping role of the camper is.
If the camper sits waiting for high days or holidays then go for it. If it's a regular 2nd car, that points to a Cali.

 

[GrannyJen]

Have been to view another van

We are just finding the Cali a bit small. Yesterday we went to view a Westfalia Columbus 641E. Fantastic quality fit out on a 6.4m Fiat van conversion. Just can't decide if the extra room, huge bed, and on board loo, is worth the trade off in ability to park the Cali anywhere.

No need to leave the forum Rich if you opt for the Columbus, you have been a most valued contributor and your site is one loved by many on here. The Columbus is gorgeous, great choice.

That trade off consideration though is a big. Only you know your lifestyle and vehicle needs.

Thank you for your past contributions.

 

[flying banana]

it's not all about space and comfort for me. it's about being cool as f***. stands out like a turd on a doorstep on any camp site. just back from glentrool camping and caravan.park in galloway. if you like solitude that's the place. also clean and tidy with use of bothy huts with fridge freezer kettle microwave etc. top showers too. and the galloway national park is awesome.

 

[Sandyvan]

I went the other way, had a 24foot coach built motorhome 6 birth bigger fridge than at home. A garage that two motocross bikes could fit in two fixed doubles etc. etc. you get the picture.
I used to pull my race car with it or a Toyota Aygo when touring, sometimes a scooter and car with trailer on we were 40 foot long.
The problem came with (sleepy van syndrome) she sat all winter then we came to use it things would go wrong turbo at just out of warranty but 11,000 miles power steering rotted out because water had sat on a union until used pressure blew it just as we got to a campsite, transported home after the W/E.
Moral use it.

Love the Cali can be used every day, ok limited on space but fun as

 

[rich-s]

It all depends on what the non camping role of the camper is.
If the camper sits waiting for high days or holidays then go for it. If it's a regular 2nd car, that points to a Cali.

This is a very good point. When we bought the Cali, it was intended to be for everyday use. However, we have found that we don't use it as such. We have had some great, albeit short, trips in it. We are booked into Glastonbury so will probably still have it for then. Have to wait and see what Columbus stock comes on the market. The one we saw yesterday was great, but the Mrs Rich-S wasn't taken with the colour. We have looked at several other van conversions recently and until yesterday, none of them did anything for us.

 

[flying banana]

live life. love life. look cool. buy a cali. or do it like I did. live life. love life. borrow some cash from nationwide and then look cool.get yer head down. get up. go out . come back drunk and repeat

 

[Raggedroy]

Have been to view another van

We are just finding the Cali a bit small. Yesterday we went to view a Westfalia Columbus 641E. Fantastic quality fit out on a 6.4m Fiat van conversion. Just can't decide if the extra room, huge bed, and on board loo, is worth the trade off in ability to park the Cali anywhere.

Just imagine the size of TV I could get in it one of those.

 

[The Blue Merle]

it's not all about space and comfort for me. it's about being cool as f***. stands out like a turd on a doorstep on any camp site. just back from glentrool camping and caravan.park in galloway. if you like solitude that's the place. also clean and tidy with use of bothy huts with fridge freezer kettle microwave etc. top showers too. and the galloway national park is awesome.

View attachment 21766

Love the yellow def stands out, how do you find stealth wild camping. Still if they done the ocean in it, maybe tempted

 

[rich-s]

Just imagine the size of TV I could get in it one of those.

If that's your thing...

I take an iPad with me and have one of these.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00G3Q7NCS/?tag=eliteelect-21


Can't see that changing if I get a bigger van.

 

[Cwoods1405]

I have cast my eye over a few of the westfalia van conversions recently and they are really nice.
The issue I had was the comfort of the seats in the back. They are very upright. I was however very very impressed with the club joker as it was extremely well fitted out and had comfortable seating. Downside the roof looks like a smurf hat and the eye watering price!

 

[Raggedroy]

 

[Yorkie]

I have cast my eye over a few of the westfalia van conversions recently and they are really nice.
The issue I had was the comfort of the seats in the back. They are very upright. I was however very very impressed with the club joker as it was extremely well fitted out and had comfortable seating. Downside the roof looks like a smurf hat and the eye watering price!

The angle of the rear Cali seats in mine are adjustable. Are you referring to the conversion

 

[GrannyJen]

If that's your thing...

I take an iPad with me and have one of these.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00G3Q7NCS/?tag=eliteelect-21


Can't see that changing if I get a bigger van.

Definitely a plus one for eye tv. I had 70 channels to choose from last time that I used it, superb picture and superb sound streamed through my mini Bose sound link.

 

[Cwoods1405]

The angle of the rear Cali seats in mine are adjustable. Are you referring to the conversion

Yes I am referring to the westfalia van conversion ( fiat based I believe). The westfalia club joker was brilliant ( Vw based) in my humble opinion. Seats more comfortable for sitting and travelling. I know about the seats in the California thanks

 

[ejmoore]

If that's your thing...

I take an iPad with me and have one of these.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00G3Q7NCS/?tag=eliteelect-21
.

That looks interesting, does it work well?

 

[GrannyJen]

That looks interesting, does it work well?

My post two up .......

 

[ejmoore]

My post two up .......

Thanks! I'm thinking it might be useful at home, never mind in the van.

 

[ejmoore]

Thanks! I'm thinking it might be useful at home, never mind in the van.

My post two up .......

Ok, I've ordered one! I acted on your recommendation to buy an in-van laptop charger a year or two ago - that has been very useful, thank you.

 

[GrannyJen]

Thanks! I'm thinking it might be useful at home, never mind in the van.

It does not work everywhere, and does not work at my home

I have one for my laptop and one for my I Pad, sometimes a bit of drop out occurs and can be a nuisance but for the price, and the tiny amount of space that it takes up, it is a hugely useful. I have found the best place for the aerial is magnetically attached to one of the roof struts ... not very stable though,

 

[Paul Morris]

Have been to view another van

We are just finding the Cali a bit small. Yesterday we went to view a Westfalia Columbus 641E. Fantastic quality fit out on a 6.4m Fiat van conversion. Just can't decide if the extra room, huge bed, and on board loo, is worth the trade off in ability to park the Cali anywhere.

Well I came from a similar van to a Cali,
1 you can drive and park a Cali anywhere.
2 There is actually more leg and tummy room around the table for four people in our Cali than the dinette it's predecessor.

Horses for courses though, so best of luck.

 

[Borris]

Have been to view another van

We are just finding the Cali a bit small. Yesterday we went to view a Westfalia Columbus 641E. Fantastic quality fit out on a 6.4m Fiat van conversion. Just can't decide if the extra room, huge bed, and on board loo, is worth the trade off in ability to park the Cali anywhere.

 

[VWCampersales]

Hi All,

It's been really interesting reading this thread. As most of you will know, we are a California specialist, but we don't usually explain on here we are also one of 3 Westfalia dealers in the UK.

Just thought it appropriate to comment- we adore VW Californias, but do find that for those looking for the next step whether it be to have an on board washroom, or fixed bed etc, Westfalias set the market standard for those extras.

For future reference, we are always looking at buying Californias and also offer part exchange should it no longer suit your needs, but a Westfalia take your eye. http://www.vwcampersales.com/for-sale/

(There is no question that Californias are the coolest........)

Kind regards,

Laura + VWCampersales Ltd

 

[rich-s]

We have now ordered a Westfalia Columbus. Unfortunately not via VWcampersales, as your website did not show any upcoming stock in our preferred model. The one we have ordered was already in the pipeline as a stock van, which we were able to tweak to our desired spec. We have also decided to put our Cali up for sale now and take our old caravan to Glastonbury instead. Therefore once I have taken a few photo's I'll advertise it here first.

However I'll still stay around here, as we love the Cali's too and will almost certainly offer to host another rally next season.