Game changers for the Cali. What are yours?

[johnyboy]

Carplay stereo

 

[Moakesy]

I'm not sure if this counts as a true Game Changer just yet as I haven't actually used it properly so far, but I'm hoping it proves to be the case.

After being away for 5 days without hookup over the Jubilee weekend, I ordered this as we got fed up trying to charge various phones / watches etc using the sockets in the shower block. Too many devices and too nervous about leaving phones unattended.

It can supposedly charge an iPhone 24 times, or a MacBook Air four times. It only turned up today, but with 3 USB's and one three pin plug, it should also enable me to work from the van more easily.

Is a lot smaller than I expected, so looking forward to testing this out.

 

[chockswahay]

Haha, what an afternoon I’ve had!

So then, we were in Dunelm, I liked the idea of the Marvel Mats but Kate didn’t. Whilst I was wandering around looking for something to buy, she turned up with an OXO mini dustpan set …….. great! (thanks to @Stu@rt I have a place for one of those)

Next, I found a nice cheap set 16 cutlery items in a near green to match the van (sad I know) for a fiver

Now then, how can any of this be a game changer? Well, when I went to put the OXO pan in the side pocket of the drivers seat (never realised it was there!) I figured there must be one on the passenger side……. Bingo! It’s a bit smaller and the OXO is a perfect fit…….PLUS I then realised the driver side pocket would make a good place for the car manual which has been lolling around in the dash cubby hole. Double winning!

After that I replaced the dodgy selection of cutlery with the new ones and noticed our bread kinfe just won’t fit in the draw………. 5 mins later and half an inch sawn off…..perfect!

So now with an empty cubby hole in the dash I have somewhere to put the travel sweets without the car manual getting in the way or falling out.

Here’s the piccies

 

[chockswahay]

Oh, and I wish to say that I hold @Elly Swanson and @Stu@rt entirely responsible for my previous post! (actually, thanks guys)

 

[chez786]

Porta potti - game changer

 

[McGons]

We have a Beach so probably different game changers but ours are:
- Vanessa window bags
- Inka Seat covers
- Alpkit Brukit for making a quick brew
- Various collapsible things from Outwell
- We also have the small OXO brush that’s been mentioned, had it for a couple of years and still going strong. It’s brilliant at keeping on top of the dog hair shed from our springer spaniel, brushes off the seats and rug easily.
-

 

[66tim99]

the driver side pocket would make a good place for the car manual

Nice - I've just done the same

 

[66tim99]

It’s a bit smaller

Aint that a brain tease? Why would that be smaller?

 

[soulstyledevon]

Just painted the discs.
So much nicer looking than standard silver…

 

[chockswahay]

Aint that a brain tease? Why would that be smaller?

I had to think about this for a few seconds The ‘Hallelujah’ moment for me was that the drivers side pocket is big enough for the manual, this was a game changer as I had never really found a good place to store it. Together with a place to fit the OXO this is heaven sent!

 

[chockswahay]

Just painted the discs.
So much nicer looking than standard silver…

View attachment 94183

Haha, this is a joke ……… innit?

 

[RoB5urf]

Comfort:
We just upgraded our mattress topper to a Panda Small Double. Noticeable improvement over the Dunelm topper we have been using the for the last 5 years. Briefly considered a self-inflating mattress but, having watched a few videos, seems they sometimes have to be topped up. I like the fact that we can just roll out the topper and its ready for use.

Practicality / Convenience:
Built a small table that attaches to the rail. Game changer for us. We've also had a small compressor fridge (Waeco CDF-11?) for a few years which we wouldn't be without in our Beach.

Looks:
Jackyards seat covers. Not to everyone's taste and TBH the fit isn't 100%, but they're perfect for us. The cabin feels much more homely than it did with acres of VW grey.

 

[ardm17]

Just painted the discs.
So much nicer looking than standard silver…

View attachment 94183

Gloss for a smoother finish???

 

[bob_summers]

Cockpit storage is pretty rubbish compared to my T5 so the manual stays at home. I never read manuals anyway so can't think why I'd need it in the van! The California manual does stay in the van though - in case the hydraulic roof gets stuck more than anything.

Game changer is the van itself really. I haven't bought anything for it at all, other than a few throws and mats to keep the inside in decent shape. Even the standard beds are fine. I did buy a big kettle, after years of brewing up in the Trangia!

 

[Kayleigh]

Haha, what an afternoon I’ve had!

So then, we were in Dunelm, I liked the idea of the Marvel Mats but Kate didn’t. Whilst I was wandering around looking for something to buy, she turned up with an OXO mini dustpan set …….. great! (thanks to @Stu@rt I have a place for one of those)

Next, I found a nice cheap set 16 cutlery items in a near green to match the van (sad I know) for a fiver

Now then, how can any of this be a game changer? Well, when I went to put the OXO pan in the side pocket of the drivers seat (never realised it was there!) I figured there must be one on the passenger side……. Bingo! It’s a bit smaller and the OXO is a perfect fit…….PLUS I then realised the driver side pocket would make a good place for the car manual which has been lolling around in the dash cubby hole. Double winning!

After that I replaced the dodgy selection of cutlery with the new ones and noticed our bread kinfe just won’t fit in the draw………. 5 mins later and half an inch sawn off…..perfect!

So now with an empty cubby hole in the dash I have somewhere to put the travel sweets without the car manual getting in the way or falling out.

Here’s the piccies

View attachment 94157

View attachment 94165

View attachment 94159



View attachment 94161



View attachment 94163

So that’s confirmed then. The T6.1 cubby hole DOES hold a small bag of Haribos

 

[66tim99]

So that’s confirmed then. The T6.1 cubby hole DOES hold a small bag of Haribos

PLUS a small (new) Mars bar...

 

[66tim99]

Panda Small Double

Do you think this could be left up top with the roof down, to replace the VW mattress?

 

[kurienp]

Gloss for a smoother finish???

... and don't forget the lacquer coat. Keeps the paint layer safe.

 

[Nick.C]

This year’s game changer for me was some coat hooks on the back of the front seats fitted under the headrests - really useful

 

[Mrs Big John]

Comfort:
We just upgraded our mattress topper to a Panda Small Double. Noticeable improvement over the Dunelm topper we have been using the for the last 5 years. Briefly considered a self-inflating mattress but, having watched a few videos, seems they sometimes have to be topped up. I like the fact that we can just roll out the topper and its ready for use.

Practicality / Convenience:
Built a small table that attaches to the rail. Game changer for us. We've also had a small compressor fridge (Waeco CDF-11?) for a few years which we wouldn't be without in our Beach.

Looks:
Jackyards seat covers. Not to everyone's taste and TBH the fit isn't 100%, but they're perfect for us. The cabin feels much more homely than it did with acres of VW grey.

Is the topper for the top bed?

 

[Bluebird]

A simple cup holder. Makes travel coffee so much more easy and manageable. Assembled using quadlock and related attachments

Sent from my Pixel 6 Pro using Tapatalk

A simple cup holder. Makes travel coffee so much more easy and manageable. Assembled using quadlock and related attachments

Sent from my Pixel 6 Pro using Tapatalk

Can I ask where you got them from ? They are just what I’m after.

 

[Perfectos]

Just painted the discs.
So much nicer looking than standard silver…

View attachment 94183

I’d would have gone for a lower half wrap

 

[Perfectos]

... and don't forget the lacquer coat. Keeps the paint layer safe.

What about Gteq Ceramic coating, I’ve heard it’s pretty good and when you wash them you won’t need to wax em

 

[RoB5urf]

Is the topper for the top bed?

No, we bought it for the lower bed but have used it upstairs too. We have a Beach, I suspect it might be too wide for an Ocean.

 

[Anthony1]

Foldable wine glasses Awesome! It sounds like you’ve really got there. We’re still figuring out a few things. The boot is one of them. What do you use for water? We’ve got a collapsible water carrier but it’s massive and takes up so much space!

We definitely need a review of what we’ve got. The boot is not as good as it could be. It’s nearly there. Just need to cut back.

We carry a 5 litre bottle and fill the main tank. Unless you are crossing the Gobi desert, water is available all over Europe.