Grand or not?

[calija]

It takes a bit of getting used to especially in tight spaces and tight turns. The reversing camera helps and I never realised how rubbish car door mirrors are until I got this. They are enormous and make up for the fact that the rear view mirror only shows 1 back window that’s tiny. It cruises really well, about 1700 rpm at 60mph.

Thanks what options did you spec and would you spec the same again

 

[Ian on the road]

Thanks what options did you spec and would you spec the same again

We added most stuff.
LED headlights
Electric Folding mirrors
Blind spot and side protection
Solar panel
Air con unit
Additional side windows
Diesel heating
SOG
Ambient lighting
Awning
Satellite dish
Reversing camera
Towbar

Really happy with everything. We intend to spend weeks at a time in it and self sufficiency was a priority.

 

[calija]

We added most stuff.
LED headlights
Electric Folding mirrors
Blind spot and side protection
Solar panel
Air con unit
Additional side windows
Diesel heating
SOG
Ambient lighting
Awning
Satellite dish
Reversing camera
Towbar

Really happy with everything. We intend to spend weeks at a time in it and self sufficiency was a priority.

Thanks again one more question can you fit 2 adult bikes under the rear bed or would yy have to fold the bed up

 

[Ian on the road]

We added most stuff.
LED headlights
Electric Folding mirrors
Blind spot and side protection
Solar panel
Air con unit
Additional side windows
Diesel heating
SOG
Ambient lighting
Awning
Satellite dish
Reversing camera
Towbar

Really happy with everything. We intend to spend weeks at a time in it and self sufficiency was a priority.

If you remove front wheel (mine has quick release) then maybe (76cm), otherwise bed up. Issue is shouldn’t drive with bed up.

 

[calija]

If you remove front wheel (mine has quick release) then maybe (76cm), otherwise bed up. Issue is shouldn’t drive with bed up.

Thanks again,have you been on any trips yet and if so what do you think of the van

 

[Ian on the road]

Been on 2 and another on the way. Loving it. I know others dislike the size and it’s not an every day driver but for me, it’s exactly what we wanted. Self sufficiency. A bar, a restaurant and a hotel room on wheels. It also fits on my drive, so no storage issues.

 

[calija]

Been on 2 and another on the way. Loving it. I know others dislike the size and it’s not an every day driver but for me, it’s exactly what we wanted. Self sufficiency. A bar, a restaurant and a hotel room on wheels. It also fits on my drive, so no storage issues.

Thanks I might order one in the next few weeks , just a big step up from a Cali size wise got to think about colours also and extras

 

[Jester]

Thanks I might order one in the next few weeks , just a big step up from a Cali size wise got to think about colours also and extras

You will not notice the size after a couple of hours, very easy to drive. easy to park, but not really a daily drive but not meant to be unless you are a DPD driver.

 

[Adno]

For what it's worth we sold our LWB (5.3m) T5 Bilbo Celex, not a Cali I know but close, which had the largest engine and an auto box last year, and imported from Germany (over lockdown) a new La Strada EB with the new Fiat Ducato 9 speed gearbox and the largest 180hp engine, on the Fiat heavy 4ton chassis. I am pretty sure the underlying van, the Ducato, is not as robust as the VW, which is what I expected. No doubt electrics over time will be more of an issue that the VW which was largely fault free over 10 years and 70km ( except some groaning front suspension problems). But the 2020 Ducato engine and gearbox combo is excellent. Changes are seamless. I've done about 3k miles and I'm getting 28.5 mpg, which I consider reasonable for a vehicle that on the weigh bridge is currently weighing in at 3.45 tons. And the habitation build is excellent, better IMO than Hymer, but it is 6.4m and there is no UK dealer. Fully winterised, heated waste tank, altitude kit for the diesel heater, full leather. Permanent longtudinal single beds that can make up into a huge double. Massive storage in the back. We love it. And although not cheap it is exactly what we wanted.

The new Ducato engine and gearbox is better than in Cali


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[Jester]

The new Ducato engine and gearbox is better than in Cali
Says who?


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[Jester]

The new Ducato engine and gearbox is better than in Cali


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?

 

[Jay20cali]

I saw one at the NEC a few years back and didn’t like the pop out flap much. The design seemed unsophisticated with a rubber bellow for the sides and on the demo was already damaged with a patch on it. The rest of the van looked ok apart from their awful graphics on the side (IMO).

Rubber bellows

Has anyone seen a Westfalia Sven Hedin they seem to be a similar quality to the GC and the rear bed is longer due to the pop out. There don't seem to be many dealers though which may well be an issue.

yep we have one on order .lovely vans as is the grand I just didn’t want a high top and ideally only wanted a mwb so a Sven was perfect and having owned Westfalias before I know how good the quality is...
The pop out isn’t rubber as said above it’s abs hard strong plastic and insulated too,
The (compass) decals may also not be to his style either but I really do think there great looking decals.
There sold at wandahome hull and campersales Burgess hill here’s a pic from the show at wandahome

 

[hmy7k]

Very interesting, what is availability like and is pricing comparable to GC.

I think choice is coming down to GC680 or a Sven, I actually rather like the decals and I think I prefer the shorter wheel base.
Not sure about the wheels, presumably there is an alloy option?

Shame the all the dealers are such a long way from where we live, and it does concern me a bit about getting things fixed.

 

[Jay20cali]

Very interesting, what is availability like and is pricing comparable to GC.

I think choice is coming down to GC680 or a Sven, I actually rather like the decals and I think I prefer the shorter wheel base.
Not sure about the wheels, presumably there is an alloy option?

Shame the all the dealers are such a long way from where we live, and it does concern me a bit about getting things fixed.

That’s exactly where I was the 680 or sven
If I wanted a 680 it would of needed to be 4motion
The wheels are just the standard ones it comes with you can have alloys if you like,

There similar price depending spec on both and on the dealership you call one does discount and one doesn’t.
We love it
the heating and water on the Sven is diesel as apposed to gas,the diesel heating is an extra on the GC.
Also the Sven can be specced with extra battery,winter pack inc underfloor heating .I think both are lovely but the fibreglass roof on the 680 put me off as you cannot fit any roof racks other than that I honestly struggled to decide

 

[Rasp]

hi guys
we have also just ordered a sven hedin from wanderhome.
would have loved to get the grand 600 but cant get past the roof and also seems to have alot
of teething problems.
westfailia have a good reputation.
also abit more room in the boot should fit two mtbs in.
think base price was £61000 but that soon rockets when you get stuck into the options
alloy wheels are £1700 so we are gunna go for sum after market,maybe rhinos!
delivery window is july/ august but recon it could be much longer given the situation in europe at the mo.

 

[Jay20cali]

hi guys
we have also just ordered a sven hedin from wanderhome.
would have loved to get the grand 600 but cant get past the roof and also seems to have alot
of teething problems.
westfailia have a good reputation.
also abit more room in the boot should fit two mtbs in.
think base price was £61000 but that soon rockets when you get stuck into the options
alloy wheels are £1700 so we are gunna go for sum after market,maybe rhinos!
delivery window is july/ august but recon it could be much longer given the situation in europe at the mo.

Well done and congratulations
Re wheels
The black rhino is a good choice

 

[Wondering Star]

You may wish to consider upplating, with a few options added payload will be under 400kg.
Easier to do before delivery by your supplier.

 

[Chris Harris]

You can easily lift the bed matress and store items like pots and pans you don't regularly use on top of the fresh water tank

 

[Markyp]

For those with a GC 600 where do you store pots & pans & plates etc also how do you get on with only 1 leisure battery as I am considering moving from a cali ocean to a grand cali thanks

I managed to fit everything in the kitchen drawers. The battery operates the lights and fridge and water pumps for about two days , using gas for heating. I don’t have a solar panel. Mostly I use a hook up so battery never an issue, I also carry a small microwave stored in the back and mainly use that for cooking. ....If you run the engine with the speed charge button depressed you can recharge the battery by about 20% per 10/15 mins. I have a gc 600 and am really happy with it.

 

[Markyp]

Well done and congratulations
Re wheels
The black rhino is a good choice

Congrats, great van. I have a go 600 and the teething problems have all been my lack of understanding so far. It’s a brilliant bit of kit and great to drive.

 

[jimc]

We went from an LWB AutoT5 CamperKing conversion to a 6m Adria Twin Supreme.

We had put a deposit down on a GC 600 but were put off after a test drive, it was too rattly and the storage lockers came open on bumpy roads, we decided it just wasn't worth the money, we weren't in love with the styling either, to be honest.

Like others, we'd got fed up with the lack of space and the nightly ritual of putting the bed up.

Our Adria is only 0.7m longer but feels massive inside in comparison, we love it and feel much more inclined to go away at short notice without worrying so much about the weather.
It's great having a toilet and shower on board too.
Everything inside feels more solid than the GC and there are masses of lockers and storage.
I think 6m is the perfect size for two people.

Jim

 

[Jester]

hi guys
we have also just ordered a sven hedin from wanderhome.
would have loved to get the grand 600 but cant get past the roof and also seems to have alot
of teething problems.
westfailia have a good reputation.
also abit more room in the boot should fit two mtbs in.
think base price was £61000 but that soon rockets when you get stuck into the options
alloy wheels are £1700 so we are gunna go for sum after market,maybe rhinos!
delivery window is july/ august but recon it could be much longer given the situation in europe at the mo.

Did you go for the Black Rhinos and which ones, were you concerned about the offset, any idea on the effects, what size did you go for as interested myself.

 

[Chris Harris]

After returning my GC600 because of the faults VW couldn't repair, I now have a Malibu 540DB on order, which (Covid permitting) I should collect nect week. Hopefully this one works better than the VW

 

[Jester]

After returning my GC600 because of the faults VW couldn't repair, I now have a Malibu 540DB on order, which (Covid permitting) I should collect nect week. Hopefully this one works better than the VW

Out of interest I Would be interested to know what faults you had Chris that your dealer was unable to rectify.

Cheers

 

[Chris Harris]

Out of interest I Would be interested to know what faults you had Chris that your dealer was unable to rectify.

Cheers

Hi, The fresh water pump had a mind of its own and randomly turn itself on. The only way to stop it was to disconnect it from the electricity supply