Hello!

[CaliSueCamp]

Hi! I’m Sue with an 11 year old California SE living in Kent. Have enjoyed 7 glorious years, but recently the poor old girl (Cali and I!) have started to develop some ageing issues! Hoping the forum can support with advice and suggestions.
The recent issue is entirely my fault! After 7 years of careful roof up and downs, last weekend I closed it with the cab concertina roof across. Really upset about it, and hoping the local VW garage can rectify the bent front canvas enforcement next week. ‍♀

 

[KevH]

Hi! I’m Sue with an 11 year old California SE living in Kent. Have enjoyed 7 glorious years, but recently the poor old girl (Cali and I!) have started to develop some ageing issues! Hoping the forum can support with advice and suggestions.
The recent issue is entirely my fault! After 7 years of careful roof up and downs, last weekend I closed it with the cab concertina roof across. Really upset about it, and hoping the local VW garage can rectify the bent front canvas enforcement next week. ‍♀

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Welcome to the forum
I haven’t got a solution to your problem and would almost approach VW as you have done.
I have sometimes wondered why I bother opening the blind every time and now I know. Ouch.
Good luck.
Let us know how you get on.

 

[Wish]

Sorry to hear this... from recent conversation with a local VW centre... by there own admission... they are all "good" with the van side of things but I was advised to choose carefully which VW centre you use with the camper side of things...

 

[CaliSueCamp]

Thanks! That makes sense, they really are quite specialist. It’s been an eye opener over the years how many issues can happen with a Cali, despite such a brilliant reputation (and heavy price tag!). The paint roof bubbles were sorted on a recall 5 years ago! And now I’m reading about saggy bellows on some in the heat! However, can’t fault the builder quality and design of the hab area!
Absolutely love it!

 

[CaliSueCamp]

Arghhh! Update from my post.
I submitted photos to the local vw garage, as requested - the metal can’t be straightened, so whole new bellows needed. I’m devastated at not only my silly mistake, but also the costly consequence.

 

[Sad]

Upside is you can upgrade to the panorama bellows

 

[CaliSueCamp]

Like the positive spin! That’s what I’m trying to do! Thanks!

 

[colintfcolintf]

Arghhh! Update from my post.
I submitted photos to the local vw garage, as requested - the metal can’t be straightened, so whole new bellows needed. I’m devastated at not only my silly mistake, but also the costly consequence.

Try talking to Kernow Transporters - they might be able to help and are highly regarded with respect to California bellows

 

[ArunAlec]

I did similar ! As I recall if the flexible batten (don’t think it’s metal just a flexible plastic) has only bent and not snapped it was possible to bend it enough to make it barely noticeable. One option I looked at was getting something like a sail batten from a yacht chandelier and sliding it down the sleeve. Like a splint!
A visit to a sail maker might be worth a go as they might be able to offer a fix. As you have discovered VW will just replace the whole canvas.

 

[CaliSueCamp]

Thanks for the response! So I’m not alone in mad moments!
Interesting that it may be plastic. I assumed metal as it’s so rigid. But difficult to know when it’s sealed in its channel.
That is a really interesting pointer re the yacht chandelier. This is giving me hope …
Many thanks.

 

[ArunAlec]

Thanks for the response! So I’m not alone in mad moments!
Interesting that it may be plastic. I assumed metal as it’s so rigid. But difficult to know when it’s sealed in its channel.
That is a really interesting pointer re the yacht chandelier. This is giving me hope …
Many thanks.

It’s been done by VW Dealers…. And parked proudly on their forecourt!
If you part lower the roof you should be able to access the top of the sleeve.