Hillside MVX conversion on Multivan base

[owen_h]

This has started appearing in my SM feeds recently:

Hybrid Campervan Conversion

The all new Hybrid Campervan, Built on the Volkswagen California Multi van, This campervan has a California pop top-roof with a Hillside conversion

www.hillsideleisure.co.uk

A conversion on the Multivan base vehicle by Hillside who are already one of the VW approved converters. Not many details on that website but it looks to me as if VW are supplying Hillside with a base vehicle that already has the elevating roof (manual 'Beach' variant) fitted. I did register for more details and its being released/shown at the NEC show in Feb.
Be interesting to see how Hillside use the space compared with the California and how they price it to compete.

 

[stoobthealien]

This has started appearing in my SM feeds recently:

Hybrid Campervan Conversion

The all new Hybrid Campervan, Built on the Volkswagen California Multi van, This campervan has a California pop top-roof with a Hillside conversion

www.hillsideleisure.co.uk

A conversion on the Multivan base vehicle by Hillside who are already one of the VW approved converters. Not many details on that website but it looks to me as if VW are supplying Hillside with a base vehicle that already has the elevating roof (manual 'Beach' variant) fitted. I did register for more details and its being released/shown at the NEC show in Feb.
Be interesting to see how Hillside use the space compared with the California and how they price it to compete.

Interesting - one of the big campervan youtube channels mentioned a couple of months ago that they had heard VW was going to start offering "bare" multivans to approved converters so it looks like the rumours are true! If so it's a fascinating development - being able to have a converter build something on a "car" chassis opens a whole new category

 

[CaliforniaCylus]

We looked at Hillside up in Derby before settling on the California. Felt they did some nice conversions.

I had expected them to be converting the new T7 transporter, not the multi-van but hey, what do I know!!

 

[stoobthealien]

We looked at Hillside up in Derby before settling on the California. Felt they did some nice conversions.

I had expected them to be converting the new T7 transporter, not the multi-van but hey, what do I know!!

They are doing the T7 transporter already, this is an additional line - almost as some would argue VW should have done with the Cali...multivan base for people who want something more car like (like me!) and Transporter base for people who want something more van like

 

[owen_h]

I looked at their conversions (on the VW transporter base) at the last show. Their closest option to the California is the Birchover. Quality seemed fine but nothing particularly different to many. The Birchover doesn't have a sliding bench seat so for me the boot space wasn't what I am looking for.

 

[KevH]

It must be a nightmare for the converters to know what the buying public (as opposed to reviewers and your average onlooker) actually want and how to cater for the majority.
This (so far) short thread illustrates clearly that we are all looking for different things from our campers, and long may that continue imo.

 

[stoobthealien]

It must be a nightmare for the converters to know what the buying public (as opposed to reviewers and your average onlooker) actually want and how to cater for the majority.
This (so far) short thread illustrates clearly that we are all looking for different things from our campers, and long may that continue imo.

I imagine it's especially difficult in this situation as well when in reality the main difference between the two platforms will be the way they drive in various conditions rather than what they look like on the inside

 

[KevH]

I imagine it's especially difficult in this situation as well when in reality the main difference between the two platforms will be the way they drive in various conditions rather than what they look like on the inside

Yep, it's yet another factor on which everyone has a personal preference.
I recall my Early Bay owning days when the highest accolade was 'built not bought'. Every van was different in every which way yet the key arguments always came down to 'you can't beat a...(insert T2, T25, T4, T5)'
Now substitute T6.1 / Multivan for those old (but great) variants.
.