Introducing ..... me

[pematthe-1967]

Morning all. UK born and bred but now relocated and living in beautiful Slovenia. With that in mind I am selling my UK T6 highline camper conversion as a can't get it homogolated / registered here. As a replacement, I have bought a German Ocean and had it imported and registered of the same year and colour as my UK camper. (last Friday) First time with a California and a different bucket of molluscs to a camper conversion. Some of it is more practical, some so bland. I guess having a conversion done means more character. It is also surprising that the German spec doesn't include things which I have taken for granted for soooo many year. Don't know if it's a German thing or a general California thing. Double glazed side and rear windows! No heated rear window? No spare wheel! Are these things options when buying new?

Anywhoo - Slovenia is lovely, great for camper exploring and if you haven't thought about it as a destination, think again. I am sure I will have questions and I will be able to answer a few too if they relate to LHD 2018 German California Oceans in metalic blue.

 

[Hawthorn37]

Hi and welcome! You’re in a lovely part of the world for camping. We had a holiday in Slovenia a few years ago, and it was really memorable - very laid back, fantastic scenery.

Good choice on the Ocean. The spec points you mention are also common in the UK. No heated rear screen as it’s double glazed and doesn’t mist up, or frost up in our experience. Why don’t more cars have this?? No spare if you have 18” wheels or larger.

Looking forward to hearing about your Slovenian adventures and tips.

 

[Perfectos]

Welcome,

OEM Spare wheel & carrier can retrofitted fairly easily and relatively cheaply.

I think you cannot fit larger than an 18” wheel in the OEM wheel carrier, if you don’t have a spare wheel you probably don’t have the Jack etc. Either!

@andyinluton retrofitted am OEM spare to one of his Oceans, have a search of the forum (search function is top right ; spyglass)

edit:

Underslung spare fitted

Has anyone added an underslung spare and if so where did you get it fitted? I've tried to order through Swindon VW and they tell me its not possible, but Im sure I saw someone who had done it.

vwcaliforniaclub.com

edit post #3636 shows photos etc

What have you bought for your Cali today :-)

microswitch for tap, and the @Loz relay gubbins to try and not to have to replace again :mad:

vwcaliforniaclub.com

 

[pematthe-1967]

It seems I have factory 16" steels and covers. I do have a jack and wheel spanner as well as a bottle of tyre gunk and compressor. I am probably going to put my 17" Devonports on it from my UK camper before I sell it as I have sets of winter and summer tyres (its the law here) and don't want to mess about getting new rubber.

What trim level are the Oceans based on? My UK camper is a Highline. Heated screen, Climate but not dual zone, folding mirrors. Ocean has no heated front screen, no folding mirrors and but dual zone climate and Adaptive cruise. An interesting mix.

 

[edocali]

Welcome and enjoy Slovenia !
Wonderful ... and the Croatian coast near and no longer separated by the border.
I'm originally from just the other side of the other former border (Gorizia, Italy)

 

[Perfectos]

It seems I have factory 16" steels and covers. I do have a jack and wheel spanner as well as a bottle of tyre gunk and compressor. I am probably going to put my 17" Devonports on it from my UK camper before I sell it as I have sets of winter and summer tyres (its the law here) and don't want to mess about getting new rubber.

What trim level are the Oceans based on? My UK camper is a Highline. Heated screen, Climate but not dual zone, folding mirrors. Ocean has no heated front screen, no folding mirrors and but dual zone climate and Adaptive cruise. An interesting mix.

Standard Trim level (extras) varies from country to country. This is the perceived wisdom of VW.

the California is based on Caravelle (Multivan) chassis.

in the U.K. folding mirrors & dual climate are standard on Ocean, heated front / rear glass is not.

Similarly some specs are not available in the U.K. such as 4mo Beach.

try holding the lock button (on the remote) for a few seconds, mirrors do not fold automatically & require a long press of the remote when locking !

 

[pematthe-1967]

try holding the lock button (on the remote) for a few seconds, mirrors do not fold automatically & require a long press of the remote when locking !

That's how it works on my UK van. I also have an option to press a button on the inside. The DE Ocean doesn't have a button there, so I guess the whole thing is not fitted.

 

[Perfectos]

see photo below : If you don’t have this control on The drivers door, then you don’t have folding mirrors.

turning the knob to the highlighted (red arrow ) position will fold the mirrors if they are installed on the van ? (Presumably you have this set up already o. Your previous van , so are aware of the switch)

they could be retrofitted, but the cost would be high

 

[pematthe-1967]

see photo below : If you don’t have this control on The drivers door, then you don’t have folding mirrors.

turning the knob to the highlighted (red arrow ) position will fold the mirrors if they are installed on the van ? (Presumably you have this set up already o. Your previous van , so are aware of the switch)

they could be retrofitted, but the cost would be high

View attachment 104747

UK Van has that. DE van does not have that button type - just a single option for heating the mirrors up.
I probably will not get them fitted. I am more interested in getting parking sensors! There is a camera but I am so used to the 'beep, beep' reassurance when getting a bit close.