Just bought a 600, what do i need to know?

J

joshuamorris09

Messages
7
Location
South wales
Vehicle
Grand California 600
Hi there,

New to the forum, I've purchased a 600 Grand California, I've noticed a few teething issues when I have had a quick read through the posts, is there anything I need to know, common issues? Problems that can be easily addressed?

I've already had the fridge issue. Luckily they drilled a 6mm hole perfectly to be able to release the door without making a complete mess about it, just waiting for my new replacement door!

But apart from that there's a few squeaks and noises but that's expected from a mobile home.

Any feedback will be greatly appreciated. Thanks In advance.

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Screenshot_20220503-210150_WhatsApp.jpg
 
Did you get WiFi? Seems like everyone’s router is wired up wrong - purple wire needs to be in furthest left position when looking from the back
 
joshuamorris09 said:
Hi there,

New to the forum, I've purchased a 600 Grand California, I've noticed a few teething issues when I have had a quick read through the posts, is there anything I need to know, common issues? Problems that can be easily addressed?

I've already had the fridge issue. Luckily they drilled a 6mm hole perfectly to be able to release the door without making a complete mess about it, just waiting for my new replacement door!

But apart from that there's a few squeaks and noises but that's expected from a mobile home.

Any feedback will be greatly appreciated. Thanks In advance.

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Click to expand...
Didn’t think bullbars were still legal in the uk, I guess they must be.
 
dennfo said:
Did you get WiFi? Seems like everyone’s router is wired up wrong - purple wire needs to be in furthest left position when looking from the back
Click to expand...

Il double check this! Thank you
 
T3Z-GB said:
www.gov.uk

Bull bars: safety standards

Bull bars for vehicles should comply with safety standards before they can be sold or fitted.
www.gov.uk www.gov.uk

its not illegal so long as it doesn’t pose additional threat to people.
Click to expand...
That’s a joke as they do as they stop crumple zones.
So it not illegal in theory but show me one that would be legal :headbang
 
Wonder when the 4 motion 600 will launched
 
Hello @joshuamorris09,

First of all I love the look of your GC 600. If I could afford it, I would do something similar.

Especially when I got my GC 600 I gobbled up all posts about issues from the GC 600/680 - and as it turned out we had many of those and a few never mentioned anywhere else.

But it seems that there are "standard issues" which came with some Grand Californias which might have been solved by VW by now (newer model) and also it seems that there are many other Grand California campers who never experienced any of those "standard issues".

What I am trying to say is, instead of "looking for those issues" use the camper and see how it behaves. So you will figure out if your Grand California has no issues, a few, or is a beast with all sorts of problems (like mine use to be).

Doing this, might be the more relaxed, but it will take a wee bit of time, which can be a luxury. But based on my experience it is not important what, and how many, issues you have it is important that you have a good VW dealer who is capable and willing to work with you. That starts that the VW dealer won't give you an appointment in 2 weeks, he will see you tomorrow. Spare parts will be available within a few days (my VW dealer did some miracles last year) and if the spare parts have arrived that the repair of your Grand California has priority to other work.

Enjoy you wonderful camper and I wish you always free roads, cheap diesel and super campsites.

Regards,
Eberhard
 
Eber123 said:
Hello @joshuamorris09,

First of all I love the look of your GC 600. If I could afford it, I would do something similar.

Especially when I got my GC 600 I gobbled up all posts about issues from the GC 600/680 - and as it turned out we had many of those and a few never mentioned anywhere else.

But it seems that there are "standard issues" which came with some Grand Californias which might have been solved by VW by now (newer model) and also it seems that there are many other Grand California campers who never experienced any of those "standard issues".

What I am trying to say is, instead of "looking for those issues" use the camper and see how it behaves. So you will figure out if your Grand California has no issues, a few, or is a beast with all sorts of problems (like mine use to be).

Doing this, might be the more relaxed, but it will take a wee bit of time, which can be a luxury. But based on my experience it is not important what, and how many, issues you have it is important that you have a good VW dealer who is capable and willing to work with you. That starts that the VW dealer won't give you an appointment in 2 weeks, he will see you tomorrow. Spare parts will be available within a few days (my VW dealer did some miracles last year) and if the spare parts have arrived that the repair of your Grand California has priority to other work.

Enjoy you wonderful camper and I wish you always free roads, cheap diesel and super campsites.

Regards,
Eberhard
Click to expand...
Finally a proper response! Thank you for your reply, I've been using it as Volkswagen intended, off down Cornwall this weekend so be nice to enjoy it! So far so good apart from the small fridge issue that's already been sorted.

Thanks again.
 
joshuamorris09 said:
Finally a proper response! Thank you for your reply, I've been using it as Volkswagen intended, off down Cornwall this weekend so be nice to enjoy it! So far so good apart from the small fridge issue that's already been sorted.

Thanks again.
Click to expand...
Bull bars or not, it's a fine looking Cali! Welcome to the board, enjoy your van and have a great weekend.
 
I wish you GOOD LUCK.
Test everything carefully and make sure everything works as it has to be. The good dealer is of the highest importance.
I my case and with no previous experience, I would say that it was wrong choice. I bought it end of November 2021 in Luxembourg and I had heating problem the first day when the vehicle was delivered and was fixed after 3 weeks. After that, is the charging problem thru the solar panel. This time it seems the experts are not capable to fix it. I am driving back and forth to the garage but the problem stays. What I am facing so far is a nightmare. They create damages during the assembly/dissassembly of the interior upholsteries, they leave dirt and stains everywhere, and the problem is still there. Only 2300km and 6-7 overight stays in camperstops. I have postponed and cancelled 3 times a trip to Norway. I have sent emails to VW Headquarters (Wolfsburg), to VW Dealer in Luxembourg (LOSCH) and what I receive is apologies. They appear being very polite and helpfull but apparently the Grand California is not reliable at all and the garage technicians are not capable. In one of my emails I said "...they are not capable not even to feed cows... (Dear cows I am very sorry)...".
From time to time I lose my control and of course I lost my sleep; and all these just for a vehicle...
So, I really wish you Good Luck.
 
Evening all,

Done a few weeks away this summer and absolutely loved the van, haven't had any issues to be fair with it. Everything as been pretty good touch wood!

Don't know if anyone can help me, but I'm looking to go away this winter in the van, but I'm sure I read somewhere there's a safety device in the van that drops the water if it drops below 0 degree, this will be an issue if I'm not close to a water supply.

I've noticed from having my van parked up a few weekends. I like to leave the heating tick over at 16degree, so it just keeps things nice and tidy in there.

But it seems to kick on once, and then the heating turns off after a day, the van is plugged in so it's not low battery, just don't want to keep going in to turn the heating on all the time throughout the winter when it's parked up.

Any ideas?

Thanks in advance
 
Hello,

I believe all Truma Heaters have a build in "Frost Control" which activates at 3 degrees plus. When it opens it drains the water from the heater. The way I understood is that the fresh water runs to fill up the tank in the heating and at that point it will also be drained. The end result is that all the water is gone.

This system is there to protect the heating system from frost damage. All campers have this.

We have an issues with our Grand California (600 or 680) that the Truma Heating stops working at any time (within an hour, a day or weeks after switched on).
I was reading that the KFG seems to be responsible for it. It resets, and if it only takes a milisecond, it is enough to switch off the Truma Heating (diesel or gas).

As far as I know there is no solution from Volkswagen for this issue, but there is a work around.

The Truma Heating unit is connected with a cable to the VW Camper Unit. If this cable is disconnected the issue is gone and the Truma will work with no problems. The disadvantage is that the heater can only be controlled from the Truma Contol Unit under the seat. In an emergency this might be ok, but not on long term.

The work around is to get the Truma iNet box (about EUR 380 if available). Installation suppose to be rather easy, but I disagree because the box needs 12 V which is not ready available and needs to be installed

If this is done the temperature and water heating can be controlled by an app on the mobile phone via Bluetooth or even over LTE if one installed a SIM card. I believe the installation of this work around will be about EUR 500 by an installer. Because that work around is not approved by VW they won't pay for it nor will they install it.

This is a pain if the Grand California is used over the winter months in remote areas. There is a real possibility to wake up in the morning in a cold camper and all the water is gone.

I hope that VW will offer a solution for this. Last week I went to my VW dealer (which is normally very good) but this time they pretended they are not aware of the issue and VW Ireland is not willing to help.

Regards,
Eberhard
 
Last edited:
Eber123 said:
I was reading that the KFG seems to be responsible for it. It resets, and if it only takes a milisecond, it is enough to switch off the Truma Heating (diesel or gas).
Click to expand...
What's the KFG?
 
andyinluton said:
What's the KFG?
Click to expand...
It's the main control unit, under the dash/passenger side somewhere, this is what controls the step and outside light, plus some other info for the display such as battery charge level, power consumption, volts, water level. The panel on the bathroom wall is just a dometic display.
 
Hello @andyinluton

Sorry for using "KFG" I always forget the english word for it, but @Mr T already answered it for me (thank you).

I might using this rainy day to start the official complaint with VW Ireland about the heating.

My problem only is, that they want to have the camper to check this out. But it could be weeks in between failures, or days. I am not leaving the camper for 2 or 3 weeks with the VW dealer just to prove that there is an issue, an issue that they must be already aware of.

Regards,
Eberhard
 
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