Multiple holes in the stitching on bellows

[Flee]

We have a brand new California and have noticed there are lots of small holes where the bellows have been stitched.
Just been told by our supplying dealer that this is normal on all the bellows of the vans , can anyone help and tell us if this is the case.

If so do you take it down each time you leave it on site, to go out for the day, as it could rain and leak? Does it ever leak enough to wet the mattress?

 

[The Little Red Cali]

We have a brand new California and have noticed there are lots of small holes where the bellows have been stitched.
Just been told by our supplying dealer that this is normal on all the bellows of the vans , can anyone help and tell us if this is the case.

If so do you take it down each time you leave it on site, to go out for the day, as it could rain and leak? Does it ever leak enough to wet the mattress?

View attachment 127234

View attachment 127235

Mine is the same and doesn’t leak. I have the 03S bellows. Was going to waterproof the bellows but haven’t bothered as I’ve had no problems. Get the normal condensation build up but that’s normal especially as there are four of us in the van.

 

[dspuk]

We have the old bellows and they have aways had some small holes, especially on key stitch areas. Never been an issue.

If you have new bellows get coffee, someone will be along soon to rant.

 

[secret lemonade drinker]

The material will swell when it gets wet, all tents leak it is just "by how much", you should come to the Lake District and test it!

 

[kpttnuts-beach]

We have a new California beach camper MY24.. we’ve had leak at front and back corners and due for warranty check diagnosis at the VW dealership during our first service (October). The back area leaks look like the water is coming in between metal components whereas the front is through the fabric. Both times the rain was not heavy, just long period of rain overnight. We are just back from the Lake District and it didn’t rain much while the bellows were up!!

 

[Viktorgeorge]

This is a big subject. To maximise knowledge you might consider a VIP membership which give you the search facility: then use advanced search to restrict selected postings to November 2022 onwards (when the bellows changed) and search 'bellows leaking' and 'poptop leaking'. There is a lot to cover but if you work backwards from the most recent posts you wil soon start to get the gist.

 

[Sheffield10]

We have the old bellows and they have aways had some small holes, especially on key stitch areas. Never been an issue.

If you have new bellows get coffee, someone will be along soon to rant.

Coffee(s), comfortable chair, blood pressure monitor, consumer rights lawyer speed-dial, and possibly some match sticks.... ...and if you are happy to embrace alternative therapies, a can of Aquatex (not available on the NHS).
Now if you're sitting comfortably, I'll begin...

Leaking pop tops on 2023 California Oceans

Looking for other peoples' experiences with the new double lined pop top roof (the one that is grey outside / cream inside), and any potential solutions to the problem of leaking though the seams and fabric. In the last week we've had complaints from customers on all four of our March 2023...

vwcaliforniaclub.com

 

[kpttnuts-beach]

I thought I should give an update to our bellows leak issues. We got our bellows tested while our Campervan was in for its first service, 21st-26th October. The bellows were replaced with panorama style bellows version 06S. We didn’t have panorama bellows to start with so a sort of upgrade, we weren’t asked if that was ok but as long as these ones don’t leak it’ll be fine. We’ve only done a gutter leak test and all was well. I’ll give another update after a natural rain test.
Also got a goodwill replacement for our broken tailgate pull handle (the plastic part that wraps around the bar had broken apart).

 

[sbmcd]

I thought I should give an update to our bellows leak issues. We got our bellows tested while our Campervan was in for its first service, 21st-26th October. The bellows were replaced with panorama style bellows version 06S. We didn’t have panorama bellows to start with so a sort of upgrade, we weren’t asked if that was ok but as long as these ones don’t leak it’ll be fine. We’ve only done a gutter leak test and all was well. I’ll give another update after a natural rain test.
Also got a goodwill replacement for our broken tailgate pull handle (the plastic part that wraps around the bar had broken apart).

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View attachment 130274

I've always thought putting a zip all the way round the front of the bellows was just asking for ingress.