New Beach arriving in June

[teamS-G]

Hi

We ordered a beach in December as part of my survived cancer not waiting for retirement for my camper rage!

I have some questions which I can't answer via google if anyone can help.

We have the 3 seat bench with additional 1 seat. Comfort mattress too.

1. Does it come with efficient curtains and or blinds?
2. When driving on long journeys can you have the table up and would it be accessible to everyone sitting on the bench seat (we have 2 small kids and we use the lap trays on our current Sharran a lot)
3. What size bedding do I need for the mattresses I would prefer a good fit.
4. Medically sleeping can be uncomfortable on a firm mattress how comfy is the comfort mattress.
5. I want to make some seat covers for the bench seat and the swivel seats to make it look lovely when camping. Can anyone give me the dimensions so I get holes in the right place for seat belt bits.

I'm so excited owning a VW camper is my dream.

Thanks in advance

Helen

 

[Hotel California]

Welcome , good to hear you are keeping the head up afther sufferd cancer
A Cali is a great verhicle to make small outings and bigger trips.
Lots to read on this forum you will get a lot wiser reading some posts here.

 

[daveyboydanger]

Hi

We ordered a beach in December as part of my survived cancer not waiting for retirement for my camper rage!

I have some questions which I can't answer via google if anyone can help.

We have the 3 seat bench with additional 1 seat. Comfort mattress too.

1. Does it come with efficient curtains and or blinds?
2. When driving on long journeys can you have the table up and would it be accessible to everyone sitting on the bench seat (we have 2 small kids and we use the lap trays on our current Sharran a lot)
3. What size bedding do I need for the mattresses I would prefer a good fit.
4. Medically sleeping can be uncomfortable on a firm mattress how comfy is the comfort mattress.
5. I want to make some seat covers for the bench seat and the swivel seats to make it look lovely when camping. Can anyone give me the dimensions so I get holes in the right place for seat belt bits.

I'm so excited owning a VW camper is my dream.

Thanks in advance

Helen

Congrats on the order and a big woo hoo for the cancer survival. You totally need the beach!
The beach has built in blinds for the all the rear windows which are ace, magnetic curtain material for the front windows and a big curtain which hooks over the sun visors and rear view mirror. This makes you snug and beautifully beyond the view of prying eyes.
I haven't used the table up whilst driving as it would go flying in an accident. Best stowed away until stationary.
Downstairs bed is 150 wide so that's a queen sized???!
Upstairs sheet is worth buying specialist for the shape (weird) so try comfortz.
Comfort mattress isn't comfy. I'd look for a memory foam mattress topper.

Have fun dreaming and prepping!

Dave

 

[Fast Freddie]

Welcome - I'd support daveyboydangers comments. Would not risk the table due to not having been designed for use in that way - and I doubt the plastic clips would survive an impact and the table would fly forward.

 

[teamS-G]

That's a good point about the table thank you. I will need to research some different options. The mattress could be an issue will do some mattress topper shopping. However in size it's sounds palatial!

Thanks for the welcome.

 

[sapto]

Welcome teamS-G, great to hear you won't wait till retirement to own a camper van/Cali.
I am not owning a Beach however as Fast Freddie and daveyboydangers already said I wouldn't use the table while driving around. The great thing about the 3 seat bench is that you can move it very close to the driver seats so - if this is an intention - you could go with some drivers or passengers headrest "ipod/TV-thing".
About the covers: we have some Brandrup Second Skins (also available in the "inhouse" shop) and some sheepskin/blankets to keep it warm.

Have fun reading!
sapto

 

[Rich20]

Congratulations on your well deserved treat. I would say the mattress is firm. We have a comfortz mattress topper which helps. Lots of nice toppers in Dunelm. If you are making your own covers be aware that there are airbags in the front seats so yuo will need to remove them when mobile.

 

[Alied]

Hi

We ordered a beach in December as part of my survived cancer not waiting for retirement for my camper rage!

I have some questions which I can't answer via google if anyone can help.

We have the 3 seat bench with additional 1 seat. Comfort mattress too.

1. Does it come with efficient curtains and or blinds?
2. When driving on long journeys can you have the table up and would it be accessible to everyone sitting on the bench seat (we have 2 small kids and we use the lap trays on our current Sharran a lot)
3. What size bedding do I need for the mattresses I would prefer a good fit.
4. Medically sleeping can be uncomfortable on a firm mattress how comfy is the comfort mattress.
5. I want to make some seat covers for the bench seat and the swivel seats to make it look lovely when camping. Can anyone give me the dimensions so I get holes in the right place for seat belt bits.

I'm so excited owning a VW camper is my dream.

Thanks in advance

Helen

Hi Helen I'm picking up my Beach next week and I've also ordered the comfort mattress but also planning to buy a couple of these.

http://www.duvalay.co.uk/Campervans/Campervans-Memory-Foam-Sleeping-Bag

 

[daveyboydanger]

That's a good point about the table thank you. I will need to research some different options. The mattress could be an issue will do some mattress topper shopping. However in size it's sounds palatial!

Thanks for the welcome.

You could buy a caravelle table that goes into the rail system. You can pick them up on eBay for a typically VW price.

 

[Rich20]

You could buy a caravelle table that goes into the rail system. You can pick them up on eBay for a typically VW price.

I looked into that, the rail system on the Caravelle is different. It has 2 extra rails.

 

[teamS-G]

I'm now researching some sort of laptop trays I think my tolerance for crumbs may take a while to kick in. Conversationally I have discovered that you are not supposed to have the seat back trays open while on the move!

Another potentially silly question.... the front swivel seat. Can the passenger one be turned to face the back while on the move. I'm prepared for the ribbing.

 

[daveyboydanger]

I looked into that, the rail system on the Caravelle is different. It has 2 extra rails.

Good work. Shame eh?

 

[Ciki62]

1. Does it come with efficient curtains and or blinds?
YES complete blinds

2. When driving on long journeys can you have the table up and would it be accessible to everyone sitting on the bench seat (we have 2 small kids and we use the lap trays on our current Sharran a lot)
YES but may be not so safe to use table while driving




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[daveyboydanger]

I'm now researching some sort of laptop trays I think my tolerance for crumbs may take a while to kick in. Conversationally I have discovered that you are not supposed to have the seat back trays open while on the move!

Another potentially silly question.... the front swivel seat. Can the passenger one be turned to face the back while on the move. I'm prepared for the ribbing.

No as the seat belt isn't attached to the chair but the wall.
The rear single seats can be driven facing forwards or backwards as th seatbelt is part of the chair unit.

 

[Richard]

Hi, the T6 is a great vehicle. We use a double bed size 50mm thick memory foam topper on the downstairs bed, its slightly narrower than the bed but its nice to be able to droop the duvet down a little each side of the mattress topper, its very comfortable. We made loose slip over covers for the seats which we use when stopped on site, removing them for travel only takes a few seconds as they are oversize, so the airbag problem is sidestepped. The covers are two layered, a mattress protector (in case a glass of red wine gets spilt.............) under a cotton print. Incidentally when on site we are always plugged in and have found a Tefal induction hob (about £40) is a very quick and safe way to cook in the van or in our utility tent. We have a single burner gas stove which uses cartridges for a quick brew up en route but we didn't use it much so now don't bother with it. Have fun!

 

[teamS-G]

Ok this has been so helpful just a couple of last questions before we finalise the options on Monday. LED light Package, Aux parked heater and the comfort dash.

What's are thoughts on these?

 

[sapto]

1.) LED light Package = I wish I had this package
2.) Aux parked heater = love it and do not want to miss it
3.) the comfort dash = have no experience with that.

Are all the other options already "ticked"?
It maybe worth to think about ACC, "outside-electric-plug", big gas tank, extra tinted windows?

Look forward to your final list of option/your final order

 

[Meoncoast]

I am sure in the manual it said do not drive with the table up - Although this brings back fond memories of childhood sitting in the back of dads split screen with toys on the table while driving around (in the days before rear seat belts gameboys and H&S)

 

[larrylamb]

Ok this has been so helpful just a couple of last questions before we finalise the options on Monday. LED light Package, Aux parked heater and the comfort dash.

What's are thoughts on these?

Aux parking heater is pretty essential to most people, keeps the Cali cosy night and day when the engine is not running. Great for camping, days out and defrosting the Cali before use.

 

[Stuart]

As much as I would like LED headlights they make no difference when camping or having a picnic, which is really what this amazing van is all about!

On the other hand the parking heater makes a massive difference in those situations. Definitely pick it!

Comfort dash.. if it was free I would pick it but I don't think it's worth paying for.

 

[teamS-G]

The comfort dash includes the climatronic 3 zone aircon is this necessary. I can't imagine not having aircon in the back in hot weather?

Thanks for the response the comfort dash is my hubby's idea!

 

[larrylamb]

3 zone a/c is great and works very well. It obviously only works when the engine is running, so won't keep the back cool when camping in hot weather. Others have said the normal cab a/c works fine.

 

[RedCali]

As someone who is definitely not keen on spending money on options, l would say the parking heater is essential.
A full set of efficient blinds for all windows is provided, but an external windscreen cover cuts down condensation in the winter.
It is possible to drive with the passenger seat swiveled to face the back but l don't understand at all why you would want to - the seatbelt and airbags would be compromised and the seat back would restrict the visibility.
As others have said, don't drive with the table up.
I would try a brief trip with your bedding from home before you buy lots of stuff. Quilts , sleeping bags, duvalays all have pros and cons.
Seat covers must allow the airbags to work properly.

 

[Stuart]

The comfort dash includes the climatronic 3 zone aircon is this necessary. I can't imagine not having aircon in the back in hot weather?

Thanks for the response the comfort dash is my hubby's idea!

True. If you want 3 zone AC then the comfort dash isn't that expensive.

Although we drove through France in the summer with no AC in the back, and didn't get any complaints from the kids.

 

[RoB5urf]

We've no plans to spend a great deal of time in southern Europe so didn't specify it. That and because I'm tight a*se.