New Cali Beach Tour Spec

[Ch1pbutty]

Thanks for the input all.

One other concern I have before pulling the trigger is regarding the electrics as there’s obviously no EHU on the Tour and I’m struggling to find out much info. From what I gather it‘s got a 75ah leisure battery with a 230v inverter, 1 x 230V socket on the driver’s seat and 2 x 12V sockets in the cab…are there any others in there? And how low should my expectations be regarding a night away plugging in the usual mobile phones, tablet etc? Wondering what options might be available to improve capacity without having to fit an EHU…

You can get a retrofitted EHU fitted for around £350.

Although another good option is to fit a couple of solar panels on the roof, then you never need to worry as they will charge the leisure when not driving. (Then you don’t need EHU, so have more pitch options at campsites…which can be handy during peak season).

 

[Jimmylondon07]

Isn’t there a warranty impact to fitting an EHU point and solar panels? Am looking at the Transporter HQ TWW35 fridge which has a lithium battery which can be pre-charged, that’d be my go to initially and it can also double up as a little seat for the kids. Looks pretty neat.

 

[Ch1pbutty]

Isn’t there a warranty impact to fitting an EHU point and solar panels? Am looking at the Transporter HQ TWW35 fridge which has a lithium battery which can be pre-charged, that’d be my go to initially and it can also double up as a little seat for the kids. Looks pretty neat.

Doubt it, because if you install the EHU under the bonnet, you are not interfering with any OEM kit / bodywork.

 

[Corradobrit]

Isn’t there a warranty impact to fitting an EHU point and solar panels? Am looking at the Transporter HQ TWW35 fridge which has a lithium battery which can be pre-charged, that’d be my go to initially and it can also double up as a little seat for the kids. Looks pretty neat.

Check out Ecoflows new Glacier fridge/freezer combo unit with builtin Lithium ion batteries. As a bonus it has an integral ice maker. EF makes solid products.

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[Amarillo]

Isn’t there a warranty impact to fitting an EHU point and solar panels? Am looking at the Transporter HQ TWW35 fridge which has a lithium battery which can be pre-charged, that’d be my go to initially and it can also double up as a little seat for the kids. Looks pretty neat.

I don’t know about EHU, but fitting panels will have about the same effect on warranty as carrying a kayak on your roof. You damage your van while installing the panels, no warranty claim. Apart from that, no problem.

The panel kit from Roger Donahue simply bolts on the roof rails. The electricity enters the van through the tailgate wiring loom, goes to a charger that can be installed in the boot tool box cavity, and then the cable fitted to the leisure battery.

The whole system can be completely uninstalled without any impact on your van other than a small incision in the tailgate wiring loom. (I guess that if this incision led to a leak, that would not be covered by warranty either.)

 

[Crell]

Just on your options list having had our Beach since 2017.

LED headlamps with LED daytime running lights (Tailgate) with red tail lights
100% or at least get the H7s that were in a lighting option pack IIRC. I just swapped our old H4 units for the H7s. They're a lot better but that's the one thing I wish I'd specced.

Wing mirrors - heated, power adjustable and power folding
I wouldn't miss this - the heating is the most usegul aspect. The profile of the van doesn't change much when they fold, and you don't really need to adjust them as they're so big.

Canvas Sides. Basalt Grey. Includes panorama window
The panorama option is worth it rather than just the side windows. I'd have specced if it was available on the Beach back then

Front and rear parking sensors - Yes

Bed extension with comfort sleeping mat - Useful when you're with the kids. The comfort matress is quite big and bulky however.

Sliding window in front and fixed window in rear in load/passenger compartment on driver side - Handy for venting the van. but not sure I'd miss these

Fuel tank with a volume of 80 l - Range is pretty good, but worthwhile.

Rear view camera - I'm happy with the sensors. Not felt the need to upgrade.
Awning (housing and rail in black)

Dark tinted glass in rear seat area (Venus 35/Privacy) heat-insulating glass (green) in front - I like the look and it does help keep the van cool in summer (as best it can)

ArtVelours - seat centre section with seat bolsters in leather look - Personal choice, but there are lots of aftermarket options.

Heated driver and front passenger seats - Not really necesarry unless you have leather IMO. (We had leather in the Caravelle). A nice to have for me; and we do use them.

2 swivel seats w/ longitudinal adjustm. on rail system. - Ours have sat unused since new.
Up to 7 seats (figured I’d order these to future-proof and add more flexibility to carry friends/family)

Power sliding doors, left and right - Had these on our Caravelle. I prefer the manual option. The beeps are annoying at night.

I'd maybe think about the towbar prep. I know you're getting a rack but it gives you more options later for a small part of the full towbar cost. Whatever you spec I'm sure you'll love it if you're after a daily and occasional camper like we were (we wanted a factory pop-top Caravelle).

 

[Crell]

Oh - the heated windscreen is one other I didn't spot on your list. We love it.

 

[Corradobrit]

Just on your options list having had our Beach since 2017.

LED headlamps with LED daytime running lights (Tailgate) with red tail lights
100% or at least get the H7s that were in a lighting option pack IIRC. I just swapped our old H4 units for the H7s. They're a lot better but that's the one thing I wish I'd specced.

Wing mirrors - heated, power adjustable and power folding
I wouldn't miss this - the heating is the most usegul aspect. The profile of the van doesn't change much when they fold, and you don't really need to adjust them as they're so big.

Canvas Sides. Basalt Grey. Includes panorama window
The panorama option is worth it rather than just the side windows. I'd have specced if it was available on the Beach back then

Front and rear parking sensors - Yes

Bed extension with comfort sleeping mat - Useful when you're with the kids. The comfort matress is quite big and bulky however.

Sliding window in front and fixed window in rear in load/passenger compartment on driver side - Handy for venting the van. but not sure I'd miss these

Fuel tank with a volume of 80 l - Range is pretty good, but worthwhile.

Rear view camera - I'm happy with the sensors. Not felt the need to upgrade.
Awning (housing and rail in black)

Dark tinted glass in rear seat area (Venus 35/Privacy) heat-insulating glass (green) in front - I like the look and it does help keep the van cool in summer (as best it can)

ArtVelours - seat centre section with seat bolsters in leather look - Personal choice, but there are lots of aftermarket options.

Heated driver and front passenger seats - Not really necesarry unless you have leather IMO. (We had leather in the Caravelle). A nice to have for me; and we do use them.

2 swivel seats w/ longitudinal adjustm. on rail system. - Ours have sat unused since new.
Up to 7 seats (figured I’d order these to future-proof and add more flexibility to carry friends/family)

Power sliding doors, left and right - Had these on our Caravelle. I prefer the manual option. The beeps are annoying at night.

I'd maybe think about the towbar prep. I know you're getting a rack but it gives you more options later for a small part of the full towbar cost. Whatever you spec I'm sure you'll love it if you're after a daily and occasional camper like we were (we wanted a factory pop-top Caravelle).

Excellent list. I would add Parking Heater as the essential, especially in the UK.

 

[Kayleigh]

Oh - the heated windscreen is one other I didn't spot on your list. We love it.

Yep, I like the heated windscreen too. It clears reasonably quickly and when I pass other van drivers hanging out their doors trying to scrape the windscreen it does make me smile

 

[Jimmylondon07]

Really appreciate all the input guys, thank you so much. I have dropped the power sliders from my spec and added the parking heater, towbar prep, lights and vision package (we don’t have street lights at home so my other half likes the idea of the lights staying on while we’re coming in to the house, fair enough!) and the sliding windows with the fly screens (I’m a mozzie-phobe). The one I’m not sure about is the tri-zone climate control. Would I miss it?

 

[Kayleigh]

Really appreciate all the input guys, thank you so much. I have dropped the power sliders from my spec and added the parking heater, towbar prep, lights and vision package (we don’t have street lights at home so my other half likes the idea of the lights staying on while we’re coming in to the house, fair enough!) and the sliding windows with the fly screens (I’m a mozzie-phobe). The one I’m not sure about is the tri-zone climate control. Would I miss it?

If you have young kids, I would consider the climate control. My teenager has been sat in the back while travelling in south of France without climate control and never complained about the temperature though. We tend to aim the front vents towards the back and there is also a large vent at floor level in the back.
Before ordering the mozzie blinds check out Jerba campervans. They make a blind that is midge proof as well. The VW ones don’t prevent midges.

 

[Jimmylondon07]

If you have young kids, I would consider the climate control. My teenager has been sat in the back while travelling in south of France without climate control and never complained about the temperature though. We tend to aim the front vents towards the back and there is also a large vent at floor level in the back.
Before ordering the mozzie blinds check out Jerba campervans. They make a blind that is midge proof as well. The VW ones don’t prevent midges.

That is great advice regarding the blinds! Thank you. I guess what’s not clear to me re the climate control is where the zones are and what you get as standard if it’s not specced on the van. Can anyone elaborate?

 

[Kayleigh]

That is great advice regarding the blinds! Thank you. I guess what’s not clear to me re the climate control is where the zones are and what you get as standard if it’s not specced on the van. Can anyone elaborate?

Someone who has the climate control can answer better but I believe you get separate vents and controls in the headlining on each side in the back.
Here’s the Jerba link:

Jerba – VW T6.1 Midge Screen - Jerba Campervans - Shop

Keeping the smallest of biting and annoying insects out of your campervan can often be the difference between making or breaking a fantastic trip away

www.jerbacampervans.co.uk

 

[Amarillo]

That is great advice regarding the blinds! Thank you. I guess what’s not clear to me re the climate control is where the zones are and what you get as standard if it’s not specced on the van. Can anyone elaborate?

The big extra with climatronic is a second evaporator.

The California is based on a transporter which is essentially a builders’ van. The air conditioning is designed with that it mind- to keep the cab cool but without cooling the tools in the rear. So with the basic air conditioning the rear area will not properly cool.

The climatronic gives you three temperature zones: driver, front passenger and rear passengers. All three can be linked, or the front two linked and the rear fully independent, or all three fully independent (though if I have driver set to 18C and Clare’s set at 24C I feel Clare’s hot air battling with my coolness).

One disadvantage is that the rear compartment has it’s own set of controls which overrides anything the front controls set it to do. This can lead to warring siblings trying to wrestle control of the rear controls from one another, one wanting dad’s coolness at 18C and the other wanting to blast hot air like SWMBO.

That’s a minor irritation. The benefits of having a properly air conditioned rear area (especially if you have children or dogs) far outweigh the irritation of warring siblings.

I think there is one further upgrade with the Climotronic over the standard air conditioning. And I hope someone will correct me if I am wrong.

The standard Air Con can be set to level 0 (off) to level 5 (Arctic) and stays at that level. The Climatronic can be set to Max (Arctic) or any temperature between 18C and 30C in 0.5C increments and is controlled by a thermostat in each of the three zones.

But the main cost of the upgrade is the second evaporator to cool the rear passenger area.

 

[Ch1pbutty]

That is great advice regarding the blinds! Thank you. I guess what’s not clear to me re the climate control is where the zones are and what you get as standard if it’s not specced on the van. Can anyone elaborate?

Tri zone climate is a must if you have passengers in the rear, makes it very comfortable. The condensation clears from the windows very quickly once you are back on the road.

 

[2haw]

The big extra with climatronic is a second evaporator.

The California is based on a transporter which is essentially a builders’ van. The air conditioning is designed with that it mind- to keep the cab cool but without cooling the tools in the rear. So with the basic air conditioning the rear area will not properly cool.

The climatronic gives you three temperature zones: driver, front passenger and rear passengers. All three can be linked, or the front two linked and the rear fully independent, or all three fully independent (though if I have driver set to 18C and Clare’s set at 24C I feel Clare’s hot air battling with my coolness).

One disadvantage is that the rear compartment has it’s own set of controls which overrides anything the front controls set it to do. This can lead to warring siblings trying to wrestle control of the rear controls from one another, one wanting dad’s coolness at 18C and the other wanting to blast hot air like SWMBO.

That’s a minor irritation. The benefits of having a properly air conditioned rear area (especially if you have children or dogs) far outweigh the irritation of warring siblings.

I think there is one further upgrade with the Climotronic over the standard air conditioning. And I hope someone will correct me if I am wrong.

The standard Air Con can be set to level 0 (off) to level 5 (Arctic) and stays at that level. The Climatronic can be set to Max (Arctic) or any temperature between 18C and 30C in 0.5C increments and is controlled by a thermostat in each of the three zones.

But the main cost of the upgrade is the second evaporator to cool the rear passenger area.

My current Kombi has Air-con but not Climate Control. It doesn’t have the digital screens that display a set temperature. It drives me nuts. My van either seems hot or cold. Stupidly, I just expected it to have climate as I had also added the additional rear ventilation aswell.

As all my Beaches had 3 zone climate, I’m not sure what the Standard Beach comes with but if it doesn’t have the digital temperature screens, I would seriously upgrade.

 

[2haw]

Just looking at the brochure, I would assume that the standard Beach does have temperature control but the concern is the lack of the word CLIMATRONIC under the Beach spec.

@Kayleigh, do you have the digital temperature displays?

1st Picture below is Beach standard spec.
2nd Picture below is Surf and Ocean standard spec

 

[andyinluton]

1st option gets you aircon in the front &independent heat but not cooling in the back.
2nd option gets you aircon in the back in addition.

If you go for climatronic you also get the "rest" function, which gives you about half hour or so heating after you've parked using residual heat. Useful for lunch stops, waiting while the wife is shopping etc.

 

[Jimmylondon07]

Sounds like a must have with the kids really.

So I think I’m about there with the following spec:

- Fortana Red
- LED headlamps with LED daytime running lights (Tailgate) with red tail lights
- Light & Vision package
- Towbar - preparation (incl. trailer stabilisation)
- Wing mirrors - heated, power adjustable and power folding
- Canvas Sides. Basalt Grey. Includes panorama window
- Front and rear parking sensors
- Bed extension with comfort sleeping mat
- 3-zone Climatronic with additional control panel in passenger compartment
- Sliding window in front and fixed window in rear in load/passenger compartment on driver side (will get the Jerba mozzie screens)
- Rear view camera
- Awning (housing and rail in black)
- Direct Tyre Pressure Monitoring System
- Dark tinted glass in rear seat area (Venus 35/Privacy) heat-insulating glass (green) in front
- Heated front windscreen with heat reflecting glass
- Auxiliary heater with programmable functionality and radio remote control

Only remaining question mark is over whether or not to go with Artvelor or the seat covers but I’ll work it out. Thanks for the help to everyone who contributed.

Notice VW have a happy camper offer on at the moment, wonder what my chances are of getting a dealer to price match DTD and also give me some of the happy camper perks. Not likely I’d imagine but worth a go I suppose!

 

[Amarillo]

Sounds like a must have with the kids really.

So I think I’m about there with the following spec:

- Fortana Red
- LED headlamps with LED daytime running lights (Tailgate) with red tail lights
- Light & Vision package
- Towbar - preparation (incl. trailer stabilisation)
- Wing mirrors - heated, power adjustable and power folding
- Canvas Sides. Basalt Grey. Includes panorama window
- Front and rear parking sensors
- Bed extension with comfort sleeping mat
- 3-zone Climatronic with additional control panel in passenger compartment
- Sliding window in front and fixed window in rear in load/passenger compartment on driver side (will get the Jerba mozzie screens)
- Rear view camera
- Awning (housing and rail in black)
- Direct Tyre Pressure Monitoring System
- Dark tinted glass in rear seat area (Venus 35/Privacy) heat-insulating glass (green) in front
- Heated front windscreen with heat reflecting glass
- Auxiliary heater with programmable functionality and radio remote control

Only remaining question mark is over whether or not to go with Artvelor or the seat covers but I’ll work it out. Thanks for the help to everyone who contributed.

Notice VW have a happy camper offer on at the moment, wonder what my chances are of getting a dealer to price match DTD and also give me some of the happy camper perks. Not likely I’d imagine but worth a go I suppose!

That’s a good spec. Very similar to the spec on our T6.

I think you have made the right decision on climatronic. It is a big and expensive upgrade, but it converts a fairly basic air conditioning system for driver and front passenger to full climate control for everyone.

 

[--olotation--]

Sounds like a must have with the kids really.

So I think I’m about there with the following spec:

- Fortana Red
- LED headlamps with LED daytime running lights (Tailgate) with red tail lights
- Light & Vision package
- Towbar - preparation (incl. trailer stabilisation)
- Wing mirrors - heated, power adjustable and power folding
- Canvas Sides. Basalt Grey. Includes panorama window
- Front and rear parking sensors
- Bed extension with comfort sleeping mat
- 3-zone Climatronic with additional control panel in passenger compartment
- Sliding window in front and fixed window in rear in load/passenger compartment on driver side (will get the Jerba mozzie screens)
- Rear view camera
- Awning (housing and rail in black)
- Direct Tyre Pressure Monitoring System
- Dark tinted glass in rear seat area (Venus 35/Privacy) heat-insulating glass (green) in front
- Heated front windscreen with heat reflecting glass
- Auxiliary heater with programmable functionality and radio remote control

Only remaining question mark is over whether or not to go with Artvelor or the seat covers but I’ll work it out. Thanks for the help to everyone who contributed.

Notice VW have a happy camper offer on at the moment, wonder what my chances are of getting a dealer to price match DTD and also give me some of the happy camper perks. Not likely I’d imagine but worth a go I suppose!

Drive the deal will already include the happy camper offers. The cash discounts form part of the dtd savings and they offer the services etc. if eligible too.

 

[Tarquers]

Really appreciate all the input guys, thank you so much. I have dropped the power sliders from my spec and added the parking heater, towbar prep, lights and vision package (we don’t have street lights at home so my other half likes the idea of the lights staying on while we’re coming in to the house, fair enough!) and the sliding windows with the fly screens (I’m a mozzie-phobe). The one I’m not sure about is the tri-zone climate control. Would I miss it?

Having had both answer is yes you will miss it. without you only blow uncooled air in the rear and you won’t notice the back is warm as you will be chilled up front, rear passengers can get very uncomfortable as the seats block a lot of the airflow.

Advantage of climate control is you are not stuck with fans on a setting which I find is never quite right for everyone and you can truly have 3 different temps selected without fans going crazy. For a van with the volume of the Cali, having the extra compressor in the rear makes a massive difference and a great option.

final bonus of the climate control is the rest button which allows you to use residual heat when parked, I tend to push it when stopping for a quick shop or refuel to keep the van temp up for passengers (or me) while the engine is off.

 

[vmaxkiddy]

If you’re thinking of getting a tow bar why not spec it now ? Sometimes aftermarket fitters don’t even use the VW prep.

 

[bagel.rhodes]

Hey All

Long time lurker here so nice to meet you all. I am interested in ordering a Cali Beach Tour to run as our daily driver/adhoc overnight camper/bicycle transporter for a family of 2 adults and 2 young kids. The Tour ticks a lot of boxes for us with the twin sliding doors and configurable layout, the flexibility looks absolutely fantastic.

Have selected the following options for our Cali on the configurator, for anyone who has one, is there anything you wouldn’t be without that I should consider adding on? Would look to add an aftermarket diesel heater depending on how often we camp so have left that off for now.

—
Options
LED headlamps with LED daytime running lights (Tailgate) with red tail lights
Wing mirrors - heated, power adjustable and power folding
Canvas Sides. Basalt Grey. Includes panorama window
Front and rear parking sensors
Bed extension with comfort sleeping mat
Sliding window in front and fixed window in rear in load/passenger compartment on driver side
Fuel tank with a volume of 80 l
Rear view camera
Awning (housing and rail in black)
Dark tinted glass in rear seat area (Venus 35/Privacy) heat-insulating glass (green) in front
ArtVelours - seat centre section with seat bolsters in leather look
Heated driver and front passenger seats
2 swivel seats w/ longitudinal adjustm. on rail system
Up to 7 seats (figured I’d order these to future-proof and add more flexibility to carry friends/family)
Power sliding doors, left and right
—
Also a couple of other questions, does anyone know the current lead time for them and also, as a cash buyer what sort of discounts should I be pushing for when speaking to dealers?

I also saw the T6.1 panel and kombi versions are no longer available to order, does anyone know when the stop sale will apply to the Cali as well?

Thanks for any advice on offer!

Jimmy

I have

 

[bagel.rhodes]

Hey All

Long time lurker here so nice to meet you all. I am interested in ordering a Cali Beach Tour to run as our daily driver/adhoc overnight camper/bicycle transporter for a family of 2 adults and 2 young kids. The Tour ticks a lot of boxes for us with the twin sliding doors and configurable layout, the flexibility looks absolutely fantastic.

Have selected the following options for our Cali on the configurator, for anyone who has one, is there anything you wouldn’t be without that I should consider adding on? Would look to add an aftermarket diesel heater depending on how often we camp so have left that off for now.

—
Options
LED headlamps with LED daytime running lights (Tailgate) with red tail lights
Wing mirrors - heated, power adjustable and power folding
Canvas Sides. Basalt Grey. Includes panorama window
Front and rear parking sensors
Bed extension with comfort sleeping mat
Sliding window in front and fixed window in rear in load/passenger compartment on driver side
Fuel tank with a volume of 80 l
Rear view camera
Awning (housing and rail in black)
Dark tinted glass in rear seat area (Venus 35/Privacy) heat-insulating glass (green) in front
ArtVelours - seat centre section with seat bolsters in leather look
Heated driver and front passenger seats
2 swivel seats w/ longitudinal adjustm. on rail system
Up to 7 seats (figured I’d order these to future-proof and add more flexibility to carry friends/family)
Power sliding doors, left and right
—
Also a couple of other questions, does anyone know the current lead time for them and also, as a cash buyer what sort of discounts should I be pushing for when speaking to dealers?

I also saw the T6.1 panel and kombi versions are no longer available to order, does anyone know when the stop sale will apply to the Cali as well?

Thanks for any advice on offer!

Jimmy

I have a 22 Plate Beach with 3 seater beach with the pull out camping stove. The 3 seater bed is big, which is a massive bonus. I agree with everyone on the heater, I went for that and camping early spring or late autumn and being able to be warm in the middle of the night is a must. I disagree with most on the automatic sliding Door, with 2 kids and using this as our primary driving vehicle means a lot of getting in and out, I’ve found the being able to press a button and open the door is a massive positive, and it looks great, not having the kids yanking back the door or struggling to open on a hill is just great. But that’s just my opinion, we’ve used heated seats a few times but if it was a toss up I’d go for heater rather than heated seats.

My honest opinion, the beach though has been amazing, and we have used it many times for kids trips, short weekends, and I’ve used it for me going to the mountains and camping on my own..