New VW Multivan California Coast - ask away?

[Muffutd]

Good afternoon.

Can you tell me where the 12v starter battery is located? In the engine bay? Beneath the driver's footwell? Just figuring out if it would be easy to fit a bluetti charger-1 in a T7 phev California.
Thank you

Good question - sorry I don’t know / didn’t notice

 

[Corradobrit]

many conversions that are as good as, if not better than, the exiting Cali offering

Can you show some?

 

[KevH]

Can you show some?

There are plenty of great spec conversions out there these days, and there is a thread on here that discusses them so no need to reopen that discussion imo.
My point is that VW may have found a way of creating or tapping in to an expanding section of the market through the introduction of the new T7.

 

[Corradobrit]

There are plenty of great spec conversions out there these days, and there is a thread on here that discusses them so no need to reopen that discussion imo.
My point is that VW may have found a way of creating or tapping in to an expanding section of the market through the introduction of the new T7.

I have yet to see a converter that can compete with the materials and design offered in the California T6/T6.1, unless you like carpet and acres for MDF/plywood.

 

[owen_h]

I have yet to see a converter that can compete with the materials and design offered in the California T6/T6.1, unless you like carpet and acres for MDF/plywood.

Having spent last Friday wandering round the NEC looking at the offerings there my thoughts on conversion quality are:
a) Westfalia (and the others converted in the Westfalia factory such as Dreamer - Citycamp and the Nugget) come very close to VW OEM. Roof closure & sliding seats are still tidier in VW's offerings.
b) Conversion cabinets have improved in the 12 years since I was last looking. Very little use of knock on T trim now. Mostly edgebanded and proper joints rather than chipboard screws and blocks as before. No evidence that I saw of MDF, plywood mostly yes.
c) still carpet on the walls, and around the roof opening but less with the use of combined window panels & blinds.
d) Most of the conversion companies were approved by the manufacture and thus able to register as a campervan rather than a van.
e) The rear bench setup on most really ate into the boot space and visibility through the rear tailgate. Especially the fixed ones. Sliding systems allowed more boot space but are a more 'industrial' look than the T5 / T6 era bench.

Overall I had a productive day and came away with plenty to think about re what I would replace my current 12 year old T5.1 Beach with.

 

[Andy_G]

Hi Muffutd - I don’t yet have a Cali but understand that in the 6.1 the bed can be angled to allow you to sit up and read/watch a TV etc. Am I right to say that the bed in the new van lies flat only? Is that an issue? Thanks, Andy

 

[Muffutd]

Hi Muffutd - I don’t yet have a Cali but understand that in the 6.1 the bed can be angled to allow you to sit up and read/watch a TV etc. Am I right to say that the bed in the new van lies flat only? Is that an issue? Thanks, Andy

Hi Andy

Yes that’s correct so out of the box it is slightly more comfortable (imo) than the t6.1 but it does not have the tilt function which is loss of function against the t6.1

Now that said we have never used that function (year 1) as we tend to sit in front seats looking at tv which is perched on the bed

I do prefer the space for lounging in the t6.1 it’s just a bit more accommodating generally

I’m not helping you choose am I

 

[Melyn]

I would love an answer the answer to the question I’ve never seen answered anywhere: how do you fill the fresh water tank?

In the T6.1, the fresh water tank outlet is on the outside. You fill the tank by filling until it overflows and water starts pouring on the ground.

In the T7, the fresh water tank outlet is inside the van in the boot. You don’t want anything to overflow there. So how does it work? Is there some kind of mechanism that prevents overflowing inside the boot (maybe an overflow pipe similar to what you have in sinks and baths)?

You can’t overflow the t7 fresh water. It’s got an escape valve that will just leak under your van if you try and overfill it

 

[Melyn]

Hi Andy

Yes that’s correct so out of the box it is slightly more comfortable (imo) than the t6.1 but it does not have the tilt function which is loss of function against the t6.1

Now that said we have never used that function (year 1) as we tend to sit in front seats looking at tv which is perched on the bed

I do prefer the space for lounging in the t6.1 it’s just a bit more accommodating generally

I’m not helping you choose am I

I agree the t6:1 has better lounging space than the t7. With the seats not turned in the front the space is v limited and even when turned the space between seat and bed is lacking

 

[Doric_loon]

Hi Muffutd - I don’t yet have a Cali but understand that in the 6.1 the bed can be angled to allow you to sit up and read/watch a TV etc. Am I right to say that the bed in the new van lies flat only? Is that an issue? Thanks, Andy

Big fan of the angled bed in our 6.1

We tend to use it when we are settled in the evening watching tv or if we are on a campsite and the weather is naff

Our next purchase is going to be a projector with the brackets

 

[Muffutd]

You can’t overflow the t7 fresh water. It’s got an escape valve that will just leak under your van if you try and overfill it

Thanks - good to know - still high risk of me just spilling it though as I often do on the outside anyways that’s probably just me

 

[Muffutd]

Big fan of the angled bed in our 6.1

We tend to use it when we are settled in the evening watching tv or if we are on a campsite and the weather is naff

Our next purchase is going to be a projector with the brackets

I am definitely going to try out the angled bed next trip

 

[Melyn]

Thanks - good to know - still high risk of me just spilling it though as I often do on the outside anyways that’s probably just me

Yeah the new attachment for filling is less than ideal as you can’t use a jug etc without it splashing everywhere due to the odd angle of the attachment they give you.

A hose works fine though

 

[Wannabecamperman]

Can you show some?

 

[Wannabecamperman]

For example https://www.platinumwaveautomotive.com/product/t6-1-swb-highline-deep-black-pwa-7830 with correct side door opening and fabulous blinds, plus all electric setup, that I'm thinking of pairing with an alternator charger and lithium generator to run (100% gas free off grid)

 

[Wannabecamperman]

https://www.platinumwaveautomotive.com/product/t6-1-swb-highline-deep-black-pwa-7830 decent furniture hiding the fridge and microwave also, I feel

 

[Paulster]

Morning all

So in summary - i enjoyed the trip in the new T7 California Coast and was comparing to my 6 month old T6.1 (the last run of the transporter base).

I have listed pros and cons from my perspective and you will all have your own preferences but I hope it helps any potential buyer

I would say that one of the big selling points per the adverts is the two door opening. For me this addition has meant the loss of the internal table and a proper kitchen. The loss is bigger than the gain for me

Here are my observations;

T7 Good in order of importance to me

• The downstairs mattress is more comfortable straight out of the box and the need for additional mattresses is not required although if you did there would be limited boot space
• Space for phone in cab is much more convenient and safer
• Thermal blinds are good for black out but a bit of Faff to install correctly - I ended up not using the metal poles - which was much easier
• Chairs rotate easily and no scratching pillars
• Chair fabric is better and doesn’t appear that would stain as easily or least it wouldn’t be seen
• The rear view is better as seats back seat headrests sit lower and so you can see fully out rear window- you can of course fold them down in T6.1 (assuming no passengers)
• No handbrake means more space and much easier to swivel
• Handbrake and gears on dash - takes a bit of getting used to but really no difference
• Cup position ok although it’s probably harder to use with phone /wires around the same area but each to their own

T7 not so good in order of importance to me

• Gas bottle position was (for me) impossible to fit cylinder. During my two day experience I never got it in to the space and connected despite many attempts - frustration led me just to use it left in the boot - maybe I was meant to move the back parcel shelve and mattress - if so not impressed
• Kitchen area is not as functional and I am really struggling to see plates, pots and pans being stored in any unit close to the kitchen position
• The control unit - is old tech - no instant touch, delayed reaction, keeps telling me tanks are empty. I have to be sat in the back to control anything ( I am guessing there is a phone app but I don’t want to have to use my phone to switch on the fridge )
• Smaller overall living space when bed up
• Struggle with Porta potti
• Charging off grid - only one c point I could find / on grid works better, plenty that work. I think there is another but need to open left hand side door
• The van heater is now at rear so noisier when sleeping as next to head (some sleep with feet at back)
• No noticeable heat outlets so won’t be able to dry towels etc so quickly - although the heat is more spread or that’s how it feels ie under bed
• No vanity mirror anymore
• Water tank inside - didn’t use it so not fair to comment but common sense says why?- clearly a van build constraint - so a VW compromise in my opinion
• Blinds are good quality but they are either up or down no halfway house for letting in light m/ keeping privacy- they are less flimsy but they are open or shut
• Small kitchen table is ok but no where as useable. I don’t think the four sat around the table is possible so less useable for many of us that enjoy tea and cake with friend / family

Having returned in the sleet and snow and being stuck in a horrendous accident A34 ( hope people were ok) I was pleased to be in my T6.1 #ascotgrey

The real measure I guess is - I am not dreaming of owing the new California - cue the Eagles / Mamas and Papas sound track xx

Hi. What heater did the coast have? Standard? Or one mod the optional extras?