Newbie questions

[Shane&Michelle]

Hi, We have just bought a Cali and have some initial questions, apologies if they have been asked before. Our Cali is 6 months old and pre owned.

1. I have checked the vehicle over but really not sure what it is supposed to come with. There are some black out blinds for the front, fly screens, winding handle for the awning, Euro plug with commando socket and some tent pegs? Is there supposed to be an electric hook up cable? If not, what length cable should I buy?

2. The windows are tinted already but not very dark. I’m hoping to have them darkened, are there any issues having the windows in the Cali tinted further?

3. Any recommendations for seat covers.

4. I know this may be personal preference but do you use bedding or sleeping bag?

5. Can a drive away awning be attached to the wind out awning?

6. Apart from wine, what would be considered essential equipment for our van?

Thanks

Shane & Michelle

 

[larrylamb]

1 as checklist, you will need a hookup lead. Check californiaclub shop. 20m
2 no issues there, but we find them just right.
3 tried the inka waterproof ones and didn't like the feel of them, we now have second skin covers much better.
4 as you say personal preference but quality sleeping bags for us.
5 yes
6 we love our roof topper, much cosier fitted. Portable gas stove and packing cubes.
Welcome and enjoy

 

[calikev]

Check the online shop. http://vwcaliforniaclub.com/shop/

 

[GrannyJen]

1: I carry 2*10 metres. 25 metre is probably the most popular choice but I get fed up winding tons of it up when most of the time I need less than half that length.

2: Pass

3: Don't use them

4: Duvet - I like to wiggle my toes

5: Yes

6: More wine. Glasses.,

 

[gmymsx]

6: some form of topper for the lower bed to make it more comfortable.

 

[Hotel California]

Congrats on you purchase , many answers to your Q's already above , so not gonna try and better those .
If you read the forum on regular base most things will clear themselves

 

[Skylark2.0]

1. Buy 2 cables one 10m and one 25 m and an adapter. You can easily do short distances but you can cover the unexpectedly long connection in the middle of no where in the dark.
2. We like the vw privacy glass. Our previous one had much darker glass and it was very gloomy in the winter. We used to keep the door, open when we could to let the
Ight in. Yes it was good for people watching but at a price!
3. We have a love hate relationship with our waterproof covers. They're not pretty but if i had a £ for everytime we've got mud, ketchup, wine, milk, chocolate, soy sauce or orange on them, I'd have paid for them several times over.
4. Can't beat proper bedding, duvet, pillows etc
5. No idea. Only ever used it once!
6. Porta potty. Turtle mats. Maps.

 

[aileron346]

3 - Inka covers but we do lots of outdoor/winter muddy activities; if not I might go for second skins.

4 - We went halfway between normal bedding and sleeping bag with Duvalets which are great.


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[Shane&Michelle]

3 - Inka covers but we do lots of outdoor/winter muddy activities; if not I might go for second skins.

4 - We went halfway between normal bedding and sleeping bag with Duvalets which are great.


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Thanks, we are edging towards the Inka covers, muddy and wet also. Not heard of Duvalets, will look them up

 

[AlisonM]

We have commercial waterproof covers, not pretty but means no worries about spills.
For bedding we use down filled sleeping bags and thermarest mats they go into stuff sacs which fit in the overhead locker. It's what we use when we back pack too.

 

[Borris]

Hi, We have just bought a Cali and have some initial questions, apologies if they have been asked before. Our Cali is 6 months old and pre owned.

1. I have checked the vehicle over but really not sure what it is supposed to come with. There are some black out blinds for the front, fly screens, winding handle for the awning, Euro plug with commando socket and some tent pegs? Is there supposed to be an electric hook up cable? If not, what length cable should I buy?

2. The windows are tinted already but not very dark. I’m hoping to have them darkened, are there any issues having the windows in the Cali tinted further?

3. Any recommendations for seat covers.

4. I know this may be personal preference but do you use bedding or sleeping bag?

5. Can a drive away awning be attached to the wind out awning?

6. Apart from wine, what would be considered essential equipment for our van?

Thanks

Shane & Michelle

6. Gin and Tonic
Congrats on your new Cali. Any photos yet?
Best wishes
Paul

 

[aileron346]

Sorry 'Duvalet' should be Duvalay.



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[LowMan]

Hi, We have just bought a Cali and have some initial questions, apologies if they have been asked before. Our Cali is 6 months old and pre owned.

1. I have checked the vehicle over but really not sure what it is supposed to come with. There are some black out blinds for the front, fly screens, winding handle for the awning, Euro plug with commando socket and some tent pegs? Is there supposed to be an electric hook up cable? If not, what length cable should I buy?

2. The windows are tinted already but not very dark. I’m hoping to have them darkened, are there any issues having the windows in the Cali tinted further?

3. Any recommendations for seat covers.

4. I know this may be personal preference but do you use bedding or sleeping bag?

5. Can a drive away awning be attached to the wind out awning?

6. Apart from wine, what would be considered essential equipment for our van?

Thanks

Shane & Michelle

Hi Shane & Michelle. Congrats on your purchase. My thoughts:

1. Yes you need hookup. If you're getting one, go for a longer one 25m. Bit of a faff to roll up, but worth it. Also, check you've been given the gas connector valve for connecting to your gas cylinder. Surprising how many ex-demonstrators, pre-owned vehicles supplied without them. Same happened to us!

2. We have the privacy glass, and very happy with it. Right balance between privacy & light. No one can see inside, unless they have their face pressed up against the glass.

3. No seat covers for us. Decided to use without with the plan of a leather upgrade once they're a bit worn out.....nowhere near yet!

4. Duvet for us, but agree with others, we also found a topper for the lower bed was an essential. We have a Duvalay. We've also got a ZoneSleep we use upstairs.

5. Yes, drive away awning attaches fine. For us we've found the use of a PopUp shelter (Base Seconds) to suit our use more as we rarely stay anywhere for more than one night and we can pop it up/take it down in a few minutes.

6. Essential equipment can be found in the forum shop. I'd add a nice journal though to record all your fantastic adventures

Enjoy the trip!

 

[Bellesca]

1. 10 and 25m if you intend staying on rural French campsites as well as adapters.
4. We use sleeping bags and a double duvet and alter their use according to the temperature and/or bed configuration..we often use the duvet as a mattress topper for downstairs.
6. Real glass for the wine ,and as everyone else says.........more wine
Agree with LowMan about the journal. It's great to refresh your memory of how much fun you have on your travels...........and then you make some more plans

 

[Shane&Michelle]

6. Gin and Tonic
Congrats on your new Cali. Any photos yet?
Best wishes
Paul

Hi
No photo's yet, picking it up Friday.

 

[Dottie]

1 hookup...I have a 10m and a 25m but have dumped the 10m. Didn't think it was allowed/advisable to link them?

4. Bedding...cheap sheets from supermarket, expensive duvet bought in sale, wool cot pillows with pillowcases made from a sheet (easy); pillows become cushions during the day (made cushion covers with a zip down the length of the cover for ease of use, works perfectly).
If cold, I also use a sleeping bag too!

5. I have a queque shelter. I too decided an awning was a faff too far. Would consider the base shelter if more room is needed.

6. A bottle opener! Actually this is an incorrect steer....just make sure your list contains 'wine with a screw top cap'!
Eagle creek multi coloured, multi sized packing cubes...knickers in green/sox in blue!
Head torch, levelling tool if an app on mobile; levellers, fold up doorstep (draper heavy duty); foldaway washing up bowl; a dose of adventurous spirit and back to wine...make it a few bottles!

 

[AlanC]

16amp power cables cab be linked safely. It is done all the time on film sets and with the 110volt version on building sites.

Alan

 

[Shane&Michelle]

1 hookup...I have a 10m and a 25m but have dumped the 10m. Didn't think it was allowed/advisable to link them?

4. Bedding...cheap sheets from supermarket, expensive duvet bought in sale, wool cot pillows with pillowcases made from a sheet (easy); pillows become cushions during the day (made cushion covers with a zip down the length of the cover for ease of use, works perfectly).
If cold, I also use a sleeping bag too!

5. I have a queque shelter. I too decided an awning was a faff too far. Would consider the base shelter if more room is needed.

6. A bottle opener! Actually this is an incorrect steer....just make sure your list contains 'wine with a screw top cap'!
Eagle creek multi coloured, multi sized packing cubes...knickers in green/sox in blue!
Head torch, levelling tool if an app on mobile; levellers, fold up doorstep (draper heavy duty); foldaway washing up bowl; a dose of adventurous spirit and back to wine...make it a few bottles!

Thanks for your reply, some really good info. I actually screwed a corkscrew into a screw cap once!! in my defence I was a little drunk....

 

[Shane&Michelle]

16amp power cables cab be linked safely. It is done all the time on film sets and with the 110volt version on building sites.

Alan

Hi, Not sure about the film sets...suspect if they are blue commando they are only IP44 so not ideal. The site equipment is different, its 110v from a centre wound transformer meaning 55v down to earth so safe.

 

[Dottie]

Thanks for your reply, some really good info. I actually screwed a corkscrew into a screw cap once!! in my defence I was a little drunk....

That's the problem with having wine on the list...it has to be drunk, whatever the consequences!!
Just wondering where the camel appears in your Cali travels....?!