Newbie with 2020 T6.1 or late T6 Ocean build dilemma

[Zakeval]

Hi folks
I have arrived here after a mammoth research into do we/don’t we caravan, motorhome or campervan and pleased to say we have finally made what we believe is the right choice for us in that a Cali Ocean is the way to go. We are even thinking of naming our first Cali ‘Goldilocks’ because we feel she will be just right for our needs and how we want her to serve as part of our family adventures.

I was born in 63 and grew up admiring the first California based VW surfer conversions as far back as I can remember into the 1970’s so I already feel connected to this community. I will research this forum for a decision on T6.1 or Late T6 as we still have time to decide once VW start taking 6.1 orders and we can wait until the back end of 2020 to take delivery if necessary.

A bit about us, we are Kevin, Val, 15 year old son Zak and older children Chris 33 and Vicky 30 who will not be a part of our adventures! However our Golden Cocker Spaniel, Daxi, will plus occasionally Zak.

Why the Cali Ocean for us? - Pros: Go anywhere, park anywhere including our small lock up and leave house parking bays; handy to use as a daily get around, able to navigate small roads / tracks from Cornwall to the Scottish Highland and get on and off small inter island ferries and up to our Greek house on the hill via an off-roading experience (yes a 4motion drive will not just be for ‘spec it up Kev’, we really will need it ;0) ... and last but not least, it’s the only leisure vehicle that Val is willing to drive.
Cons we will overcomeparticularly whilst wild camping) - a pop up shower / loo / change tent or a tailgate awning with a 12v submersible shower pumped from a colapz bucket filled 1 part kettle boiled water - 2 parts cold; a shower mat and a portapotti - Daxi can be hosed off too tho she can’t balance on a portapotti !

It’s the only automotive built motorhome or camper we could find in any class, including coach built / conversions or any make of OEM built caravan that we can reliably believe will not leak / or get damp with water ingress, at least within the warranty period (yes, we have seen much older campers leaking from shot window seals but anything made will degrade over time - I’m talking about wild claims that thrown together GRP/ABS panelled coachbuilt on manufacturers chassis won’t leak, but they do, within warranty.)

Anyway, that’s enough of an intro post from us... just left to say I’m really looking forward to learning wisdom tips, tricks, hacks and other experienced ideas how to get the most out of a Cali Ocean from this forum and glad to be here.

 

[Borris]

Congratulations on your decision. You will not regret it. I hope you have very many happy adventures.

 

[Zakeval]

Thanks very much for such positive support Borris, much appreciated - we have already benefitted from the advice of other Cali owners on this site who are very generous and friendly, as you have also been, so we will certainly reciprocate on the forum once we get a few trips under our belt and can speak from experience too.

 

[sapto]

Wow I call your first post a proper intro!
Welcome and I am sure you made the right choice (to be sure you still got time to rent one out).
Happy camping!

 

[Borris]

I think the biggest tip you'll hear on this forum is not to go on a buying spree. Get your Cali first and then go camping, taking what you need from home. Once you've had a couple of camping trips you will have worked out what you actually need to buy. Then ask other members what they use. Too many people end up with a garage full of stuff they don't end up using that often, if at all.

 

[Jabberwocky]

If you are anything like us.........
We made the decision to go for a Cali just two and a half years ago. Wonder why we didn't do it earlier?
It's a new life - got the scalp of 10 countries and 22k miles later!
Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy.............

 

[Zakeval]

Thanks ve

Wow I call your first post a proper intro!
Welcome and I am sure you made the right choice (to be sure you still got time to rent one out).
Happy camping!

Thanks very much sapto - can’t tell you how many hours research and tyre rubber went into where we are at but convinced it’s Cali time for us - we booked a three night stay in an Airsteam in September to scratch an itch for the only caravan we would have bought prior to deciding on a Cali - trouble is its a Colorado and we would need to change our tow vehicle which together with the price tag of a Colorado would set us back well into 6 figures so that’s never going to happen! We are going to hire a T6 Ocean for sure before too long but only to reaffirm what we already know - we have found the outfit for us ;0)

 

[Zakeval]

If you are anything like us.........
We made the decision to go for a Cali just two and a half years ago. Wonder why we didn't do it earlier?
It's a new life - got the scalp of 10 countries and 22k miles later!
Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy.............

Thanks again JW - I’ve been trying to convince the wife for too many years to remember to get out there, to the reply ‘ if god wanted us to carry our home with us we would have been made snails,’ ! Fortunately she mellowed a few months back whilst watching leisure vehicles on the M6 and I’ve not let her off the hook since. Can’t wait to get a few k miles and countries under our bucket list too! best Kevin

 

[Jabberwocky]

Thanks again JW - I’ve been trying to convince the wife for too many years to remember to get out there, to the reply ‘ if god wanted us to carry our home with us we would have been made snails,’ ! Fortunately she mellowed a few months back whilst watching leisure vehicles on the M6 and I’ve not let her off the hook since. Can’t wait to get a few k miles and countries under our bucket list too! best Kevin

Excellent! No worries. For what its worth we faced the same dilemma to buy late T6 or wait for T6.1. (we just changed our Cali for all sorts of reasons I wont go into here but suffice to say that deals are possible on a T6. As for a T6.1 and the spectre of the B word and being a new facelifted model make that far more difficult in my opinion.
Anyway which ever route you finally decide you will not be disappointed.

As for the view from your wife, which is OK by the way, I look at it a different way. If God had wanted us to carry our home with us we would have been made snails......but he didn't, he gave us the power to think of better solutions.......thankfully! Oh I love my life....

 

[Zakeval]

Sound advice that Borris. I have a very long wish list of accessories and ‘stuff’ on iPad notes that would fill a Cali and a Ifor Williams trailer! so will definitely heed your advice.

 

[Zakeval]

Excellent! No worries. For what its worth we faced the same dilemma to buy late T6 or wait for T6.1. (we just changed our Cali for all sorts of reasons I wont go into here but suffice to say that deals are possible on a T6. As for a T6.1 and the spectre of the B word and being a new facelifted model make that far more difficult in my opinion.
Anyway which ever route you finally decide you will not be disappointed.

As for the view from your wife, which is OK by the way, I look at it a different way. If God had wanted us to carry our home with us we would have been made snails......but he didn't, he gave us the power to think of better solutions.......thankfully! Oh I love my life....

Thanks again for the heads up JW - the head says keep an eye on VW Van centre stock of new 2019 T6’s and nearly new during 2020 and if the grin factor on one gets so Cheshire Cat like and can’t quell that feeling or the deal on offer I may well succumb, on the other hand, the heart says I can be like a magpie attracted to shiny, new bling and may get seduced by the dark side for a 6.1, need to pay top dollar and join the warranty queue as they iron out the gremlins... decisions, decisions but either way bound to be happy Cali campers... I could do with a slice of what you love about life too just now ;0)

 

[Borris]

You seem to have your minds set on an Ocean. That's great, but before you splash your cash on one, it's worth considering if your circumstances are likely to change in the future?

Are you ever likely to need to transport more than four persons? I don't know your personal circs but could you end up on grand parent duties at some point? We have eight of the blighters, three of which we have looked after regularly for the last five years. At one point we owned an SE and a seven seat Beach. The SE was superb for just the two of us but would have been next to useless for five of us. (It was a 4motion so there wasn't the option for a fifth seat!).

I'm just saying that circumstances can and often do change. So whilst the Ocean fits the bill perfectly at this point in time, that may not always be the case. I'm not trying to convince you to buy a Beach but merely to consider future proofing your purchase as much as possible. Having had both versions I can assure you that you can do all the same sort of things in both versions, except carry more bods. For that you'll need a Beach. So don't get too dazzled by the split work tops and secluded kitchen lighting, as those sorts of things are ruling you heart. Buying an uber expensive Cali obviously requires serious consideration and a decision ruled by the head as well as the heart.

 

[Sandyvan]

Remember even though a hired Cali does give you an insight, they are never as good as your own i.e. you develop into your own and personalise it.
Generally when not in use they are loaded and ready to go. just add fresh food and clothes.
Also instead of a shower mat in your pop up tent buy a small kiddies blow up paddling pool, ours lives with the portable shower neatly at the bottom of the wardrobe.

Good luck and enjoy.

 

[Bellcrew]

You seem to have your minds set on an Ocean. That's great, but before you splash your cash on one, it's worth considering if your circumstances are likely to change in the future?

Are you ever likely to need to transport more than four persons? I don't know your personal circs but could you end up on grand parent duties at some point? We have eight of the blighters, three of which we have looked after regularly for the last five years. At one point we owned an SE and a seven seat Beach. The SE was superb for just the two of us but would have been next to useless for five of us. (It was a 4motion so there wasn't the option for a fifth seat!).

I'm just saying that circumstances can and often do change. So whilst the Ocean fits the bill perfectly at this point in time, that may not always be the case. I'm not trying to convince you to buy a Beach but merely to consider future proofing your purchase as much as possible. Having had both versions I can assure you that you can do all the same sort of things in both versions, except carry more bods. For that you'll need a Beach. So don't get too dazzled by the split work tops and secluded kitchen lighting, as those sorts of things are ruling you heart. Buying an uber expensive Cali obviously requires serious consideration and a decision ruled by the head as well as the heart.

I was seriously thinking of moving to a Beach in order to carry the grandchildren, instead have bought a cheap as chips two year old petrol Zafira, it will be used for local/short trips and of course will carry the growing brood. The Ocean is still the go to transport for longer trips and of course holidays when two up.

 

[Borris]

I was seriously thinking of moving to a Beach in order to carry the grandchildren, instead have bought a cheap as chips two year old petrol Zafira, it will be used for local/short trips and of course will carry the growing brood. The Ocean is still the go to transport for longer trips and of course holidays when two up.

Perfect.

 

[Perfectos]

I was seriously thinking of moving to a Beach in order to carry the grandchildren, instead have bought a cheap as chips two year old petrol Zafira, it will be used for local/short trips and of course will carry the growing brood. The Ocean is still the go to transport for longer trips and of course holidays when two up.

The grand kids will hate you ! Haha

 

[Bellcrew]

The grand kids will hate you ! Haha

The little devils should be grateful to be transported for free, you are right they all love the van but our children are going for it, currently 5 grandchildren under 4 from two sons with another son getting very broody, what can you do.

 

[Perfectos]

Haha you’ll need the Cali to get some peace and quite

 

[Zakeval]

Remember even though a hired Cali does give you an insight, they are never as good as your own i.e. you develop into your own and personalise it.
Generally when not in use they are loaded and ready to go. just add fresh food and clothes.
Also instead of a shower mat in your pop up tent buy a small kiddies blow up paddling pool, ours lives with the portable shower neatly at the bottom of the wardrobe.

Good luck and enjoy.

Thanks for that advice Sandyvan, particularly the small paddling pool as we could recycle the water for the dog, or me if we are in a hurry! (Val never gets in a bath after me, especially after I’ve had a hard day grafting lol)

 

[Zakeval]

Hi Billylou

Hi Zakeval. My wife and I went on a similar journey and arrived at the same place. Our longer journeys are planned to start in 2020 and we had planned to wait for a T6.1. We then looked at the price of nearly new T6, pre reg at VW, and the discounts were quite high. I then carried out the usual man maths and assumed the T6.1" might" go up in price by a few % and VW "might" not offer the same discounts. I convinced myself that it made sense and went for the T6, which we hope to pick up this week. The other influencing factor was we also concluded we could use this time, i.e in the run up to 2020, to have plenty of day trips and the odd night away which we would of otherwise missed out on. We'd also gain a lot of knowledge and experience in readiness for the long trips. Since putting down the deposit the T6.1 thing has gone and we don't even think about it. Whatever you do I'm sure it'll be right for you and your family.

Thanks for sharing your experience. We can wait till the back end of 2020 and there may be options on Ex Demo 6.1 or nearly new T6 so I’m hedging bets currently. In the meantime we are going to hire a T6 Ocean at least a couple of times for the experience.
Happy travels to you in yours too!
Kevin