No help at the Marco Polo forum so.....

[Vwcaliforniajapan]

Just wonder if someone have looked a tailgate storage for the camping chairs to a Marco Polo ? We all know they don’t have a original product, but I would love to get a link to somewhere who sell or build that option.
Also if anyone have looked where it’s possible to keep a second leisure battery in the MP please let me know.

I’ve asked the same questions on the MPs forum but no replies.........

Cheers

Just wonder if someone have looked a tailgate storage for the camping chairs to a Marco Polo ? We all know they don’t have a original product, but I would love to get a link to somewhere who sell or build that option.
Also if anyone have looked where it’s possible to keep a second leisure battery in the MP please let me know.

I’ve asked the same questions on the MPs forum but no replies.........

Cheers

It doesn’t have to be a storage for the original chairs.

 

[MarkVw2017]

Marco polo query on a Cali forum ......"please hold whilst we try to connect you, your query is very important to us........"

 

[Vwcaliforniajapan]

Since many members on this forum have a lot of experience and technical knowledge compared with the MP forum, I was just hoping that someone could help with some serious replies to my questions and since I am a member here and a Cali owner, I thought it was ok to ask.....

 

[GrannyJen]

with 15,000 members here it is possible someone knows of a 3rd party storage solution.

I don't know of any solution other than taking chairs that fold up a little smaller, or a roll-up table such as the eurohike, £24 from Millets.

 

[WelshGas]

Since many members on this forum have a lot of experience and technical knowledge compared with the MP forum, I was just hoping that someone could help with some serious replies to my questions and since I am a member here and a Cali owner, I thought it was ok to ask.....

The Marco Polo has a tailgate window I believe? If it slides down into the body of the tailgate then unlikely there would be an aftermarket solution, due to weight and room.
2nd Leisure Battery, base of kitchen or wardrobe cupboards, base of cabin seats, some Transporter conversions have a battery under each front seat and some have a Leisure Battery fitted under the bonnet next to but not wired to the engine battery. Wire in parallel with existing leisure battery. This could have warranty implications.

 

[Vwcaliforniajapan]

Thanks the window can open but it doesn’t slide down, so I will keep looking.

 

[WelshGas]

Thanks the window can open but it doesn’t slide down, so I will keep looking.

I know it's for the Transporter, but might be adjusted to fit.

https://www.vanshades.co.uk/shop/chair-pods/chair-pod/

 

[ArunAlec]

Since many members on this forum have a lot of experience and technical knowledge compared with the MP forum, I was just hoping that someone could help with some serious replies to my questions and since I am a member here and a Cali owner, I thought it was ok to ask.....

I think it’s great to compare notes and share knowledge across the two groups!

 

[GrannyJen]

Since many members on this forum have a lot of experience and technical knowledge compared with the MP forum, I was just hoping that someone could help with some serious replies to my questions and since I am a member here and a Cali owner, I thought it was ok to ask.....

It's fine to ask and I'm sure someone, somewhere, will have a solution. The MP does have a different tailgate design so personally I would be looking for a better alternative to what's supplied rather than a Cali-like solution. As I mentioned earlier, the Eurohike roll-up table, cheap and cheerful I know, but rolls up small and will fit in the MP boot, especially one that has had loads of space liberated by getting rid of the current solution.

 

[California4x4]

Welcome to the forum. I think it will be challenging. The link above to vanshades looks like a good start point. When I had a non-California I searched for the most compact camp chairs I could find. I found these to be really good. https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B009CPDG1E/?tag=unique09f-21

 

[Tom Rae]

I had a Marco Polo and, for the chairs, my solution was to buy chairs that rolled up rather than folded, they could then be stowed in the ski slot to the side of the rear seat taking up much less space. Like this https://www.backpacking-united.com/...9kTJtrlDzVUSVvRGmRts6fSG0Bu9WilRoCaW8QAvD_BwE

Tom

 

[WelshGas]

Since many members on this forum have a lot of experience and technical knowledge compared with the MP forum, I was just hoping that someone could help with some serious replies to my questions and since I am a member here and a Cali owner, I thought it was ok to ask.....

With respect of the 2 nd Leisure Battery, have you considered replacing the present battery with a Lithium Battery. You can get Lithium Leisure Batteries that are the same dimensions but twice the power output, but very expensive.
Some reading.
https://www.t6forum.com/threads/lithium-leisure-battery.9242/

 

[Vwcaliforniajapan]

I know it's for the Transporter, but might be adjusted to fit.

https://www.vanshades.co.uk/shop/chair-pods/chair-pod/

Thanks I’ll ask them , they might have some ideas.

 

[Vwcaliforniajapan]

I think it’s great to compare notes and share knowledge across the two groups!

Exactly ! I would never focus on one brand only and now I have the opportunity to own both vehicles ( one in each country) so why not ?
As a Cali owner It will be hard to accept the MP chairs and storage so I’ll check whatever I can before I buy the MP.
The table is not a problem it’s stored under the bed, but small roll up chairs are also not comfortable for the long run.
If there’s a tailgate system, then it will be perfect.

Welshgas, thanks I’ll look into it, I wonder if I can still use the same converter/ inverter ( sorry ) for a lithium battery and also if I need a more powerful solar panel ?

 

[WelshGas]

Exactly ! I would never focus on one brand only and now I have the opportunity to own both vehicles ( one in each country) so why not ?
As a Cali owner It will be hard to accept the MP chairs and storage so I’ll check whatever I can before I buy the MP.
The table is not a problem it’s stored under the bed, but small roll up chairs are also not comfortable for the long run.
If there’s a tailgate system, then it will be perfect.

Welshgas, thanks I’ll look into it, I wonder if I can still use the same converter/ inverter ( sorry ) for a lithium battery and also if I need a more powerful solar panel ?

The modern versions of the Lithium Battery can directly replace the present 12v AGM but can be very expensive. I'm afraid I'm no expert on this, I just see it as a possibility.

 

[SimonB]

If you have the opportunity to use solar, that might save you having to put in extra batteries. Speak to Roger Donoghue who runs https://www.solarcampersolutions.co.uk/ or ring on +44 7709 615075. He is based just south of Taunton and sends his solar panels by post all over the place. He is very knowledgeable about the subject and may be able to fix up a mix of panels to avoid putting in 2 leisure batteries.
Lots of threads on the Forum about solar.

Simon

 

[MattBW]

Lithiums are great because they can be drained lower than a lead acid. However the cost is 3 times that of a lead acid. Probably good for heavy users who want a run a mobile office?

I hear they last at least 5 years too, upto 10 which is good.

Definitely on my list of potential upgrades but low down the list at present.

 

[JohnnyP]

Just wonder if someone have looked a tailgate storage for the camping chairs to a Marco Polo ? We all know they don’t have a original product, but I would love to get a link to somewhere who sell or build that option.
Also if anyone have looked where it’s possible to keep a second leisure battery in the MP please let me know.

I’ve asked the same questions on the MPs forum but no replies.........

Cheers


It doesn’t have to be a storage for the original chairs.

See, we're better than them even if our vans aren't

 

[ackyi]

https://www.vanshades.co.uk/shop/chair-pods/chair-pod/

 

[soulstyledevon]

Can we see some pics of your MP...
Just so we can a lovey morning cry...

 

[larrylamb]

Can we see some pics of your MP...
Just so we can a lovey morning cry...

SSD Pull yourself together man! We'll have no talk of defection here.

 

[soulstyledevon]

SSD Pull yourself together man! We'll have no talk of defection here.

Sorry.
I suffer with huge belts of van envy...

 

[larrylamb]

Sorry.
I suffer with huge belts of van envy...

You sound frustrated or out of love with your lovely Cali, anything sparked this?

 

[Vwcaliforniajapan]

https://www.vanshades.co.uk/shop/chair-pods/chair-pod/

Thanks, I asked them already, but they will only fit T5 T6

 

[GrannyJen]

I was in love with the MP when it first came out. I still think that it is a fine vehicle.

I looked so hard when I was changing Albert but it slowly paled on me.

All the talk was of how luxurious it was over the Cali. First big off-put. I want a camper not a luxury car. I want something where I don't need to give my dogs a shampoo every time we come home, I'm not worried about claw scratches in the leather, my Grandchildren can jump all over it, like they do in Alfie,

Then the wonderful "Car-like" driving position unlike the "Van-like" cali. Yep, no useful cubby holes anywhere at the front.

Only one leisure battery: I'm struggling with two at the moment, having to use my fridge as a freezer.

Parking heater extra: ok, £ for £ the £2.5k extra all equals out, but not to have one fitted as standard to me reflects an attitude of "not thinking camper".

The killer of course was no 4WD. Probably the only structural thing between the two machines that I baulked at. The rest was more attitude than substance. The "we are selling an up-market luxury car" attitude as opposed to "we are selling an all-year round self-contained survival module". My lifestyle calls for "survival module" first so all of the "nice touches" meant absolutely nothing to me.

If my requirements were different then I would probably would have gone MP. It's nuance rather than substance that determines who is going to be happier with what.