Rear Spoiler Question

mattpartridge · Mar 13, 2021

Hi,

I have also removed my bike rack and gone for the tow bar fitted bike rack. Have just had the van pimped with genuine VW Sportline spoilers and bars. Suspension dropped with VW -30mm springs.

Dave Webb · Mar 15, 2021

mattpartridge said:
Hi,

I have also removed my bike rack and gone for the tow bar fitted bike rack. Have just had the van pimped with genuine VW Sportline spoilers and bars. Suspension dropped with VW -30mm springs.View attachment 75074 View attachment 75075 View attachment 75076 View attachment 75077

Looks great

CampingHulk · Mar 11, 2022

mattpartridge said:
Hi,

I have also removed my bike rack and gone for the tow bar fitted bike rack. Have just had the van pimped with genuine VW Sportline spoilers and bars. Suspension dropped with VW -30mm springs.View attachment 75074 View attachment 75075 View attachment 75076 View attachment 75077

Hi Matt!

I love the look of your California! I notice that you've removed the 'Ocean' stickers usually located on the side of the rear wing. I'm going to be doing the same myself. Do you mind me asking where the spoiler is from?

andyinluton · Mar 11, 2022

CampingHulk said:
I notice that you've removed the 'Ocean' stickers

Not removed, never had them - the van is an SE, Oceans didn't turn up until 2015

CampingHulk · Mar 11, 2022

andyinluton said:
Not removed, never had them - the van is an SE, Oceans didn't turn up until 2015

Ah I see. Fairs does. You learn something new everyday.

mattpartridge · Mar 11, 2022

CampingHulk said:
Hi Matt!

I love the look of your California! I notice that you've removed the 'Ocean' stickers usually located on the side of the rear wing. I'm going to be doing the same myself. Do you mind me asking where the spoiler is from?

HI, Sorry for the late reply. My Cali is a 2014 T5.1 SE, they weren’t called Oceans until T6 model I believe. The rear spoiler is a genuine VW Sportline tailgate spoiler fitted by Ultimate Transporters in Birmingham. I took off my rear cycle rack and now use a tow bar mounted rack, mainly to keep below 2 metres height for the French autoroutes. Matt

GollyOlly · Aug 22, 2022

WelshGas said:
Just a word of warning if you don't intend keeping the vehicle longterm.
Fitting the spoiler precludes fitting that well known California accessory, a tailgate bike rack, without a lot of modification. Bonding directly will make it almost impossible, unlike using screws and 3M tape. This might limit potential resale market.

WG, that is the most sensible point I've heard for not fitting a rear spoiler. I've been considering one but it can't just be for looks; there needs to be a function to it. As far as I can tell, there is no function to the rear spoiler on an Ocean so I will probably opt against one. It doesn't improve fuel economy, it doesn't help with stability (I don't drive my van 160 mpg down the motorway), and it could impact loading my kayaks. What is the functionality in a rear spoiler?

andyinluton · Aug 22, 2022

GollyOlly said:
It doesn't improve fuel economy, it doesn't help with stability (I don't drive my van 160 mpg down the motorway), and it could impact loading my kayaks. What is the functionality in a rear spoiler?

Absolutely Zilch - so about as much use as front splitters, chrome side bars etc.

Aesthetically though, if its what floats your boat, go for it.

I actually think the spoiler looks good & from ground level hides the rather awkward junction between the pop up roof & the van roof.

GollyOlly · Aug 22, 2022

andyinluton said:
Absolutely Zilch - so about as much use as front splitters, chrome side bars etc.

Aesthetically though, if its what floats your boat, go for it.

I actually think the spoiler looks good & from ground level hides the rather awkward junction between the pop up roof & the van roof.

That's a good point about the awkward junction. I know what you mean about the front splitters, chrome side bars, etc. Mine came lowered and with the chrome sidebars when I bought it, so.... But I agree with you.

B J G · Aug 22, 2022

GollyOlly said:
WG, that is the most sensible point I've heard for not fitting a rear spoiler. I've been considering one but it can't just be for looks; there needs to be a function to it. As far as I can tell, there is no function to the rear spoiler on an Ocean so I will probably opt against one. It doesn't improve fuel economy, it doesn't help with stability (I don't drive my van 160 mpg down the motorway), and it could impact loading my kayaks. What is the functionality in a rear spoiler?

The same functionality question could be asked about bike racks, rarely seen with anything on them, put bikes into airflow increasing drag and potential height restriction.

ABT rear spoiler permits rack fitting and with Cali pop top height wouldn't be much, if at all. above roof height.

ABT Rear Upper Wing Spoiler - VW T6 T6.1 Tailgate 15 - Vanstyle

www.vanstyle.co.uk

GollyOlly · Aug 22, 2022

B J G said:
The same functionality question could be asked about bike racks, rarely seen with anything on them, put bikes into airflow increasing drag and potential height restriction.

ABT rear spoiler permits rack fitting and with Cali pop top height wouldn't be much, if at all. above roof height.

ABT Rear Upper Wing Spoiler - VW T6 T6.1 Tailgate 15 - Vanstyle

www.vanstyle.co.uk

True, though I took the VW bike rack off and use a Thule XT2.