Road types

[Matheushen]

Hello all! Searching for campervan to buy, first I’d like to know what kind of vehicle would be suitable for both pavemented roads and off-road.

The Calis look nice for myself but maybe they’re too low and the tyres couldn’t suit properly when off road.

What do you think? Any advice?

Thank you.

 

[Velma's Dad]

Search the forum for things like "4 Motion" and "suspension". You'll find tons of discussion about all aspects of off-road etc.

But in brief: in its base form a Cali is inherently little better or worse in terms of off-road mobility than any other panel van type campervan.

As with any vehicle, tyres are always the first upgrade for off-road use, but then there is also the seasonal dimension.

You can opt for 4WD/AWD (4-Motion - the VW factory option). As aftermarket options, depending on your budget, you could look at raised suspension kit (Seikel) or air suspension (VB). Those will all increase the vehicle's capabilities off-road but in the end it's a commercial van, with limited suspension travel and approach/depart angles.

And of course it's always a trade-off: 4-Motion will have a permanent negative impact on fuel economy, suspension lifting will have a negative effect on road handling (higher centre of gravity) and air suspension will cost you something approaching five grand.

What type of off-road use did you have in mind? Muddy campsites or serious over-landing?

 

[willwander]

Seikel are the off road specialists https://www.seikel.de/

4WD - Diff lock - Lift kit - All terrain tyres, sump gaurds, snorkels etc.
This will get you most places
Proper swamper

 

[Matheushen]

Search the forum for things like "4 Motion" and "suspension". You'll find tons of discussion about all aspects of off-road etc.

But in brief: in its base form a Cali is inherently little better or worse in terms of off-road mobility than any other panel van type campervan.

As with any vehicle, tyres are always the first upgrade for off-road use, but then there is also the seasonal dimension.

You can opt for 4WD/AWD (4-Motion - the VW factory option). As aftermarket options, depending on your budget, you could look at raised suspension kit (Seikel) or air suspension (VB). Those will all increase the vehicle's capabilities off-road but in the end it's a commercial van, with limited suspension travel and approach/depart angles.

And of course it's always a trade-off: 4-Motion will have a permanent negative impact on fuel economy, suspension lifting will have a negative effect on road handling (higher centre of gravity) and air suspension will cost you something approaching five grand.

What type of off-road use did you have in mind? Muddy campsites or serious over-landing?

I wonder if it’s possible to do around the world trip on a Cali. I don’t think it would be a serious over landing but for sure mud and desert environment.
In Europe probably won’t have any problem but Asia and South America could be hard road.

on the other hand I thought that a Land Rover would suit better but I really like the Cali though.

 

[willwander]

Depends what sort of trip you are planning. Certainly possible, might not be the most suitable. If you’re serious you’d be better checking out the many overlanding blogs/web sites and maybe looking at getting something purpose built for that sort of trip.

 

[Velma's Dad]

I wonder if it’s possible to do around the world trip on a Cali. I don’t think it would be a serious over landing but for sure mud and desert environment.
In Europe probably won’t have any problem but Asia and South America could be hard road.

on the other hand I thought that a Land Rover would suit better but I really like the Cali though.

People have been doing global roaming in VW campervans ever since the original Splittie, back in the days when in many parts of the the world there were almost no roads, only directions. Today there are few countries you couldn't cross in any old 2WD vehicle if you pick your routes sensibly (even across Mongolia - look at the types of vehicles that manage the Peking-Paris rally routes).

The questions are more about what specific types of routes do you want to be able to tackle (high mountain, snow and ice, forest mud?), fuel compatibility, how comfortable and safe do you want to be, and how much do you want to spend on an overlander vehicle.

Anyway, if considering an SUV or pickup format as an alternative to a campervan for overlanding, a Land Rover wouldn't be my first choice. I'd be thinking more like a Landcruiser, 4Runner or a 4x4 Hilux.

 

[WelshGas]

I wonder if it’s possible to do around the world trip on a Cali. I don’t think it would be a serious over landing but for sure mud and desert environment.
In Europe probably won’t have any problem but Asia and South America could be hard road.

on the other hand I thought that a Land Rover would suit better but I really like the Cali though.

Possibly with a T4, but much less likely with a T5/5.1 or 6, basically because of the increasing complexity of the engine electronics and emmision systems.