Aussie Cali
Greetings from Downunder
As many may know the California was finally launched in 2020 in limited quantities, and only the Beach version (2 sliding doors), said in Ocean Spec (Digital Dash, 4Motion, Diff Lock, LED Headlamps, Art Velour Upholstery etc.)
All said, after a few trips, having two sliding doors, we opted for a 2nd Awning on the passage (left) side, shade in summer is a sought after commodity and not always possible to park in a way so as to ensure this is achieved with the drivers side (right) awning
VW don't offer a 2nd left side awning, however our local VW dealer offered to import all the components related to the right. Thankfully we did some homework, as you'll need to do some customising. Had we gone with VW, we would have come stuck as the California isn't stricght, hence the rear and front brackets would not have worked
In short the VW original is in fact a Thule Omnistor 5102, with bespoke VW rubber weather strip between you roof and awning rear (basically a rain gutter).
This is good news (Thule) as you're able to order Thule G3 Residence (All Weather) side walls for your 5102.
Now the tricky part, the Thule mounting brackets and awning require some customisation;
- rear mounting bracket needs rivets removed, holes welded close, bracket angle repositioned and re-rivited and a new mounting hole
- front bracket requires a new mounting hole
- awning arms require repositioning in relation to doors (see your current factory installed one's arms are also not symetrical)
Thankfully we had the help of Brent Horder at Hillview Awnings in Dorset (01202 525477) reform all the required modifications, acquire all the VW specific components, and ship it all to us in Sydney Australia. Brent is an absolute guru when it comes to this sort of thing and comes highly recommended (www.hillviewawnings.co.uk). Brent also supplied our G3 Residence walls, curtains and Dometic/Kampa breathable ground mats.
Another worthy accessory for shade and extra room is the tailgate tent from Reimo. it's super easy to setup in under 2min
(https://shop.reimo.com.au/camper-va...s/2026/rear-tent-for-vw-t5/t6-upgrade-premium)
Wish they made one for the awnings!!
See attached pictures for the end result, from our weekend away of Easter.
Best regards
Morné
As many may know the California was finally launched in 2020 in limited quantities, and only the Beach version (2 sliding doors), said in Ocean Spec (Digital Dash, 4Motion, Diff Lock, LED Headlamps, Art Velour Upholstery etc.)
All said, after a few trips, having two sliding doors, we opted for a 2nd Awning on the passage (left) side, shade in summer is a sought after commodity and not always possible to park in a way so as to ensure this is achieved with the drivers side (right) awning
VW don't offer a 2nd left side awning, however our local VW dealer offered to import all the components related to the right. Thankfully we did some homework, as you'll need to do some customising. Had we gone with VW, we would have come stuck as the California isn't stricght, hence the rear and front brackets would not have worked
In short the VW original is in fact a Thule Omnistor 5102, with bespoke VW rubber weather strip between you roof and awning rear (basically a rain gutter).
This is good news (Thule) as you're able to order Thule G3 Residence (All Weather) side walls for your 5102.
Now the tricky part, the Thule mounting brackets and awning require some customisation;
- rear mounting bracket needs rivets removed, holes welded close, bracket angle repositioned and re-rivited and a new mounting hole
- front bracket requires a new mounting hole
- awning arms require repositioning in relation to doors (see your current factory installed one's arms are also not symetrical)
Thankfully we had the help of Brent Horder at Hillview Awnings in Dorset (01202 525477) reform all the required modifications, acquire all the VW specific components, and ship it all to us in Sydney Australia. Brent is an absolute guru when it comes to this sort of thing and comes highly recommended (www.hillviewawnings.co.uk). Brent also supplied our G3 Residence walls, curtains and Dometic/Kampa breathable ground mats.
Another worthy accessory for shade and extra room is the tailgate tent from Reimo. it's super easy to setup in under 2min
(https://shop.reimo.com.au/camper-va...s/2026/rear-tent-for-vw-t5/t6-upgrade-premium)
Wish they made one for the awnings!!
See attached pictures for the end result, from our weekend away of Easter.
Best regards
Morné
