Slidepod for the VW California Beach

[Life's a beach]

Was a bit concerned by one of the earlier posts re the hookup so I have just been out to have another look under the bonnet. I can't see how you could get the cable to touch the engine, it doesn't run anywhere near. The scenario of the engine being hot enough to melt the hookup cable just isn't feasible with the way it has been installed.

Now not worried, happy with choice we made and pleased with the work

Jonny, the latest pod looks great, like the lighting . Going back a few more posts, the beach is Porthtowan

 

[CALI FATE]

Hi Tim glad you like the product. They start from £1750
They are really easy to install and remove and can also be used as a free standing kitchen in a driveaway awning .
The grey demo one is fully loaded bar a double USB point, 12v auto socket and the shower. In this format it would cost £1870 + fresh water tank (we offer several kinds from 10l to 70l) which we modify and supply at cost. This is also without the table which you wouldn't need in a beach.
A fully spec'd pod for a beach with .....
shower
double USB
12v auto socket
LED Lighting
Removable cutlery roll
tailored antislip matting
would retail at £2120 (we do always try to look after our customers from the cali club though )

Thanks for that - a Beach with a slide in / out pod is the way to go i think - best of both worlds and you keep the cooking out of the van - almost. Can you make a pod that can house a waeco fridge ? thanks

 

[SlidePods]

It is possible however I would strongly recommend using a coolbox as you maintain your storage space and the pod is lighter.

 

[blondebier]

... the pod is lighter.

I was wondering about weight too.
(I don't want it too heavy or else it'll affect the fuel economy and I'll have to sue VW for my losses. )

Seriously though - is this a 2 person lift in and out job? Could it be done by one person?

Is there a dry weight you'd be happy quote for these?

 

[SlidePods]

I keep meaning to weigh one, just to busy building them. when they are empty one person can do it (its not heavy just a bit awkward). 2 people can do it really easily though in just a few minutes .
We are booked for the oxford camping in November so will be able to demo one there.

 

[SlidePods]

Due to the great response we have had to our 2016 demo pod we have decided to run a special offer for California club VIP Members on our Ultra pod and Beach Pod models.
Until 9/10/2015 VIP members can buy a fully loaded Beach or Ultra Slidepod with.....
Shower upgrade
double USB charging point
12V auto socket
tailored anti slip matting
Integrated removable cutlery roll
LED pod lighting
30l fresh water tank with rail hold down kit
and a pair of replacement seat base covers to match your pod
For..... £1999 that's a discount of £271 or if you prefer 12% from our retail prices.
We will also bring your pod to the November Campout in Oxford for you and do a free install and a full Demo of your brand new Slidepod.

 

[sidepod]

Electrical certification for the mains wiring included?

 

[Blackwell]

There is nothing more infuriating than a tradesman/salesman trying to blind a customer with tech-talk. Not even good tech talk in this case.

There are some pretty naf van conversions out there but never have I seen such a crazy location for a hook up. Why would you want to have to open the bonnet to plug in a cable? Don't even get me started on the the suitablity of those plugs for the hot engine bay environment. Heat cycling of plastic? A live cable draped over a hot engine? potential damage to the insulation of the hook-up cable?

Why bother? If you're going to have a cable stuck through a gap in the vehicle why not make it a door or tailgate. Equally rubbish.

Do it properly or dont bother.

S.

Perhaps before you attempt to rubbish a well respected craftsman on open forum you should present your own credentials so we may make an "informed opinion" about your posts?
While you're at it you had better inform the SMMT that all car manufacturers are fitting plastics and electrical wiring in they engine bays of vehicles and that, in your opinion, this is a dangerous practice that needs to cease.
All I hear is unhelpfull static.

 

[sidepod]

A qualified and registered compentant electrician able to certify electrical installations as fit for use by the public and compliant with current wiring regs (BS7671).

Is that ok?

Perhaps if you read the original post you'll understand that what I had objected to was the waffle
applied to justifying what is (in my opinion) a not very elegant solution to a very simple (and already solved) problem. To attempt to tell the customer thats it's done like that to keep it dry is nonsense. It's a waterproof connector designed for external use.

Regarding mains voltage cabling installed in a hot and hostile environment (hook up cable in the engine bay), this solution I feel is less than ideal . If such an installation was carried out in a building then it would fail any inspection.

If you choose to ignore such regulation and practices that are specifically there to keep you safe then that's entirely up to you.

Given that these bits of kit contain mains voltage wiring and componenets, do they come certified as checked and tested?

S.

 

[Blackwell]

You cle

A qualified and registered compentant electrician able to certify electrical installations as fit for use by the public and compliant with current wiring regs (BS7671).

Is that ok?

Perhaps if you read the original post you'll understand that what I had objected to was the waffle
applied to justifying what is (in my opinion) a not very elegant solution to a very simple (and already solved) problem. To attempt to tell the customer thats it's done like that to keep it dry is nonsense. It's a waterproof connector designed for external use.

Regarding mains voltage cabling installed in a hot and hostile environment (hook up cable in the engine bay), this solution I feel is less than ideal . If such an installation was carried out in a building then it would fail any inspection.

If you choose to ignore such regulation and practices that are specifically there to keep you safe then that's entirely up to you.

Given that these bits of kit contain mains voltage wiring and componenets, do they come certified as checked and tested?

S.

You clearly don't work in this industry and your understanding of the issues is obviously limited. It's no goog trying to hide behind regulations that mostly don't apply. Your criticisms are not valid or justified and opinion is worthless. Just the kind of claptrap that I see all the time from domestic and industrial sparkies. Your tone is both negative and derogatory towards the OP and does not make a useful contribution to this thread.
For mor than forty years I have been making and installing aux systems for vehicles, including blue lighters and I can assure any concerned readers that the equipment fitted by Slidepods is of the best quality, safe, efficient and installed to a high standard.

 

[jts46]

When in Sardinia earlier this year met a german couple with a "beach", one week old and his electrical connector was in the engine bay as per photo. So i assume came from factory like that.


John

 

[Blackwell]

When in Sardinia earlier this year met a german couple with a "beach", one week old and his electrical connector was in the engine bay as per photo. So i assume came from factory like that.

Well, the engine bay is packed with plastics and wiring. It was never likely to be a problem.

 

[Sadie]

These sliding pods look to be really well made and a neat piece of kit, smart too - but catching up with the thread today there has obviously been some harsh exchanges re the electrics. Reading these I can see the reasoning on both sides, that is after putting aside the last few comments ( one of the moderators may wish to review them). But from my knowledge of electrics and I realise we all have different views when it comes to the mains stuff I would just say that from what I can see it is unlikely that you could claim this wiring would be fully compliant with the BS on electric installs if that is what is being expected that is.

 

[Blackwell]

These sliding pods look to be really well made and a neat piece of kit, smart too - but catching up with the thread today there has obviously been some harsh exchanges re the electrics. Reading these I can see the reasoning on both sides, that is after putting aside the last few comments ( one of the moderators may wish to review them). But from my knowledge of electrics and I realise we all have different views when it comes to the mains stuff I would just say that from what I can see it is unlikely that you could claim this wiring would be fully compliant with the BS on electric installs if that is what is being expected that is.

Would you like to quote the relevant British Standard to which you refer?

 

[Paul Lavery]

TBH I can't see how this thread in relation to a very good design of an aftermarket pod has turned into this ???

 

[Bigted]

People can a collective deep breath be taken. I think that opinions have been expressed and I can see there are some strongly held viewpoints. Lets try not to insult or attack each other as the world would be a boring place if we all had the same view.

Under Bonnet connection are becoming quite common (Hymer Hymercar being one example) so I sure some thought had been put into it. Like many things one mans meat is another's poison.

 

[Blackwell]

TBH I can't see how this thread in relation to a very good design of an aftermarket pod has turned into this ???

I agree, I just wish people would state whether they are expressing an opinion or stating a fact. Disinformation is a dangerous thing, especially when it comes to subjects like electrics and gas. If you need to flex your intellect join a quiz group down the pub!

 

[andyinluton]

regulations that mostly don't apply. Your criticisms are not valid or justified and opinion is worthless. Just the kind of claptrap that I see all the time from domestic and industrial sparkies.

So blackwell comes on here on his 2nd day of membership slagging off a long term member.

In my opinion side pods criticisms are valid & he his entitled to his own opinions.

If you get a lot of "claptrap" from domestic and industrial sparks doesn't that tell you something? if people that have earned their living dealing with electrics in both domestic and industrial situations express an opinion that something is not safe I would take notice. If what makes it "safe" is that the normal rules don't apply just because its in a van rather than a house, in my opinion that doesn't make it safe.

I accept that the engine bay is reasonably sensible place to put the connection & don't have a problem with the heat, I would still be worried about the cable being jammed or damaged by the edge of the bonnet, more seriously I do not like the proximity of the sink to the mains outlet socket on the pod, any water splashes would be straight onto domestic non IP rated plugs. In a domestic situation it would not be allowed.

If I was looking for a boot mounted pod I would have no hesitation in buying one of these pods but would leave the electrics out of the pod itself & confine them to 240v outlets actually mounted to the seat bases & the like away from the sink.

 

[SlidePods]

there is no 240v electrics in our pods!

 

[SlidePods]

and Blackwell is Martin the owner and founder of travelvolts.com so I have to say.... he deffinately knows his onions when it comes to leisure electrics.

 

[andyinluton]

I Mains Socket
2 Shower connection
3 looks like a double USB socket
Absolutely spot on

That was your response when someone asked what the 3 sockets on the front of the white pod pictured earlier were. So you have a mains socket in front of the sink but no 240v to it? or is a mains socket something else?

 

[Sadie]

and Blackwell is Martin the owner and founder of travelvolts.com so I have to say.... he deffinately knows his onions when it comes to leisure electrics.

Oh Mr Blackw

I Mains Socket
2 Shower connection
3 looks like a double USB socket
Absolutely spot on

That was your response when someone asked what the 3 sockets on the front of the white pod pictured earlier were. So you have a mains socket in front of the sink but no 240v to it? or is a mains socket something else?

 

[SlidePods]

sorry. This is a mistake on my part! You are right.
I should have noticed it said "mains" in the previous post on that page. It is in fact (as I'm sure you will see if you look closely at the photo's) a 12v auto socket.
We have been asked in the past to put a mains socket into our pods an refused as I agree it would be to close to the sink.
I am saddened by the direction this thread has gone in and have asked for some of it to be removed. I would humbly ask that we can drop the subject of leisure electrics now and move on.
I am happy to install hook-ups into the rear quarter panel if our customers want (after all it is their decision). This would cost more in labour as it takes (a lot) longer.

 

[Sadie]

Oh Mr Blackwell these "claptrap" experts like our Sadie who like I know the other people knows his onions. Shallots, garlic and leeks when it come to electrics. He was just proffering an opinion about compliance. I realise you have a vested interest but isn't it the purpose of these forums to give members a valid viewpoint.

 

[Life's a beach]

Ok ladies and gentlemen, Mrs Life's-a-Beach here.
Love the slide pod, using it most weekends. Off to Kimmeridge tomorrow, and planning a good day. In response to the in/out thing, my dh (dear husband) has been out there this afternoon and was practicing putting the (loaded) pod in and out of the van as a challenge. He reckons about 6-7 mins as a solo effort: probably more if I help him- cheeky!

Also as an aside, we have just bought 2 extra seats for the back to give us the flexibility of a 6 seater. Dh delighted that the pod will still fit if we mount the water tank longways down the van to run alongside the 2 seater bench. Result!