Storage options in the Beach

[Amarillo]

I shall be ordering these Vanessa bags, many thanks both.

Our VanEssa bags arrived today. Superb design, and really easy to install, secure once installed, and easy to remove. I reckon they will hold base-layer clothing and wash bags for the four of us, i.e. underwear, trousers/shorts and tops: not fleeces, shoes or oilskins. I'll take some photos of the bags tomorrow.

I also fitted our removable towbar and Thule EasyBase. The EasyBase needed some modification to allow the boot to be opened and closed, and even then, access to the boot and therefore luggage below the multiflex is not possible with the Thule EasyBag on the EasyBase - it takes about 3 minutes to remove the bag and lower the support arm.

So... this is how we plan to organise packing for our tour:
EasyBase - Children's table/step and children's chairs, Kela III driveaway awning, boots and oilskins, double pushchair/cycle trailer
Bike rack - 2 x Bromptons in low fold, Islabikes Rothan, Islabikes Cnoc 14
Below multiflex - cooking and eating equipment, tools, children's toys, food, folded dog crate and dog food,
Above multiflex - topper, spare duvet, sleeping bags, pillows
VanEssen bags - clothing and wash bags
Three seat bench - group 1 child seat and boy, 2 dogs
Additional integrated child seat (rear facing) - boy
Vestibule area - bag of fleeces, bag of swimwear, food for the day, dogs' non-spill water bowl
Between the front passenger seat and additional integrated child seat - fridge, popaloo
Squashed in the roof cavity - light summer duvet

When we park and visit places the EasyBag, and, if necessary, the EasyBase, can be removed and placed in the vestibule.

On our next trip out we will go fully packed and test this plan.

 

[Amarillo]

Bought some Muji stackable draws today:

A big benefit of these is they can be removed and stacked in one fully accessible tower in the driveaway awning.

And, as promised, here are my installed VanEssa bags:

 

[CALIBEACH83]

make sure you do a test converting the lower bed and trying to get everything back in the van ..
On my last (and first) big roadtrip to Barcelona i discovered i couldn't get both the the children seats underneath the flexboard .
Had to leave them on the lowerbed while sleeping .
I haven't found a good routine switching the bed to "sleepmode" without spending 1 hour taking everything out of the van and stuffing everything back in ..
I'm tempted to buy the Vanessa bags to help me with this ..

 

[Amarillo]

make sure you do a test converting the lower bed and trying to get everything back in the van ..
On my last (and first) big roadtrip to Barcelona i discovered i couldn't get both the the children seats underneath the flexboard .
Had to leave them on the lowerbed while sleeping .
I haven't found a good routine switching the bed to "sleepmode" without spending 1 hour taking everything out of the van and stuffing everything back in ..
I'm tempted to buy the Vanessa bags to help me with this ..

I move the front passenger seat as far forward as it will go, remove the plastic stops from the floor rails and move seat six as far forward as it will go with the stops removed, the baby seat goes on seat six, the two headrests go on the baby seat (we don't need the third bench headrest as the child seat goes there). The bench will now fold down to the standard size bed.

Time of first photo 15:06:47, time of third photo 15:11:48; a fraction over five minutes to make up the lower bed without a sheet. The four Muji boxes under the multiflex and the VanEssa bags remained in place, the fridge and popaloo moved to behind the driver's seat..

 

[Dave bee]

Wow didn't think the bed would go down with a middle seat in place, good effort. I used to have to move lots of things around until I got the window bags. Anything left without a place at bedtime ends up on the front seats or the front floor space.

 

[Amarillo]

Wow didn't think the bed would go down with a middle seat in place, good effort.

It is hardly surprising that you thought that, the manual states categorically that the standard bed cannot be made with middle row seats in place. Pedants might correctly claim that the middle row seat isn't really in place moved forward with the stops removed as the seat is no longer secure to the van. And it might also be the case that the standard bed can only be made like this with the child seat popped up on rear facing integrated middle row seats. This gives an extra 10cm or so.

 

[hirsty]

Necessity being the mother of invention in your case - nice one!

As Jonathan said above, having to get out & lift the tailgate to get 'something' from under the board regularly would get very tiresome on an extended trip. I think the combination of the bags & the boxes will work well once you've established a routine on the big tour.

 

[hirsty]

I made payment direct through my bank account. Delivery charges were 22.75 Euros, making a purchase cost of 317.75 Euros (£276.53)

Have I got this wrong then?

They look to be only listed as 2x singles at €170 each x 2 = €340 + delivery for the two-seater Beach? Having gone back in and looked at three-seater Beach I now see they do pairs for €295 exc. delivery - I'm sure we can sort it out with Google Translate & fortunately I've not yet paid ... I'm sure they'll be the same bags.

As also mentioned, now out of stock until July

 

[Bugsy]

Have I got this wrong then?

They look to be only listed as 2x singles at €170 each x 2 = €340 + delivery for the two-seater Beach? Having gone back in and looked at three-seater Beach I now see they do pairs for €295 exc. delivery - I'm sure we can sort it out with Google Translate & fortunately I've not yet paid ... I'm sure they'll be the same bags.

As also mentioned, now out of stock until July

 

[Amarillo]

Have I got this wrong then?

They look to be only listed as 2x singles at €170 each x 2 = €340 + delivery for the two-seater Beach? Having gone back in and looked at three-seater Beach I now see they do pairs for €295 exc. delivery - I'm sure we can sort it out with Google Translate & fortunately I've not yet paid ... I'm sure they'll be the same bags.

As also mentioned, now out of stock until July

You can select English by clicking the German flag on the top menu and selecting the Union Flag from the drop-down sub-menu.

But largely academic now as they are out-of-stock for several months.

My bags came delivered with a small stain on the top near the carry handle of one of the bags. I'm not particularly bothered as is cannot be seen when the bags are installed, but it might upset some people.

 

[Amarillo]

***************

You either swore, or said https://tinyurl.com/mr3ank6.

They have a very poor reputation of taking people's money, and then not delivering out-of-stock goods for months without keeping their customers informed.

I'd advise phoning to check stock before ordering. I wish I'd checked with them, they are based just a short way from where I live and I could have saved myself about £50 on delivery and exchange rate robbery.

 

[Bugsy]

You either swore, or said https://tinyurl.com/mr3ank6.

They have a very poor reputation of taking people's money, and then not delivering out-of-stock goods for months without keeping their customers informed.

I'd advise phoning to check stock before ordering. I wish I'd checked with them, they are based just a short way from where I live and I could have saved myself about £50 on delivery and exchange rate robbery.

Thank you, don't know how you worked that out! it wouldn't let me type the name. I got mine from there last year without any problems, but good idea to check their stock as you advised.

 

[hirsty]

Reply from Vanessa today - only one bag will fit in a two-seat bench Beach ...

 

[Dave bee]

I think it's that the lid of the side storage box can't open fully with the bag in place on the 2 seat bench.

 

[MattBW]

I spoke to that company at Camping show at the NEC without realising who it was. The website said one date for stock, he told me another a few months later than his website in person, I wasn't instilled with confidence for that reason.

 

[soulstyledevon]

I spoke to that company at Camping show at the NEC without realising who it was. The website said one date for stock, he told me another a few months later than his website in person, I wasn't instilled with confidence for that reason.

Website currently states, out of stock until July 2017

 

[Stoneybroke]

I love the flexibility of The Beach but I also love the visibility, so would only consider one for the driver's side, which I cant see out of anyway from the driver's seat! Otherwise I would have bought a Kombi

 

[hirsty]

Another Beach back side window bag option I'd not seen before. I don't speak German, but the difference appears to be the more expensive version is modular & you can velcro the bags on/off to use or pack away from the van?

Currently available for three-seat bench Beach, but there is a two-seat bench Beach version due in July:

http://www.california-camping.de/t5...ifornia-beach-das-cali-beach-bag-classic.html

I bought my mid/rear carpets from these guys & I would use them again.

 

[MattBW]

I love the flexibility of The Beach but I also love the visibility, so would only consider one for the driver's side, which I cant see out of anyway from the driver's seat! Otherwise I would have bought a Kombi

Do they fit either side? Could split a set?


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[Dave bee]

I was going to get some of these but they were out of stock for ages. I got the Vanessa ones in the end which have been great. I'm sure someone on here had some and said that they sagged after a while and let light into the van. They were waiting for updated ones which is why they were out of stock for so long, possibly an improved design now though.

 

[Stoneybroke]

Do they fit either side? Could split a set?


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Set is shown as left + right, so not sure could use both on the driver's side?

 

[kave]

According to german forums the california camping ones are a cooy of vanessas product and has a much worse fitting.
The reason Vanessa came out with a new model (produced by Vaude) was because the previous smelled too bad.

 

[soulstyledevon]

According to german forums the california camping ones are a cooy of vanessas product and has a much worse fitting.
The reason Vanessa came out with a new model (produced by Vaude) was because the previous smelled too bad.

Ohh.
That's a shame i almost decided to get a set as the Vanessa are out of stock until July
Also liked the darker grey colour too

 

[Steve39]

Hi Jonathan, I'm just finalising spec for a 3 seat Beach and I'm 50:50 whether to go for the VW comfort mattress (or buy something like a zonesleep).

I'm definitely going to need the Vanessa bags but that looks like a really tight fit with the mattress folded on top of the multiplex. Are you finding it OK after a couple of months use?

Also can you remove the comfort mattress or is it integrated into the multiplex? If yes, in sections or is it all on one piece?

The bags looks great as does the van! Looks similar to what I'm going for white (?) with the dark fabric.



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[Jonathan Duke]

Hi Jonathan, I'm just finalising spec for a 3 seat Beach and I'm 50:50 whether to go for the VW comfort mattress (or buy something like a zonesleep).

I'm definitely going to need the Vanessa bags but that looks like a really tight fit with the mattress folded on top of the multiplex. Are you finding it OK after a couple of months use?

Also can you remove the comfort mattress or is it integrated into the multiplex? If yes, in sections or is it all on one piece?

The bags looks great as does the van! Looks similar to what I'm going for white (?) with the dark fabric.



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Hi Steve,

No issues to-date, I've spent 40x nights in the van so far, and no issues with the fit.

The mattress is in two parts, one remains on the multiflex, the second sits on top. Both are removable, easily.

A useful tip, we push the top mattress piece towards the window, this leaves a gap between the mattress and the backrest of the bench seat..... There's enough space here to squeeze a double duvet into. Will try and take a photo of it next time.

I would definitely order the comfort mattress again, worth a lot more if you decide to sell it, as it costs more from VW if ordering outside of build.

Cheers, Jonathan