Storm Darragh

[Blackbrogue1962]

Due to unavoidable family commitments we had no choice yesterday other than to drive from Edinburgh to the E Midlands. Largely due to the sense that the Cali would handle the weather better than the car, we took the van despite staying in a hotel and there being just the 2 of us. While we weren’t travelling through areas effected by the Red weather warning, our Easterly route using the A1 did take us through an Amber area on the N Sea coast N of Newcastle. As users of this forum will be unsurprised to hear, the Cali behaved impeccably and gave us a real sense of security on the road. I think I sensed the cross wind assist triggering a few times but the whole journey was absent of any drama and much more relaxed than I’d expected. As an afternote, a video popped up on YouTube of Chris Sloan’s journey the same day in his heavily modded motorhome on the same stretch of A1 that resulted in him turning around and heading home. It did strike me that in the trend for considering bigger camper vans and even motorhomes, that there’s a need to be aware of the increased vulnerability to more extreme weather. In summary, the more we use our Cali (bought in Jan 24) the more we love it!

 

[m10chkcalifornia]

Due to unavoidable family commitments we had no choice yesterday other than to drive from Edinburgh to the E Midlands. Largely due to the sense that the Cali would handle the weather better than the car, we took the van despite staying in a hotel and there being just the 2 of us. While we weren’t travelling through areas effected by the Red weather warning, our Easterly route using the A1 did take us through an Amber area on the N Sea coast N of Newcastle. As users of this forum will be unsurprised to hear, the Cali behaved impeccably and gave us a real sense of security on the road. I think I sensed the cross wind assist triggering a few times but the whole journey was absent of any drama and much more relaxed than I’d expected. As an afternote, a video popped up on YouTube of Chris Sloan’s journey the same day in his heavily modded motorhome on the same stretch of A1 that resulted in him turning around and heading home. It did strike me that in the trend for considering bigger camper vans and even motorhomes, that there’s a need to be aware of the increased vulnerability to more extreme weather. In summary, the more we use our Cali (bought in Jan 24) the more we love it!

Since getting ours in May it has become our main vehicle. I didn’t anticipate that, but like you, I find the overall driving experience much more chill than in our car. Better view and the ability to pull over, make a cup of tea and take a break. Especially appreciated with dogs on board and given traffic problems - got stuck on A1 for two hours recently due to an accident up ahead. That would have been a real stress with the dogs in the car. In the cali they were given their dinner, had a drink and sat chilling with us. So also like you, we are loving it.

 

[AscotGreyCali]

Drove back from a visit to my sisters in the Staffordshire Moorlands to Aberdeenshire 2 weeks ago and the vehicle in terms of Driving style it reminds me of is our trusty Discovery 3 that we ran for 3 years.

Captains Chairs, smooth cruise control and elevated driving position.

 

[Abracadabra]

Your comments strike a chord of practicality concerning the California.
The South Lakes are served with a motorway and A roads which are fine when open. There are ever frequent blockages, accidents and road works.
Yesterday the A590 blocked (lorry jacknife) Kendal bypass regular night closures due to two dodgy bridges, the M6 seeing frequent catastrophic accidents often triggered by weather.
There are no alternatives to much of Lakes.
I am sure that is true of lots of other parts of the country.
If you get stuck in the Cali your options for a brew, 'porta potty' and a chance just to move around are a huge advantage. A benefit not anticipated when making the purchase,

 

[colintfcolintf]

Weekend away, very windy blown about a bit but all is well. Stuck to major roads and changed where we stayed, so all was well

 

[soulstyledevon]

Been out this morning.
It’s still a tad blowy…

 

[Meoncoast]

Been out this morning.
It’s still a tad blowy…

View attachment 131254

Popped out for a beef burger.

 

[ourcaliforniakid]

Our Cali behaved impeccably this weekend - rock solid on the road up and it felt very safe.

Parked up near Ingleton last night it was very windy about 0300 which was quite entertaining!

 

[acer]

I now regret my obedience and delaying picking-up my youngest from uni from yesterday. (The extra day of peace was nice though)

 

[Vagophile]

Been out this morning.
It’s still a tad blowy…

A good opportunity to practice his moonshot while the cat with the fiddle looks on.

 

[Perfectos]

Popped out for a beef burger.

Bit of a Sh#t show

 

[wildslammer22]

Due to unavoidable family commitments we had no choice yesterday other than to drive from Edinburgh to the E Midlands. Largely due to the sense that the Cali would handle the weather better than the car, we took the van despite staying in a hotel and there being just the 2 of us. While we weren’t travelling through areas effected by the Red weather warning, our Easterly route using the A1 did take us through an Amber area on the N Sea coast N of Newcastle. As users of this forum will be unsurprised to hear, the Cali behaved impeccably and gave us a real sense of security on the road. I think I sensed the cross wind assist triggering a few times but the whole journey was absent of any drama and much more relaxed than I’d expected. As an afternote, a video popped up on YouTube of Chris Sloan’s journey the same day in his heavily modded motorhome on the same stretch of A1 that resulted in him turning around and heading home. It did strike me that in the trend for considering bigger camper vans and even motorhomes, that there’s a need to be aware of the increased vulnerability to more extreme weather. In summary, the more we use our Cali (bought in Jan 24) the more we love it!

Couldn’t agree more, for me the Cali makes most sense when viewed as a daily driver with benefits!

 

[Blackbrogue1962]

To complete this thread, just arrived home after a 330 mile journey accomplished with just a 15 minute break for coffee and cake! There’s no way I’d have been able to do this in the car, but driving the Cali is just so relaxed.

 

[RockinNRollin]

It's definitely a stable and capable vehicle, but I would question if it's more stable than a typical car; yes the Cali is heavy, but it's also a bit slab-sided box and if you've got a cross-wind it has all the wind-shedding ability of a barn door.

I don't have an electric car, but it would be fascinating to know what they are like in such situations; Cali-like weight (or approaching) but low profile. In theory shouldn't budge!

Last remark; we hired a very basic "campervan" (just a panel van with a bed) in Iceland before Covid; the first night we were on some peninsular somewhere, driving to the campsite and the wind speeds hit 80mph. I was crawling at 30kph and it was terrifying! Probably not helped by the fact that it felt very lonely out there!