T5 California - lowering the awning?

bmassaer · Jan 7, 2019

Hi,

We have a silly but important problem. Recently the springs underneath our VW T5 California (2007) were renewed and... now the Cali is a little higher so it does not fit anymore in our pretty small garage box.

Would it be possible to lower the awning? Maybe by using another connection to the vehicle?
Or does anybody have another solution?

Thank you!

Bart

sidepod · Jan 7, 2019

Put shorter springs on it?

calikev · Jan 7, 2019

Hi Bart I don’t think it would be possible to lower the awning lowered springs would be your answer

andyinluton · Jan 7, 2019

Are you sure the awning is highest point of the van? mine isn't.

bmassaer · Jan 7, 2019

Yes, the awning is the highest point. Would it be difficult/costly to put lower springs?

Bart

calikev · Jan 7, 2019

vw lowering springs are about £225 plus fitting

bmassaer · Jan 7, 2019

Okay, thank you!

sidepod · Jan 7, 2019

Now don’t laugh but is it an option to dig out the floor? Just two tracks , vehicle width would do it?

bmassaer · Jan 7, 2019

Funny you mentioned. But I'm afraid we are not allowed to to so..

Hotel California · Jan 7, 2019

Do you have a Fiama one ...?
With the Thule one mounted the roof is the highest point .
Change awning ?
Invest in a good compressor ...
Deflate the tyres when entering

bmassaer · Jan 7, 2019

Or maybe I will wait for a while. It seems that the springs are already a very little bit lower then when installed. Maybe they will give me some more space after on thousand or so kilometers...

Ting Tong · Jan 7, 2019

Get the mother in law to sit in the Cali before you drive it in. :thumb

WelshGas · Jan 7, 2019

liaoyang said:
Get the mother in law to sit in the Cali before you drive it in.

You’ll need her to get back out again.

Why not just fill up the water tank?

sidepod · Jan 8, 2019

Fact. I have used concrete blocks in the boot before to clear a low door, plus letting the tyres down. Not optimum but it does the trick.

The awning is detached from the brackets very easily by the way.

Ksar-el-kebir · Jan 15, 2019

bmassaer said:
Hi,

We have a silly but important problem. Recently the springs underneath our VW T5 California (2007) were renewed and... now the Cali is a little higher so it does not fit anymore in our pretty small garage box.

Would it be possible to lower the awning? Maybe by using another connection to the vehicle?
Or does anybody have another solution?

Thank you!

Bart

VB air suspension; not cheap but worth the expense!