T7 Cali Ocean

[Melyn]

So after a bit of back and forwards I went for it - my inability to wait.

Will post details and answer any questions people have also.

The van in question ;


Van is ocean diesel, art velour seats, upgraded wheels, all driver assist packages, (but not a bloody towbar because I’m an idiot)


The California app is pretty handy - interactive manual on it (when it works) and a couple of videos as to how to open roof safely, empty grey Waste, fill water etc

You can check battery. Water levels etc (disabled while driving) - posting while wife’s driving. Will update later



You also have the vw connect app ;


It does feel slightly more cramped than a precious cali - due to the high inset kitchen allowing for the space of the doors.

I cannot stress the next point enough - Volkswagen uk (and Europe) do not have an authorised after market tow bar for the California at current.

Thule do not offer any bike racks at current for the California other than tow bar mounted, and there is no immediate plans for them.

If you do not get the factory fitted retractable towbar there is no official towbar at current that can be coded

The California does not come pre wired and there is no option for pre wired without a tow bar fitted


The van did come with a bunch of d rings that clip onto the rails - which il use for bike transporting in the meantime (or for short distances that don’t need camping just use my t6.1 camper)


Water tank…
Now this bits insanely strange - the release for the fresh water wasn’t closed, so originally had a panic when water was pouring out the bottom of my van on what looked like drill holes… this is the new release for the van, and there is no obvious hose. The garage was a bit confused as weren’t aware of this either - so was a nice following trip to describe this


Camping wise - about to camp near York so will update in the morning with setup photos etc

 

[Ian in Leicester]

Looks great. I am waiting for my Ocean also in white which should be with me in June. Only two of us so I don't think the size will be a problem. Without anyone in the back there is more than enough storage even for a long trip. My wife is insisting on getting a ladder to access the pop top but I'm not not sure on the length and width that would work. If your get a minute could you let me know the dimensions that would work.

Also, look forward to hearing how your first trip goes!

 

[vwcaliindobelgian]

Looks great. I am waiting for my Ocean also in white which should be with me in June. Only two of us so I don't think the size will be a problem. Without anyone in the back there is more than enough storage even for a long trip. My wife is insisting on getting a ladder to access the pop top but I'm not not sure on the length and width that would work. If your get a minute could you let me know the dimensions that would work.

Also, look forward to hearing how your first trip goes!

I would advise you to get a ladder with width of 25cm max.

 

[vwcaliindobelgian]

So after a bit of back and forwards I went for it - my inability to wait.

Will post details and answer any questions people have also.

The van in question ;
View attachment 133239

Van is ocean diesel, art velour seats, upgraded wheels, all driver assist packages, (but not a bloody towbar because I’m an idiot)


The California app is pretty handy - interactive manual on it (when it works) and a couple of videos as to how to open roof safely, empty grey Waste, fill water etc

You can check battery. Water levels etc (disabled while driving) - posting while wife’s driving. Will update later

View attachment 133240

You also have the vw connect app ;
View attachment 133241

It does feel slightly more cramped than a precious cali - due to the high inset kitchen allowing for the space of the doors.

I cannot stress the next point enough - Volkswagen uk (and Europe) do not have an authorised after market tow bar for the California at current.

Thule do not offer any bike racks at current for the California other than tow bar mounted, and there is no immediate plans for them.

If you do not get the factory fitted retractable towbar there is no official towbar at current that can be coded

The California does not come pre wired and there is no option for pre wired without a tow bar fitted


The van did come with a bunch of d rings that clip onto the rails - which il use for bike transporting in the meantime (or for short distances that don’t need camping just use my t6.1 camper)


Water tank…
Now this bits insanely strange - the release for the fresh water wasn’t closed, so originally had a panic when water was pouring out the bottom of my van on what looked like drill holes… this is the new release for the van, and there is no obvious hose. The garage was a bit confused as weren’t aware of this either - so was a nice following trip to describe this
View attachment 133242

Camping wise - about to camp near York so will update in the morning with setup photos etc

@Melyn may I know if you have figured out a matching drive away side tent for your new camper?

 

[vwcaliindobelgian]

@Melyn may I know if you have figured out a matching drive away side tent for your new camper?

Btw color and wheels look great!

 

[Melyn]

Not yet! There was a bunch of confusion when ordering. As if you clicked dual rail at vw it removed the awning… however when the van arrived it did come with awning on the left. Rail on the right

It’s my next thing to look for - having dogs and a kids seat means I really need to store things outside for maximum space usage (usually used a 1 person tent and just threw everything inside it)

@Melyn may I know if you have figured out a matching drive away side tent for your new camper?

 

[Melyn]

Camping night 1 ;

Bit of hassle as first time doing it in the dark, front blinds are amazing - magnetic and take about a second to put up.

Front shade has some fold out tent pole style pieces to keep it rigid, but again it’s pretty quick.

Rear shades just pull down and super simple


Roof bed is insanely comfy - no longer need a thermarest, so one less item to carry
View attachment IMG_0316.jpeg


Lighting upstairs is now bright - press and hold the touch lights to change between reading light and bright light

Inside - not sure if this is cali specific - I came from a converted t6.1 so comparisons will be different

With the bed down, there isn’t a lot of space anymore as the seats don’t have proper storage underneath like the previous versions. It’s more small drawers.

Without the bed down there is enough space however. The outside table is brilliant and easy to setup (again couple of seconds)

I’ve always just a alpkit brukit (jetboil) for a cuppa as it’s quicker anyway - so gives me a flat space for this without having to be miles away



Battery - there’s a lot of warnings that come up for the secondary battery and not a lot of info for it. There’s a button on the dash to charge it but does seem to rundown pretty quickly - probably due to everything being so electrical / touch related

 

[Melyn]

Had to head home impromptu due to a dog with a bladder infection so didn’t manage to get any proper shots with the sleeping areas set up. Will do tomorrow when I clean it (turns out white vans are mud magnets)

For economy - in drive mode (not sports or eco) this is what we got from the weekend

 

[Lorri]

Enjoy your new van 0)

 

[Aldoi]

@Melyn could I please ask which lighting option you ended up with on your Ocean? Was it VCE or VCI?

There’s been a lot of confusion amongst dealers I’ve spoken with and VW brand and product don’t seem to know the difference.

The brochure details the £348 option for VCI which is standard on the Ocean, but can be optionally ‘downgraded’ to VCE. However, from all the demo/display Oceans I’ve seen, I am yet to find one with VCI fitted and so still none the wiser on what exactly this option gives you.

 

[Paul Norris]

Good luck with your new van, waiting for mine to be delivered. Can’t wait to get out and about

 

[Melyn]

@Melyn could I please ask which lighting option you ended up with on your Ocean? Was it VCE or VCI?

There’s been a lot of confusion amongst dealers I’ve spoken with and VW brand and product don’t seem to know the difference.

The brochure details the £348 option for VCI which is standard on the Ocean, but can be optionally ‘downgraded’ to VCE. However, from all the demo/display Oceans I’ve seen, I am yet to find one with VCI fitted and so still none the wiser on what exactly this option gives you.

you’ll need to explain what vce and vci are for me to answer this one I’m afraid!

 

[WelshGas]

@Melyn could I please ask which lighting option you ended up with on your Ocean? Was it VCE or VCI?

There’s been a lot of confusion amongst dealers I’ve spoken with and VW brand and product don’t seem to know the difference.

The brochure details the £348 option for VCI which is standard on the Ocean, but can be optionally ‘downgraded’ to VCE. However, from all the demo/display Oceans I’ve seen, I am yet to find one with VCI fitted and so still none the wiser on what exactly this option gives you.

Might be the LED headlights.
The Ocean has Matrix LED headlights as standard.
The Beach and Coast have plain LED headlights.

 

[Aldoi]

you’ll need to explain what vce and vci are for me to answer this one I’m afraid!

Oh sorry, these are the internal lighting options.

• VCE - Interior lighting on pop-up roof, tailgate & summer kitchen and ambient lighting in roof frame.
• VCI - Interior light concept for Camper "Comfort" in passenger compartment.

 

[Melyn]

Oh sorry, these are the internal lighting options.

• VCE - Interior lighting on pop-up roof, tailgate & summer kitchen and ambient lighting in roof frame.
• VCI - Interior light concept for Camper "Comfort" in passenger compartment.

Definately VCE then - all lights are haptic sensitive. You can go from reading light. Middle brightness to bright white

There’s about 5 touch lights in kitchen area also

You can also change the dash colour which changes all interior light colours too on dashboard and strips in the back (red. Blue. Green. Yellow etc)

 

[Aldoi]

Definately VCE then - all lights are haptic sensitive. You can go from reading light. Middle brightness to bright white

There’s about 5 touch lights in kitchen area also

You can also change the dash colour which changes all interior light colours too on dashboard and strips in the back (red. Blue. Green. Yellow etc)

Interesting thanks, so do you have 3 grey buttons above the hob that control the lights? One for the lighting in the cupboards, one for a strip light that runs under the hob/sink ‘worktop’ area, and one that controls a strip light that runs around the roof frame (below the pop-top base)?

 

[Melyn]

Interesting thanks, so do you have 3 grey buttons above the hob that control the lights? One for the lighting in the cupboards, one for a strip light that runs under the hob/sink ‘worktop’ area, and one that controls a strip light that runs around the roof frame (below the pop-top base)?

Yes three actual buttons and haptic lights also. Il take some photos for you

 

[Melyn]

One does cupboards. One does roof light and one does under the sink.

The visible lights are haptic and touch controlled or via the controller in the back

View attachment IMG_0760.jpeg

Interesting thanks, so do you have 3 grey buttons above the hob that control the lights? One for the lighting in the cupboards, one for a strip light that runs under the hob/sink ‘worktop’ area, and one that controls a strip light that runs around the roof frame (below the pop-top base)?

View attachment IMG_0763.jpeg

 

[Aldoi]

That’s super helpful, thank-you @Melyn!

Unfortunately though it doesn’t help demystify the problem. This very much looks like what I understand to be option code VCE, though the brochure states VCI is standard on the Ocean (and I’m guessing you didn’t voluntarily change the lighting option when you ordered). However i’m yet to see a new Cali with option VCI actually fitted and what this gives you so still none the wiser.

I’m starting to think it’s probably some form of error with the brochure and order template and VCI is a myth.

 

[Melyn]

That’s super helpful, thank-you @Melyn!

Unfortunately though it doesn’t help demystify the problem. This very much looks like what I understand to be option code VCE, though the brochure states VCI is standard on the Ocean (and I’m guessing you didn’t voluntarily change the lighting option when you ordered). However i’m yet to see a new Cali with option VCI actually fitted and what this gives you so still none the wiser.

I’m starting to think it’s probably some form of error with the brochure and order template and VCI is a myth.

I definately didn’t have any option to change it - the options from the dealer are also different to the brochure just to add more fun!

Like the chrome side strips only purpose is to mask the paint ridge on two tone paint (two tone is one full spray then a masked spray) so to stop the join lines there’s chrome strips.

The black wheels weren’t showing for ages
The art velour seats weren’t an option online
The front and rear mats seem a mystery (I’ve got front and had both refunded in full by vw as the rear don’t exist…)
The dual rail - if you select it on the configuration it actually removes your awning - the vehicle however does come with a dual rails….


Dogs definately approve!

 

[Melyn]

Another days camp - failed attempt last night as all the beach camping spots were full - 6 beaches - 0 spots…which ended up in a really sad 3 year old. So found a campsite (with no one on it…)

A lot of things getting easier / quicker to do. But definately feels like there’s less space than a t6 camper conversion - not necessarily in a bad way. It’s just different.

Having things like a baby seat and 2 dogs definately changes what you need to bring.

Aux heater - the phone app is a bit funky and likes to randomly disconnect. Or turn all your lights off when Bluetooth disconnects…takes a good few minutes before heat comes through even after it’s just run (it’s got a 30/60/90/120 min timer. Then it turns off)

Used the aux heater remote key instead. Set off the alarm.. mystery still as the manual doesn’t really help!

View attachment IMG_0797.jpeg

 

[Melyn]

That’s super helpful, thank-you @Melyn!

Unfortunately though it doesn’t help demystify the problem. This very much looks like what I understand to be option code VCE, though the brochure states VCI is standard on the Ocean (and I’m guessing you didn’t voluntarily change the lighting option when you ordered). However i’m yet to see a new Cali with option VCI actually fitted and what this gives you so still none the wiser.

I’m starting to think it’s probably some form of error with the brochure and order template and VCI is a myth.

One other thing - it may be a lost in translation thing. I know when I originally did the spec on the vw config Germany before the uk one was available. There was a roof lighting option on the German configurator.

On the uk one it was default - so do wonder if it just changes per region

 

[OooOooTheMonkey]

Another days camp - failed attempt last night as all the beach camping spots were full - 6 beaches - 0 spots…which ended up in a really sad 3 year old. So found a campsite (with no one on it…)

A lot of things getting easier / quicker to do. But definately feels like there’s less space than a t6 camper conversion - not necessarily in a bad way. It’s just different.

Having things like a baby seat and 2 dogs definately changes what you need to bring.

Aux heater - the phone app is a bit funky and likes to randomly disconnect. Or turn all your lights off when Bluetooth disconnects…takes a good few minutes before heat comes through even after it’s just run (it’s got a 30/60/90/120 min timer. Then it turns off)

Used the aux heater remote key instead. Set off the alarm.. mystery still as the manual doesn’t really help!

View attachment 133523

View attachment 133524

There is less space than a T6 though isn’t there? I’m not surprised it feels like that. My wife and I enjoyed looking around the new Cali last week. We really liked the feel of the interior, lack of handbrake, easier to swivel front seats, but there was definitely so much less room and a big reduction in storage space. With the last few VWs we’ve had (including the T6.1) the software hasn’t been great. They don’t seem to invest in it like BMW do annoyingly.

 

[Melyn]

Battery life - so yesterday night involved an aux heater (maybe 3/4 hours) as well as the internal lights.
1am beep beep beep - secondary battery running low (nice way to wake up)
2am - secondary battery dead

No electronic devices were plugged in or using anything absurd usage wise.

Seems a bit weird…

 

[Archie]

Melyn
May I politely ask what your sleeping arrangements are, and how you are finding both the width and comfort of each bed, if indeed you have slept in both?
Is there more than one person in each bed? It’s well known now that both beds are narrower than in the previous models, so interested to know how you are finding them so far?