The Beach is Back!

[Ch1pbutty]

My understanding is that the 2 Seater Beach meets the DVLA rule as has a fixed storage cupboard next to the Bench (water is not required), seems having a fixed high top roof does not actually matter otherwise the Ocean + Coast would fail the test; But I suppose you could go for doubleslider, fit your own awning, fixed kitchen pod behind the driver/passenger seat and apply to the DVLA to have the V5 changed.

Random question...so if you remove the awning from your Beach or Ocean; Is it still considered as a Camper, and is your insurance still valid as technically you have 'modified' your vehicle?!

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For a vehicle to be recognised as being converted to a motor caravan it must meet all 4 categories shown below. For DVLA to change the body type, the vehicle must have the external permanent features described in the DVLA guidance for converting a vehicle into a motor caravan.

Category 1: Seats and table (1 example for both)
The seats and table must have the following features:

• they shall be an integral part of the vehicle living accommodation area, mounted independently of other items
• a table mounting arrangement shall be secured as a permanent feature, although the table top may be detachable
• permanently secured seating must be fixed to the floor or sidewall and available for use at the table

Category 2: Sleeping accommodation
The sleeping accommodation:

• shall be an integral part of the vehicle living accommodation area
• can be either beds, or beds converted from seats
• must be secured as a permanent feature, either with the base structure of the vehicle floor or to the side wall, unless the sleeping accommodation is provided over the driver’s cab compartment

Category 3: Cooking facilities
Your conversion must have a minimum of a single ring cooking facility or microwave, which shall be secured directly to the vehicle floor or side wall as a permanent feature.

If the cooking facility is fuelled by an on-board gas supply:

• the fuel reservoir must be secured in a storage cupboard or the reservoir secured to the vehicle structure

If the cooking facility is fuelled by gas having a remote fuel supply:

• the fuel supply pipe must be permanently secured to the vehicle structure

Category 4: Storage facilities
The storage facilities:

• can be a cupboard or locker
• form an integral part of the vehicle living accommodation, mounted independently of other items, unless incorporated below the seat, sleeping accommodation or cooker
• must be secured permanently to the vehicle floor or side wall except when the storage facility is over the driver’s cab compartment

..
Motor caravan external permanent features
This list describes the external features which are commonly seen in motor caravans, and it is intended to provide guidance on what DVLA expects to see when considering your application:

• 2 or more windows on at least one side of the main body (this does not include windows on the driver or passenger doors) to provide a reasonable amount of daylight into the living accommodation
• a separate door which provides access to the living accommodation of the vehicle (this excludes the driver and passenger doors); a window on this door counts as a separate window on the main body
• motor caravan-style graphics on both sides of the vehicle
• an awning bar attached to either side of the vehicle
• a high-top roof (this does not include a pop-top elevating roof)

DVLA will need photographic evidence of the completed conversion.
//

//

 

[WelshGas]

My understanding is that the 2 Seater Beach meets the DVLA rule as has a fixed storage cupboard next to the Bench (water is not required), seems having a fixed high top roof does not actually matter otherwise the Ocean + Coast would fail the test; But I suppose you could go for doubleslider, fit your own awning, fixed kitchen pod behind the driver/passenger seat and apply to the DVLA to have the V5 changed.

Random question...so if you remove the awning from your Beach or Ocean; Is it still considered as a Camper, and is your insurance still valid as technically you have 'modified' your vehicle?!

//
For a vehicle to be recognised as being converted to a motor caravan it must meet all 4 categories shown below. For DVLA to change the body type, the vehicle must have the external permanent features described in the DVLA guidance for converting a vehicle into a motor caravan.

Category 1: Seats and table (1 example for both)
The seats and table must have the following features:

• they shall be an integral part of the vehicle living accommodation area, mounted independently of other items
• a table mounting arrangement shall be secured as a permanent feature, although the table top may be detachable
• permanently secured seating must be fixed to the floor or sidewall and available for use at the table

Category 2: Sleeping accommodation
The sleeping accommodation:

• shall be an integral part of the vehicle living accommodation area
• can be either beds, or beds converted from seats
• must be secured as a permanent feature, either with the base structure of the vehicle floor or to the side wall, unless the sleeping accommodation is provided over the driver’s cab compartment

Category 3: Cooking facilities
Your conversion must have a minimum of a single ring cooking facility or microwave, which shall be secured directly to the vehicle floor or side wall as a permanent feature.

If the cooking facility is fuelled by an on-board gas supply:

• the fuel reservoir must be secured in a storage cupboard or the reservoir secured to the vehicle structure

If the cooking facility is fuelled by gas having a remote fuel supply:

• the fuel supply pipe must be permanently secured to the vehicle structure

Category 4: Storage facilities
The storage facilities:

• can be a cupboard or locker
• form an integral part of the vehicle living accommodation, mounted independently of other items, unless incorporated below the seat, sleeping accommodation or cooker
• must be secured permanently to the vehicle floor or side wall except when the storage facility is over the driver’s cab compartment

..
Motor caravan external permanent features
This list describes the external features which are commonly seen in motor caravans, and it is intended to provide guidance on what DVLA expects to see when considering your application:

• 2 or more windows on at least one side of the main body (this does not include windows on the driver or passenger doors) to provide a reasonable amount of daylight into the living accommodation
• a separate door which provides access to the living accommodation of the vehicle (this excludes the driver and passenger doors); a window on this door counts as a separate window on the main body
• motor caravan-style graphics on both sides of the vehicle
• an awning bar attached to either side of the vehicle
• a high-top roof (this does not include a pop-top elevating roof)

DVLA will need photographic evidence of the completed conversion.
//

//

I think you have answered your own question in a way.
The DVLA regulations relate to a Conversion. That is, 1 vehicle type converted into another.
The Beach, Coast and Ocean are not classed as Conversions. They are "Special" vehicles built as they are on the production lines. I believe the registration document now says M1S1.

 

[2into1]

The Beach is back memo clearly states that the Beach with pop hob has the lower VED due to the motorhome classification.

I know. I was simply suggesting there may be a twist or turn or two before that actually happens. Remember the fiasco with the Coasts last year?

 

[paolod_vw]

Hi there - no problem will do in the morning and post a photo and measurement.

So it looks like 15cm between seat highest point and ‘cooker shelf’ lower point.

Sorry for the dark photos ... was a long, busy day and couldn’t do this morning.

 

[2haw]

So it looks like 15cm between seat highest point and ‘cooker shelf’ lower point.

Sorry for the dark photos ... was a long, busy day and couldn’t do this morning.

View attachment 67885

View attachment 67886

View attachment 67887

Have they re-shaped the lower panel cubby hole? I’m sure the early images I see of the Beach camper had the gas bottle section projecting proud of the main lower panel?

 

[clarinetbcn]

Have they re-shaped the lower panel cubby hole? I’m sure the early images I see of the Beach camper had the gas bottle section projecting proud of the main lower panel?

This is from a review from August 2109. https://newatlas.com/automotive/vol...4?itm_source=newatlas&itm_medium=article-body

 

[Camperfamily]

There has been some speculation on whether a 3 seat bench Beach and also with mini cooker will be available in the UK.

Speaking to VW dealer today, there are two models in the UK launch - a 3 seat bench with twin sliding doors (Beach Tour), or 2 seat bench with mini kitchen (Beach Camper). A disadvantage with the former is the MPV classification (and the lack of pop out kitchen if you’re wanting this).

However, post 1 in the following thread suggests that you can (at least in France) spec the Beach Tour to remove the twin sliding door and add the cooker.

If this is possible for UK models and then qualifies the resulting Cali for lower tax classification, that could be an interesting trade off (I.e. Higher tax versus built in kitchen Minus a sliding door).

Configurator will be updated end of this month, so we’ll have to wait and see.

Beach 6.1 Tour Edition Ordered!

Long time lurker and now committed!! After much research from trawling this site: Just ordered a 150BHP Beach Tour Edition DSG After much deliberation and disappointed that they aren't producing a RHD version I have ordered a LHD Beach Tour as am likely to be living in Europe for the next 4...

vwcaliforniaclub.com

 

[Ting Tong]

An advantage of having a Beach

 

[TripleBee]

View attachment 68209An advantage of having a Beach

I see no beach in this picture. But I understand where you are going to.

Makes it easy in the debate for which bike rack you need.

Just take your horses, and no bike rack needed.
And if one breaks down, you can still have a nice meal out of it.

 

[OGII]

View attachment 68209An advantage of having a Beach

One careful lady owner....

 

[Perfectos]

View attachment 68209An advantage of having a Beach

I can see a whole new Air freshener thread opening up !

 

[Loz]

View attachment 68209An advantage of having a Beach

OMG I pity the next owner of that Kombi
They obviously didn't like the driving
Wouldn't some poop sacks or whatever they are called that hang under the ponies tails have been useful?

 

[wilburthewombat]

OMG I pity the next owner of that Kombi
They obviously didn't like the driving
Wouldn't some poop sacks or whatever they are called that hang under the ponies tails have been useful?

Looks just like the mess my children create.

 

[2into1]

View attachment 68209An advantage of having a Beach

For Sale text “never slept in, never cooked in, no kids”

 

[subthree]

For Sale text “never slept in, never cooked in, no kids”

For Sale text “never slept in, never cooked in, no kids and no animals”

 

[Borris]

Do you want your vehicle cleaned after the service? Yes please.

 

[AlisonF]

Do you want your vehicle cleaned after the service? Yes please.

Just a valet please. Don’t worry about the exterior

 

[Karlos]

Porta Potti have surpassed themselves.

 

[Stuart]

Hopefully they notified their insurance company about the increase in horse power

 

[AlisonF]

Hopefully they notified their insurance company about the increase in horse power

And emissions will be up as well

 

[Amarillo]

Looks just like the mess my children create.

What tidy children you must have.

 

[TripleBee]

What tidy children you must have.

Are hens better or worse to transport?

 

[Borris]

View attachment 68209An advantage of having a Beach

Actually, I think they could jam another pony in there. What would they have to lose? I imagine the smell couldn't get any worse.

 

[WelshGas]

Been done before.

 

[TripleBee]

How can you tell if a goat has been in your Cali? Now with video!

Simples This cheeky cold soaking wet loan goat just jumped in and decided to stay the night. Didn’t have the heart to push the poor thing out. Flagged the shepherd down in the morning to help me get him/her out as was having none of it when I tried. A sleepless night I’ll never forget. Turned...

vwcaliforniaclub.com

Well, not exactly some horses, but enjoyable non the less.