Sitting with a beer in hand, looking at a nice Hymer opposite - why our next van will be another VW California.
I am sitting in my ageing VW T4 California, sipping a beer and admiring a rather nice Hymer van opposite. “Why don’t we get one of those,” I ask my wife. A conversation starts as …
trailplanner.co.uk
What are your reasons for buying a VW California vs the larger campervan options?
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Having just gone the other way, and awaiting another California as well, my answers.
1: My hymer has a nice big side door, and an insect screen to pull across it. The times I've sat in my Cali with door open and insects swarming around. Lovely keeping the door open in the hymer with an insect screen.
2: I used to love that in my Cali but can honestly say no different in the Hymer, especially with dimmable strip lights. In fact I love the blinds in the hymer, warm, mottled autumn colours instead of cold, drab grey.
3: not applicable.
4: I have windows on three sides when eating and with the folding table both captains chairs can share the table.
5: I like the extra space. I especially love the fixed bed with a very comfortable mattress on a Froli sprung base. In fact I really like sleeping in that bed and when necessary get up, go to the loo without having to squeeze between bed and 335, wash my hands with running hot water, make a cup of tea without trying to tunnel underneath the bed,, sit at the table and have my toast in the morning without pushing the bed back etc.
6: My Hymer can fit into a conventional car park space. It is no longer than a LWB transporter. but yes, yes, yes: The inability to limbo under height barriers really swings things towards a Cali, and compared to the fiat Ducato the transporter is very much more nimble footed. However I am loving not having to elevate a roof to be able to stand up, not worrying about adverse weather, horizontal rain or unwanted draughts and not having to listen to intrusive road noise when parked up.
7: Not applicable ... yet.
8: Definitely. The Cali is so much nicer to drive, however, compared to the T5 and T6 I much prefer the suspension on the Ducato. It seems more beefed up and more fit for purpose.
9: Yes. I'm getting 33 mpg on my new engine 180 psi Ducato where my well worn in T6 would return around 38 on similar trips.
10: The reason why I will always try to have a Cali in the drive
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