What have you bought for your Cali today :-)

[Dr-Snickers]

Where will you keep it in the van?

Well, funny you should ask, because I've been sitting in the van and wasn't sure. I was looking for easily accessible surfaces but didn't really want it on the wardrobe/C-pillar; it may be a life saver but I don't want to look at an ugly red stick all the time! After reading where people keep their extinguishers and thinking about what I would do practically if I had a fire start in front of me, I reckon I'll keep it in the driver's base side pocket. This might change if I find somewhere more appropriate.

My plan would be to get up and out, grab it from the pocket, assess the level of fire and start the stick/approach if appropriate. I can access it easily from outside if we have a BBQ/Fire-pit fire and can access it easily from the living area, should we have an electrical fire in the night.

If anyone can see any problems with this, please let me know.

 

[Loz]

We have our fire stick in the driver's door seat pocket under the fluorescent tabard.

 

[andyinluton]

We have our fire stick in the driver's door seat pocket under the fluorescent tabard.

Passenger side may make more sense, we are quite often unable to open the drivers door due to an awning being in the way.
Am tempted to fit our fire blanket to either to the front of the underseat draw or to the rear base of the drivers seat. rather than its current home in the passenger door pocket.

 

[Dr-Snickers]

Thank you for sharing. Never seen this but it looks fabulous. I will be ordering one.

£45 is nothing in the grand scheme of things - about one night on a UK campsite in 2021!

That was certainly my thought on the price and ease of use, for something that might just save my Cali. I definitely subscribe to the get out and only attempt to deal with it if its small and manageable; the van is replaceable!

If you watch the Fire Safety Stick videos, it feels a lot more manageable than wielding the bigger extinguishers. I really like the fact I can discharge it and leave it in the van, shut the door and let it do it's thing, whilst we are all safely outside.

Passenger side may make more sense, we are quite often unable to open the drivers door due to an awning being in the way.
Am tempted to fit our fire blanket to either to the front of the underseat draw or to the rear base of the drivers seat. rather than its current home in the passenger door pocket.

The passenger side is definitely an option but I don't have an awning. I checked and I can grab it from the living area on my way out or standing out side the sliding door if I couldn't get to the driver's door (I double checked - neighbours must think I'm mad):

We have our fire stick in the driver's door seat pocket under the fluorescent tabard.

Keep forgetting to buy more high-vis vests for the van....thanks for the reminder.

 

[Dr-Snickers]

I've never seen these these before - it looks great if expensive. I have a fire blanket and one of these that are about the size of a deodorant can, and cost £15, but make a (wipeable) mess...
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B084CW97XD/?tag=vwcalifornia-21

Thanks for the link. I did see this style is used more often on the continent but I struggled to find any in stock. The main selling point of the Stick for me is that you can ignite it, point it in the direction of the fire, set it down and leave.

There was another option called the FireTool but it was a similar price to the stick, only lasts 12 seconds and has a shelf life of 5years, so I felt the Stick was better value.

 

[Elly Swanson]

Passenger side may make more sense, we are quite often unable to open the drivers door due to an awning being in the way.
Am tempted to fit our fire blanket to either to the front of the underseat draw or to the rear base of the drivers seat. rather than its current home in the passenger door pocket.

Good point about the awning, Andy.

 

[Iansjh]

Last few little mods (for now)
Replaced old KENWOOD stereo for new one (DNX518VDABS). Now have carplay, which I was missing, having already got it in my Skoda.
The display is a little fussy for my taste, but it was a straight swap and it allows me to upgrade to dash am and rear camera in the future

 

[Iansjh]

Also fitted interior LEDs (as per A Bus and Beyond) and of course the all important.......

 

[Iansjh]

Sounds good. Do you have a photo?

 

[Kevthegas]

Yes Kev...
Look great. What size rubber did you go for, cant make it out on the pics...

Hi
Genreral Grabber 235/55R/18XL 104H

Really pleased with the ride now, I had 255/55/R18 on the Sportlines before and the ride is much smoother now and no increase in noise.

Kev

 

[andyinluton]

Got round to putting on my refurbed Dakar's at the weekend. Having gone from Aracaju, to 17" steels to Dakar's in 3 months I can report as follows:

The Aracaju were a nightmare to get off - properly stuck on the hubs as photo below.
The steel winter wheels just fall off the hubs.
The Dakar's will be a nightmare to get off as they needed persuading to get on!

A Halfords 2 tonne low profile trolley jack is not man enough to lift one corner of a cali - I had a weld on it give way. Halfords don't care & won't even swap it with out a receipt despite it looking like new & being Halfords branded.
A sealey 2.5 tonne jack as a replacement is a monster!

The ride & grip on 255/45 18 Rainsport 5 tyres is much much better than on the 215 60 17
Next weekend is installation of a cradle & spare wheel.

 

[Algor]

A busy day of purchasing. A full front to back carpet set from Campervantastic (California Camping de, 4 week lead time), a brandrup seat drawer mat from the same as they are surprisingly cheaper than the club shop on this item. A melamine dinner set, digital radio and rubber shelf mats from amazon. Last but not least I finally got my hands on a Campingaz 907 bottle from Go Outdoors. Can you tell it's pay day

 

[Dr-Snickers]

View attachment 75657

They look gorgeous!!!

 

[Jenny H]

They are certainly more expensive than other options. I have to undergo fire training annually and yet when I was in a home fire, the fear kicked in and I struggled to remember simple things but the fire crew said that might have been the smoke inhalation. I’m therefore always looking for the most straightforward options. I don’t want to have to work out if I’ve got the right option for my type of fire and I want it to be easy to deploy.

My figuring was that I’m mostly likely to have a fire inside the van when cooking and I usually sit on the bench with the table up. In this position the best place for a fire blanket would be on the wardrobe but that would be right next to the fire and it could be dangerous to get the fire blanket fully open in that space without knocking stuff over and possibly spreading the fire. I will almost certainly never need it but if I do, I now have an option that needs no room to deploy, can be opened and left in the van whilst we exit, and won’t cause any more damage to my van. With a ten year shelf life and no checks needed, the £45/stick is worth it for my peace of mind.

I bought one of these too - great handy size - keep mine in the rear seat pocket of the drivers seat - upon my daughter asking how it works & me not being entirely sure I rewatched the video - as you say in an emergency everybody panics somewhat & it does require knowing how to use it as you have to take the lid off, take the bottom off & strike the top like a match to activate it first, all whilst going up in smoke!!

 

[icic]

View attachment 75650View attachment 75651

What version of the carpet is this

 

[Dr-Snickers]

I bought one of these too - great handy size - keep mine in the rear seat pocket of the drivers seat - upon my daughter asking how it works & me not being entirely sure I rewatched the video - as you say in an emergency everybody panics somewhat & it does require knowing how to use it as you have to take the lid off, take the bottom off & strike the top like a match to activate it first, all whilst going up in smoke!!

Totally agree, and it’s probably worth reminding ourselves of how to use them before each season, a bit like the safety announcement on a plane. Whether we do it in reality is another matter

Looking at my older extinguisher, that looks just as fiddly as there are safety tags and all sorts to get through before you can pull the trigger. I still like the fact that I can set it going, put it in and walk away.

 

[Trudi]

Also fitted interior LEDs (as per A Bus and Beyond) and of course the all important.......View attachment 75648View attachment 75649

Which 12v socket did you use? Same as a bus and beyond or the 1 in the boot area? I was wondering if the remote would work if we used the 1 in the boot.

 

[Iansjh]

Which 12v socket did you use? Same as a bus and beyond or the 1 in the boot area? I was wondering if the remote would work if we used the 1 in the boot.

I used the one as per the Bus and Beyond video. I see no reason why it wouldn't work in the boot, however the one by the seat has a handy cupholder to put the receiver in.

What version of the carpet is this

This is the one from the club shop. I have a 2014 SE. It fits perfectly, just needs a few days for the carpet to lay flat from being rolled up.

 

[dripster]

My new Fire Safety Sticks have arrived; bought the 25sec. for the Cali and a 50sec. for my static caravan.

View attachment 75618
They are really compact compared with the standard option.
View attachment 75619
Have gone for these as they can be used on any type of fire, leave no residue and last longer than standard extinguishers.

More info here:

Welcome to the Fire Safety Stick Website! - Fire Safety Stick

JOIN OUR MISSION TO #SaveSomeonesLife JOIN OUR MISSION TO #SaveSomeonesLife Introducing the Fire Safety Stick Extinguisher The most versatile, lightest and compact quick response early-stage fire solution for your Home, Hobbies and Businesses. Made in Italy. Sold in 35+ countries worldwide. Now...

firesafetystick.com

I bought the 25s/50s twin pack for £89 from here:

25 Second Fire Safety Stick - Prestige Tactical - high quality products at reasonable prices

The Fire Safety Stick is a simple and easy way to ensure that you are prepared in the event of a fire in your home, vehicle, caravan or boat. It weighs far less than a conventional fire extinguisher and can operate for much longer. And best of all, there is NO residue left behind after use.

www.prestigetactical.co.uk

There are cheaper options but I think this covers all our needs in the smallest package.

Thanks for this, I'm going for thisa option too. Hopefully I'll never find out if they're any good in practice!

 

[CaliMo]

First purchase for the van in a very long time! Finally managed to get my hands on a
Vango Cove II Air Drive Away Awning, which appears to be very low on stock in the UK. Having not owned an awning for years, we had to delve back in as the two kids are getting bigger, and we now have a dog too! The Cove looked the right size, and i'm liking the porch shelter for those wet summer evenings! Roll on warmer weather and more freedom!

Cove II Air Low

The Vango Cove drive away awning is perfect for couples and young families off on an adventure. This front-facing inflatable awning is positioned the same way as your campervan, ensuring you are always facing the view and giving you added privacy from your campsite neighbours. The sewn-in...

www.vango.co.uk

 

[Loz]

New Leather from Leon + Coastal Customs

 

[Dodge1311]

New Leather from LeonView attachment 75761View attachment 75762View attachment 75763 + Coastal Customs

Thats looks fab. Did it take long? I live a long way from Coastal Customs but would make the journey for a finish like that.

 

[GrahamB]

New Leather from LeonView attachment 75761View attachment 75762View attachment 75763 + Coastal Customs

Looks top quality @Loz, very nice upgrade indeed. How much?

 

[66tim99]

New Leather from LeonView attachment 75761View attachment 75762View attachment 75763 + Coastal Customs

Really plush

 

[sbmcd]

Got round to putting on my refurbed Dakar's at the weekend. Having gone from Aracaju, to 17" steels to Dakar's in 3 months I can report as follows:

The Aracaju were a nightmare to get off - properly stuck on the hubs as photo below.
The steel winter wheels just fall off the hubs.
The Dakar's will be a nightmare to get off as they needed persuading to get on!

A Halfords 2 tonne low profile trolley jack is not man enough to lift one corner of a cali - I had a weld on it give way. Halfords don't care & won't even swap it with out a receipt despite it looking like new & being Halfords branded.
A sealey 2.5 tonne jack as a replacement is a monster!

The ride & grip on 255/45 18 Rainsport 5 tyres is much much better than on the 215 60 17
Next weekend is installation of a cradle & spare wheel.

View attachment 75656View attachment 75657

Hi, the stuck wheel is a common problem, I change my wheels twice a year for winter / summer tyre changes, you should wire brush the rust off and apply a thin smear of copper grease on the spigot that the wheel fit on, and the inside of the wheel that sits on the spigot. I never have any issues with wheels sticking, handy if you end up dealing with a puncture.