Why I decided NOT to wait for the GC

[Jester]

Here you Go, (below)

You shouldn’t dilute the pool really as they aren’t a VW, Westies are fine.

Also not good to slag off other owners pride and joy, particularly when you haven’t owned one.
I’m sure when you receive yours and had it a few week you will not be on here airing the problems, just the benefits I guess.

There are a good number of GC owners here that enjoy their vans and no complaints even though a few common issues however not serious ones.

Membership – Hymer Club International

Nothing personal intended.

 

[Kevthegas]

I wonder if the admins could start a Hymer section.
Seems to be quite a few converts on the forum.

Seems a very reasonable request to me.

Maybe call it " The Exiles" to include any non VW.
It would be a real shame to lose some of our most frequent posters to the forum just because they have moved on!

 

[soulstyledevon]

@Jester
I’m glad you enjoy your van.
But don’t kid yourself. It’s no California…!!!
The new Buzz is closer to the original concept than the GC ever will be .

 

[Jester]

@Jester
I’m glad you enjoy your van.
But don’t kid yourself. It’s no California…!!!
The new Buzz is closer to the original concept than the GC ever will be .

I do like many others members you alieanate via your negative comments constantly, it does the job for what its meant for.
All Campervans are a compromise one way or another, we all have differences in requirements.
You will note that having had a Cali I understand what it is.
The GC serves a slightly different function which suits my needs. Just because VW marketing call it a Grand California doesn’t make it an Ocean. I would have still purchased one whatever they called it.

Hope that clears your misunderstanding, and really hope you and your family enjoy your Hymer

 

[rod_vw]

Owners of post 2016 Crafter / TGE based vehicles please be patent there may be something to announce in the near future.

 

[soulstyledevon]

I do like many others members you alieanate via your negative comments constantly, it does the job for what its meant for.
All Campervans are a compromise one way or another, we all have differences in requirements.
You will note that having had a Cali I understand what it is.
The GC serves a slightly different function which suits my needs. Just because VW marketing call it a Grand California doesn’t make it an Ocean. I would have still purchased one whatever they called it.

Hope that clears your misunderstanding, and really hope you and your family enjoy your Hymer

Please, if you feel alienated by a different point of view. Tap my name and press the ignore button.
All the best

 

[Wondering Star]

Ok, I don't still own a Cali but I remember it with fondness, I'm still interested in the brand, look in occasionally and still support the forum with my membership fees.
I suspect all the talk of Westfalia and Hymer vans irritates the purists however the advise and knowledge shouldn't be dismissed.
Many Cali owners move on due to change of circumstances, reading members comments are not only interesting but invaluable when making the next step.
Talk of Hymer/Westfalia is not a slur on the brand but a realisation that one brand can not satisfy all.
Since selling the VW I've gained a wealth of knowledge on the Hymer Grand Canyon, good, bad and ugly which I'm more than happy to share.

 

[Jester]

Please, if you feel alienated by a different point of view. Tap my name and press the ignore button.
All the best

Nope just like to see other members you irritate. As that’s who you are.

 

[Hammer]

@Jester
I’m glad you enjoy your van.
But don’t kid yourself. It’s no California…!!!
The new Buzz is closer to the original concept than the GC ever will be .

Strange that I am sitting in my Grand California and certainly feels like a California. Having owned VW campers for many years including 8 years of T5.1 Cali this is great alternative to the California if you want extra space and wet room. Whatever your grip with the GC is it’s your personnel opinion which is fine but as Jester has pointed out separate sections for none VW campers doesn’t seem correct for this forum.

 

[soulstyledevon]

Before posting.
Reread all of this thread. No negativity from me about the GC, other than I don’t accept it’s a true California. Let’s not dilute this thread, because there’s some good info about other non VW vans

 

[ArunAlec]

There’s an easy way to decide…… If the roof rots and the windows leak it’s a California!

 

[kurienp]

There’s an easy way to decide…… If the roof rots and the windows leak it’s a California!

That's the best on here in a long time. Done.

 

[Hammer]

Before posting.
Reread all of this thread. No negativity from me about the GC, other than I don’t accept it’s a true California. Let’s not dilute this thread, because there’s some good info about other non VW vans

I have read the posts ta, and agree some very good info. The point being made was about your request for sub section in forum. It’s one thing to discuss other vans in open posts and another to have a Hymer section in the VW California forum. Anyway off now to enjoy rest of my weekend in my pride and joy of a Grand California

 

[andyinluton]

Seems a very reasonable request to me.

Maybe call it " The Exiles" to include any non VW.
It would be a real shame to lose some of our most frequent posters to the forum just because they have moved on!

The site owners have done it before- they set up the marco polo forum, that looks like it could do with a bit more traffic so why not expand that to be the none California forum.

 

[itsSteve]

Before posting.
Reread all of this thread. No negativity from me about the GC, other than I don’t accept it’s a true California. Let’s not dilute this thread, because there’s some good info about other non VW vans

Twenty pages, far more than other current threads, largely given over to people saying they don't like something, largely written by people who don't own the thing they don't like. Obviously, it's good that they don't own it as they don't like, I get that ....... but for the record, I decided to wait on our third new van in nearly fifteen years, a GC600, we're very happy with it, the best yet .......... and no, it's not a California; it's in the name, it's a Grand California. And, if I wanted a dual-purpose vehicle, didn't need a loo or a fixed bed I wouldn't have bought it. As for Sven Hedin, he was a Nazi sympathiser who wrote approvingly of Hitler during WW2, nothing to do with the thread, but I thought I'd share

 

[DNR]

I’ve done it. I’ve build my own Campervan. Just over two months of hard graft, but I’m super proud of it. Might not be appropriate to post these pictures hee, but I’ve had a good relationship with people in this thread, so thought people might want to see it

 

[itscalledbob]

I’ve done it. I’ve build my own Campervan. Just over two months of hard graft, but I’m super proud of it. Might not be appropriate to post these pictures hee, but I’ve had a good relationship with people in this thread, so thought people might want to see itView attachment 107453

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That is fantastic! Great job

 

[kurienp]

I’ve done it. I’ve build my own Campervan. Just over two months of hard graft, but I’m super proud of it. Might not be appropriate to post these pictures hee, but I’ve had a good relationship with people in this thread, so thought people might want to see itView attachment 107453

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That's a fantastic build and the satisfaction of having done it yourself. Awesome.

Sent from my Pixel 6 Pro using Tapatalk

 

[Corradobrit]

I’ve done it. I’ve build my own Campervan. Just over two months of hard graft, but I’m super proud of it. Might not be appropriate to post these pictures hee, but I’ve had a good relationship with people in this thread, so thought people might want to see itView attachment 107453

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Better than most 'professional' builds I have seen. Well done.

 

[sapto]

I’ve done it. I’ve build my own Campervan. Just over two months of hard graft, but I’m super proud of it. Might not be appropriate to post these pictures hee, but I’ve had a good relationship with people in this thread, so thought people might want to see itView attachment 107453

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Awesome! Just awesome. Maybe you want to share more details about it? And whatever others think: This is exactly the right place to share your great work/vanWell done!

 

[rod_vw]

I know that Dave's is a Merc but for those who may be interested there is a Crafter and TGE Forum gradually building up which would welcome anyone who has an interest in these models.
Our TGE is being converted for us to our spec and the build will be documented on that forum.

 

[DNR]

Thanks for your kind comments!

Last few finishing touches to the van last night. Doors on the elec/gas units. I’ve also attached some images of the build.

Took a few ideas from my Boxdrive and applied a layout that works for me.
Initially looked for a company to build for me, but they were either rigid in their designs, masively expensive or just didn’t bother getting back to me. Timeframe had to be right too as I couldn’t have a van sitting waiting to be built.

I saw online a company called Evo Design, great looking furniture, flat pack, pre cut to fit and thought, “I can do this”…

So glad I took on the project. I know the van intimately, although I have had less snagging on this than from any of my motorhomes and Campervan. Everything just worked.

 

[soulstyledevon]

I’ve done it. I’ve build my own Campervan. Just over two months of hard graft, but I’m super proud of it. Might not be appropriate to post these pictures hee, but I’ve had a good relationship with people in this thread, so thought people might want to see itView attachment 107453

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Great effort, well done.
You must be well chuffed…

 

[HowieDog]

Thanks for your kind comments!

Last few finishing touches to the van last night. Doors on the elec/gas units. I’ve also attached some images of the build.

Took a few ideas from my Boxdrive and applied a layout that works for me.
Initially looked for a company to build for me, but they were either rigid in their designs, masively expensive or just didn’t bother getting back to me. Timeframe had to be right too as I couldn’t have a van sitting waiting to be built.

I saw online a company called Evo Design, great looking furniture, flat pack, pre cut to fit and thought, “I can do this”…

So glad I took on the project. I know the van intimately, although I have had less snagging on this than from any of my motorhomes and Campervan. Everything just worked.

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The interior supplier is in Wareham, close to where we live. I sense a project on the horizon!

 

[DNR]

The interior supplier is in Wareham, close to where we live. I sense a project on the horizon!

Good guys!