WILDAX SOLARIS XL

[calibeach76]

Well guys as promised I am now providing an update on our next vehicle. Having looked at going down the conversion route we ended up buying a Wildax Solaris XL which we should be collecting in 3 weeks time. It ticked all the boxes for us, larger than a Cali but still a van and the layout, spec and build seemed spot on for our needs with 2 young kids. I'll keep you posted on how we find it as we have a 3 week shakedown trip to Portugal mid June so it should be a good test.

 

[Billylou]

You’ll discover a whole different experience, a positive one in my opinion. A Cali is the best in its class, however get the right larger van and and the camping/touring enjoyment goes up several notches. Have a great time.

 

[calibeach76]

Thanks Billylou. We were tempted by a bespoke conversion but the only companies I wanted to use had stupid lead times and still lots of carpet. We researched and looked at so many vans, knaus, hymer, westfalia etc but just loved the Wildax offering and the fact that it was properly winterised and the quality of the fit on top of the customer service of wildax themselves. We just felt that it would offer more of a luxury experience than the California ever did for us and with it being fully sf contained offers a lot more flexibility for us stopping off grid when travelling across Europe. I appreciate that the Cali is best at what it does and many literally worship at the Cali alter but having done it twice with a Beach snd then a Coast it just wasn't working for us and tbh even without kids I'd still find lots of it a pain tbh. Each to their own and to all happy and safe travels and memories to last a lifetime!

 

[soulstyledevon]

Have you driven the van…?

 

[calibeach76]

Yes!!

 

[calibeach76]

Tbh I love the ducato vehicles to drive having had several on coach built and a class. The new versions are superb. Yes, more van like than the Vw but Vw aren't exactly perfect. The drive of the new transit and the cab in the new transit puts the t6.1 to shame tbh. There seems a huge snobbery around the Vw vans, years ago they really were head and shoulders above the competition but now not so. For us the flexibility and space of the Ducato is a much better option than a Vw. It isn't a daily for us so that argument isn't a consideration like it is for many who buy a California because it is a daily driver. The reality for us is the California is a compromise as a car and a big compromise as somewhere I want to spend my leisure time and for camping.

 

[soulstyledevon]

Tbh I love the ducato vehicles to drive having had several on coach built and a class. The new versions are superb. Yes, more van like than the Vw but Vw aren't exactly perfect. The drive of the new transit and the cab in the new transit puts the t6.1 to shame tbh. There seems a huge snobbery around the Vw vans, years ago they really were head and shoulders above the competition but now not so. For us the flexibility and space of the Ducato is a much better option than a Vw. It isn't a daily for us so that argument isn't a consideration like it is for many who buy a California because it is a daily driver. The reality for us is the California is a compromise as a car and a big compromise as somewhere I want to spend my leisure time and for camping.

I love my work Transit van.
I hate my Fiat Hymer…

 

[calibeach76]

Good for you! Some people love Peugeots lol

 

[The Merle]

I love my work Transit van.
I hate my Fiat Hymer…

Had the use of hire van that was a transit the other week and was very impressed.
I’m now tempted by a hightop awd and building my own camper.
Vw still nicer than transit but transit wins on price and hightops

 

[Jimmylondon07]

Congratulations! As we all know motorhomes of all shapes and sizes come with compromises and it’s about finding one that fits your needs best most of the time. Even with your Wildax I am sure things will pop up where you think ‘that would have been much easier in the Cali’ or ‘why didn’t we just hire a bl@@dy caravan for the weekend?!’, that’s the nature of the beast. Enjoy your advertures!

 

[calibeach76]

Congratulations! As we all know motorhomes of all shapes and sizes come with compromises and it’s about finding one that fits your needs best most of the time. Even with your Wildax I am sure things will pop up where you think ‘that would have been much easier in the Cali’ or ‘why didn’t we just hire a bl@@dy caravan for the weekend?!’, that’s the nature of the beast. Enjoy your advertures!

Indeed. My A class was too big. My californias were too compromised as a leisure vehicle. Let's hope this is the best compromise!!

 

[GrannyJen]

Tbh I love the ducato vehicles to drive having had several on coach built and a class. The new versions are superb. Yes, more van like than the Vw but Vw aren't exactly perfect. The drive of the new transit and the cab in the new transit puts the t6.1 to shame tbh. There seems a huge snobbery around the Vw vans, years ago they really were head and shoulders above the competition but now not so. For us the flexibility and space of the Ducato is a much better option than a Vw. It isn't a daily for us so that argument isn't a consideration like it is for many who buy a California because it is a daily driver. The reality for us is the California is a compromise as a car and a big compromise as somewhere I want to spend my leisure time and for camping.

Wildax are a great build and I totally agree with you regarding the Ducato. Yes, more van than car but has a certain rustic durability to it. I am away camping now more than I ever was and having the space to do whatever you want to do without constantly reorganising the interior more than compensates for the slightly more agricultural feel. I love driving mine, gets me from A to B without fuss, can fit into a supermarket car park and gives me, comparatively, so much more comfort when camping.

Congratulations. I hope you have many years of joy and happiness with it and your growing family relish the experience.

 

[calibeach76]

Wildax are a great build and I totally agree with you regarding the Ducato. Yes, more van than car but has a certain rustic durability to it. I am away camping now more than I ever was and having the space to do whatever you want to do without constantly reorganising the interior more than compensates for the slightly more agricultural feel. I love driving mine, gets me from A to B without fuss, can fit into a supermarket car park and gives me, comparatively, so much more comfort when camping.

Congratulations. I hope you have many years of joy and happiness with it and your growing family relish the experience.

Thanks GrannyJen! I'm hoping we will love the transition as much as you have! My two girls are so excited about having bunk beds and a shower again! Yes, we looked at loads and Wildax really shine through and the build and attention to detail seemed superb to us.

 

[Wannabecamperman]

Had the use of hire van that was a transit the other week and was very impressed.
I’m now tempted by a hightop awd and building my own camper.
Vw still nicer than transit but transit wins on price and hightops

Especially the 240 coms high top. I'm seeing one this weekend as my pal has an Auto Campers conversion and at 5' 10'' I am told I'll still be able to stand fully under the Heki rooflight.

 

[Billylou]

We’ve just driven through the Alps and Pyrenees in our 6m Ducato based motorhome and it’s been faultless. The ride is great and the gearbox is brilliant, what a shame it’s got a Fiat badge on the steering wheel.

 

[GrannyJen]

We’ve just driven through the Alps and Pyrenees in our 6m Ducato based motorhome and it’s been faultless. The ride is great and the gearbox is brilliant, what a shame it’s got a Fiat badge on the steering wheel.View attachment 108848

Goodness, however did you manage driving all that way having to look at a FIAT badge?

Reminds me of my little Grandson, Finley. Sat in the drivers seat whilst I'm messing about in the back ...

"Granny Jen, you have a flat"!!

"I have?"..... jumping out and checking all my tyres....

"Nothing wrong Finley, why did you say that?"

"Well" said Finlay, pointing at the badge on the steering wheel, "Mummy has a Ford, Daddy has a BMW and you have this, a Flat!".....

 

[Billylou]

Goodness, however did you manage driving all that way having to look at a FIAT badge?

Reminds me of my little Grandson, Finley. Sat in the drivers seat whilst I'm messing about in the back ...

"Granny Jen, you have a flat"!!

"I have?"..... jumping out and checking all my tyres....

"Nothing wrong Finley, why did you say that?"

"Well" said Finlay, pointing at the badge on the steering wheel, "Mummy has a Ford, Daddy has a BMW and you have this, a Flat!".....

It’s not been easy to be honest. I have to walk to the back on the van, passing the kitchen, toilet, shower, wardrobe and 174l fridge and lay down on my 2.0m x 1.4m bed to get over it.

 

[GrannyJen]

It’s not been easy to be honest. I have to walk to the back on the van, passing the kitchen, toilet, shower, wardrobe and 174l fridge and lay down on my 2.0m x 1.4m bed to get over it.

Well, last year I was left reeling by what a crap combo it was.

Picked Kevin up, got home, made arrangements to have his brand new tyres changed as every camper/motorhome I have ever bought has come equipped with totally useless summer tyres as standard,

Looked at his wheels to get tyre size and there it was, proudly proclaiming "MnS Camper". Mud and Snow shoes as standard.

 

[Billylou]

Well, last year I was left reeling by what a crap combo it was.

Picked Kevin up, got home, made arrangements to have his brand new tyres changed as every camper/motorhome I have ever bought has come equipped with totally useless summer tyres as standard,

Looked at his wheels to get tyre size and there it was, proudly proclaiming "MnS Camper". Mud and Snow shoes as standard.

I was also gifted the all season shoes, also very happy.

 

[calibeach76]

It’s not been easy to be honest. I have to walk to the back on the van, passing the kitchen, toilet, shower, wardrobe and 174l fridge and lay down on my 2.0m x 1.4m bed to get over it.

Brilliant!!

 

[Kayleigh]

It’s not been easy to be honest. I have to walk to the back on the van, passing the kitchen, toilet, shower, wardrobe and 174l fridge and lay down on my 2.0m x 1.4m bed to get over it.

Only 1.4m!! You get a 1.5m bed in a Beach. Difference is that I have to climb over the toilet to get to it

 

[Billylou]

Only 1.4m!! You get a 1.5m bed in a Beach. Difference is that I have to climb over the toilet to get to it

In all honesty @Kayleigh its a transverse bed and if my wife needs the toilet she does have to climb over me and the dog to go.

 

[oakgreen]

I wo

Well guys as promised I am now providing an update on our next vehicle. Having looked at going down the conversion route we ended up buying a Wildax Solaris XL which we should be collecting in 3 weeks time. It ticked all the boxes for us, larger than a Cali but still a van and the layout, spec and build seemed spot on for our needs with 2 young kids. I'll keep you posted on how we find it as we have a 3 week shakedown trip to Portugal mid June so it should be a good test.

I would be interested to know how you are finding the Solaris XL as we are in a similar situation considering changing to a larger vehicle as our California beach was challenging for 4 people in bad weather during our recent holiday to France. Narrowed it down to the Solaris XL or Grand California.

 

[calibeach76]

Absolutely love it. Bit bigger to park etc but nothing that is an issue but in EVERY way it is much much better and a more pleasant experience than the Cali as a vehicle to holiday in. We also looked at the GC but not ideal layout and austere finishes imho. The WildAx are superb build quality and the layout of the XL is a perfect compromise between a big white and a camper buy with the luxuries a Cali can never match

 

[do_pri]

Do you still have the Wildax ?
We've been looking at upgrading our Coast (2 adults ad 2 kids) and this one caught my eye, be interested to hear you experiences after a year of ownership? thanks