VOLKSWAGEN GRAND CALIFORNIA - Is it a Campervan or a Motorhome?!
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- čas přidán 26. 08. 2024
- Volkswagen Grand California - Is it a Campervan or a Motorhome ? What's it Like ?! Is the Bigger California going to be a candidate to replace our current VW California Beach ? Can you get past that bulbous roof ? So many questions....! This video is the first of two looking at the VW Grand California 600.
Remember to subscribe and hit the bell to be notified when part 2 is up on CZcams in the next few days. Huge Thanks to #breezevancentres in Poole for letting us try out the Grand. It could now be right at the top of the list of possible replacements for our Cali Beach.
#campervan #vwcalifornia #motorhome #camping #volkswagen
Check our Breeze VW Van Centre in Poole online for their latest stock.
www.volkswagen-vans.co.uk
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So Who are Campervan Journey?
We are JT, Harry, Claire, Sam and Ben, oh and Hunny the Dog. We discovered campervanning in 2015 when we bought our first Volkswagen T5 Combo after seeing many at our favourite campsites. We were staying with our tent, and dreaming that one day we would have our own Campervan. After much research, we bought and converted our own T5 Kombi to suit our requirements, check out the video on the channel. We soon discovered that owning a Campervan is a way of life and it is not just about amazing trips round Europe, it’s as much about great days out and family time…
We have been lucky enough to visit some amazing places with our van, many of which we know we wouldn’t have seen if we had not owned it. They instil a sense of adventure and where shall we go into your life.
After 3 years with the T5, we upgraded to a Volkswagen T6 California Beach, our current van, and we continue to enjoy travelling and visiting some amazing places. You can check out our latest videos and adventures here on the channel !
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Good video. We have a GC600 and moved from a T6 Ocean, which we had for 5 years, 2 of which it was our only drive and we absolutely loved it. We initially ruled out the GC for the reasons many comment on - challenging looks & ‘airbus’ interior which doesn’t seem to offer much more space, but after 12 months searching for a bigger van we ended back at the GC which we have now had for a year and we love it. We went for indium grey with bigger BF Goodrich AT tyres and different alloys which moves the look a bit towards ‘purposeful’ and the ‘airbus’ interior becomes warm and welcoming once you personalise it with bedding/cushions etc. There is tons more space than in an Ocean, its just in different places. I do agree the rear twin seats are not great, but there is only two of us. No regrets.
Thank you Gordon. Good to hear your feedback, sounds like we are on a similar journey to you...! You're right about the looks, beefing it up with chunky wheels and tyres does transform it. It does tick a lot of boxes for us, we just need to be sure about those rear seats...cheers JT
Hi, forgot to add, i drive a mwb crafter,self converted and i have the manual gearbox,140bhp and its very nippy, i guess i wouldnt have the same weight as the grand cali but its a great driveable van. I upgraded from a T5.1. Just as easy to drive too. best of luck with the van.
That’s great to hear! Cheers JT
Our Ayers Rock has been delayed till September. We took another look round but have decided to wait as it’s what we want. Good luck with the search 👍🏻 I couldn’t live with the looks of the GC and it’s very clinical and plastic looking inside.
Oh no ! Shame about the delay on your new van. I think we need to have an up close look at the Hymers, did you manage to do that before you ordered with a dealer ?
@@CampervanJourney we saw one and a free 540 at a Hymer dealer so had a good look round them both. The travel seats in the Ayers Rock/Yosemite etc are better than in the Free series IMO, and for 2023 the vans have had some additional improvements too. Happy with our choice, just got to wait now.
Not my cup of tea , l will stick with my T5.1. Ideal for abroad trips for the pair of us 👍👍
For Two, the T5 / T6 is a perfect choice, for 3-4 when you need a bit more space, it is difficult to find something that is larger, but as good an all rounder as the T5/T6...
Excellent review, thank you.
I’m still on the fence with regards to my overall thoughts. It does seem to lack what I would call sensible storage. The lack of places to store clothing etc, as most of the areas are drop-down cupboards, not pull-out drawers. I liked the extra bed and small garage area, in addition to the outdoor shower, but unfortunately that’s about it, sorry.
👍🏻💂♂️🇬🇧
Fair enough! Thanks for your thoughts…feel free to share if you have any ideas of an alternative that addresses your concerns, I’d be interested to hear. Thanks for watching and getting in touch, cheers JT
Great to see that you've managed to spend some proper time with a GC600. What others have you either got on the list or want to see/consider? Hymer Free 600 on a sprinter? WF Columbus with pop-top? Adria Twin?
@campervantime You have pretty much nailed our list. I guess your shortlist is the same....?! We were impressed by the GC, but still have a some reservations about it. £90k is a lot to spend and have reservations ! We saw the Hymer Free on the sprinter Chassis at the NEC, deserves a closer look, but the travelling seats in that and the Adria are still not ideal for us. These are important for us due to the need for long distance comfort for the kids. The WF Columbus has the best travelling seats, and a clever additional bed that folds from the rear seat, but having owned VW's for years, I'm not sure if I can switch to a Fiat...and the Sven Hedin as a 2 berth only is no good for us at the moment....be interested to hear what is top of your list at the moment...cheers JT
@@CampervanJourney All will be revealed soon! The Columbus is a stalwart of design. Not really changed for years, just slow and steady innovation. At least on the latest one they use the 8th generation Fiat. It feels like quite a gap in the market at the moment. What about the Globe Traveller Voyager ?
Look forward to hearing your plans !
@@CampervanJourney not sure how to send private messages but FYI there was significant flexibility in price when I bought a new 680 a few months ago. I got a quote first from one of those companies that gets best prices from dealers round the country. Then I asked my local dealer if they could match it. Actually they beat it. Ended up saving around 12%.
@@markdami that’s great to hear, thank you. I had heard similar, there are deals around on the GC. Lead times aren’t too bad either, circa 4-6 months. Thanks for watching and getting in touch, cheers JT
What is that lump on the top? Looks like a quiff
It certainly has a distinctive look !
Is there any reason why you don't consider a ford nugget other than it not being a VW? The more of your videos that I watch the more I think it is the perfect vehicle for you.
We do like the Nugget, the interior layout looks interesting, but I cannot get my head around the 'open' toilet and kitchen set up. Clever use of space, but I feel as a family of 3-4 when we are travelling, the layout would not work for us. If it was just us as a couple, it would be of more interest. Thanks for getting in touch ! Cheers JT
Thanks for the review. Is there a heating vent in the shower room and something to hang a wet coat on?
Hi, yes I believe there are both. The hanging rail is not huge but you could dry wet coats in there…thanks for getting in touch, keep an eye out for part 2 coming soon. Cheers JT
@@CampervanJourney Thanks, I enjoy watching all your videos. I’m sure your son has a future in TV.😁
The rear belted seats are awful, there is no way my kids would sit in those on a 1000 mile trip across Europe.
And this is a key thing with all these mid size vans Chris, if you are a family of 4,.Trying to find something that has all the features and quality you are after AND has comfortable, practical and SAFE rear travelling seats is really difficult. The best rear seats we have found are in the Westfalia Columbus, but you can't have the same seat in the larger Sven Hedin which is based on the Man TGE / Crafter chassis, as they won't fit....there is definitely a gap in the market ! Thanks for watching and getting in touch, JT
My kids don’t like the back seat in our California Ocean but at least it can be tilted back a bit. The Globe Traveller Voyager Z looks to have great rear passenger seats but it’s a lot of money.
Good footage ❤
Thank you ! Appreciate the feedback. Cheers JT
@@CampervanJourney just subbed you guys
@CampervanJourney stay Safe
@@DB07OUR 👍🚐👍🍻
A bus & beyond did a good video on a Europe trip in an early one of these. That might help you. I like the conversions with out the shower & more space
I have seen the ABAB trip review, its a good watch. The wet room is one of the things we would like in our new van. Once we have had one, we may change our mind, as you are right, they do take up space. cheers JT
Sorry not impressed with the Grand it’s unbelievably ugly and the bench seat looks uncomfortable Dont rush into it love your show cheers Neil
From a personal point of view Neil, those are my two main reservations about the G600 - its look and the rear travelling seat...we were very pleasantly surprised by the drive and general feel though...Glad to hear you like our channel, thanks for watching and getting in touch, cheers JT
Don’t like the Grand at all, for a big vehicle there is very little space inside. We will stick with our California T6.
We were pleasantly surprised by how much more spacious the GC felt over our T6. I guess it depends on how you will use the space.
Great review JT. The GC generally gets terrible reviews from owners though. It feels a bit soul-less to me, bit like Milton Keynes 🤣. Have you considered converting a crafter to your own taste?
@@brucemoulding3114 I'm an owner (680 version) and I absolutely love mine. Couldn't ever go back to a pokey transporter base van.
To me it looks cramped and it’s ugly as hell.
It was certainly less spacious than we expected and its not a looker !
First half of this video is of a guys face. Why?????
Sorry !
Hate the decor, it looks like an ambulance inside! Clinical isn't the word
Fortunately I haven't experienced the inside of an ambulance, so can't comment ! But the GC is certainly very white ! Cheers JT
@@CampervanJourney I'm sure it could be made more cosy! It looks like a great camper otherwise
If you think it's like an ambulance, what better word than clinical?
I love the interior. Sleek, clean, light and fresh. Subjective of course.
I do like it, but outside always looks a bit weird. Smater design should include a bed that converts into two benches at the rear, given limited dinibg Space.. i hate those flip down sinks in the bathroom, it will be broken in weeks..