What a faff for setting up the bed! I'd prefer a small van like the fiat doblo raised roof for much needed headroom, especially sitting up in bed. Being able to cook inside would be desirable too, essential if you're touring in Scotland.......rain and midgies!
We use a Citroen Picasso C4 Grande for our camping trips. An Outwell Beachcaster tent and blowup mattress in the car. Stacks of room plus it’s a 7 seater at other times (or huge empty boot).You have much more headroom when using the mattress/sleeping bags in the car too, which makes a huge difference. Too many space constraints with this Caddy.
This conversion is totally impractical at a very hefty price ( I use the word ‘conversion’ sardonically). Where on earth do you get dressed? I am a huge fan of the Caddy LWB and I have seen some exceptional DIY conversions with kitchen and a loo and plenty of space to walk around.
Absolute top presentation.... First time I have come across this presenter.... Feel she's unbiased and gives an honest opinion so punters can make an informed decision...... Very well done 👍🏻
Interesting product. For me you could lose the gas bottle and gas stove and put a battery with an induction hob and a decent sized solar panel on top. As I think it was mentioned elsewhere then a slightly larger vehicle might be useful but it is always a trade off. This could be good for things like the Lake District or Cornwell or anywhere where the road wouldn't be suitable for larger vehicles. A fridge would also be a welcome addition and keeping the vehicle warm/cold enough depending on the weather would also be a concern. It looks ok at the moment but with a few minor tweaks it could be really good.
It;'s a pity you didn't show any aspect of the kitchen - cooking, washing up, water storage etc. I would buy a standard Maxi-Caddy and equip it myself. A good air mattress may be more comfortable than the fitted bed.
Great review. I would guess your battery might be faulty, it should last a long time. I've run a coolbox via the 12v for hours in the evening, switching off when going to sleep and the battery was fine. I have however bought a battery and solar light panel for longer trips as I was nervous about it. It should at least have a display for the battery level.
I bought an ex British gas Caddy Maxi and did a little self conversion myself. More practical than this and about 12k in total including the van itself with 35k on the clock. This is a nightmare for anyone (like me) with back issues. Great review though as ever.
This is totally impractical. How on earth do you manage to change into your nightwear? I am a huge Caddy fan and I have seen some exceptional DIY conversions to include kitchen and loo and space to walk around. The California is a rip off!
I had the original caddy camper (tramper) which I spent months at a time in. When it sadly got written off (in Bucharest) I bought this replacement version. It was so disappointing I took it back to the dealer the next day. It would be great for the odd night as it only costs about the same as a caddy without all the kit in it but for any longer it was so poorly organised.
Hi Trish I bought a volkswagan transporter kombi camper last year from van haven in Dorset. I have a full 5 seats the fronts of which are captain swivel seats, but in the rear I have a 40 winks queen size bed in the rear ,the bed is so wide you can squeeze 3 people in side
In my opinion its too compromised. I used to have a nissan xtrail where the boot floor and back seats just flattened - that plus an inflatable mattress would give you a bigger sleeping area, plus a decent car, and no need to compromise on luggage. The slide out drawer instead of a portable stove means you are likely to be filling the cabin with cooking fumes / spills too - and 20 mins charging your phones is both far too short, and stupid if it gives you no warning before going flat (dangerous in some cases) - a tiny solar / leisure battery set up is easy to do in this day and age. I can see people buying them, and quickly moving on to something more practical.
Great review , but i think its a bit small for a camper . Also, it would have been better if it had an opening in the rear of the vehicle , Also it would have been handy if you could take out the camping equipment in the back and use it as a van as it would have multi uses Thank you for the very informative review
That`s what i do with my Peugeot Partner teepee. If my kids need an armchair or washing machine moving, out comes the cabinet/cooker. I use double layer fitted carpet underlay for my mattress, not perfect but pretty good. Also get my kayak on the roofrack. Been down into Spain twice, 550 miles to a tank.
Well done Tish on a great review and it looks like Volkswagen have packed a lot in to the caddy I feel they could have made a mini fridge into the glovebox there are products which could work on 12v gas and mains seems a missed opportunity I would probably go for a transporter myself just as it’s a bit bigger
I only watched this rill the bed set up. Turned it off when I stopped laughing. What a faf making that bed up. Try doing that when it is peeing down with rain :)
@@AutoSocialUK start at the back then the side then the other side then don't forget the front seats. Maybe not a faff but defo a workout, would need the bed by the time it was up, providing I wasn't wet through because it's raining cats and dogs 😅
Good vid the Vito is also another good camper to check out. In your situation with the phones a powerbank would be more useful though, especially USB-C has a massive draw compared to old USB.
There is NO way that the vehicle battery in that 'van' should have been complaining about charging 2 mobile phoned unless there was something seriously wrong with it or something else was pulling power. You could charge two mobile phones (both. fully) 5 or more times off a regular car battery before it felt in need of help. Something else was going on their.
I really like it. Doors each side. Discreet. And a good touring vehicle as a car or camper. Tinted windows a real bonus. Impressive headroom. Vision is good. Price is not too hefty and 60mpg. Seat colours are bland, shame. Would be nice in cream leather. The van for me would be suited with a more jazzy colour. VW do do some prettier paint colours. Perhaps an option?
well for the money I thought this was just a caddy with a bed and pull-out draw for cooking with just gas? no mains hookup and unbelievable NO leisure battery or heater? just cab heating of the engine. you could do a lot with the vehicle if you're going to spend a lot of money on it? it's a no-no from me to a higher price for a van with a bed and a cooker.???
Ha my battery didn't last long and it's not even a camper version just standard Maxi just like that one. Get a small solar charger for camping, even leaving just over the weekend is enough for a slow start on the Monday. Too much stuff running even without keys in😮😢
That's why you make sure you have a working sensor. I am sure this vehicle has one. You will never have a problem then (so long as you don't get blackout drunk)
Interesting car review statement: "... it makes a change to be driving a vehicle where the actual driving part is not the most important part!" @ 14:44.😂 Perhaps there are better ways 40,000 pounds can be put to use?
Like beach huts, the extortionate price can be justified, as there`s always another mug prepared to pay the resale price. With all the extra`s over 40K.
I would go for this, if I was a camping enthusiast. The diesel. If this was a normal caddy the engine needs more horsepower in my opinion 😂 the previous gen had 170 bhp. Much better. But considering this is a campervan then yes the power output is ok.😌
What a faff… might be cheaper than other options but self built caddy van conversions I’ve seen have been better than this, sleeps 2 but seats 5? I’d want interior space over more seats, the bed is a nightmare to set up and moving the drivers seat out of position every time to set up the bed would drive me mad, stood outside in the cold/rain to cook, get rid of the gas bottle and get a portable power pack
There is a tent to clip on the back, but as you said, this is another added for us! I agree with you on the front seats, good, but definitely not perfect!
Twenty minutes charging two phones flattening a car battery sounds ridiculous. What else did you have connected? Fridge, headlights, heater? Two phones only cannot discharge a car battery in twenty minutes unless tha car already has a charging problem.
Looks like a massive compromise too far to me. It's raining and blowing, you've just driven 4 hours to your camp site. You Can't use you 'kitchen' 'cos it's horrible out, you can't set up your bed as you need to open all of the doors. Yeah on glorious (unpredictable) lovely British weather days it might work but beyond that Nah! it's not a camper it's a fine weather tent - but expensive.
Fair enough- there is a tent which clicks on the back, so you could use the kitchen under cover. However I understand what you’re saying. I also think it would be possible to set up the bed without having to open all of the doors, but I just did it because it was a nice day and easier.
In the Netherlands; to expensive to purchase due to taxes {BPM is the tax on passenger cars and motorcycles and is based on CO2 emissions and the net list price. The VAT (BTW) is the standard rate of 21%}, expensive in roadtax ( based on weight, type fuel and what province You live in), not considered to be a camper by the Dutch tax authorities ( behind the front seats, in it's most rear position, the interior space is at least 170 cm high, over a length of at least 100 cm and a width of at least 90 cm).....
It’s hardly a camper when you have to be outside it to cook. Only a fool doesn’t plug their phone in when driving but then, German cars tend not to have CarPlay do they? A better camper option would be an estate car and a tent.
With all the front seat shit it would be advised by VW to offer power seats with memory function… too expensive, to complicated and way not thought through… unpractical and just not fit for purpose…
Why do manufacturers think we want grade school graphics on the exterior of our vehicles? If someone gifted this to me the first thing I’d be do is remove that ridiculous California graphic.
![I.N "HALLUCINATION" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/n5B5q1Hwt_U/mqdefault.jpg)
Tish always does her best to keep things positive but this one had a little too many things going against it
No you are clearly wrong. Why would you lie on the internet?.?
@@brentschmogbertmust have been paid by Ford
For me the biggest down side would be the price £40,000
Id rather spend the money on a much older van and alter it to suit my needs
Just keep your car, and spend the £40000 on decent hotels.
I agree. £40k for something like this is crazy
What a faff for setting up the bed! I'd prefer a small van like the fiat doblo raised roof for much needed headroom, especially sitting up in bed. Being able to cook inside would be desirable too, essential if you're touring in Scotland.......rain and midgies!
Yer it’s not perfect. There is a tent that clips onto the back as well
We use a Citroen Picasso C4 Grande for our camping trips. An Outwell Beachcaster tent and blowup mattress in the car. Stacks of room plus it’s a 7 seater at other times (or huge empty boot).You have much more headroom when using the mattress/sleeping bags in the car too, which makes a huge difference. Too many space constraints with this Caddy.
This conversion is totally impractical at a very hefty price ( I use the word ‘conversion’ sardonically). Where on earth do you get dressed? I am a huge fan of the Caddy LWB and I have seen some exceptional DIY conversions with kitchen and a loo and plenty of space to walk around.
Absolute top presentation.... First time I have come across this presenter.... Feel she's unbiased and gives an honest opinion so punters can make an informed decision...... Very well done 👍🏻
I enjoyed listening to your speaking accent and voice tune.
Really I liked it.. 😂😂
Great review. I like how you clearly spent a lot of time in the vehicle and know what you’re talking about.
You could also use a solar generator, like an EcoFlow, Jackery or other branded battery bank to power / charge your equipment.
That would make lots more sense, we wasn’t really prepared 😂
A tin tent then. I’d have a Golf and many many comfortable B&B nights
loved watching your camper review tish glad you enjoyed in it on your tour with your friend
Interesting product. For me you could lose the gas bottle and gas stove and put a battery with an induction hob and a decent sized solar panel on top. As I think it was mentioned elsewhere then a slightly larger vehicle might be useful but it is always a trade off. This could be good for things like the Lake District or Cornwell or anywhere where the road wouldn't be suitable for larger vehicles. A fridge would also be a welcome addition and keeping the vehicle warm/cold enough depending on the weather would also be a concern. It looks ok at the moment but with a few minor tweaks it could be really good.
It;'s a pity you didn't show any aspect of the kitchen - cooking, washing up, water storage etc. I would buy a standard Maxi-Caddy and equip it myself. A good air mattress may be more comfortable than the fitted bed.
No Fridge would be a problem and as some one mentioned an induction hob on a leisure battery would be better
Great review. I would guess your battery might be faulty, it should last a long time. I've run a coolbox via the 12v for hours in the evening, switching off when going to sleep and the battery was fine. I have however bought a battery and solar light panel for longer trips as I was nervous about it. It should at least have a display for the battery level.
Tish, were you using the 3 pin socket to charge the phones when the battery died?
A joy to listen to that accent that wonderful London Thames estuary, twang
I bought an ex British gas Caddy Maxi and did a little self conversion myself. More practical than this and about 12k in total including the van itself with 35k on the clock. This is a nightmare for anyone (like me) with back issues. Great review though as ever.
After owning one of these for 24 hours I'm doing the same!
This is totally impractical. How on earth do you manage to change into your nightwear? I am a huge Caddy fan and I have seen some exceptional DIY conversions to include kitchen and loo and space to walk around. The California is a rip off!
A lot of germans still smoke. Funny that the electronic parking brake is on the left (as it is in lhd car)
Just stumbled upon this channel, nice job! Love the outfit!
I had the original caddy camper (tramper) which I spent months at a time in. When it sadly got written off (in Bucharest) I bought this replacement version. It was so disappointing I took it back to the dealer the next day. It would be great for the odd night as it only costs about the same as a caddy without all the kit in it but for any longer it was so poorly organised.
Hi Trish I bought a volkswagan transporter kombi camper last year from van haven in Dorset. I have a full 5 seats the fronts of which are captain swivel seats, but in the rear I have a 40 winks queen size bed in the rear ,the bed is so wide you can squeeze 3 people in side
Wow that sounds amazing!! 🤩
In my opinion its too compromised. I used to have a nissan xtrail where the boot floor and back seats just flattened - that plus an inflatable mattress would give you a bigger sleeping area, plus a decent car, and no need to compromise on luggage. The slide out drawer instead of a portable stove means you are likely to be filling the cabin with cooking fumes / spills too - and 20 mins charging your phones is both far too short, and stupid if it gives you no warning before going flat (dangerous in some cases) - a tiny solar / leisure battery set up is easy to do in this day and age. I can see people buying them, and quickly moving on to something more practical.
Neil Young would like this car as in the sixties he was driving a hearse😀
Great in depth review. £40k is loads though, id rather get a cheaper second hand motorhome for that price.
Great review, Tish
I like it because its not too big, needs an option of a leisure battery and fridge, I think
Personally, if I were to order a campervan, I’d go for a Caddy California with an automatic and pretty much all the options ticked.
at £85,000 it's very poor value.
Iv a commercial range rover sport 2 seats its got more room in the back that caddy here in ireland is prob 60k the crafter camper is 103k here
No one will be buying them then so no fear of seeing this bland vehicle here ye 😀
@@sharonec5419 no there the price of stuff here now is just shocking
Just a van to me with a few camping bits in , not for me 😂❤
Great review , but i think its a bit small for a camper . Also, it would have been better if it had an opening in the rear of the vehicle , Also it would have been handy if you could take out the camping equipment in the back and use it as a van as it would have multi uses
Thank you for the very informative review
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts Sean
you're welcome. It's a great review
That`s what i do with my Peugeot Partner teepee. If my kids need an armchair or washing machine moving, out comes the cabinet/cooker. I use double layer fitted carpet underlay for my mattress, not perfect but pretty good. Also get my kayak on the roofrack. Been down into Spain twice, 550 miles to a tank.
Well done Tish on a great review and it looks like Volkswagen have packed a lot in to the caddy I feel they could have made a mini fridge into the glovebox there are products which could work on 12v gas and mains seems a missed opportunity
I would probably go for a transporter myself just as it’s a bit bigger
I only watched this rill the bed set up. Turned it off when I stopped laughing. What a faf making that bed up. Try doing that when it is peeing down with rain :)
I don’t think under 2 minutes is a faff?
@@AutoSocialUK start at the back then the side then the other side then don't forget the front seats. Maybe not a faff but defo a workout, would need the bed by the time it was up, providing I wasn't wet through because it's raining cats and dogs 😅
@@vantabulouslife5704Right. Plus you'd step outside into mud, not an ideal start!
Good vid the Vito is also another good camper to check out. In your situation with the phones a powerbank would be more useful though, especially USB-C has a massive draw compared to old USB.
There is NO way that the vehicle battery in that 'van' should have been complaining about charging 2 mobile phoned unless there was something seriously wrong with it or something else was pulling power. You could charge two mobile phones (both. fully) 5 or more times off a regular car battery before it felt in need of help. Something else was going on their.
2 minutes setting the bed up..."that was all of 60 seconds..!"
Her poor partner...😂😂🤣🤣😂😂
I really like it. Doors each side. Discreet. And a good touring vehicle as a car or camper. Tinted windows a real bonus. Impressive headroom. Vision is good. Price is not too hefty and 60mpg. Seat colours are bland, shame. Would be nice in cream leather. The van for me would be suited with a more jazzy colour. VW do do some prettier paint colours. Perhaps an option?
Can you easy take the bed out when you dont use the car as a camper?
I wish this was available in the US; it's perfect for me.
I take it this VW has the centre airbags fitted in the front seats due to the label on the backrest inner edge of the drivers seat?
I am going for the Dacia Jogger camper. Much much cheaper!😊
Much much much much less ...safe.................................................
Boom - smashed it!!
I enjoyed watching the video review. If you went for the T6.1 California, there would be more options to choose 😊
My Ford cmax has more space in it than that vw, and I can tack all the 💺 seats out at the back, giving me more space 😀
well for the money I thought this was just a caddy with a bed and pull-out draw for cooking with just gas? no mains hookup and unbelievable NO leisure battery or heater? just cab heating of the engine. you could do a lot with the vehicle if you're going to spend a lot of money on it? it's a no-no from me to a higher price for a van with a bed and a cooker.???
Ha my battery didn't last long and it's not even a camper version just standard Maxi just like that one. Get a small solar charger for camping, even leaving just over the weekend is enough for a slow start on the Monday. Too much stuff running even without keys in😮😢
Not a bad camper … might get one for next year’s Glastonbury ❤
I'd go for a secondhand CaddyMaxi van converted into a really practical camper and save £10,000 for trips away.
They should have called it the 'Caddyfornia'
I think having a gas bottle under where you’re sleeping is dangerous. What if it was leaking and you were overcome by gas fumes?
That's why you make sure you have a working sensor. I am sure this vehicle has one. You will never have a problem then (so long as you don't get blackout drunk)
Interesting car review statement: "... it makes a change to be driving a vehicle where the actual driving part is not the most important part!" @ 14:44.😂 Perhaps there are better ways 40,000 pounds can be put to use?
Looks like a hearse, needs to be a 2 tone colour scheme being the California model.
So, a Caddy Crewvan with a z bed for £40k then?
Just get a power station.The starter battery isn't designed for charging anything off as it's not deep cycle
I can’t believe Volkswagen put their name to this horror, it’s terrible! There are a lot of optimistically positive comments on here.
Like beach huts, the extortionate price can be justified, as there`s always another mug prepared to pay the resale price. With all the extra`s over 40K.
Themilford99 where the hell do they get these prices from
I would go for this, if I was a camping enthusiast. The diesel.
If this was a normal caddy the engine needs more horsepower in my opinion 😂 the previous gen had 170 bhp. Much better.
But considering this is a campervan then yes the power output is ok.😌
Cool !!
What a faff… might be cheaper than other options but self built caddy van conversions I’ve seen have been better than this, sleeps 2 but seats 5? I’d want interior space over more seats, the bed is a nightmare to set up and moving the drivers seat out of position every time to set up the bed would drive me mad, stood outside in the cold/rain to cook, get rid of the gas bottle and get a portable power pack
There is a tent to clip on the back, but as you said, this is another added for us! I agree with you on the front seats, good, but definitely not perfect!
Why didn't you charge your phones while on the 8 hour drive?
We did, but we had both been at the event all afternoon and create content on our phones so they had ran down again.
Sadly, I think this is a very loose definition of a campervan, especially at that price point. I can’t imagine it’ll be much fun in wet weather either
Make a camping box yourself and put it in a second hand swb or maxi and buy gas or diesel to go camping…. Cheap 😂🎉
I would but not at £40.000.
Its much to much for what it is. You cAn get a better fitted out boat or diferent camper for less.
I waited until the end for the price but switched off as soon as fish said it
I'd rather spend £26K on a Golf and the saved £1,000s on a nice hotel.
Tight sleeping accommodation is a plus in certain situations 😊. I wouldn't mind getting "intimate" with beautiful Tish.
I'll bet she rips killer farts
No thanks, save ur money and buy a Transit custom or a Transit 350 and use the extra money to convert it
Sorry but from many sides it looks like a herse! 😄
Do you mean a horse or a hearse?😂
@@richardsracingmad badly spelt hearse 😂
Far too compromised, conversion would make more sense.
I'd prefer 😋 😏 😉 a hotel ❤
Think I’ll stick with my hybrid Toyota Alphard - much more comfort and luxury, with the air awning we can comfortably stay away for a week or more.
Sounds amazing!
Twenty minutes charging two phones flattening a car battery sounds ridiculous. What else did you have connected? Fridge, headlights, heater? Two phones only cannot discharge a car battery in twenty minutes unless tha car already has a charging problem.
I suppose it would be ok if you lived in sunny climates , not really suitable for Ireland or the UK
True, you’d get damp trying to set things up
Did anyone say Dacia Jogger + sleep pack?
FYI the V in Volkswagen is pronounced like an F not like a W. Greetings from Germany
In the UK it’s pronounced as a V not a W
Looks like a massive compromise too far to me. It's raining and blowing, you've just driven 4 hours to your camp site. You Can't use you 'kitchen' 'cos it's horrible out, you can't set up your bed as you need to open all of the doors. Yeah on glorious (unpredictable) lovely British weather days it might work but beyond that Nah! it's not a camper it's a fine weather tent - but expensive.
Fair enough- there is a tent which clicks on the back, so you could use the kitchen under cover. However I understand what you’re saying. I also think it would be possible to set up the bed without having to open all of the doors, but I just did it because it was a nice day and easier.
@@AutoSocialUK What makes you think VW created this for the British market ?
Nice big boot.
Yeah,they fitted a cigarette lighter so you can light your campfire, of course 😂😂😂
Much cheaper to buy a regular van and put a cot in it
This, but make it an EV with decent V2L, a fridge, and an induction stove instead of gas 👌
That would be cool
Diffusers are on the rear of a vehicle young lady, not the front.
Car battery can charge only two smartphones , what a rubbish!!
This van as a plug in hybrid would be perfect
Nope by a van and spend some penny's doing it up
In the Netherlands; to expensive to purchase due to taxes {BPM is the tax on passenger cars and motorcycles and is based on CO2 emissions and the net list price. The VAT (BTW) is the standard rate of 21%}, expensive in roadtax ( based on weight, type fuel and what province You live in), not considered to be a camper by the Dutch tax authorities ( behind the front seats, in it's most rear position, the interior space is at least 170 cm high, over a length of at least 100 cm and a width of at least 90 cm).....
Wow, it comes with a TAYBOL😂
Accents. So funny. Almost like they’re different all over the globe
Dont think I would ever buy this as anything but a 2 days away with a one night stop, far to small
❤
Maybe your phone is just two big Tish.
Simple?
Take the shoes off when you sit on bed...
Jesus! £40k! I’m so out of touch!
It’s hardly a camper when you have to be outside it to cook.
Only a fool doesn’t plug their phone in when driving but then, German cars tend not to have CarPlay do they?
A better camper option would be an estate car and a tent.
We had our phones plugged in when driving but had been out in the day and they’d run low ☺️ you can get a tent that goes over the back!
With all the front seat shit it would be advised by VW to offer power seats with memory function… too expensive, to complicated and way not thought through… unpractical and just not fit for purpose…
£40k and no leisure battery or fridge. Hmmm.
Just buy caddy life fitted out save money 40k and no leisure battery 😂
Why do manufacturers think we want grade school graphics on the exterior of our vehicles? If someone gifted this to me the first thing I’d be do is remove that ridiculous California graphic.
"Cheap"... Better buy an older van and build them up yourself. More reliable and cheaper.
Excellent informative video, well presented and edited but the Caddy is awful and not a CAMPER, its a large family car !
Its a no from me. It assumes that the weather will always be good and that the occupiers will always use campsites. Ive seen better.
Give me a manual/normal handbrake any day of the week. That van looks so cheap and plasticky.
There are some vehicles that just shouldn’t have an electric handbrake. This is one of them.
this a load of rubbish can't use in winter cooking outside messing about with that bed no thanks