One thing newcomers don’t always appreciate is that van conversions are, proportionately, more expensive than larger motorhomes. If you can accommodate a motorhome, you get more room and facilities for your money. True, for wild camping a motorhome is more ‘obvious’ but modern ones are easy to drive- they almost drive like a car. As for Airfryers, an excellent addition to a motorhome and not just for chips. We use ours like a mini oven. We’ve never found the gas ovens in motorhomes that effective.
Carol, you’re such a lovely lady and well done you for sticking to your principles and keeping some things private. You’re both naturally entertaining, a great team, which is why you’re at the top of my playlist. Thanks both 🙂
Good questions and good answers. I was smiling when Carol didn't want to tell us the names for Ken (which is totally fine) and Ken said that he was called all sorts of names throughout his career and don't care as much as Carol 😂 Looking forward to all your next videos. Keep safe 🙏
Hey there, enjoyed viewing thanks. My Question,, do your home neighbours know about your adventures including the RUclips side of things? Are you famous in your local area? Having good neighbours is really important for a decent quality of life. Paul in Dundee. ✌️👍
Hi Carol & Ken, nice to hear your reasons for your Bilbo,s choice and having researched all the different van types and reasons why I have come to the conclusion that its all a matter of what suits your needs. The continued quality and consistency of your VLOGS. along with the cracking photography will keep viewers like me glued to your videos. All the best to you both, WEE JIMMY
You both always bring a smile to my face. Those were some good questions. Carol, if I was a RUclips influencer, I’d be shy about sharing personal things too. I’m guessing that the group that watches your videos are almost exclusively kind. But once I’m awhile you can get a bad one. Looking forward to the next video. Mary
Hi, my wife and I was just watching your video as we have done for the last couple of years, when you said you was from Lancashire we was thinking I wonder where and couldn’t believe you said Bacup, we live out the town but in bacup near the Todmorden border, small world. Great videos as always.
@Life is too short I used to stay in a hotel on Portland Bill when I was going out through Waymouth. I Went up and down every weel to Lourds with loads, leaving Monday night and arriving home Saturday. Done it for a few months in 1982. Can't wait to see the new Van.
Very good! I have not recognized the van or builder but I am comfortable with a surprise. Sounds like great fun and I would be with you on having anything electric that might fail. Old friends of mine, before they married, lived a distance apart and he would drive up to see her. His car was all electric (except the engine). Because of the driving, he was never concerned about his battery until one evening when returning from their date, they pulled onto the property (she lived out of town) and talked and listened to music, then she went in at curfew. He turned the ignition to leave to discover he had a dead battery. He was locked in the car, could not open a window, nothing. Could not honk the horn. He was stuck, in the cold, until her dad came out to head to work. With power outages in the Rocky Mountains during blizzards, every critical device had a non electric alternative. We did not do electric pilot lights unless we could bypass it. Though these are rarely critical, these days, it is a habit I continue. At least once per decade, there is an event that shuts everything down. The last time, the city power was down for over 9 days. We were fine but people don’t know how to manage. A friend’s son called in a panic because he had just bought groceries and his freezer was full. It was January. I suggested that he put his fridge in the garage. Funny. He had a fireplace but never used it. I suggested he start. Why bother with an electric lift that runs slow? Hydraulics are quick and if you maintain them, they are much less likely to fail. What do I know?
Appreciate you asking Bilbo campers, unique design and certainly would like to see a build. Ninja air fryer video would be appreciated, don't have an air fryer and the choice is unreal!
I really love your channel. My question is have your thought of a new opening sequence for when you get your new van? You’ll no longer be able to say “we love touring in our little red camper”.
I always enjoy your Q&As and that was over too soon! I have a coffee question. I also love my coffee and I currently use the Bialetti Moka Express or a French press in the van. I’m thinking about buying an aeropress and manual grinder but recall you originally used those and swapped to the coffee bags, now I see a Lavazza canister in the van. What are your thoughts on the aeropress and what is your current coffee preference for the van? Thanks for sharing another great video.
It looks like the California is moving to the Multivan, which would make it even more bespoke and exclusive, and all the third party conversions will use the Transporter.
We're going from Portsmouth to Northern Spain in three weeks - in our California. Our first California (of 3) was bought from Bilbo's. Good luck with the T6.
Hi both, Yes, I noticed that Lavazza Coffee tin too. You have to have a change from time to time don't you think? I keep Dowe Egberts instant granules in the cupboard for a quick Coffee, it's the only instant I find palatable to be honest. When all is said and done the bags from Brown Bear are really good but it's not the cheapest solution to the problem. Got to say Newhaven is a nice spot to park up for a Q and A. Especially now before it gets busy. As always, looking forward to your next instalment and particularly to your Bilbo's camper when it comes. No questions really but my wife hated pet names although I did have one or two that I thought from time to time 🤔🙄. Bruin out.
Yes we have a selection of coffee at home - whole beans for when we have time to grind our own, the excellent Brown Bear bags and we always keep a tin of instant. Bought the Lavazza as it was on offer but not that impressed with it I must say. Thanks for watching. Hope you are keeping well 🙂👍
Great video, my question is :- would you ever go sprinter size , or back to a caravan . I hope you make it back down to wales someday, welsh folk museum at st Fagons ,near Cardiff , the Gower , the mumbles (joes ice cream ) and Pembroke. You’ve probably been already, good luck both 👍🏴
Nice idea with the Air Fryer. Mines pretty basic bed 2 hub gas can cooker, sink, cupla batteries a cupla solar panels, charger and a dunny, but I'm only doin Airshows at the moment, rest of the time its a daily driver. Heavier it is, the more fuel it uses. Nice work, Thanks!
Have you any intentions of returning to Ireland and covering the East coast and Midlands?. I love your channel. Wishing you both Health and happiness and many happy times in the new van.
Great Q&A I own a California and love it but you were correct with your issues I think Bilbo’s are a great company and you don’t need to justify your choice after all it’s still a VW ! And that will mean your subscribers will rocket keep up the good work xx
Hearing your comments about what you would like in a new vehicle... can you not get a loan vehicle of the same type/dimensions from the coach-builder and do a week's in-depth trip locally, to see if you need any amendments/layout changes done prior to the eventual build? Kia Ora from New Zealand. 💜💜
Very interesting. We only said goodbye to our Bilbo’s because our daughter became a teenager and needed more privacy. We bought a touring caravan where she had her own tiny bedroom but we never really took to towing. We sold it when she went to university. We moved back north so Bilbo’s is not practical for us now.
A great Q&A, thanks for sharing your insights the research and your decision making process. Hopefully it will be a very long time before you feel the need for something bigger with a fixed bed and onboard facilities but you are right to choose what suits your own needs and I expect the Bilbo build will be perfect.
Great to hear Ken your from the great part of the world up here in Lancashire! 😀 I would imagine like you said having been in the force you've been called many things over the years 🤔 Carole is being very quiet what she calls you..& rightly so 🤣🤣🤣 enjoyed this as there was a,wide variety of questions 😀
Well done on snapping up the red VW on the pre-ordered list from Bilbo's. That's what we did in November 2021. We love our Bilbo, so pleased to have been able to recommend Bilbo's to you. The lowlie roof is brilliant, can also recommend a thermal roof wrap made locally by Daren Pucer Screens, great for use in the winter. Enjoy the anticipation of your new Bilbo, the handover is brilliant, as is the aftercare. Looking forward to seeing you driving your Bilbo.😊
Not great for wild camping as you have to go outside to take it off if you need to drive off. We will keep an eye out for an external one. Thanks for the suggestion though 👍
You live in a lovely part of South England. We used to visit my sister next door in Hampshire before she moved from Emsworth to Devon. Took lots of drives around and there are some beautiful places. Coming from central Scotland, weather was a bonus too!
Love this. My question is. What tye of landshape do you prefere? Like a lot of the places i have seen you visit is wild and rural. I have seen some of Irland, would love to see UK and all the Icelands around and North of you.? Hope you understand what I mean?? 😊❤
Hi guys love your trips and videos, they inspire me to visit places that you've visited. How do you organise and find out information when going to Europe, like, if you need to buy road tax for that country or what equipment you need to carry like hi viz vests, spare bulbs, fire extinguisher, warning triangle etc etc as i no every european country seems to be different. Any tips and advice would be greatly appreciated. Currently enjoying your stately homes series. Keep up the excellent work producing great content videos. 👍👍👍
I find your travels and videos very inspirational and being relatively new to campervan life it provides me with a lot of new ideas - thank you. As you have been flying the flag for Sussex Campervans for the past few years in your Little Red Campervan which appears to have served you well, when you were considering a new van, did you consider upgrading to one of their Manhattan or Paradise vans to provide you with the extra space you were seeking? Have you any thoughts about whether you will be using the Little Red Campervan as part exchange for your new camper or will you consider selling privately? Be interested to hear your thoughts. Best wishes.
Hey guys, nice choice with the Bilbo, the roof is great wrt head room over that side of the van, but a massive compromise wrt the sleeping if you use the upper bunk. I meant to post when some one apparently told you about the tricky side to the top bunk in the Cali Well it all stems from the position you sit on the bed when pulling it out to the sleep position. Alot of users initially sit to the right hand side, which is where the handle is to release the lock mechanism, and consequently this puts weight leading on that side which puts the bench into imbalance, making it a wee bit more difficult to slide out. Easily sorted when you reposition your butt to the middle of the bench, where it glides serenely out as you walk up forwards. Also the newer models which you guys would have got T6 forwards were fitted with a multiposition back rest, for maximum slobbing 😂 Also the Cali is double glazed as std, and has not only a nuclear grade cabin diesel heater, but one also on the engine which auto starts when the engine starts at temps below 4⁰C, mine is a Scottish van. Heaters can be pre programmed on a 24 hr 7 day sequence to pre heat the van both inside the cabin and by a remote fob from the. bed, lovely. The Cali is based on a T30 chassis, so has 200 kg more carring allowance than alot of the other conversions, and comes as std with higher rated brakes to bring everything to a stop. The T6 variant also has an auto level built into the upper control center, so you can see how the van lies before whipping out the chocks. Yes, the leccy roof can be a potential weak spot, but so can loosing a hydraulic strut on a manual roof, both of which will require a trip to Mr VW. All the best with the new purchase, good choice, can't wait to see it, and as we all know with new vehicles, smell it 😂❤
Yes guys, I watched that video of yours where you announced your choice, all the best with what is an excellent van, from an excellent converter. My rather long winded reply was to hopefully allay any misinformation that you had been given wrt to the lower bunk on the Cali, which may have been picked up by others, and cloud their research. I know I am biased, but I went through all the permutations as you before settling on my VW, to be honest, I think the new Transit drives better than the Transporter, but the new Nugget has its drawbacks, one being height, and secondly the lower be is a mess about IMHO. Only seeing how the Cali was made, helped cement my choice, wrt the fact that it leave the VW production line as a T30 rated Caravelle, and a plastic type inner shell is inserted once the roof has been cut and braced, if you look at one on your travels, notice how there is zero insulation fitted to the van, other that the front cabin and the floor, so as to ensure the van has none of the grey carpet type material, as fitted to the majority of conversions This means there is little to hold any strong smells generated from food preparation, and allowing, once over with a cloth cleaning. Never get a Cali fan talking about his van, bet I've bored you to bits, but hopefully others might glean some useful info from it. Can I ask what engine you went for ?
Hi guys looking forward to your new van ventures. My question would be this. Do you think a VW is a big enough jump in size or do you think in the future you might wish you had gone one size bigger to relay size van with fixed bed and no need for a pop up roof? Bigger and cheaper than VW,and will be my next move from my elgrand.
Hey guys , really looking forward to the new van . My question would be , what type of video camera would be good for for our trip to America, I sappose the go pro? Not defo getting one ,we have the ain't but not able attached to dash on car etc....not allowed for a budget for one but just interested. Love the channel. Nice but of warmer weather here in South east Ireland today
Lynn here on Hubby's phone mines playing up 😏, Hi Ken and Carol , firstly , perhaps the air would be too blue Ken if Carol said what she calls you 😂😂😂😂, Joking !!!, 😊, Next , all I've to say is , GET Y SEN'S TU YORKSHIRE!!! You don't know what your missing , Yorkshire Dales , Yorkshire. Coast and loads more inland , can't you tell were from Yorkshire 😂😂😂, Take Care xx ❤️
Bit late with a question, sorry, but one of the music tracks you use for your backing music is brilliant I don’t know what it’s called but it’s drums and sounds like possibly a foreign tune, with what sounds like girls repeating the same thing over , but I love it?
One thing newcomers don’t always appreciate is that van conversions are, proportionately, more expensive than larger motorhomes. If you can accommodate a motorhome, you get more room and facilities for your money. True, for wild camping a motorhome is more ‘obvious’ but modern ones are easy to drive- they almost drive like a car. As for Airfryers, an excellent addition to a motorhome and not just for chips. We use ours like a mini oven. We’ve never found the gas ovens in motorhomes that effective.
We are considering getting an air fryer too. Things are always changing and improving 🙂👍
Carol, you’re such a lovely lady and well done you for sticking to your principles and keeping some things private. You’re both naturally entertaining, a great team, which is why you’re at the top of my playlist. Thanks both 🙂
Awww, thanks, Alison 🤗
Good questions and good answers. I was smiling when Carol didn't want to tell us the names for Ken (which is totally fine) and Ken said that he was called all sorts of names throughout his career and don't care as much as Carol 😂 Looking forward to all your next videos. Keep safe 🙏
Thanks Anita 🙂
Just love you two and looking forward the next adventures. It’ll be great in a new van. Enjoy and be safe. 🥰x
Thank you! 🤗
Hey there, enjoyed viewing thanks. My Question,, do your home neighbours know about your adventures including the RUclips side of things? Are you famous in your local area? Having good neighbours is really important for a decent quality of life. Paul in Dundee. ✌️👍
I am surprised but I find your Q&A interesting and informative. Thank you.
Hi Carol & Ken, nice to hear your reasons for your Bilbo,s choice and having researched all the different van types and reasons why I have come to the conclusion that its all a matter of what suits your needs. The continued quality and consistency of your VLOGS. along with the cracking photography will keep viewers like me glued to your videos.
All the best to you both, WEE JIMMY
It is definitely a matter of personal choice. Thanks for watching and commenting we appreciate your support 🙂👍
Question - Ken I know from watching your videos that you find Carol’s cooking yummy. What is your favourite van meal? Take care Gill
You both always bring a smile to my face. Those were some good questions. Carol, if I was a RUclips influencer, I’d be shy about sharing personal things too. I’m guessing that the group that watches your videos are almost exclusively kind. But once I’m awhile you can get a bad one. Looking forward to the next video. Mary
Thanks Mary. Yes, we are lucky we have such lovely subscribers and get such kind comments. We are very grateful ☺️
Hi, my wife and I was just watching your video as we have done for the last couple of years, when you said you was from Lancashire we was thinking I wonder where and couldn’t believe you said Bacup, we live out the town but in bacup near the Todmorden border, small world. Great videos as always.
Small world indeed! Thanks for watching 👍
Hi giys.Happy Sunday, Two questions . Why are you currently not traveling at the moment and why Specifically are you changing Camper vans?
@Life is too short
I used to stay in a hotel on Portland Bill when I was going out through Waymouth. I Went up and down every weel to Lourds with loads, leaving Monday night and arriving home Saturday. Done it for a few months in 1982. Can't wait to see the new Van.
We love Portland Bill, especially the crab salads at the lighthouse. Not been to Lourds yet👍
Loved the Cheeky smile Carol when asked about the names you have for Ken. Will out of interest go and check put that Bilbo roof 🙂🐕🚙
The roof does look odd at first but we impressed at how easy it was to raise, lower and secure 👍
Very good! I have not recognized the van or builder but I am comfortable with a surprise. Sounds like great fun and I would be with you on having anything electric that might fail. Old friends of mine, before they married, lived a distance apart and he would drive up to see her. His car was all electric (except the engine). Because of the driving, he was never concerned about his battery until one evening when returning from their date, they pulled onto the property (she lived out of town) and talked and listened to music, then she went in at curfew. He turned the ignition to leave to discover he had a dead battery. He was locked in the car, could not open a window, nothing. Could not honk the horn. He was stuck, in the cold, until her dad came out to head to work. With power outages in the Rocky Mountains during blizzards, every critical device had a non electric alternative. We did not do electric pilot lights unless we could bypass it. Though these are rarely critical, these days, it is a habit I continue. At least once per decade, there is an event that shuts everything down. The last time, the city power was down for over 9 days. We were fine but people don’t know how to manage. A friend’s son called in a panic because he had just bought groceries and his freezer was full. It was January. I suggested that he put his fridge in the garage. Funny. He had a fireplace but never used it. I suggested he start. Why bother with an electric lift that runs slow? Hydraulics are quick and if you maintain them, they are much less likely to fail. What do I know?
I couldn’t agree with you more. People have had it so easy for so long they are totally unprepared for what will happen if the power goes off.
Appreciate you asking Bilbo campers, unique design and certainly would like to see a build.
Ninja air fryer video would be appreciated, don't have an air fryer and the choice is unreal!
Noted!
I really love your channel. My question is have your thought of a new opening sequence for when you get your new van? You’ll no longer be able to say “we love touring in our little red camper”.
I always enjoy your Q&As and that was over too soon! I have a coffee question. I also love my coffee and I currently use the Bialetti Moka Express or a French press in the van. I’m thinking about buying an aeropress and manual grinder but recall you originally used those and swapped to the coffee bags, now I see a Lavazza canister in the van. What are your thoughts on the aeropress and what is your current coffee preference for the van? Thanks for sharing another great video.
I'm hankering after the red ex demo Bilbos have for sale!
Looking forward to more Q &A's!
It’s still for sale ☺️
Think we have decided we can't give up the fixed bed😂
It looks like the California is moving to the Multivan, which would make it even more bespoke and exclusive, and all the third party conversions will use the Transporter.
Not sure what this means. As I am considering a VW campervan, do you have a link explaining this? Hope u do!
We're going from Portsmouth to Northern Spain in three weeks - in our California. Our first California (of 3) was bought from Bilbo's. Good luck with the T6.
Have a great trip. We might do the same when our next van arrives 👍
You should have looked at the VW Westfalen Kepler one. It has a built in shower and toilet + hot water. It’s the best design ever
Looks nice, but not the spec for us ☺️
I'm speechless! You've covered all subjects now, thank you! 🚘
That’s good 🙂👍
Hi both, Yes, I noticed that Lavazza Coffee tin too. You have to have a change from time to time don't you think? I keep Dowe Egberts instant granules in the cupboard for a quick Coffee, it's the only instant I find palatable to be honest. When all is said and done the bags from Brown Bear are really good but it's not the cheapest solution to the problem. Got to say Newhaven is a nice spot to park up for a Q and A. Especially now before it gets busy. As always, looking forward to your next instalment and particularly to your Bilbo's camper when it comes. No questions really but my wife hated pet names although I did have one or two that I thought from time to time 🤔🙄. Bruin out.
Yes we have a selection of coffee at home - whole beans for when we have time to grind our own, the excellent Brown Bear bags and we always keep a tin of instant. Bought the Lavazza as it was on offer but not that impressed with it I must say. Thanks for watching. Hope you are keeping well 🙂👍
Great video, my question is :- would you ever go sprinter size , or back to a caravan . I hope you make it back down to wales someday, welsh folk museum at st Fagons ,near Cardiff , the Gower , the mumbles (joes ice cream ) and Pembroke. You’ve probably been already, good luck both 👍🏴
Nice idea with the Air Fryer. Mines pretty basic bed 2 hub gas can cooker, sink, cupla batteries a cupla solar panels, charger and a dunny, but I'm only doin Airshows at the moment, rest of the time its a daily driver. Heavier it is, the more fuel it uses. Nice work, Thanks!
Many thanks for the Superthanks Greg. 👍. Haven’t done any airshows with ours yet but fancy doing some 👍
@@LifeistooshortCK No probs m8s
Have you any intentions of returning to Ireland and covering the East coast and Midlands?. I love your channel. Wishing you both Health and happiness and many happy times in the new van.
Great Q&A I own a California and love it but you were correct with your issues I think Bilbo’s are a great company and you don’t need to justify your choice after all it’s still a VW ! And that will mean your subscribers will rocket keep up the good work xx
Good to know! Thanks Neil 🙂
Carol is Brilliant
Hearing your comments about what you would like in a new vehicle... can you not get a loan vehicle of the same type/dimensions from the coach-builder and do a week's in-depth trip locally, to see if you need any amendments/layout changes done prior to the eventual build? Kia Ora from New Zealand. 💜💜
Just in case... ruclips.net/video/oufHR7YoBs4/видео.html
Nice Q&A thanks very much. 👍
Our pleasure! 🙂
Very interesting. We only said goodbye to our Bilbo’s because our daughter became a teenager and needed more privacy. We bought a touring caravan where she had her own tiny bedroom but we never really took to towing. We sold it when she went to university. We moved back north so Bilbo’s is not practical for us now.
Good to hear you enjoyed your Bilbo’s. I don’t think we will ever go back to towing a caravan now ☺️
A great Q&A, thanks for sharing your insights the research and your decision making process. Hopefully it will be a very long time before you feel the need for something bigger with a fixed bed and onboard facilities but you are right to choose what suits your own needs and I expect the Bilbo build will be perfect.
Cheers Graham 👍
North Devon and West Somerset and Cornwall, somewhere there I think I would choose to live, if I could. Sure would love to visit.
Great to hear Ken your from the great part of the world up here in Lancashire! 😀 I would imagine like you said having been in the force you've been called many things over the years 🤔 Carole is being very quiet what she calls you..& rightly so 🤣🤣🤣 enjoyed this as there was a,wide variety of questions 😀
Glad you enjoyed it 🙂
Well done on snapping up the red VW on the pre-ordered list from Bilbo's. That's what we did in November 2021. We love our Bilbo, so pleased to have been able to recommend Bilbo's to you. The lowlie roof is brilliant, can also recommend a thermal roof wrap made locally by Daren Pucer Screens, great for use in the winter. Enjoy the anticipation of your new Bilbo, the handover is brilliant, as is the aftercare. Looking forward to seeing you driving your Bilbo.😊
Thanks for the recommendation Janet. The van was just right for us. Is the thermal wrap designed for internal or external use ?
@@LifeistooshortCK it's external. We used ours for the first time in February this year, it works really well.
Not great for wild camping as you have to go outside to take it off if you need to drive off. We will keep an eye out for an external one. Thanks for the suggestion though 👍
Cool
You live in a lovely part of South England. We used to visit my sister next door in Hampshire before she moved from Emsworth to Devon. Took lots of drives around and there are some beautiful places. Coming from central Scotland, weather was a bonus too!
It's pretty crazy the difference between the central belt and southern England in terms of weather
Love this. My question is. What tye of landshape do you prefere? Like a lot of the places i have seen you visit is wild and rural. I have seen some of Irland, would love to see UK and all the Icelands around and North of you.? Hope you understand what I mean?? 😊❤
Great Q&A - intriguing what Carol cdd as old you lol - I get called all sorts 😅
Some things are best kept between the two of us 😊
Hi guys. Hope you are both well.
Good thanks, Larry 👍
Hi guys love your trips and videos, they inspire me to visit places that you've visited.
How do you organise and find out information when going to Europe, like, if you need to buy road tax for that country or what equipment you need to carry like hi viz vests, spare bulbs, fire extinguisher, warning triangle etc etc as i no every european country seems to be different. Any tips and advice would be greatly appreciated.
Currently enjoying your stately homes series.
Keep up the excellent work producing great content videos.
👍👍👍
Such a lovely couple....🌻🌻
You are so kind 🙏
Love your channel.
Thank you, David 🙏
Hari OM
Always enjoy your wee chats... YAM xx
So glad! Thanks for watching 🙂
I find your travels and videos very inspirational and being relatively new to campervan life it provides me with a lot of new ideas - thank you.
As you have been flying the flag for Sussex Campervans for the past few years in your Little Red Campervan which appears to have served you well, when you were considering a new van, did you consider upgrading to one of their Manhattan or Paradise vans to provide you with the extra space you were seeking? Have you any thoughts about whether you will be using the Little Red Campervan as part exchange for your new camper or will you consider selling privately? Be interested to hear your thoughts. Best wishes.
Interesting video , im from burnley , used to live in sussex , rye is a great place to visit x
Bring on Spain, sounds awesome, but September seems so far away, to be honest I enjoy your content regardless.. stay well..
Thanks John, we can’t wait ☺️
Did not hear the answer for the favorite beer yet. The anticipation is building. Inquiring minds want to know. Take care.
Keep watching 😉😀
Batemans at Burwash and the countryside around there is beautiful.
Have you seen this video ruclips.net/video/b2dAlmzlY5E/видео.html 😉😁👍
Thank you so much for your vlogs, always enjoyable. My question would be ..'Why did you decide to do 'RUclips'?' Cheers Maria
Hey guys, nice choice with the Bilbo, the roof is great wrt head room over that side of the van, but a massive compromise wrt the sleeping if you use the upper bunk. I meant to post when some one apparently told you about the tricky side to the top bunk in the Cali Well it all stems from the position you sit on the bed when pulling it out to the sleep position. Alot of users initially sit to the right hand side, which is where the handle is to release the lock mechanism, and consequently this puts weight leading on that side which puts the bench into imbalance, making it a wee bit more difficult to slide out. Easily sorted when you reposition your butt to the middle of the bench, where it glides serenely out as you walk up forwards. Also the newer models which you guys would have got T6 forwards were fitted with a multiposition back rest, for maximum slobbing 😂 Also the Cali is double glazed as std, and has not only a nuclear grade cabin diesel heater, but one also on the engine which auto starts when the engine starts at temps below 4⁰C, mine is a Scottish van. Heaters can be pre programmed on a 24 hr 7 day sequence to pre heat the van both inside the cabin and by a remote fob from the. bed, lovely. The Cali is based on a T30 chassis, so has 200 kg more carring allowance than alot of the other conversions, and comes as std with higher rated brakes to bring everything to a stop. The T6 variant also has an auto level built into the upper control center, so you can see how the van lies before whipping out the chocks. Yes, the leccy roof can be a potential weak spot, but so can loosing a hydraulic strut on a manual roof, both of which will require a trip to Mr VW. All the best with the new purchase, good choice, can't wait to see it, and as we all know with new vehicles, smell it 😂❤
Sorry, not the top bunk, I meant the lower bunk, and pulling it out, I have a glass back and it's never an issue, all sliders have their ' ways '
It’s a great van but the decision has already been made 😁👍
Yes guys, I watched that video of yours where you announced your choice, all the best with what is an excellent van, from an excellent converter. My rather long winded reply was to hopefully allay any misinformation that you had been given wrt to the lower bunk on the Cali, which may have been picked up by others, and cloud their research. I know I am biased, but I went through all the permutations as you before settling on my VW, to be honest, I think the new Transit drives better than the Transporter, but the new Nugget has its drawbacks, one being height, and secondly the lower be is a mess about IMHO. Only seeing how the Cali was made, helped cement my choice, wrt the fact that it leave the VW production line as a T30 rated Caravelle, and a plastic type inner shell is inserted once the roof has been cut and braced, if you look at one on your travels, notice how there is zero insulation fitted to the van, other that the front cabin and the floor, so as to ensure the van has none of the grey carpet type material, as fitted to the majority of conversions This means there is little to hold any strong smells generated from food preparation, and allowing, once over with a cloth cleaning. Never get a Cali fan talking about his van, bet I've bored you to bits, but hopefully others might glean some useful info from it. Can I ask what engine you went for ?
150 auto. I can tell you love your Cali 😁👍
I had a suspicion you were from the superior county of Lancashire!
😁👍
I’ll be interested to see how you go on with your Eco Flow. I follow a guy who powers all sorts from something similar.
Will you ever go back to Ireland ? Great video 👍👍👍👍
are you going to keep the little red van, or trading or selling it for the new one. bet your excited about the new one. love your channel. hugs
Hi guys looking forward to your new van ventures. My question would be this. Do you think a VW is a big enough jump in size or do you think in the future you might wish you had gone one size bigger to relay size van with fixed bed and no need for a pop up roof? Bigger and cheaper than VW,and will be my next move from my elgrand.
Could you feature Shoreham-by-Sea one day and the river the houseboats and Airport.
We have shown Shoreham in past videos. These two spring to mind:
ruclips.net/video/I-Iy_BCr3aA/видео.html
ruclips.net/video/SnZFTXIutzs/видео.html
Can you open part of the pop up roof in the Bilbos’s to have an opened up view, as I saw was in the VW California Ocean pop-up?
I don’t think you can. It has 2 large main windows and one each end
@@LifeistooshortCK Thanks for replying. Looking forward to seeing your new van!
Great vid 😁
Thanks Karen 🙂
Hey guys , really looking forward to the new van .
My question would be , what type of video camera would be good for for our trip to America, I sappose the go pro? Not defo getting one ,we have the ain't but not able attached to dash on car etc....not allowed for a budget for one but just interested.
Love the channel. Nice but of warmer weather here in South east Ireland today
Lynn here on Hubby's phone mines playing up 😏, Hi Ken and Carol , firstly , perhaps the air would be too blue Ken if Carol said what she calls you 😂😂😂😂, Joking !!!, 😊, Next , all I've to say is , GET Y SEN'S TU YORKSHIRE!!! You don't know what your missing , Yorkshire Dales , Yorkshire. Coast and loads more inland , can't you tell were from Yorkshire 😂😂😂, Take Care xx ❤️
We love Yorkshire and will definitely be visiting in the new van 🙂👍
Love how Ken didn’t know where carol was born 😄😄
Carol, if you get any negative comments, feel free to send them my way 😉
Will do, thank you 🙏 😀
Bit late with a question, sorry, but one of the music tracks you use for your backing music is brilliant I don’t know what it’s called but it’s drums and sounds like possibly a foreign tune, with what sounds like girls repeating the same thing over , but I love it?
Does not ring a bell but most of our videos list the music in the description.
You always go out with your backpacks, what do you carry in them?
Have you any plans on coming back to Ireland?
Do you not find the bed bit small for 2 of you? Looks v tight
How did you make your spice rack?
Nice lady Carol is 🏴
☺️
True Brits! Complained of too slow and tedious traffic in Norway.
Don’t be jealous
🤍🤍🤍
I hope your Bilbo will have more horsepower than your NV 200.
Yes but its heavier 😁👍
👍🌹
Nice to see you’re a lancashire lad, i’m from Burnley do you know it lol
Me to danny, also lived in sussex
Yes, know Burnley 🙂👍
Ditto. Same ferry, same location, N Spain May!!
Will you ever do that Isle of Wight