The Beach is Back!

[OGII]

I’m trying to get a look at how the Beach Camper camping unit works / looks in practise. In the UK, as it’s only recently been announced there isn’t much info available.
I believe these models have been available longer in Europe (I could be wrong).
One of my questions is to how / where the gas bottle is stored for the Beach Camper. Is there a fixed container for it and if so where is it and can someone provide pictures of it. Thanks.

The gas bottle is housed in a lidded box built into sidewall behind the passenger seat. Essentially underneath the new pull out hob but near passenger door pillar.

 

[AlisonF]

The gas bottle is housed in a lidded box built into sidewall behind the passenger seat. Essentially underneath the new pull out hob but near passenger door pillar.

Thanks. That’s really useful. I was suspecting a fitted box. As I would be planning on having dog crates fitted at the back, I was wanting to get images to see how they could fit. And also how I could access the back (around the 2 seat bench) if that makes sense...?

 

[OGII]

And also how I could access the back (around the 2 seat bench) if that makes sense...?

Think of a 2 seat bench Beach as an Ocean without the kitchen. The bench is in the same place in both, with a large low storage box in place of kitchen.

In Beach you could remove the storage box but in reality you'd not have much room to get to the back and it would be on the non door side. Better to pull bench forward as you would in the Ocean. All depends on size of your dog cages and access doors

 

[2haw]

You can see the Gas locker in this photo,.

 

[Meoncoast]

I think it is there in the square

 

[Perfectos]

Hi Alison

check out this website for photos and spec

Configurator for Volkswagen California Beach, Coast, Ocean. Free offer!

This is our configurator for the T6.1 VW California Beach, Coast or Ocean. Get a great deal on the price with free shipping within mainland Europe.

www.mycalifornia.eu

here is a photo of the camping gas bottle holder

 

[AlisonF]

I think it is there in the squareView attachment 67745

Ooh - I was expecting it to be behind or alongside the seat. Hence my concern for the space available rear for dog crates.

 

[2haw]

Decent image of kitchen with Storage box and 2 seat Bench. This is what will be available in the UK.

 

[AlisonF]

Think of a 2 seat bench Beach as an Ocean without the kitchen. The bench is in the same place in both, with a large low storage box in place of kitchen.

In Beach you could remove the storage box but in reality you'd not have much room to get to the back and it would be on the non door side. Better to pull bench forward as you would in the Ocean. All depends on size of your dog cages and access doors

Indeed. This why I’m looking at both the Camper and Tour versions to see what suits best for what I need it for.
My dog crates (a few posts up) would take up the full width and height behind the bench seats.

 

[AlisonF]

Decent image of kitchen with Storage box and 2 seat Bench. This is what will be available in the UK.

View attachment 67747

How easy is it to remove the storage box if not needed?

 

[2haw]

Decent image of kitchen with Storage box and 2 seat Bench. This is what will be available in the UK.

View attachment 67747

I don’t really see the point of this configuration.. May aswell just buy a Coast?

 

[2haw]

How easy is it to remove the storage box if not needed?

Unfortunately I don’t really know but doubt if it is that difficult.. I believe that it’s just bolted down into the 4th rail.

 

[AlisonF]

I don’t really see the point of this configuration.. May aswell just buy a Coast?

So I never looked at the Coast as what not expecting to buy another Cali.

 

[2haw]

So I never looked at the Coast as what not expecting to buy another Cali.

Have you decided to change your order from a Kombi or still undecided?

 

[AlisonF]

Have you decided to change your order from a Kombi or still undecided?

Very close. As I was upping the spec on the Kombi to be like a Beach. But... need a few more questions answering... is that ok?
Editted to say: I have said to many friends I just hope they reintroduce the Beach before December (when my Kombi is due to be delivered).

 

[2haw]

Very close. As I was upping the spec on the Kombi to be like a Beach. But... need a few more questions answering... is that ok?
Editted to say: I have said to many friends I just hope they reintroduce the Beach before December (when my Kombi is due to be delivered).

Ask away!
Not sure if you’re in a rush or not but the Beach won’t arrive in the UK until March

 

[BeagleMum]

How easy is it to remove the storage box if not needed?

Hi Alison, we have the 4 seater Beach, it’s easy to remove the storage box just a couple of bolts.

 

[AlisonF]

Ask away!
Not sure if you’re in a rush or not but the Beach won’t arrive in the UK until March

Haha - the orders start end Oct and my build for Kombi is first week of Nov...

 

[subthree]

I’m trying to get a look at how the Beach Camper camping unit works / looks in practise. In the UK, as it’s only recently been announced there isn’t much info available.
I believe these models have been available longer in Europe (I could be wrong).
One of my questions is to how / where the gas bottle is stored for the Beach Camper. Is there a fixed container for it and if so where is it and can someone provide pictures of it. Thanks.

From the German version of the California brochure.

 

[OGII]

How easy is it to remove the storage box if not needed?

Very. In T6 version just one twist/lift bolt inside the box. The box in 6.1 is similar(ish) and can be seen in the video an early European owner posted somewhere.

It does differ spacewise to the Ocean. You get full width boot and more air space even with the storage box in situ. Makes it easier to load bigger things.

 

[AlisonF]

Very. In T6 version just one twist/lift bolt inside the box. The box in 6.1 is similar(ish) and can be seen in the video an early European owner posted somewhere.

It does differ spacewise to the Ocean. You get full width boot and more air space even with the storage box in situ. Makes it easier to load bigger things.

Thank you

 

[2into1]

Am I right that the kitchen model just has that single burner but no fixed water installation? If so, I think there must be some doubt that the DVLA will accept it as a motorhome for taxation purposes. I’m reluctant to open that debate again, but the rules called for cooker / water / fixed or slide out table / and that it must “look” like a motorhome at a glance. The Ocean is pushing a few of those, the Beach more so.

I know that criteria applied to conversions, but similar rules must apply to new builds as every mpv would be classed as a motorhome for tax?

 

[subthree]

Here is the German version of the California brochure. Unless you are fluent in German then Google Translate is your friend. You might be able to glean a few other details as to what is, and is not, included in the 2 versions of the Beach.

 

[AlisonF]

I don’t really see the point of this configuration.. May aswell just buy a Coast?

Looking at the UK Brochure the Coast has a wardrobe, water and gas storage at the back and the overhead locker. This would not work for me as I want full width and height boot area for dog crates. If I’m wrong, hopefully someone will correct me.

 

[Borris]

Am I right that the kitchen model just has that single burner but no fixed water installation? If so, I think there must be some doubt that the DVLA will accept it as a motorhome for taxation purposes. I’m reluctant to open that debate again, but the rules called for cooker / water / fixed or slide out table / and that it must “look” like a motorhome at a glance. The Ocean is pushing a few of those, the Beach more so.

I know that criteria applied to conversions, but similar rules must apply to new builds as every mpv would be classed as a motorhome for tax?

I'm not sure myself but I believe I read somewhere that you have to have water storage but unlike the cooker, I don't remember reading that it must be fixed.