Thinking of switching from full fat Cali to beach...

[TravellinJones]

Evening folks.

As per title we're considering trading in our Cali SE for a beach. Reason is we need more than 4 belted seats. We don't have the 5th seat and it doesn't appeal anyway. What we envisage is the 3 seat bench with 3 kids on it. Maybe with an extra sea for two stowed in the garage for use once or twice a year when we need them...

Questions are:

- anybody else made this move and if so, how was it for you? We've not been able to see a beach in the flesh and the brochure is not too informative. The list of standard equipment in the beach is dwarfed by those on the SE. Will we miss them?

- does the three seat bench have isofix attachments, if so how many (2 or 3 sets)?

- is the upstairs bed the same comfy wooden slatted one as the SE (I know the mechanism is manual rather than hydraulic but is that the only difference)?

- does the 3seat bench fold flat and make a reasonably comfortable bed as the 2seat SE bench does? Or is it more like a seat impersonating a bed if that makes sense??

Thanks all, and merry Crimbo

 

[TravellinJones]

Typo re. 2 seats. What I meant was 'or 2' not 'for 2'...

 

[TravellinJones]

Seats not seas! Doh, going to bed now

 

[Meoncoast]

When we were looking for a camper van we looked at the beach and were drawn to it by the yellow coloured one avalible, but as we wanted a built in cooker and fridge so crossed the beach off the list. we do not need more than 4 seats for us if we needed more than 4 seats and went for a beach we would be back to the how we would over come the cooker, there as some nice removable pods (at a price) I think we would go for.

 

[James]

You know you want to

Three seat bench is more of a seat impersonating a bed but everyone puts on a topper so that makes little difference. I love the full size bed, it's massive and lovely to sleep in. All that extra room in the back is great an makes the back very comfortable and practical.

The only other difference is the three seat bench is higher when it is a bed, but if you're looking for a MPV Beach, the three seater is the one.

Not sure about the isolfix points.

I also prefer the way the Beach drives, it's not as refined, or mine doesn't fee as, a full fat Cali but it's much more nimble and in my view a much more usable vehicle daily. You don't feel the weight as you do in a full Cali.


james

 

[Mollen]

Hi,

We made the move from a motorhome to a beach as we wanted the extra seat and we either went to a pub/restaurant or cooked outside so a little kitchen was not needed.
I have to agree with James that the Beach does drive better, the SE feels so much heavier. This was an important factor for us as despite wanting to go camping every weekend, work and other commitments doesn't allow it but we do drive it almost every day.
I have never camped in a SE so I can't help there but It would be interesting to hear from someone that has camped in both.

//Mart.

 

[James]

I've camped in both - I wouldn't say one is better, I prefer the space downstairs. I don't need a kitchen unit and that's what I like about the beach.

It's not just the space but the practicality. There are shelves and storage places galore, one you are away and into a routine it's simple to set up for the night and go in the morning.

I found the downstairs cramped in the full Cali for two.

James

 

[SteveM]

The three seat bench has 2 isofit points... but there is plenty of space for three to sit (potentially 3 child seats). The additional middle seats also have isofit points. If you can't find a dealer with a beach the carvelle with 'sleep' pack is the same in terms of the bench.

We hired SEs a number of times before getting a beach. Our style of camping always saw us cook outside - if it rained badly we would go to a pub! We soon realised that we did not need the cooker, sink or the storage (we prefer the bigger bed and have a storage tent). The only thing that I miss is the 'proper' fridge.

Steve.

 

[TravellinJones]

Thanks all, food for thought...

 

[jamesC]

For me, the lack of fridge was solved by the amazing Waeco CFX35 fridge/freezer. I've now mounted this on a pull out drawer in the rear.

 

[Robovw]

Where do you get the sliding drawer from please?

 

[jamesC]

It's an ABUS Fridge Slide, bought from MPS-trading on eBay. Great service!!

 

[surfbus]

For me, the lack of fridge was solved by the amazing Waeco CFX35 fridge/freezer. I've now mounted this on a pull out drawer in the rear.

Impressed with your Waeco installation.
I am looking at a similar setup and potentially buying one from here. http://www.norwichcamping.co.uk/product ... 35-cooler/
Unfortunately my prime supplier "Amazon" doesn't have this model and I know they are a bit cheaper on e-bay but would prefer to collect from a proper dealer.
I live in the Cambridge area, can you recommend anyone more local than Norwich?
Many thanks,
Bill

 

[jamesC]

Hi,

I think this is a specialist product, and finding a local dealer is likely to be tough. I would either buy from a proper Waeco dealer (on eBay) and take the saving, or whiz up the A11 to Norwich camping.... Probably worth the drive for a visit anyway!!

Are you going to mount it on a fridge slide??... Waeco will be offering their fridge slide in the UK this year apparently.

 

[Goldie]

For me, the lack of fridge was solved by the amazing Waeco CFX35 fridge/freezer. I've now mounted this on a pull out drawer in the rear.

Impressed with your Waeco installation.
I am looking at a similar setup and potentially buying one from here. http://www.norwichcamping.co.uk/product ... 35-cooler/
Unfortunately my prime supplier "Amazon" doesn't have this model and I know they are a bit cheaper on e-bay but would prefer to collect from a proper dealer.
I live in the Cambridge area, can you recommend anyone more local than Norwich?
Many thanks,
Bill

On eBay have a look for the seller aliandjoe

Business seller information
Midland Chandlers
Alastair Thomas
Century Park Industrial Estate
Ballin Road
Nuneaton
Warwickshire
CV10 9GA
United Kingdom

Phone:07778|677799
Email:aliandjoe@aol.com

I bought my fridge with free cover and porta potti from them. They are a boat chandlers and have two / three massive warehouses in Nuneaton. They had loads of Waeco stuff. This is also them http://www.arleigh.co.uk/ If not on eBay call Alistair and get him to match the price.

Oh and don't forget the two seater bench board is lower and you won't get a fridge in.

Andy

 

[surfbus]

RRZ and Andy,
Thanks for your input, I'll let you know what I decide to do..
Bill

 

[thesquirrelpatrol]

can anyone tell me the dimensions under the multiplex board in the back of the beach. I like the waeco cfx35 set up you have shown there, the internet says that the cfx35 is 411mm tall by 692mm at its longest point but id really like to get the bigger cfx50 which is 471mm tall by 725mm long if the rear space will allow, can anyone with a beach advise? Only a week til moby dick arrives so i might just wait til she gets here and check with a tape

 

[James]

can anyone tell me the dimensions under the multiplex board in the back of the beach. I like the waeco cfx35 set up you have shown there, the internet says that the cfx35 is 411mm tall by 692mm at its longest point but id really like to get the bigger cfx50 which is 471mm tall by 725mm long if the rear space will allow, can anyone with a beach advise? Only a week til moby dick arrives so i might just wait til she gets here and check with a tape

I can't give you the dimensions, but the 2 seater Beach will be different to the 3 Seat Beach.

2 Seat should be lower given you less height because the bed is designed to be lower.

James

 

[choplee]

Love the fridge on a slide and it's great you can move it in and out of the beach ,as well as into the seating area as well...... i am thinking a beach could be on the cards if my other cali plan doesn't come off next year

 

[James]

Love the fridge on a slide and it's great you can move it in and out of the beach ,as well as into the seating area as well...... i am thinking a beach could be on the cards if my other cali plan doesn't come off next year

This sounds interesting - Cali plan?


James

 

[Solgal]

It's an ABUS Fridge Slide, bought from MPS-trading on eBay. Great service!!

This looks great - just what we are looking for - but I can't find it on ebay. I tried searching the exact words too. Any thoughts? Thanks

 

[jamesC]

It's an ABUS Fridge Slide, bought from MPS-trading on eBay. Great service!!

This looks great - just what we are looking for - but I can't find it on ebay. I tried searching the exact words too. Any thoughts? Thanks

I originally bought the fridge from these guys http://www.mps-trading.co.uk/ although through there ebay webstore.

I was actually trying to buy the original Waeco Fridge Slide but when I contacted MPS he suggested and then supplied this ABUS item. It is bomb proof stuff, although to bolt it into the boot as I have done, I did need to drill some holes to line up with the runners in my beach.

Give them a call, they were very helpful!!

Be aware that the CFX35 just fits under the multiflex board in my three seater beach, the CFX40 version is too tall.

 

[thesquirrelpatrol]

It's an ABUS Fridge Slide, bought from MPS-trading on eBay. Great service!!

This looks great - just what we are looking for - but I can't find it on ebay. I tried searching the exact words too. Any thoughts? Thanks

I originally bought the fridge from these guys http://www.mps-trading.co.uk/ although through there ebay webstore.

I was actually trying to buy the original Waeco Fridge Slide but when I contacted MPS he suggested and then supplied this ABUS item. It is bomb proof stuff, although to bolt it into the boot as I have done, I did need to drill some holes to line up with the runners in my beach.

Give them a call, they were very helpful!!


Be aware that the CFX35 just fits under the multiflex board in my three seater beach, the CFX40 version is too tall.

Would fit without the height added by the slide?

 

[jamesC]

Would fit without the height added by the slide?[/quote]

No, I think the CFX40 is 5 or 6 cm taller, the slide adds maybe 2cm at the most.

By the way to correct myself, my slide is not ABUS but ARB

 

[KernowLad]

It is rather embarrassing in a Cali SE when you can't give even one person a lift because of the lack of seats. Even our little hatch seats five!