Crossing Ireland in a Volkswagen California

The Volkswagen California camper van has a long and illustrious heritage, and we wanted to found out what all the fuss was about. So we took one on a road trip to Ireland to find out what it’s like to actually live in. Or with.
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[@robertl2856]

What a great little adventure, thanks for sharing

[@AutoTraderTV]

Thanks for watching, Robert!

[@TheWanderingPhotographer]

Volkswagen California way 2 go

[@JustinSeara]

2:02 that pause and “should I be recording this?” 🤣🤣🤣

[@ishbOutu1]

With my partner we are two months into a tour of Norway and Iceland in a 2019 VW California. Your video is one of the best I have seen on this vehicle and should be adopted by VW sales as you explained so well all the aspects and features of the vehicle. My feelings after 2 months on the road is so similat to your own. We do use the gas but and it is not without problems, the main one being the difficulty in finding the gas bottle that fits the California in most European countries. Also on the rough unpaved roads of Iceland, both the connections on the gas regulator and the water pump both worked loose and we lost both gas and water for some time till we could get a repair. Apart from that I am truly amazed at how well the California is designed and I have no problem living in it for several months to come. It is my home, I don't need a house since I bought this campervan.

[@teaforthree1]

Simon Andrews Gaslow is the answer, with adapters for all over Europe

[@chrisneedham5803]

I've watched many many videos on 'Cali Campers' and I really enjoyed this one. Congratulations to you both 🍷🍺👍cheers

[@AutoTraderTV]

Thanks for the feedback, Chris! 😊

[@bbb12345]

I once rented a motorhome in Germany for the 2006 World Cup. I was with 4 friends and we drank all day. We too were a little bit messy all the times. The good thing is that we made a deal not to use the toilet for number 2, which was a very good deal actually. I can't imagine those 20 days with all that smell. At the end of the day, that's a very nice experience, specially when you are in your 20s.

[@smarte.r.1450]

What a fab little video. The balance of exploring the features and real world usage was well thought out. Thank you for a nice video both

[@ivobondptbe]

Really nice video and a wonderful way to promote a car. I have to admit I didn't thought this video would be as good as it was.

[@AutoTraderTV]

Thanks!

[@pdev9414]

We recognize the remark about keeping the van tidy. As we sleep with 4 in the van it is even worse. The only way for us is to bring only the real necessary stuff with us. And now we already enjoy our California very much for 4 years in a row. By the way we are with 2 adults and 2 kids, now 8 and 9 years old.

[@oisinryan503]

Love to people visiting my country 🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪

[@thomashops]

Thanks for sharing. Really appreciate the review.

[@sydneybaldwin3514]

Great video, this is my dream camper van. We did a van trip in New Zealand and loved it so much.

[@emmettcotter1206]

Please come back. That colour combo is what I'd choose, if I could afford a Caravelle. No mention of your visit to Cork, although I spotted you driving down the hill from Charles Fort. Shame on you! Glad you both enjoyed the trip.

[@glendree1]

Great video . Thank you

[@SunshineMix101]

'Great idea for a vid. 'Really enjoyed it from beginning to end. :)

[@gerainthopkins7576]

have a Toyota camper had it 10myears and been round Australia twice in it, big tip whatever you think you need half if and it will be way easier to pack stuff away tidy. Good video

[@gkelly34]

Looked lovely. Great review from both of you 👍

[@AutoTraderTV]

Thanks!

[@kimhorton6109]

Very nice vid of your trip. Glad you figured everything out before it was over. With a little practice it could be great fun. Minimalist is best.

[@HightLink]

It's all fun until you see the price tag on a california..

[@NNNFRAN]

Great review👌😊🙏❤️

[@keithskelton2287]

thanks for posting I have bought and been touring in a fully equipped 1975 VW Camper [which has a swing out cooker-so no cooking inside the van the van] and the California model seems to indicate that its my next upgrade Enjoy

[@chm1701]

This was a really fun and interesting video. I really enjoyed following along on your trip, and I’m really impressed with the California. The only negative with regards to this video is really only two things; 1) is that you didn’t use or show us using the sink, and 2), I wish you did use the gas hob, so we could hear any problems or negative thoughts you may have had. Anyway, great video. Have a like.

[@liammcerlean6020]

Great video - I enjoyed the banter, and the discovery of the VW nooks and crannies. There's a reason why the grass is so green in Ireland, the rain, so your optimistic weather forecast brought a "Just you wait" smile. Thanks for sharing the video. One Q - the bike rack - it seemed to work really well - can you share its make and model number? Many thanks. Bravo to you both.

[@bobi2582]

I bought an old 1997 Mazda Bongo Campervan 4x4 2.5ltr Auto Diesel which cost much, much less than the VW! From this video it would appear to have most of the features of the VW, with Fridge, Cooker, Sink, Heating, Auto Free Top etc. The key to a relaxed trip is organisation and minimalism. I have recently added a medium sized drive away awning so that if we are staying for a few nights at a place, it gives us extra living space and an extra bedroom. My old van cost me less around 6.5K but I have had a few issues and spent another £3.5k getting it sorted but it's still far cheaper than any VW!

[@caspercat39]

Really enjoyed this video , still think the California is way over priced , had my hiace 7 yrs no problems and cost under 7k

[@LewissChapman]

I might give this a try!

[@alanwayte1688]

Enjoyable and informative

[@AutoTraderTV]

Thanks for the feedback, Alan! Be sure to subscribe for more 😊

[@mancavemusician]

Really good video especially from the perspective of people who aren't experts.

[@ContraryMary]

Thanks for the video. About how much did the van rental cost for the days rented.

[@chakraUK]

2:02 lol

[@kevmeadows3915]

Good inspiring video. I’m about to take the plunge and the Cali you hired/borrowed is the one I was going to hire to see if we enjoy it. I fancy driving to Lake Como or Garda and stoping off at different places on the way there and back. If anyone has any suggested routes this would be a big help, thanks. You need to do a similar video on the Grand California to see if you like it any better?

[@raymck2115]

really liked it

[@washubrain]

Thanks for sharing guys! It seems you've had a decent fun with that little VW. On a practical side, however, I've done some maths and am not quite convinced. If you add up the extra petrol (my Hyundai Ioniq does 65 mpg) and the price of the camping, you do actually get quite the money that would pay for your hotel room (or so it seems). So, the only advantage there really is that is the extra stuff you can bring with you in a van. But do you really need so much stuff in the first place? Please tell me where I am wrong :)

[@MashabaZA]

They suit each other. Cool car.

[@fragu123]

OMG - As grown ups you have to be able to keep the inside of the bus clean and tidy...!🙄😂😂😂

[@farouqomaro598]

Wish they sell em here in Borneo

[@index1001]

SO..... Did you Christen the van ?

[@RobTheSeer]

Electric seats with memory would be helpful

[@richard63]

It gets messy real fast because you don't put things away after you use them.

[@sabinesabine7031]

Nice video and nice trip. But the people have way too many things with them in the van. Even half of it would be too much. And Ireland is not the ultimate camping destination because of the weather. I did it once and I know what I am talking about.

[@misaeltollenirizarry3342]

Whish they had them in USA. Such a pity.

[@davemcguigan218]

I agree, looks like a great camper! Not too big either. Especially with the name California!!!

[@hsvcommodore4111]

MISAEL TOLLEN IRIZARRY it is just too expensive for the u.s

[@davemcguigan218]

@@hsvcommodore4111 yes, very true unfortunately.

[@Ben-oy1td]

“Borrowed a California “ ! Wish we could do that

[@stringsnare]

why oh why oh why wont they bring this to canada, so frustrating.

[@srpskihayk]

Showers?

[@index1001]

Campsites. Also it has a little shower attachment at the back so you would need a cover of sorts.

[@elliot330]

"i think we should christen the van" Thank you VW said the camera man!

[@cynthiataylor2279]

Potti for the car

[@dunbarcustomsound]

No one will accuse me of being a globalist at all but I quite enjoy watching a film about van from Germany driven by two English persons crossing the ferry into Ireland in a vehicle named after the great state of California.

[@JoeMaranophotography]

As much as its probably very lovely to drive and likely gets good mpg. I just bought a Renault Trafic San Remo and could buy eight of them or more for the price I paid for it! They are just at least 10k overpriced to be feasible to anyone that actually wants one.

[@joebloggs2077]

Joe Marano Overpriced, yes - but very, very good - for many, many years

[@cheezybred]

Do you guys think British people do the accent when nobody is watching?

[@jeffchristie1541]

beautiful camper van but hideously overprised infact its ibscene what they charge for one end of the day its a van with a bed in it !!, even though its beautiful .

[@kaysommerville3034]

They are botttzzzzzzzz at camping

[@Dogteddy1]

awful vans

[@thebigchip]

andrew shilton very informative. Why?