**FULL REVIEW** - VW T6.1 California Beach Camper

[@ABusAndBeyond]

Check out our special Rosetta-Stone link right here! -> www.rosettastone.co.uk/abusandbeyond/

[@rickyard11]

This has to be the best “real world” review of the T6.1 beach currently available. Well done!

[@ABusAndBeyond]

Aw wow thank you so much! This one was a lot of effort so comments like this are so much appreciated! 😊

[@CaliLeaks]

Pretty good summary of the Beach! One thing to point out is that the burner can be used for a morning cuppa with the bed out in the Camper version with the 2-seat bench as it is lower. You can also sit up in bed with the roof down, which is trickier with the 3-seater… unless you are Bentley 😀

[@peteypops]

We really appreciate all the hard work you and Sean are putting in to these videos.

[@ianburton9223]

Been looking at many Beach reviews for a while. Your content in this clip is really well structured, informative and convincing - this is the one for us. Thank you.

[@ABusAndBeyond]

Thanks so much! Enjoy your van!

[@matterson1070]

I love your videos keep making in them for someone who has a disability and can't drive these videos are fun for me because I can imagine that I'm part of the team

[@CaravanningwiththeCoxs]

Great video guys! I love driving the campers at work but only driven the 102ps Manuals and always been impressed, the new T6.1 is much better than the previous, much nicer cab!

[@bas3387]

Good video of all the features. Well done and all the best for the channel 👍

[@jeanbenn6470]

Hi guys, we’ve been following you since 2019, you are THE BEST! Can you help, here’s my dilemma….. we bought a brand new California Ocean in 2019. We have never camped, motor-homed or caravanned previously. We went away 2 or 3 times in it and it was disastrous! We have a large German Shepard and a good sized German Wire Haired Pointer……. We had VERY little room, it was horrible. We sold it. However, my hankering to get away and travel has never left me. (We are both retired cops) My partner will not entertain buying a motor home, only a camper-van. We’ve now been to look at the VW California Beach Camper, and my, partner loves it. I’m actually a little concerned that it doesn’t meet all of my ‘wants’. Ok it has the cooker, but would I be seriously able to kit it out comfortably with equipment needed for say, a week long trip, just living out of the van and NOT compromising on the space for the dogs, bedding, clothes etc….. PLEASE help, if you can, with any advice, and help save a marriage!! (Only joking😂) Jean.

[@Riso-Musik]

That's a nice surfer van. With the cooker in the door is neater than a full kitchen. I'm impressed.

[@1nfiniteloop]

Just came across this van and found your review first up. Awesome job. Your son seems happy with it ! Love the dogs! Hope you and your family have fun with this vehicle!😀

[@emelinecoyne7531]

An amazing video of the new beach. We really appreciate it.

[@nlale7]

ordered a Beach in January this year and this is so helpful, thanks for the detailed review, by far the best video I've seen on this model. So excited to get my hands on my own now. 🥰

[@ABusAndBeyond]

Ah wow so exciting!!! They’re brilliant vans but it’s funny, for a van that initially seems so “empty” it’s actually full of clever equipment that’s easy to overlook! Welcome to the “life’s a beach” family!

[@joannebaguley384]

Thanks for this review. It really helped us to decide and we've just ordered our Beach Camper 🤩. Now I just need to find a fridge that'll work with the two seater bench option. Love your content.

[@kirstyashcroft7738]

Great van tour 👍. The golden retrievers was the best part…. 3 on the bed showed just how big the bed is 🤩🤩

[@ABusAndBeyond]

I wish all measurements came in Golden Retriever.

[@martynholder1971]

Great video my last motor home was a coach bilt 7.4 m now looking for a camper van just for me with storage for my wing foil equipment don't want to keep moving about things to find them but still need a suitable replacement of my car

[@chrisyates399]

Great detailed review as always. I'm please that you can spec the LED lights with the LED DRLs - a must-have in my view.

[@liamhoad8445]

I realise this is an old video but it’s really helpful so thank you. I wondered when you changed from an Ocean to a Beach. I’m pondering which is best for my family and love the downstairs space in the Beach.

[@ABusAndBeyond]

Thank you so much for such lovely feedback! The T6.1 beach has a lot of space, it’s one of my favourite Cali’s!

[@haseebiqbal3426]

Really nice comprehensive review, thank you. We have a 2012 T5.1 California SE, but I am looking for a Beach camper and this was really helpful. ☺️.

[@melanievandriel4782]

Love the review, waiting on ours to arrive in Australia and keen to order a Drifta kitchen but having a hard time to find the exact dimensions of this exact version under the shelf area in the back, particularly the height (without hitting that bar underneath or any hinges) and how deep a kitchen box or drawer can be when it’s set up properly in bed format (so there’s no gap). There haven’t been any to view at any of the dealers around here since last year or I’d go and measure it myself ;) thanks and keep up the great vids

[@chow24]

Don't get one there over priced crap

[@pamdooner9922]

Re the toll booths (péages here in France), you absolutely MUST get a "badge". I got one for my daughter who comes to visit from UK as a single person in a UK car and it is absolutely brilliant. You only pay 2€ per month fee to use it when you use it, nothing otherwise, and you just sail through the péages and the total is debited from your bank account the following month. You can buy more than one "support" (holder) so you can use it on several vehicles. Sometimes there are promos (I got one with 8 months free fees) and often the caravan clubs have deals too. I have now ordered one for ourselves as we have a UK car despite living in France. It would have been brilliant when towing our caravan. Hindsight, eh?

[@phillipjacobs8574]

We recently took our Beach to France for our Easter break. The péages can be stressful, even when you've got a person dealing with them in the passenger seat. You've sometime got to get out or stretch through there window to grab the ticket, contactless card payments don't work in places, etc. Great tip! Can you buy a 'badge' in the UK or in France in advance?

[@entrelesmainsdupotier-arte5167]

🌏🗼🥐 *Hello from a FRENCH visitor* *It's my dream to have that kind of van* *I really love it* 🚐🚐🚐🚐 thank you for sharing with us!

[@nicocd8460]

Great video!!!! I am looking desperately for that 6-piece comfort mattress. Where did you get yours from? Only finding 3 piece

[@dstephan34]

I've been saying how much I'd like these campers to use a Rivian style slide out kitchen, and I still do, but what they've done with the kitchen here is almost as good. Really looking forward to the EV version. Don't mind using one as my daily driver if I'm not paying for gas.

[@timeaves6164]

Hello, great channel, love the info. Well done, they are getting better each time. The awning handle that fell out of your rear hatch.... if yo open the drawer under the rear seat, and look at the n/s inner edge and the front inner edge, there are some plastic clips to store it on. no more drops!

[@ABusAndBeyond]

Thank you for watching & glad you are enjoying it! This is the case on the two seater Calis but we have a 3 seater bench for our rear seats and it doesn’t have that same draw configuration.

[@PeterPanQuails]

Wonder how easy is it to swivel the front seats? The ktichen design is quite clever. Personally I would prefer an electric induction cooktop rather than a gas cooktop. The space for the gas cylinder can be used for extra battery. If the rooftop can be covered with a solar panel, even better.

[@normhanson981]

Looks beautiful 👍, I’d love one , sounds like a brilliant spec , thank you .

[@Professionalmoochers]

Good review with a nice vibe. And… Shaun’s French!! 👌🏼🇫🇷🤩

[@alanwilliams1528]

Another brilliant thorough review.

[@stevezodiac491]

There is a massive advantage to barn doors whilst camping. If the back is rammed with gear, like seems to be the case on every outing, you can open one of the barn doors, without everything falling on the floor, which is not the case with a tailgate and therefore you have to carry less because you can't hold the contents in whilst shutting the tailgate.

[@ABusAndBeyond]

A suitcase once fell out onto my foot from our van so I can defo agree there’s pros and cons to both.

[@ahde3133]

Thanks for a superb and thorough review.👍 May I ask if the rear passenger seats can be fully removed? Thanks in advance! 😊

[@hydrotricine]

Im waiting for my Beach Camper since October, with all the delays i wonder what will be the differences to yours when mine finally arrives haha. Thanks for the review

[@pm2618]

Thank you very much. Very useful. Would love to see the logistics involved when you go on travel: fridge, toilet, clothes, baby chair... etc.

[@ABusAndBeyond]

I wish we were organised enough to have a set list but since Harv is constantly changing our list is also constantly changing. I agree we should do a video about it one day but it’s no fun to pack a van without a trip! Glad you enjoyed the video!

[@belgocanuck123]

awesome license plate :)

[@JackSparrow-tk2si]

What a great review extremally thorough and puts a lot of my doubts/random thoughts to bed... My wife and I are currently getting quotes for the Beach camper as this is our first camper to purchase do you have or anyone in the comments have any tips and advice for us. it would be greatly appreciated.

[@PietroRusso-l8d]

where can i buy the carpet set from ? great video x

[@karenley7356]

Loved this video. We have just sold our VW Beach (2007) a much loved camper van!. We live in Australia and have just bought a new VW T6.1 which took a year to arrive from Australia. Would you believe we sold it for $7000 less than we bought it for!

[@K_H-Channel]

I feel like California beach two seat version would be more practical with one kid and a dog or two kids. Two seat version gives you a longer bed with the same width, you can open the kitchen while the bed is extended, more head room to be more comfortable while sitting on the bed and to fit taller items such as a sofa/couch in case of a move. And you can get an extra survival seat from vw which can be mounted right in front of the back seat (for grand parents). That makes it 3 seats in the back for those occasional trips with grand parents. Any thoughts?

[@ABusAndBeyond]

You make very fair points. For us we still like the 3 seater bench as we do use it regularly and with a baby seat to move plus another entire survival seat to store I’m not sure I’d be as happy. But certainly there are a lot of pros to the two seats that will suit a LOT of people which is why having both available is great!

[@K_H-Channel]

@@ABusAndBeyond Haha, you are assuming grand parents get to sit together. Baby seat stays where it is. lol. Jokes aside, I agree, it's great to have both configurations available. Keep making great videos. Thank you.

[@adiehull]

Love the Beach, less is more in my opinion! The extra space is great 👍🏻 PS, wish I could afford your wheels and suspension 😂 they look great

[@ABusAndBeyond]

Thanks! We like them too! Thanks for watching!

[@sadhuandrei9461]

thanks for the comprehensive review! But if I understand correctly, there is no water sink at all? bummer, that’s a major deal breaker for me 😢

[@ABusAndBeyond]

No afraid not on the Beach. There is in the Ocean and Surf versions though.

[@jackfinn2199]

Totally agree with you Lizzie, the 20 inch wheels look way cooler

[@LucyCooke1]

Fab video as always. Thank you. We bought an Ocean after watching your videos (you should get the commission from that sale!) and have loved every minute of our 10 month ownership. So thank you soooo much. We also have a Golden Retriever but that was a purchase 10 years ago so you can’t have the commission for that one! 🤣

[@ABusAndBeyond]

So glad you’re loving it!! Haha yeah send us the commission! 😂

[@davidtaylor9562]

Loads of money is it worth it. We’ve got aCalifornia Beach 2018. I like the little upgrades like cooker. 👍

[@richwilson5736]

Great video. Are there any speakers in the back for rear passengers? I know in the ocean they are built into the storage

[@spikeboydell]

Interesting to see how different the specification is on the UK version compared to the Beach variant in Australia. In Australia, we only have the Beach available… but it is 5 door and does not have the pull-up kitchen. Instead we can use things like the VanEssa Mobil Camping kitchen module accessed via the rear door.

[@ABusAndBeyond]

Oh wow that’s quite different! I love the hidden kitchen. It would feel very different without it.

[@Haaarthur]

Thanks for the great review! Does the side attachment shown at 17:45 come as standard, or was it added?

[@ABusAndBeyond]

Comes as standard on the Beach 👍

[@Haaarthur]

@@ABusAndBeyond Thank you very much for the quick reply! Do you happen to know if this was already the case with the T6?

[@christinahogg3752]

Yet another good review thank you. Regarding the VW manual we keep ours in the passenger seat pocket next to the door it fits perfectly.

[@ABusAndBeyond]

Good shout!!

[@gkelly34]

Loved this review! Thank you 🙏

[@ABusAndBeyond]

Thank you so much!

[@brianbrown6342]

Round of applause on the number plate

[@Trollhater-mb8ne]

Thought this was a voice over vlog then I realised you were there in camo 😂😂😂#sorry dad joke

[@peten4043]

Great video…. 😊 How did you find the ride after you changed the wheels and suspension?

[@ABusAndBeyond]

It’s incredibly flat round the corners now! Just like a Porsche!….ish 😂

[@peten4043]

@@ABusAndBeyond I bet haha

[@collinsgp1]

Great balanced review - thanks

[@garden-Railway]

I travel alone with one retriever, it’s a pity there isn’t a single bed version and that would allow space for hob with bed Down , is 3 seats wide enough to sleep on ?

[@jaredebeling1412]

Great review thanks

[@enyaq_gorm]

Agreed on cruise, my T6 is so much better than my tesla was. Phantom braking is a well known "feature" on the model 3 and has been for years now 😢 All our phones have been usb C for the last few years now.

[@garethlewis3647]

Well done! Excellent review

[@konopsfelgerman7729]

What's that golden sticker you have on the bottom left of the fifth door/boot ? Seen that on other vans and don't know what it corresponds to... Beautiful vid. Cheers from France.

[@ABusAndBeyond]

It’s a gas check sticker from the factory. I believe it’s a legal requirement in Germany if carrying gas but not here in U.K. so some people remove them

[@FPLInsights]

Great video. We’re unsure whether to go for a transporter conversion or a California so this helps a bit. Do you have any tips for what to do with chunky car seats when using the bed?

[@ABusAndBeyond]

In our particular beach our car seat does actually fit under the rear portion of the downstairs bed (in the boot) but otherwise storing one in an awning is always an option.

[@FPLInsights]

@@ABusAndBeyond makes sense thank you!

[@sylviapage8572]

Great review. Thanks for sharing.

[@Cuchulain-rk1kw]

Great vid - thanks - what a van! And yes I did think that was your very flash house for a bit…….😄

[@ABusAndBeyond]

Haha I wish!!! Thanks for watching!

[@michaelflinn7784]

What's the quality like? On the Grand California it's terrible. Literally failing all the time and no one seems to be able to fix things. The agents finally told me to join a online group to get assistance and fix things myself. Not good enough VW.

[@ABusAndBeyond]

No issues on the Beach. Not much to go wrong and it’s a tried and tested format. 👍

[@algyk]

Hi - do you know if the 6.1 engines are ULEZ compliant? Or would I need to wait for the new generation 7 model.

[@MartinBradbury]

Great review. I’ve been waiting for ages for this. Million dollar question though. Can you get a good nights sleep in them, which is more comfortable upstairs or down. And how warm are they overnight?

[@CYBERTWIN68]

Definitely warmer downstairs !! But upstairs in summer is great fun. Yes you can get a good nights sleep just need to get a good mattress and then decide what covers to use, I use Voited blankets which are maxing and pack away pretty small compared to a duvet.

[@ABusAndBeyond]

I sleep very comfortably both downstairs and upstairs! But the bed is bigger downstairs.

[@alanbenham4139]

Thank you for a super video review.

[@CYBERTWIN68]

Have a you noticed any crackles on your audio when you have your phone plugged in and using CarPlay ? Drives me crazy !!!

[@ABusAndBeyond]

Oh really? Can’t say I’ve had any crackles at all. Maybe check your cable?

[@CYBERTWIN68]

@@ABusAndBeyond yeah done that and replaced it seems a common problem with VW saying they know nothing about it, very frustrating 😞

[@phillipjacobs8574]

@@CYBERTWIN68 Yes, I've had this problem too! Haven't chased it up yet! Have you got to the bottom of it?

[@CYBERTWIN68]

@@phillipjacobs8574 Hi Philip nope had no luck whatsoever I am afraid 😳

[@stevepro7992]

May i ask if u have bigger rims then would it be much fuel consuming in case? 😅

[@marcgraham2275]

Awesome van love it wouldn’t change a thing 👍✌️🇺🇸

[@pt712]

We have a coast coming. Beach wasn’t available when ordering. but they’re arguably plus & negs to both. Very good review.

[@ABusAndBeyond]

Definitely need to buy what’s right for you! I wouldn’t say the Beach is a perfect fit for everyone. Exciting about your coast!

[@phillipjacobs8574]

@@ABusAndBeyond Great video! We got our Beach last April (after a six month wait) and we absolutely love it!

[@joannebaguley384]

@@phillipjacobs8574 only 6 months? That's exciting. I've just ordered a Beach and I'm expecting to wait a year. 6 months would be amazing!

[@sheilajoseph9953]

I really like that. I'm looking for a smaller camper, that ticks a lot of boxes.

[@ABusAndBeyond]

It’s extremely versatile! Thanks for watching!

[@richardsracingmad]

I’m looking at the new T6.1 order which has, apparently, a year (approx) waiting list…..but there is a new Transporter coming next year as we all know…..so I am holding back, as I don’t want to spend a fortune on a new van that will be “the old model” a few months after delivery………

[@hydrotricine]

I ordered mine in October and now with all the delays im assuming its going to be a 2023 delivery, that makes it a strange timeline because like you said, apparently the new transporter will be announced in 2023,so either thousands of costumers are going to get the new generation model or we are going to be delivered the old model for the price of a new model

[@richardsracingmad]

@@hydrotricine if you ordered the old model, that’s what you will be supplied with.

[@joc1976]

@@hydrotricine have u not had ur van yet. I ordered beginning October and had it last week

[@hydrotricine]

@@joc1976 HI Joseph, my order is going to arrive in some weeks, unfortunately, VW Portugal made a mistake and ordered the wrong spec so I declined, and insisted on them delivering what I ordered, so I'm officially back to the waiting list since two weeks ago,talk about bad luck ☹️

[@joc1976]

@@hydrotricine that’s unfortunate. hope it comes soon 😃

[@Bisley303]

Just got our Beach camper last week. Went for the reversing camera - we keep getting a “park assist camera unavailable error” - ever had that with yours?

[@garthjunor3027]

Coast, Crafter, Tesla, and the Landy still? Is that enough?

[@seanfallon4580]

Thank you for a very informative video of this california Beach I was wondering is there more room for a porta potti when the bed is made up ? as in the california coast theyre is just about enough room it just about fits Thanks again for a lovely review 😚😊😚

[@ABusAndBeyond]

Definitely more room for a porta potty in the beach than say a coast or ocean. Thanks for watching!

[@laurablake2711]

Where did you get the flower sticker for your table? It’s beautiful.

[@ABusAndBeyond]

Pixers! It’s great isn’t it! Thanks for watching!!

[@chloeleedow7250]

The price of these are obscene but I want one they are gorgeous after your upgrades wheels etc. Only apple users will be weirded out by usb c ports lol they are the norm for anyone else and far more practical. 😊

[@DarkWildSaison]

USB C ports are perfectly fine for Apple users. The charging cables are USB C to Lightning so it’s all good.

[@chloeleedow7250]

@@DarkWildSaison be even better for Apple users once usb c is forced on Apple although they are still keeping transfer speeds at usb 2.0 (lightning interface speeds) except for pro models because that's just Apple lol why would you want to hold people back and throttle their speeds when the technical infrastructure exists for much better performance only Apple would do it although it seems mainly isolated to their phones still kinda crappy 🤷‍♂️

[@DarkWildSaison]

@@chloeleedow7250 it is kinda crappy but tbh I don’t remember the last time I used a cable connection on my phone for anything other than a charge… But yeah I’d prefer usb c even just to be able to use the same cable to charge either the laptop or the phone.

[@nicr361]

Am I right in thinking it has no sink? Plus, where is the fridge? Thanks a lot!

[@ABusAndBeyond]

Correct, there’s no sink but we have a removable fridge under the bed in the boot

[@nicr361]

@@ABusAndBeyond many thanks for confirming! I was surprised so thought I might have missed the sink location!

[@iFunkMasterJ]

We hired a LWB converted Transporter which only just squeezed onto our drive. The length of the tailgate meant we couldn't open it fully without hitting the house. Also, our thinking of parked up in the street would mean limited access to the 'boot' if someone parked too close for the tailgate to open?

[@notoriouscab]

Great video as always. Personally, VW factory would be my last choice for a camper. If you’re talking comparable, Westfalia are far better, and then you have 3rd party converters. For example, I’m 100% certain your Crafter will be better than a Grand 😉.

[@ABusAndBeyond]

Thanks so much for watching!

[@jimmawdsley5043]

Love your videos. Great music. Artist? Album?

[@ABusAndBeyond]

We put all the songs in the description. Thanks! Glad you’ve enjoyed it!!

[@PaulJames-uz5yl]

excellent review :-)

[@ABusAndBeyond]

Thank you!

[@bourdon845]

Joli !

[@asperorugoso]

GB IS in Europe!

[@tyrfingarngrim674]

Take a shot every time she says actually. I'm friggin smashed right now 🤪

[@ABusAndBeyond]

*always drink responsibly 😜

[@TheExumRidge]

Put the manual on your phone as pdf. Then you can ditch the paper copy at home.

[@jackfinn2199]

Or if you park with the drivers door next to a wall or hedge

[@montybarko8461]

All measurements should be given in golden retrievers!😆

[@ABusAndBeyond]

Haha couldn’t agree more!!! Though I might need more golden retrievers….🤔

[@alisonb4898]

Seriously, you think a 1 gas hob is a full kitchen ?

[@tobywan12]

Is that titchfield heaven at the end??

[@ABusAndBeyond]

Yes it is 😊

[@tobywan12]

@@ABusAndBeyond Thought it was. I live in Sarisbury and ride that route a lot. I also park our VW t6 up there to have sinner sometimes watching the sea :)

[@timeaves6164]

@@tobywan12 ....dinner, surely?

[@tobywan12]

@@timeaves6164 yeah dinner sometimes sinner. Depends on the mood 😂

[@richardsracingmad]

…if Bentley is 43 kgs that’s heavy….surely 23 kgs?

[@ABusAndBeyond]

Nope. Definitely 43kg.

[@richardsracingmad]

@@ABusAndBeyond oof!

[@feonajen]

Can't watch rest of it.. Sorry.. The background sound is just too much...

[@blueenduro5060]

Camper vans are getting ridiculously too expensive, eventually people will stop even being interested into it. I mean 60k for a camper, I’d rather just get a hotel lol.

[@chloeleedow7250]

Eww oem wheels hideous lovely upgrade 👌

[@kevinreilly9482]

Too small

[@feonajen]

Excellent review but get rid of that god awful music in background.. It takes away the effect of excellent review

[@chow24]

Over priced and the company know it

[@boppzz]

Over priced piece of shit. I’ll build my own.

[@timeaves6164]

I can just imagine what that would be like!

[@timeaves6164]

You little wordsmith!