MODIFIED VW Grand California TOUR

[@fisgumper]

One of the reasons I bought my GC600 is that it had a cool looking Skandi interior anything to get away from fake wood. Got to agree it can look a bit clinical my solution is to use colours for bed covers and pillows. I do like the plants in the cubby holes looks great but we tend to need the space for storage. Best accessory is Wi Fi and a camera rear view mirror. Like you love this van just been north south in France it cruises at 80 mph get around 27 mpg.

[@dg8579]

Same here. Went with GC600 for the Scandinavian minimalistic design and away from veneer in all other campers.

[@shanewaller2864]

Cracking video again Chris, I finally picked up my new t6.1 swamper last Saturday I spent a week in Wales camping with the wife ,best vehicle I've ever bought. Bit like you I spent a small fortune but it was worth every penny and I'd do it again in a heart beat

[@trevortaylor8317]

Hi Cris . Elastic bands on the spice jars x. Will stop noise. Roller towel in cupboard above sink ..just pull through. And tear off.

[@stevepickering5866]

Chris, I have a GC 680 in the same colour and have done a few of the same things, best thing I did was extra shelves in some of the cupboards and had the seat re-upholstered in leather and alcantara, I also bought a Bluetooth projector and screen instead of a tv and lastly upgraded the solar and batteries to lithium…everything makes a little difference which all adds up to a much experience out in the big wide World !

[@fliesbychris]

They all have teething problems Chris, we being Scottish and a Schwab(German tight person) bought a 5m40 camper at the camping expo in Stuttgart 5 years ago for the massive price of €35000, with a few extras, it's comfy to drive the bed is great and gets us where we want to go, that's all we need. Oh yeah it's a fiat ducato with a pössel camper. Carry on the good work!!! ATB Chris.

[@timothypearce3738]

Love the brutal honesty

[@ChrisSloanes]

It’s the only way 😂

[@timothypearce3738]

@@ChrisSloanes loved the NC500 vids as well think we will be taking your advice.

[@eTrUSCANdigitalnomad]

Hi Chris, I just got this answer from VW official shop: "Grand California 600 4Motion models can't be sold in EU due to non-compliance with the applicable CO2 requirements. But at this moment all Grand California models are closed for orders.

[@karenwilkinson5622]

Hilarious 😂😂😂😂😂😂 .. Just one thing that I'm sure you would have thought out except would the spice racks not have fit behind the kitchen cupboard doors ? .. Brilliant video .. Your travels are amazing .. X

[@DavidSmith-pd6qy]

Top videos, great delivery! I love the humour too 👍😂 I have the 680 4motion as I am one of them blokes you mentioned with grandfather rights! I know I am lucky because as a big fat bloke sleeping length ways is better and just gives me and the wife a bit more room. I know people say to me what I could have brought if I had gone for a conversion but for my first van I was happy with a VW factory build and don’t regret it. Keep up the good work love the upgrades/changes

[@philpryor3152]

Very refreshing approach to reviewing your van, has helped me a lot, along with the VWCC forum to get a grip of what to expect in terms of issues but also the good bits, I’m going in eyes open this week! So thank you for helping me out. All campers have some issues and most conversions at Crafter size, with the kit you get in the GC are easily as expensive or more. Finally, great quality video.

[@ChrisSloanes]

Thanks Phil. Glad you found it useful and good luck

[@carolspencer5844]

P.S use command strips for the picture frames and a little wedge of foam between the spice jars. Rattles drive me nutts too.

[@pt712]

You did good buying it. We bought a California Coast. Wouldn't have bought one of those big motor homes. Just don't get that.

[@Nordkapp65]

Looks a super job Chris. Being a factory build will keep its value. Look forward to seeing your adventures. Enjoy. The video and audio footage are spot on too.

[@lizvickers7156]

Love your videos and love your sarcasm. Great couple 😁

[@GeordsYouTube]

The improvement on sound and image quality is fantastic, keep on with the great content and production quality. Oh and money well spent on the microphone and camera

[@ChrisSloanes]

Thanks! Appreciate it. Was a big jump changing from the only brand I’ve ever used but by god the quality is so much better. The audio will get even better as I had the mic in the wrong setting so that will be fixed for the next video 👍🏻

[@carolspencer5844]

Hi Cris, great video. Sound quality and picture quality is spot on. Love the humour of the videos. Plenty of people called Jeff in ireland too!!. Love the mods. Jealous of the fact you can get all that stuff in UK. Here in Ireland there is feck all to be had and getting it imported to ireland from UK, sell a kidney. Love the van. Keep up the good work.

[@67MJH]

Mystery over, thought Danny has been at it again. I watched an earlier video and I thought that’s a nice touch a lamp with a shade over the table. No it kitchen bloody paper!

[@ChrisSloanes]

😂😂😂 hahaha that tickled me. Might change it to a lamp now though, great idea 🤣

[@marionbobet5458]

Great video, gives us a lot of inspiration for pimping our Grand Cali as well. I am interested in the reference of the storage boxes you placed on the upper part - on the second bed really. I am looking for the exact same ones basically. Thanks a lot!

[@markbewley4974]

Great video mate,very direct and honest opinions . Nothing else compares to the look of a VW swamper . I have a T5 . It is all about the experience and pleasure your van can give you . The money is a distant 3rd . If you can afford why not, life is to short. Happy camping !

[@RB-lt8kt]

Another funny video, brilliant dark humour. Personally prefer a 4x4 and large caravan that cost us £65k for the 2 (new caravan 2021 and 1 year old Kia 4x4 bought a couple of years ago). Everyone is different and we all end up modifying our mobile homes as we use them. I was tempted to do a large van conversion as I'm quite good with my hands but having to accommodate 4 and a dog needed something bigger. Really good seeing honest reviews and the van you bought land modified looks amazing.

[@pt712]

The new Sony works well good luck with it & good video.

[@maioiam]

Nice extensions! Are there any links for the products you have used?

[@RyanPerrella]

2:37 I LOVE THIS! Burn their retinas with a quick flash and overtake them while they recover. How’s the modified GrandCalifornia handle trails and off road highland situations? I wish they sold these in America, i think they are so cool I could just expatriate and live in a Grand California all over Europe, especially Scotland. Nice choice in travel, i’m dying to import an early T5 AWD Diesel California Ocean into the US under the 25year old exclusion, i really love these new 600 Grand models with the toilet and the twin sleeping spaces at both ends of the camper, i think this thing is a design wonder although you would have much better experience in the day to day living with one. Cool video. Oh BTW: if your camera can shoot in HDR (Like the DJI cameras of 2024) try using that setting and your opening shot wont be so blown out where it can only expose the interior scene (you) or the out the window exterior (the van). If you shoot in 4:2:0 HDR you can get an out of camera (no color correcting) high dynamic range where BOTH van and yourself will appear exposed better, so neither is completely blown out and appearing as white. Happy travels!

[@daverobertson2162]

perfectly delivered , good video and jeff had it coming

[@carcharodon9894]

Sound and picture quality is grand Chris. The van looks good and you have it just how you want it to be. Mine is still in the planning stages, and your videos, as well as other channels, have helped me choose what it will include or miss out. Keep em coming.

[@ChrisSloanes]

Thanks Rick. Glad you noticed the quality difference. Sweet, what van is it your doing?

[@carcharodon9894]

@@ChrisSloanes We are having a lwb crafter made up for us and the dog. The garage has to be tall enough to fit 29" mtb bikes, so we need a roof pod to give some head room. Was considering having just a small set of leisure batts, and using a large power generator system for electrical stuff, like an ecoflow etc.

[@ChrisSloanes]

Sweet sounds awesome. Bet you can’t wait to get it all sorted and be able to start using it?

[@carcharodon9894]

@@ChrisSloanes cheers, yes can't wait. We have to pick it up from the vw dealer today, after they replaced a rear door. The hinge cracked the door. They have been so good making the van good with items after we bought it. So glad we went to a main dealership.

[@Deano1mtb]

Another great video 👍 Chris let me know if you want do decide to change your wheels in the next few weeks, I'm just in Whitley Bay so could collect 😎

[@melvindevries_nl]

Cool video, how do you find the rear lower cabinets? Do they keep your clothes in when opening the hatch?

[@colinrattray816]

Brilliant video again, loving this journey on here, you are obviously very talented at all the installations you have carried out.

[@ChrisSloanes]

I have not installed all the modifications. I had them installed by people I know that are talented at installing things. The van would be broken or burned down if I had done it all

[@dg8579]

Great funny video as always! Also appreciate how much effort you put into it. Few realise how much work goes into scripting, filming and my most dreadful time... editing! Image quality is great! Seems like you have a 24mm 1.4 GM lens on it? DJI mikes are also good! I went for Sony A7C and Sony mics.

[@urbanarkoverland]

Love the slapstick element mate. It’s refreshing. Honestly….. always been envious of the space these cali’s have. But didn’t think they could look cool. Yours does…… so I was wrong 👍🏻👍🏻

[@ChrisSloanes]

Thanks man appreciate the nice comment. Haha yeah that’s why I spent so much time in photoshop trying to figure out what would work. sporty wasn’t gunna work it’s too too heavy and ugly so rugged was my only option 😂

[@ChrisSloanes]

A bit like when fat blokes shave a jawline into their beard. They still ugly but they just look a bit better 😂

[@urbanarkoverland]

@@ChrisSloanes you getting to the overland show. But of a drive for you. But you basically have a massive limo so shouldn’t be a problem. 👍🏻

[@ChrisSloanes]

@@urbanarkoverland haha when and where is it? We are in Copenhagen at the minute and heading to Greece in a week but if we home I might be able to pop down.

[@urbanarkoverland]

@@ChrisSloanes you doing all this in the van?? Please say yes ha. Early June Stratford upon Avon. It’s a cool show man. All sorts. Everything on muddy tyres 👍🏻😂

[@cappmw]

Good video again, it is really interesting to hear your journey with the van, and it has a very different feel to other 'van life' content. Keep up the great work!

[@ChrisSloanes]

Yeah because mine keeps breaking 😂😂 thanks glad you like the videos

[@cappmw]

@@ChrisSloanes 🤣 Keep at it and keep it real. Great production quality too.

[@flightsimcentre9244]

Fantastic video's mate

[@ic2742]

Looks good and sounds good Chris, love the humour 👍

[@ChrisSloanes]

Thanks a lot 👍🏻

[@sinnes5]

Great video Chris. Video quality i think is better so good choice. Loved the tour and other videos you have put up. A lot of effort made and it shows. i saw you have a dog (or two) so interested to see how you manage travelling with them - i am looking a GC600 and have two labs so would be good to have a vidoo. As a fellow North-east lad, great to see well made videos with some good humour. Keep the cracking videos coming.

[@ChrisSloanes]

Thanks mate. If you want to see how hard it is with the 3 dogs then check the nc500 videos. It’s hard work 😂

[@martinschofield5465]

Great video 👍🏻. Picture quality and sound are spot on.

[@DF-ws6jh]

Great video. What brand are those storage boxes on the upper bed?

[@JohannvanGruting-j5c]

I know it's an old video... But which bulbar did you guys use? It seems to fit the diagonal lines in the OEM bumper nicely. Which I haven't been able to find.

[@ChrisSloanes]

I’ll see if I can dig it out in my emails but it was a chunk ago when I got it 😂 there’s tons of different ones too. If I can find the email from whoever I ordered from I’ll post it back here for you mate.

[@brenthanson1368]

Great review love the humour first class 👏😂

[@ChrisSloanes]

Thanks glad you enjoyed it

[@andywithers]

Wotcha Chris! Thanks for the videos and love the van. Given me some great inspiration for mods to my Grand Cali 600. As a matter of interest, did you have to have a lift kit fitted before you could fit the Delta's or Black Rhino's with the BF Goodrich tyres?

[@eTrUSCANdigitalnomad]

Great video, Chris. Is the only van I really like fully. But I need for me the 4MATIC... The new camera tools improved the video quality, yes, also that Alpha was on my shopping list next to Grand California 600.. Definitely I agree with your choices very very much! front guard LED lights too!

[@autodetailyorks]

Nice video as usual. 👌 Yes.. If I had that money I'd of bought exactly the same ,nicely modified , looks awesome 💪👊 I now what you mean about rattles ,I'm the same. For me The spice rack and flowers rattling would of long gone out the window. 🤣🤣

[@B19GXR]

Hi Chris, what brand or where did you get the raptor style vinyl wrap? Thanks

[@phill0003]

Yes please, can you share where you got the wraps top and bottom?

[@ADRIANB10]

Hi Chris, what the wrap that you used on the bottom of the Van , picking the same colour 600 up tomorrow and the wife has given me a list of things to do thanks to your video's :-)

[@milianmilianmilian]

Hi Chris, great channel! Do you have a list with (affiliate-) links of all your mods/customisations you took just to know which parts/brands you recommend. Looking forward buying a 600 Model and would love to customise it. Thanks, Moritz

[@robww5921]

Who did the bottom 3M wrap and what colour is it? Looks awesome

[@stephenthoms9139]

I've got two kids so I need a four sleeper This van 680 and Adria Supreme 670 I've narrowed my choice to as I'll live in the said van full time and rent my gaff out Croatia is the place I'd love to go as blighty is becoming a 💩 place to live

[@ChrisSloanes]

The 680 only sleeps two as far as I’m aware but the 600 that I have sleeps 4. I was in Zagreb a couple of month ago, loved the place, I’d love to head down south.

[@debspaul6635]

Excellent video nice one Chris , love your van looks fantastic mate 👍

[@ChrisSloanes]

Thanks a lot! Glad you like the van, think it’s a bit marmite generally but that’s what happens when it’s got a big forehead 😂

[@iainmenmuir3582]

Hi Chris. Great videos. One question. Have you found a fix for the water dumping issue you talk about in another video?

[@ChrisSloanes]

I have not unfortunately. There’s no way to even test any solutions until the temperature drops in the winter again either.

[@OurVanTales]

Mate, does your ‘windscreen camera mount’ hold the Sony ok? I’ve been looking out for a suitable camera holder myself to help Lyndsey out in her corner & wasn’t ready to pull the trigger ‘til I knew one would actually work. Appreciate your help if you have a name/link or if it’s crap 👊🏼

[@ChrisSloanes]

Hi mate, surprisingly it actually does seem bang on. I’ve only had the Sony with a relatively light lens on so far as I’m waiting for the new 24-70 to arrive but you can pretty much hang on it. I’ve yanked it loads and it seems solid. On the windscreen I’ve mounted it so my camera is upside down though but it seems to be spot on. I’ve popped a link to it below. Hope it helps. Heavy Duty 360°Ball Head DSLR... www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07L581MRF?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

[@uncomfortabletruth2577]

Can you please LINK to where you can get your Bull Bar and lights? Thanks

[@ChrisSloanes]

instagram.com/vwt5_upgrades/?hl=en

[@theusefulchannel]

I typed in OCD and it brought me here 😂

[@cam7858]

hi chris love the vid , MRI scanner had me pissing myself, your van looks top pal, i went for a roof bar for lighting , 4 jumbo ovals on a unicorn bar ,looks totally bad ass suit your off road aggressive look perfectly, my misses wants fucking fairy lights all over the place , youve got off lightly with dans choice of interior feng su ahh way ur ,whatever you call that shit , cheers pal Cameron ...

[@ChrisSloanes]

Thanks Cameron glad you like it. 😂😂 luckily she hasn’t tried to turn it into a glamping pod with fairy lights just yet but I won’t rule her out 😂😂

[@alexg4015]

Looking at the bed width ways, how much room is there it only looks about 5ft wide? How is sleeping

[@ChrisSloanes]

It’s about 6 foot 2 ish mate. It’s not too bad

[@DoctorFish10]

Great vid Chris. I have my lazers (triple r-750's) come on with the main beam; is yours separate because you have the light bar too?

[@ChrisSloanes]

Mine have a running light setting too that are dimmed during daytime then they brighten up when main beams are on and the light bar has the amber strip that’s on as a DRL and then the main light comes on

[@paulowen4512]

I'm lovin' your vids Chris, and appreciate the latest upgrade in quality. I've got a silver 600 with 4motion, and find all-wheel-drive comes in quite handy here in New Zealand. Which begs my question: wouldn't your ticking the 4motion option have been a final touch that would have fulfilled the dream of building "an ULTIMATE adventure van"?

[@ChrisSloanes]

They don’t make the 600 in 4motion here otherwise I would have. Your lucky to have one 👍🏻

[@paulowen4512]

@@ChrisSloanes There must be knuckleheads running Volkswagen in the UK. That's a ludicrous product planning mistake. Perhaps they only interviewed people named Jeff during their market research... Here, the GC outsells the California by some margin. Our freedom camping laws are possibly the biggest influence on that sales dominance (all vehicles must be self-contained to wild camp), but 4wd gives the NZ-spec Grand a major selling point over its sibling rival as well as over other competitors from Adria and Malibu.

[@thomasburke1147]

Poor Jeff 😢😂😂😂

[@ChrisSloanes]

😂😂

[@vwcaliforniaadventures6763]

I had a T6 california ocean, I wanted something bigger, looked at the Grand california at the NEC couldn't do white plastics, Fancied another, German vehicle, I got a pop top mercedes Hymer free s, 170 ps, 9 speed auto, Truma diesel heater/ Boiler, New wheels, gecko wheel carrier, x2 150w solar panels yet only cost 73k 🙂 its a 5 berth, 4 adults & a child bed 🛌

[@wrzlgummidge7663]

I've been checking out the Free S, could you share your initial thoughts (pros/cons) on it so far? Thanks in advance

[@vwcaliforniaadventures6763]

@@wrzlgummidge7663 to be honest go so far, there are mods available from Rhodes vans for the mercedes sprinter & from Mule vans 😀

[@nesilisik3561]

What is the tire size?

[@paulblueoasis5608]

Brilliant

[@colinrattray816]

Also, who’s Jeff?

[@greenerschannel]

Hi where did you get the spare wheel holder and ladder from.

[@ChrisSloanes]

VWT5Upgrades on Instagram. Tell him I sent you. He’s great and will source anything you need. That’s where I got it.

[@greenerschannel]

@@ChrisSloanes OK cheers bud. I'm just starting my build now and gathering parts.

[@allyouneedis4x4]

If you get Knaus or Dethleffs you get all the wood look furniture, curtains, spice rack for free.

[@Aprilisca]

Inspiring for some pimping Chris!

[@cuviery]

Can't carry surfboards on top????

[@ChrisSloanes]

Nooe

[@philipevans1027]

You pay for what you get m8, I've owned a vw scirocco for 12 years all I've changed so far tyres brake pads and discs and still looks like new , different veacle I know but the vw brand so much better than fords fiat's anything French only true rival is a merc but they don't do nothing like your california, I'm about to buy a extended vw crafter and convert it to what I want ready for when I finish work in 3 years

[@bonoborider717]

Pour ceux qui regardent ces vidéos avant de se décider à acheter un Grand California, il faut savoir que ce véhicule présente de très nombreux problèmes qui le rendent inutilisable. Les premiers acheteurs comme moi en font les frais! N’hésitez pas à lire les principaux forums allemands et anglais d’utilisateurs de Grand California, et vous verrez que nous sommes très très nombreux à être extrêmement déçus par le produit, et surtout très déçus par le silence du groupe VW face à ses problèmes inacceptables! Personnellement, je me retrouve depuis plus d’un an avec un véhicule que je ne peux absolument pas utiliser, bourré de problèmes en tout genre, qui vont des problèmes électroniques (certainement des problèmes logiciels, de programmation des différents calculateurs) aux problèmes matériels (impossibilité d’utiliser le sytème d’eau normalement dans le véhicule, le chauffage ou le réfrigérateur). Il y a eu également des problèmes d’infiltration d’eau depuis le toit. Le véhicule est bien évidemment sous garantie puisqu’il a même pas 10 000km, mais malgré 8 mois complets passés dans les ateliers VW, le véhicule n’est toujours pas fonctionnel! VW France, ne veut pas reconnaître officiellement le probable et n’envisage pas le remplacement du véhicule malgré ma demande, et m’a restitué un véhicule qui ne fonctionne pas! Donc, si vous cherchez à dépenser 90 000€ pour un presse papier géant et inutile qui décorera votre parking, foncez! Sinon, regardez plutôt ce que fait la concurrence pour 15/20000€ de moins en achetant un véhicule plus fiable, plus abouti, et certainement une bien meilleure gestion du SAV!