VW California Replacement? - VanTour of our Hired Elddis CV80 Pop Top

[@LeisureBit]

Great van tour. We have a CV20 which is similar all be it without the pop top and slightly different layout but very similar. Really interesting to hear your comparison and it’s great to hire to rule in or rule out, we did similar and ended up with the CV20 after hiring a Kontiki sport. When I’m finished work will watch some more of your vlogs as intrigued. Great channel - thank you - all the best, David 👍

[@drivinghorizons]

Thanks David, the van wasn’t quite right, so it is good we chose not to take the plunge and trade in out California. There are 2 vlogs on the Lake District. The trip was a bit of a disaster!! Thanks for watching and commenting. Rich

[@MarkGaudie]

Appreciate your thoughts guys. Very much food for thought. You did the right thing by hiring that Ducato to get a real good feel for what you like and dislike.

[@Wheres_wanda_wandering]

Thank you for this review. I’ve been interested in the CV80 and this has really confirmed to me that it is not for us. We have an Elddis 135 so it is a similar layout without the pop top. I shall subscribe. Take care Gill

[@mhskou]

Interesting concept having the pop top but I did wonder just how hard and heavy they were to bring down. The autotrail has the table you are talking about and I think the passenger seats also look more comfortable. I sat in the passenger seats of your hired one and hit my head on the overhead lockers and also found the seats to be incredibly uncomfortable. Currently have a VW campervan and maybe a 5.4 meter would be better for us to, based on your experience of parking the cv80?

[@drivinghorizons]

Yep, totally agree. I think we are more than happy with our California at the moment. We like being able to go places, knowing we can park easily enough in most car parks! Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment

[@stevezodiac491]

I have a lwb camper van, it is great, similar to the california but at times we would like more space. I, like you have thought about a bigger van but no. With a bigger van comes parking problems and the inability to go anywhere and park in a city or point of interest or travel on small roads. I am going to keep my campervan for visits that suit it, like touring from point to point on single carriageway roads and to complement it, when we want point based outings, get a caravan to be pulled by my car. It is horses for courses and there is nothing that suits all situations. Caravans compared to larger motorhomes are cheaper and allow us to keep the campervan, that we would have to sell to get a large motorhome, which would eccentially be the same as a caravan, without a car to visit after it is initially on site, where parking is harder. As for a toilet, we have a portable flush toilet in the van all the time, when not in use, it is in it's black bag with a foam pad on top of the toilet to make it into a seat. During the day, if we have taken the awning with us, it goes in there but is always in the van after we have locked the doors for bed. Travelling with it full, it is held in place with a bungee chord around the toilet and also attached at either end to the passenger dual front seat frame. If either if you is shy using it, just get the other one to lay back in bed and look at the ceiling or under the covers, it is easy.

[@drivinghorizons]

Great tips, and I think we are more than happy with our VW Cali at the moment. Thank you for taking the time to watch, and comment. Hope you are well, and stay tuned for lots more!

[@ericlacey6593]

Thanks for the van tour and your views and thoughts. A good idea to hire before you buy because as you realised a different layout might have suited you better . Good luck with your hunt for an upgrade,take care .🚐👍

[@drivinghorizons]

Definitely agree! We hired two campers before we bought our California, so it is for sure a good idea to try before you buy!