Reply With QuoteWelcome to VWwA Drew
Cool review I envy (Lams) Alex who currently owns one.
Quick q was your friends Caddy a TDI ?
If yes what would you buy ? 1.6 or TDI ?
Howdy all...funnily enough I was just trawling the net for Caddy Camper stuff and came across this thread on your forum, and thought I'd add my 2 cents. I actually got interested in Caddy's after driving my brother's caddy from Brisbane to Sydney and back to pick up a race car. First up, I was really impressed with how well the little Caddy TDi handled the towing task (a Triumph Dolomite Sprint and van load of spares). Shortly after this road trip I found myself camping at easter, and talking about how great a Caddy would be to deck out as a camper. I then looked at the VW site and had a big "duh" moment...they've already done it!!! So, the missus and I decided the best test would be a weekend camping trip with one of the down-spec (1.6L) Caddy Campers that Britz have for rent. So thought I'd share my "review" I wrote over at eurocca.net:
I'm not sure there's anything else on the road as versatile as one of these things. Daily driver/tow car/camper/people mover/utility vehicle for home reno materials...etc etc...and killer fuel economy. Sadly, I just can't justify the expense at the moment...otherwise, I'd be all over one of these things.Well we tried the Caddy Camper from Britz out last weekend. Unfortunately I have to say that we really like it!...was hoping it'd suck, and then I wouldn't be stuck wanting one.
It took about 15-20 minutes to get set up at our destination, having never done it before. I reckon half that time once you know what you're doing. It was also nice to see that in order to get the car driveable again after setting up the tent and bed, it's just a matter of folding the bed up 1/3 of the way, and dropping the tent onto the ground (getting you mobile, as well as marking your spot in the camp ground!). Then you're off.
The tent out the back has enough room for someone taller than most in the population, and would even be sufficient for using a 2 burner camping stove should the weather required it.
The bed was pretty comfy...and I could even sit up in it without hitting my head...bonus. Having the bed elevated above the van floor was also nice, as it allowed a heap of storage space underneath it. Not to mention the numerous other storage spots all over the place.
The thing I mostly disliked though, was that damn rear seat. It really takes up a lot of space...and with something like this, you're not likely to be camping with more than 2 people. If I bought one, I'd be unbolting the rear seat come camping time, and building a frame to support the bed whilst allowing the extra storage space. Other than that though, it's pretty hard to fault (apart from the price).
Bottom line...I want one...just gotta find the kesh!
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VWwA Super Moderator
Welcome to VWwA Drew
Cool review I envy (Lams) Alex who currently owns one.
Quick q was your friends Caddy a TDI ?
If yes what would you buy ? 1.6 or TDI ?
- Ben
1961 Karmann Ghia Coupé - 1993 Golf Cabriolet - 2006 Golf Comfortline 1.9L TDI
2008 Jetta 2.0L FSI
Thanks Ben...hopefully one day I can make a more permanent home here, and chat about enjoying ownership of a Caddy Camper!Originally Posted by phaeton
Welcome to VWwA Drew
Cool review I envy (Lams) Alex who currently owns one.
Quick q was your friends Caddy a TDI ?
If yes what would you buy ? 1.6 or TDI ?
Glad you liked my quick little write up too...I had a great weekend trying it out. There's one other handy thing I forgot to mention...we did the trip in winter, and after a few hours driving then setting up camp, by the time we when went to bed all the heat from the engine and exhaust had made its way up into the cabin space...toasty warm!!!
Yes, the Caddy we used for towing (I assume that's the one your referring to?) was a TDI, and the Camper a 1.6 petrol. If I were to buy one it'd definitely be the diesel, as I couldn't see the petrol having sufficient torque for towing much...and the fuel economy of the TDi is great. The petrol wasn't too bad for a road trip though...better than I was expecting. The diesel is just so much better...and they also have the option of chip uprages for more power. Bring on the 16v diesel in a caddy though!
Volkswagen Fan
Hi guys, as Ben said, I currently own a TDI Camper.
It is a near-perfect car. It does everything well, and handles beautifully for a commercial vehicle. The only complaints I have is the sound system, and with 5 aboard and aircon on max the motor can be a little weak. (the 125kw 2.0TDI motor would be good for the job?) I also think a 6th gear would help with highway mileage.
Another flaw is that the tailgate opens too high, and hits the ceiling of my garage. A set of coilovers should fix that?
Otherwise, great car. Good economy (i'm averaging 5.6L/100km now after 8000km in 4 months) and with a remap, it has adequete performance. The sliding doors are great, heaps of room inside and I must be the only one but I love the orange
Just went camping in Byron Bay last week, the town of hippies and campvervans. I had a lot of hippies admiring the car, they must've known exactly what it was? It was my first camp night in the car, and I found everything was really well thought out. It was bucketing down and very windy, but we still had a good (and dry) night's sleep. If anything, it gets a bit warm in summer and needs better ventilation, especially when it's pissing down outside!
just wish they'd put a 2.0TFSI motor in...
For those interested, the price of the Caddy Camper has dropped by $6k:click.
Makes it an even more attractive proposition now. I'd say the move will certainly boost sales...as the $7k premium over a Life DSG seemed pretty steep. Maybe I should do the Aussie thing and debt myself up.
Volkswagen Fan
ouch
go for it!
Yeah I feel bad for anyone who copped the original price. Dropping the price so much overnight seems a little harsh!ouch
go for it!
I'm well tempted to buy one though...and even my better half seems almost convinced this morning!
How's yours been treating you?...also, who'd you buy from (assuming you're in QLD???). My cousin recently bought from the dealership in Ipswich and seems happy with them, but I'd open to suggestions.
Volkswagen Fan
Hi Drew,
I have contacts with a number of dealers from my job, but the Ipswich dealer is relatively new and we haven't had anything to do with them yet. Mine is from Garry Crick VW from Sunshine Coast, we also purchased my mother's car and our 2 VWs from the shop there. They will do good deals to attract Brisbane buyers.
Mine is great! Coming to 10000km now. I've moved heaps of stuff from musical instruments, mountain bikes, Audi engines, to full families with tons of baggage to airports. It is a very flexible car that would greatly suit somebody who loves to see places.
Strangely, mine is complianced as a 7 seater. I'm curious about the complications of stealing 3rd row seats and belts from a Caddy Life ? probably too hard
Ah yeah, I've heard those guys on the Sunny Coast are worth checking out.
Glad to hear it's going well too. Moving all that stuff around is just the sort of thing I get up to!
I'm not sure if it means much, but I spoke to Austral some time ago and they made out that the 3rd row of seats is totally doable with the camper...almost like it's an optional extra. You just swap out the bed for the seats...that said, could be a tall tale from a salesman.
Just thought I'd share a few cool links I came across:
click Some cool options in Europe...I like the inside bike rack (page 62), and the "roof flap" (page 60) looks pretty cool
And I thought this was pretty interesting too...particularly 1min 38sec (I have no idea where you get that set up from!)
click
And just another random Caddy thing...a Life in the 5-seater configuration apparently has more cargo/luggage volume (VDA) than a Landcruiser...ah, it really is the car that practicality built
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