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**Sunny43.5** · 04-04-2016, 10:47 PM

You pretty well summed up your own question , if its a Multi van the converters would have to deal with all the luxury bits and pieces and the cost of a multi would make a conversion out of reach so that's why they mainly do standard Transporters All those expensive side trims and carpets would get destroyed to accommodate all the camper bits and pieces .

**FUNBUS** · 06-04-2016, 09:10 PM

The problem I see with converting the Multivan is that you lose the aircon vents in the back making the back uncomfortable for passengers. It looks like the Californian gets around this by running the aircon along the side instead of across the middle.

I would love to see the Californian available in Australia, but even so, it seems that you can't get the Multivan-style Californian (ie. 2 sliding doors and 7 seats) in the 4Motion, which is a real shame.

**FUNBUS** · 09-04-2016, 06:44 PM

Here's a Multivan Camper I found for sale in WA
Volkswagen Multivan Tdi T5 Camper Van - Sleeps 4 - Search New & Used Volkswagen Multivan Tdi T5 Camper Van - Sleeps 4 for sale - caravancampingsales.com.au

**Craigs902** · 09-04-2016, 08:34 PM

That's exactly what I'm looking for but a bit too far away. Just got to try and convince the other half that this is a half way mark to a full glamping machine.

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**FUNBUS** · 10-04-2016, 07:23 AM

It's a great setup and what I have been aiming for but haven't been able to find exactly what I want yet.
We currently have a Toyota Super Custom which is a 4wd 8 seater Hiace which the seats fold down to be a bed (same as the Multivan). It doesn't have a pop-up roof (which I'd really love to have) but it does have a massive opening sun roof in the back which helps. We use it as our every day car and we often use it as a bus so it's important to have he passenger comfort in the back.
The Super Custom is getting a bit old 1994) so I've just placed an order for a new Multivan with 4Motion. I wanted another 4wd van and VW seemed to be the only option available in Australia. It still won't be ideal for camping but it will be brilliant every other day of the year and as a bus. There are also some great after-market camping additions that you can get for the Multivan that attach straight on the seat rails.
Have you checked out the Californian which is made in the VW factory. It comes in a couple of versions; the beach, which is a Multivan with a pop-top; and the Ocean which is a full blown camper.
The beach is almost exactly what I want although it doesn't come in 4 motion. Only the Ocean has 4motion. Unfortunately neither of these are sold in Australia but they are sold in England so they are RHD. I have ended up going down the Multivan path but at least I know that everything I want is achievable.
Here's a link to a review of the Californian.
First Drive: Volkswagen California Beach | Top Gear
Let me know what you end up doing and if you come up with any good options that might be useful for my Multivan.

**Craigs902** · 10-04-2016, 01:31 PM

We have a place in Brisbane that do Pop Tops for about 8000 for the transporter and about 9500-10000 on the multivan. The reason I don't like the transporter conversions is that all the seats you see are just the slabs of foam on some ply and then 1 x 3 point safety harness and then a lap sash belt. At least the W.A vans made at Dove VW Transporter T6 - Dove Camper Conversions and thereis another place but i've lst the address have a better seat call a RIB seat.

**phantomcamel** · 13-04-2016, 10:35 PM

Craig - it's probably WESBAR VANQIP. They use Techsafe - Automotive Seating Solutions | Techsafe Seating seats which you can get anywhere in OZ

**Craigs902** · 14-04-2016, 06:05 AM

Just had a look at them, but it isn't the same as these.
Campervan Beds & Seats | RIB Beds | VW T5 Rock and Roll Bed

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**VW California** · 15-08-2016, 11:54 AM

I wish VW would start selling The California in Australia. I have one that we imported but I now want the 4wd ocean too. Such a great car to use in Australia

**Bryn23** · 15-08-2016, 12:24 PM

I noticed that they sell them in NZ. not cheap though.

I can't wait until the ADR are scrapped..

It doesn't matter if the door opens on the drivers side. Most van have the option of dual doors here anyway.

**syncro91** · 11-12-2017, 10:16 PM

Multivan Camper Conversion

You will find it is now much easier to utilise a Multivan for camping following the introduction this year of VanEssa mobilcamping to the Australian market.

After many years of camping in a Caravelle GL Syncro, we decided to bring the idea of luxury camping with flexibility to the Australian market. We have worked closely with Volkswagen Australia on the project since the beginning middle of last year.

The_Hawk has invited us to sponsor the forum, so you will see more of this over time, but I thought I would let you know this is now a reality in Australia.

Stock has been shipping this year, and the Multivan systems are on display in selected Volkswagen dealers so far in Melbourne, Canberra, Sydney, Brisbane and Sunshine Coast. There is a display vehicle in Perth as well (a very nice T6 Generation Six [emoji4]

The systems are fully manufactured and assembled in Germany (Bavaria, not far from Munich). The rear kitchen system can be fitted to a Multivan in around 5 - 10 minutes and utilises the seat rail system for anchoring.

The Interior module, with vanity, draws, table and optional toilet is similar - 5 - 10 minutes to fit and remove again.

The ingenious rear packbags fit into and out of the rear windows in just a few seconds.

I have tested the systems with a T6 Multivan over 30,000km this year from East Coast to Cooktown, Gulf of Carpentaria, Birdsville Track (with Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles for Big Red Bash), Mungerranie, Maree, Spencer Gulf to Darwin and not missed a beat.

Systems are also available for Transporter T5/T6, Caravelle and Caddy.

Feel free to ask any questions.

Regards
Mark.

**Bryn23** · 12-12-2017, 07:35 AM

Mark,

I recently saw your VanEssa modules at the recent camper show in Brisbane, part of the VW display.

Great idea for people with Multivans, that rear tailgate module is quite impressive, and the build quality is bloody good as well.

**syncro91** · 12-12-2017, 07:56 AM

Originally posted by Bryn23 View Post

Mark,

I recently saw your VanEssa modules at the recent camper show in Brisbane, part of the VW display.

Great idea for people with Multivans, that rear tailgate module is quite impressive, and the build quality is bloody good as well.

Hey Bryn - glad you saw it there and thanks for the encouragement! We had one Multivan owner select VanEssa based on the 'Made in Germany' tag (in addition to the concept of the practicality of the rear kitchen and the desirability of cooking outside the van rather than in it) and he said the quality and small details even surpassed his already high expectations.

I was only there at Brisbane Show on first day - sorry I missed you!

A photo from Austral of that show below

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