Cynthia Qiu and Michael Speth are the happy owners of a state-of-the-art VW Grand California. With their twin boys, they head off somewhere any time they can get away. Jill Malcolm talked with the couple about their purchase.
Did you have motorhoming experience before you bought the Grand California?
A few years ago during the school holidays, I took the twins (aged seven at the time), a friend and her daughter on a trip between Tauranga and Auckland in a seven-seater van. It was a week-long trip and we used all kinds of accommodation, from tents and holiday park cabins, to hotels and Airbnbs. The trip was fantastic, except that we spent a lot of time packing and unpacking. That gave Michael and me the idea of getting a campervan, and soon after we returned, we bought a T5 KEA campervan pop-top. Neither of us had experience with campervanning before then.
Was campervanning as good as you expected?
The big surprise was that the T5 was easy to drive and park. Initially, I didn’t want to drive it, and then one day my car battery went dead and I had to drive the campervan. I loved it. We used it from then on as a normal vehicle, because of its small size. We’d bought it to try campervanning and we fell in love with that way of travelling.
Our two boys loved going away and we took the campervan out mostly on the weekends. We had a great time skiing at Whakapapa ski field. We would leave the Oasis Motel and Thermal Pools campground in Tokaanu early in the morning, pick a nice parking spot up the mountain, and wait for the ski field to open as we ate breakfast. We’d have lunches and hot drinks anytime during the day.
We gradually upgraded the KEA, adding a heater and reducing the noise by adding soundproofing materials and imported European blinds. We also replaced the mattresses with high-density foam.
Why did you decide to look for another motorhome?
We had the KEA for two years but as the boys grew older and bigger, the space in the pop-top became smaller. Another concern was privacy, because the T5 didn’t have a dedicated bathroom. In other words, we had simply outgrown it.
What features did you look for?
We’d figured out what worked well for us with the T5. The main features we had to have were four berths, a separate bathroom and a vehicle that was small enough to fit in ordinary parking spaces.
How did you go about research?
Michael did most of the research online, looking at all possible models. We’d started looking for an upgrade almost a year before the Grand California made it to the market. It had a different model name then – the California XXL. We followed Grand California from its first appearance. Due to the COVID-19 outbreak in Europe, production was delayed. We also considered models of Westfalia conversions, including the Ford Nugget. But the Grand California stood out, and it was also a factory model, so we could deal with the VW manufacturers directly. There was nothing else on the market at that time that met our needs.
Who did you buy it from?
We first saw the Grand California 600 at the Motorhome Show in Hamilton in 2020. That’s where we met the Farmer Autovillage representative from Tauranga, Keith Andrews. Shortly after, before the first shipment arrived in New Zealand, we signed a purchase agreement and chose the exterior colours. We took possession of the vehicle in early December 2020, and the handover was exceptionally straightforward.
What features have you discovered that you like?
The Grand California is a beautiful, modern campervan. Wherever we go it attracts a lot of attention. The four-wheel drive is an excellent feature. Also, we don’t need to convert the living areas any more. The kids can be sleeping upstairs and I can still use the table to work on. In the T5, once the bed was made, the table space had gone. Michael loves the bathroom, where he can comfortably shower. The boys like the skylight above their loft bed where they can see the stars. The screens and blinds are practical to allow good airflow, while preventing insects from coming on board. We consider the California to be part of the family – we’ve named it Ned, which comes from the licence plate.
As a family, how do you manage the space?
We leave the bed made up, and use the space underneath for storage. Once parked we set up the table, and turn the driver and passenger seats around. I homeschool the children, and use the table for lessons. When I cook, the kids are usually out playing. Michael does the dishes and cleans up. This routine works well for us as it uses the available space efficiently.
How is the kitchen, and what sort of meals do you cook?
There’s a surprising amount of freezer and fridge space. The kitchen storage isn’t as much as I would like. I’m used to a big kitchen at home with a walk-in pantry. In the van, I have one stone pot for making soup, stir-fries and rice, which can also be used for steaming. Our menus are mainly raw and cooked vegetables with chicken or seafood. I was brought up in Shanghai and learned from my parents and grandparents to cook with whatever is available, so there is a lot of variety. The family doesn’t know what the next meal will be until it’s ready. Half the time we eat out, to experience the local cuisine of the places we visit.
How does the ablutions area work for the four of you?
The boys usually take showers at night, and Michael and I shower in the morning. This ensures that we all have enough hot water. At the rear of the campervan, there’s a second hot and cold shower, which is ideal for a quick rinse after being at the beach.
Have you altered or added anything?
The gas had to be refitted by the dealer, to fit the New Zealand regulations and gas composition. The factory included a regulator and valve, shutting off the supply to the LPG tank if you are in a crash. Unfortunately, in New Zealand, this had to be replaced with a manual on/off valve.
Where have you been since you bought it?
Since December 2020, we have been on a three-week trip to the South Island, and many weekend trips to Auckland, Rotorua and Hamilton. I also take the boys to their tennis lessons in Ned, so that while they’re playing I can use it as an office. Because our other vehicle is fully electric, if we go out of town we also take Ned.
How does it handle on the road?
We both drive it. Like other new VW models, it has a lot of sensors in place which make driving even easier. It has lane assistance and an excellent backing camera. It’s easier to park than our regular vehicle. Cruise control helped a lot on long roads in the South Island.
Where do you like to camp?
We will camp anywhere, but our favourite places so far have been the freedom camping sites in the South Island. The views were stunning and we were surrounded by nature. I think the Lake Pūkaki site has been the most impressive to date. The night sky was magnificent.
