Better than the Grand California?? | The FIVE BERTH Knaus Boxdrive 600 XL!

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 24 มิ.ย. 2023
  • Well the big question is.... Is the Knaus BoxDrive 600 XL better than a Volkswagen Grand California? We think it may be but what do you think?
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ความคิดเห็น • 71

  • @duncangibson9235
    @duncangibson9235 ปีที่แล้ว +15

    So looking at your video again (good review by the way and first review by an English reviewer too, I think!). We chose this over the GC for several reasons - mainly the proper double bed over the habitation area. We have a very tall 10yr old who would’ve outgrown the GC relatively quickly. We also have a 2yr old who is too small for the top bunk bed (at the moment). He sleeps on our bed at the rear during the evening and then we put him to bed on the 5th berth when we turn in. It works perfectly and not an option for the GC.
    Another big plus (which was unfortunately missed) was that the half dinette slides to create an extra 20-25cm shoulder room between the two rear passengers. The infill cushion for that was in the wardrobe in the kitchen. It makes travelling with car seats a lot easier and creates a bizarrely more useable “sofa” when not travelling. Again, with the fixed seats in the GC, it was a bit tight back there for the kids.
    IMO, the fit and finish is better than the GC and although wood is a bit marmite, I think it creates a softer ambience to the stark white wood. This of course is subjective and for all who prefer wood, there’ll be the same who prefer the white.
    Like all vans, lead times are the issue. We wanted a factor order but were told 18-24m from May this year. We were lucky to get our 4x4 4.180 as a stock van from a dealer who’d just received it from factory. Not missing much. We’ve had a LifePo4 battery, 130W solar panel and 2k W inverter fitted for offgridding so pretty much the perfect van for us. For anyone in the market for an occasional second car, space for a small (but diverse aged) family and super camper van, I think it’s difficult to overlook. Although there’s some negativity that the layout is samey, I would disagree - it’s the only real package that truly works for us in this size of van. I’m hoping if we were to have another child that I could fit a rotating double bench seat in the cab; we’ve enough payload in ours. Then we get 5 belts and 5 berths.
    Thanks for the great review and good luck with your build! :)

    • @ABusAndBeyond
      @ABusAndBeyond  ปีที่แล้ว +1

      That’s very interesting about the half dinette seats! Very useful for car seats!
      Thanks for all this info. Good to hear an owners view!

  • @lisbonoffice4369
    @lisbonoffice4369 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Very useful video, i work at a renting company and i watched this video before the presentation and it went great.

  • @anthonyburgess2004
    @anthonyburgess2004 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Great review as always, thank-you! It does look really nicely finished too! 😀

  • @darrensalter1540
    @darrensalter1540 ปีที่แล้ว

    Great conversation, well thought out

  • @elliotcrilley
    @elliotcrilley หลายเดือนก่อน

    You are quite right to draw some attention to this van. It’s better than the GC in every respect. It’s insulated. The tanks are insulated and beatable if necessary. The top bed is a proper length. The rear travel seats have depth and a careful contour . They also separate a little to give more width in transit. The kitchen is properly thought out with a big sink. I saw the rising/ lowering bed variant. It’s fantastic and so easy to use. Bring mechanical it won’t suck juice from the battery. Preserves great flexibility at the rear end. No way will I buy a GC having scrutinised one of these. Goood for you in putting this on my radar !

    • @ABusAndBeyond
      @ABusAndBeyond  หลายเดือนก่อน

      Thank you very much for watching 😊

  • @duncangibson9235
    @duncangibson9235 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Very biased but I have to say, it’s a fabulous van. Took delivery of our 4x4 4.170 version 6wks ago and suits us perfectly as a family of four. Came at it from a T6 Ocean and Concorde Charisma before that. Perfect all round van! :)

    • @ABusAndBeyond
      @ABusAndBeyond  ปีที่แล้ว

      Great to hear!

    • @dcrilley9624
      @dcrilley9624 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Hi Duncan, you will see that based on above comment I am in agreement. I nearly signed on the dotted line for a 4x4 version yesterday which is up plated to 4 tonnes with air suspension to beef up the rear axle as the means to achieve that. Sure, the wood finish is not my ideal choice - Westfalia finishes are more 'van-like' but the entire set-up put the GC to shame. Id love to know how you have got on with the 4x4 version and the dual circuit air if that is what you were given as part of the package once you opted for 4 motion. I am looking at one with the rising bed in the rear because the dealer has already ordered it.

  • @neildean7515
    @neildean7515 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    That is fantastic, what a beautiful campervan… great it has 2 double beds.. thanks for the review .. top van

  • @Simon_PieMan
    @Simon_PieMan ปีที่แล้ว

    Great video. Good to see different designs. However, when you say “sat” I can’t help shouting “sitting” 😂

    • @ABusAndBeyond
      @ABusAndBeyond  ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Thanks 🙏 Luckily for me I can’t hear you shouting whilst I’m sat at home on the sofa 🤣

  • @jogshuttle2676
    @jogshuttle2676 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I love your content 👍🏻…but suggesting that the Grand California is the PVC to beat seems a bit bonkers! I’m a huge VW nut but sadly the GC is nowhere near the van that it’s smaller sibling is…apart from anything else it’d be like holidaying in an MRI scanner! 😂

  • @janetbowen7854
    @janetbowen7854 ปีที่แล้ว

    Great video, thank you, can you please review a similar IH campervan? Their design in a VW looks interesting. Cheers.

    • @ABusAndBeyond
      @ABusAndBeyond  ปีที่แล้ว

      We will try and get hold of one to film 👍

  • @neilowen9468
    @neilowen9468 ปีที่แล้ว

    Love it!

  • @jonmortermusic
    @jonmortermusic ปีที่แล้ว

    That van is a beauty I love it
    PS. Bring back the old theme tune

  • @colinlee5429
    @colinlee5429 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Very well thought out interior for a mwb! Seems real quality too
    The exterior is too OAP spec for me 😆 with some all terrains and decent wheels could look good

    • @ABusAndBeyond
      @ABusAndBeyond  ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Absolutely agree! Thanks for watching Colin 👍

  • @cantafordia
    @cantafordia ปีที่แล้ว

    Great Video, Shaun. Ignore the grammar police!

  • @ceri4mike
    @ceri4mike ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Having seriously considered a GF after our T6 Cali we just thought it was poorly configured and seemed to have been designed by individuals that knew little about 'Van Life.' We eventually went for a Adria Twin (Family) but still miss the VW ride quality when comparing it to the Fiat Ducato. Perhaps this Knaus would fit the bill-thanks for the video.

  • @GordonGrahamPapaBear
    @GordonGrahamPapaBear 9 หลายเดือนก่อน

    The bunk bed is impressive quality. MOD Vans is using lighter weight cabinets, which for an old guy like me, are much less painful in the dark. Configured for solar - optional?

  • @LB-W
    @LB-W 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Is the water tanks winterised? Is the heating diesel? Can the fridge run without hook up?

  • @adamwalker1504
    @adamwalker1504 ปีที่แล้ว

    This one over the GC although I have been looking at the Hymer free with a pop top

  • @TheUrbanSplash
    @TheUrbanSplash ปีที่แล้ว +4

    In the main bed area, it’s not possible to sit up in bed. Surely everyone sits up in bed to read etc. Too many storage cabinets prevent this.

  • @philipellis7039
    @philipellis7039 ปีที่แล้ว

    Seems to be a whole bunch of MAN based Knaus campers and motorhomes on the U.K. market at the moment. Our local dealer said they’d had them on order for up to two years.

  • @LB-W
    @LB-W 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    No outdoor shower or stored chair and table for outside but I still prefer this to the VW GC600. Does the inverter mean you can use your three pined plugs off hook up? How big a battery set up does it have for of wild camping? 👌😊

  • @Cyrus2161
    @Cyrus2161 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    No oven or a microwave/ grill which is a shame. The laminate in the bathroom fills me with dread. I’d want a sealed unit with a flip shower toilet like the van reviewed. Brilliant review I like the MAN vehicles. But the main problem is the bed. I like to walk around.
    Great review.

  • @alansteele3757
    @alansteele3757 ปีที่แล้ว

    Hi Shaun, didn’t hear the cost of this motor home, compared to the Volkswagen one.

  • @kimhorton6109
    @kimhorton6109 11 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    My biggest bitch with hi tops is they won’t fit in a garage so you need space in your yard for a real barn with 12’ door unless you want to leave it out in the yard.
    The space looks pretty killer. It’s very long. Is that 6 meters long? These long vans have really nice storage. I’d love having a shower in my Vanagon but the options I’ve found are only good when it’s hot outside . They all involve showering outside.
    The downstairs sleeping space is very nice. Loads of space at $88K is a great price for what we have in the states.

  • @robinkellett-navellou2606
    @robinkellett-navellou2606 9 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Obviously owes "a lot" to the GC design but an interesting evolution and some nice high-end touches. Your move, VW!

  • @UGCCreatorFalguni
    @UGCCreatorFalguni 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    We loved the camper van but our requirement is to have 4x4. Is it possible for you to show us vans wih 4x4, automatic? Thanks

    • @dcrilley9624
      @dcrilley9624 หลายเดือนก่อน

      There is a 4x4 version of the 600 in RHD. See comments from Duncan above. That is not possible with GC in the UK. It comes with an obligatory upgrade to the max load from 3500kg to 4000kg and actually ends up increasing the payload to over 600kgs.

  • @simonheckford2347
    @simonheckford2347 ปีที่แล้ว

    Looks like the pole/leg to convert the table into a bed can be stored in the clip within the cupboard under the rear seats @6:44

    • @ABusAndBeyond
      @ABusAndBeyond  ปีที่แล้ว

      Yeah I think you’re right 👍

    • @pepehaha
      @pepehaha ปีที่แล้ว

      @@ABusAndBeyond nope, that clip is meant for a water filter. Great review and a great van, we have the 4x4 grey version with offroad delta wheels and we absolutely love it as a family of 3 for now :) Before we had a cali ocean and this is a palace on wheels in comparison :)

  • @robbiemulholland8412
    @robbiemulholland8412 11 หลายเดือนก่อน

    That is a great van some new ideas from Germany.....better than the Grand C. 💯

  • @sylviapage8572
    @sylviapage8572 ปีที่แล้ว

    A great review but I’m disappointed that only four people can travel in this van. The Ford Nugget and Nugget Plus can carry Five passengers and sleeps 4 but that’s on a 5.3 Ford Transit Custom Van. I really think there needs to be more innovation with the larger vans to accommodate families. Thanks for sharing another interesting review.

    • @duncangibson9235
      @duncangibson9235 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      If you had enough payload (I have the 3.88t) version of this, it should be possible to fit a double bench in the cab. If we have another child, we’ll end up doing this.

  • @kevingriffin6199
    @kevingriffin6199 ปีที่แล้ว

    Nice van 👌

  • @maxgiii_beach_street_photo7161
    @maxgiii_beach_street_photo7161 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Thanks. I’m still for the GC

    • @ABusAndBeyond
      @ABusAndBeyond  ปีที่แล้ว

      It’s still a great van!

    • @commuterbranchline8132
      @commuterbranchline8132 ปีที่แล้ว

      I’m a paramedic and my wife is a nurse, how do normal folk with normal incomes afford over £88,000 for a van like this?

  • @markdami
    @markdami ปีที่แล้ว +5

    Great review as usual!
    Sink and hob better than either GC. A lot more space there.
    Second bed much better than GC.
    On the downsides:
    Not keen on the exterior. Too many decals. The loo cassette surround is an eyesore (why can't converters do the same as the GC and properly colour code the whole thing?).
    The Knaus price needs to cover the profits of three companies (VW, MAN, Converter) rather than just one for GC (VW). The customer is also paying for transfer friction between VW-->MAN and then MAN-->Converter.
    Split level floor is a compromise, I assume because the top bed is lower and bigger than in the GC 600. Small thing that would annoy me.
    Even with the split level floor it seems like there's less headroom than in a GC. Not sure... just looks that way on the video.
    The fridge looks small, although I remember from your GC videos you're not keen on the VW alternative!
    But the real killer for me is the interior. Wood effect laminate. Every join is a right angle. The wall carpet looks a little cheap.
    Nothing I've seen in any other crafter-base or in any ducato, looks as integrated or up to date as the GC interior.
    By the way I ordered a GC 680 last year purely on the strength of your extended review. And I bl00dy LOVE it, so thank you for that 😊

    • @skwyou5686
      @skwyou5686 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I completely agree @markdami. And like you, we now have a GC 680 largely because of that review by Shaun and Lizzy in Portugal. Incidentally, where's the gas canister? I somehow seem to have completely missed that.

    • @BurkhardReffeling
      @BurkhardReffeling ปีที่แล้ว +1

      What transfer friction do you mean? They're both produced in the same factory in Poznan and MAN is fully integrated into VW Group

    • @markdami
      @markdami ปีที่แล้ว +1

      ​@@BurkhardReffelingYep I didn't realize MAN is wholly owned by VW. I doubt it's frictionless even so.
      And if it is frictionless, best case you still have two companies needing to make a profit (VW/MAN + Knaus) and one transition between them. With the GC it's one and zero.

  • @Benh0121
    @Benh0121 5 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Not sure on having a 80k+ van and then having to drag some tarp over the roof as an awning. If they could have come up with a Thule style wind out side awning then it would be hard to dismiss this.

  • @philipwatson7883
    @philipwatson7883 11 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Nice van

  • @KillerBN1
    @KillerBN1 6 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Understood these MAN TGEs were very reliable?

  • @stuartw969
    @stuartw969 ปีที่แล้ว

    Why are we/shower rooms so common? We spend no more than 10 minutes a day in them yet they take up huge space. W.C. In a deep edged shower tray with curtain to pull up is the way to go. Also prefer a Murphy bed. Comments on my comments???

  • @Jeff-bg7pt
    @Jeff-bg7pt 11 หลายเดือนก่อน

    The rear looks like a speed camera van

  • @freedloh9049
    @freedloh9049 ปีที่แล้ว

    Are you in US or NZ or Australia

    • @ABusAndBeyond
      @ABusAndBeyond  ปีที่แล้ว

      I am not

    • @freedloh9049
      @freedloh9049 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@ABusAndBeyond you talk of your town name like it is well known all over the world. I guess you must be English then

    • @ABusAndBeyond
      @ABusAndBeyond  ปีที่แล้ว

      Yeah we are British

  • @Minirigs
    @Minirigs ปีที่แล้ว

    Much better... simply because its not all VW grey inside
    So expensive though once you add the extras.. i would prefer a motorhome with more space

  • @stevebennett6727
    @stevebennett6727 ปีที่แล้ว

    How crap are the front window blinds plus that vent is for a gas truma and definitely not a diesel/ electric water/ space heater. I should know, ,my motorhome has the said heater 👌🏽👌🏽👌🏽👌🏽

    • @ABusAndBeyond
      @ABusAndBeyond  ปีที่แล้ว

      That’s incorrect, it’s for the Truma D4E or D6E diesel and electric, water and space heater

  • @Jiblits13
    @Jiblits13 7 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Not a chance im afraid more e expensive than the cali and quality of in side is way below imo..

  • @andrewmillerphotography
    @andrewmillerphotography ปีที่แล้ว

    And the important Q...unloaded weight?!!!

  • @simonheckford2347
    @simonheckford2347 ปีที่แล้ว

    @2:50 rear looks like a skewed face! 😕

  • @KarstenSuess
    @KarstenSuess 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Nacht

  • @Pedro-db6bk
    @Pedro-db6bk ปีที่แล้ว

    Is it just me or does the back look like Darth Vader 🤔

  • @andym1908
    @andym1908 ปีที่แล้ว

    They are great to drive . But just so unreliable from the engine side of things

  • @wasmagpie
    @wasmagpie ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Boring layout, they are all the same.

  • @sandork.9510
    @sandork.9510 หลายเดือนก่อน

    outdated colours, heavy martials compared with the Grand California

  • @andyb9262
    @andyb9262 9 หลายเดือนก่อน

    bog standard. no originality.