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

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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[duncangibson]

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! :)

[TheUrbanSplash]

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.

[Jiblits]

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

[felsner]

All that wood makes it look terribly old-fashioned. Like the upper bunkbed though.

[UGCCreatorFalguni]

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

[wasmagpie]

Boring layout, they are all the same.

[duncangibson]

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! :)

[jogshuttle]

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! 😂

[cedarcanoe]

Showering in there? 3 minutes for the shower, and 15 minutes to clean up all the wet mess

[sandork.]

outdated colours, heavy martials compared with the Grand California

[Cyrus]

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.

[kimhorton]

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.

[cerimike]

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.

[neildean]

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

[DublinChiropractic]

Just wondering why you would go with a high top 4 bert over a pop top 4 bert? We are considering a family camper and not really sure about the pros and cons of each. We would also like the option to have a ladder and roof racks to stick some
Surfboards etc onto. Any advice would be very appreciated!! Thank you.

[colinlee]

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

[anthonyburgess]

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

[LB-W]

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? 👌😊

[Benh]

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.

[GordonGrahamPapaBear]

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?