T6 is Better than a VW Transporter T6.1 Camper Van or California

T6 is better than a VW Transporter T6.1 Camper Van or California

Why is a T6 the best van to have?

A few reasons why in the video and money saved can be spent on making your T6 even better, like still one of my favourite vans T600 Poo by Cals Campers.

Buy a better poptop or halo roof, bag your ride on air suspension, get a RIB bed, bigger alloy wheels, a diesel heater, re-upholster your seats, carry out some exterior modifications, invest in a Cadac stove or Ooni Pizza Oven. The cash saved can go to making your dream van even better.

Don’t buy a VW T6.1? Really? But it’s the latest model so surely it’s the best van to buy. Is the VW T6 the beat van?

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Amazon Audible is great for listening to books on longer journeys, I have used it for years.

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Some ESSENTIAL items for you to have to keep safe in your van

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Whether you have a T5, VW T5.1, T6, T6.1 or even an older T2, T2.5, T4, the VW Vanlife scene is amazing, with so much help and assistance available for whatever project you wish to attempt. Panel van, Kombi, Converted Camper or VW California Beach or Ocean, enjoy the freedom van life brings.

The @Staycation Lifestyle van conversion is coming along nicely.

I bought a Stealth VW Transporter T6 Kombi Highline van 140bhp diesel SWB with tailgate.

Slowly turning it into a stealth camper van / day van with bed. I will also need something for cooking, cooling, sleeping, drinking ?? Choices to be made.

I have lots more to do though, I have a new electrical system, using Victron components and a Lithium LIFEPO4 battery, so I obviously need to install some power devices. I have a new sound system, with Focal speakers and ibus 2.1 amp, Playstation PS4, which will be removable, TV's on headrests.

Lots for me to look forward too and it would be nice to take you on the journey.

Please do let me know if you have any ideas or suggestions.
Vanlife for me is just beginning, it's a great adventure and I'm loving it. 😍

There are many great camper adventures to come camping in my tiny house.

Thanks must go to the following:
Transporter HQ for my tailgate struts
Kiravans for my Swivel Seats

Many choices of places to park up overnight and stay in their carparks including pubs, restaurants, adventure centres and even vineyards and breweries.

Amazon Audible is great for listening to books on longer journeys, I have used it for years.

If you click on my Amazon affiliate links, I may receive a commission. I will only link products I use and believe in.

Im a member of Devon & Cornwall Transporters. Have a look at the Facebook group and come along to meet the other friendly members

#vanlife #vanlifeuk #campervan #transporter #vwbus #adventure #rv #rvlife #camper #vwcamper #camper #staycation #wildcamping #offgrid #travelt

[StaycationLifestyle]

Both are fantastic vehicles, but is the T6.1 enough of an upgrade?

[paulrobinson]

Had a T6 highline and a great van, bought a new T6.1 basic model because of the expense involved but i was surprised it came with almost what i had in the T6 Highline, the only things missing were heated windscreen really. Never used my sunglasses holder and tbh until i saw this i never noticed the missing foot rest. The sliding door closes much more easily too so all in all I’m glad i made the switch. I genuinely like all the models I’ve had over the years and i don’t prefer one over the other they are all great vehicles 👍

[Andy]

Totally agree, I had a 6.1 courtesy van from the van centre, no foot rest was annoying. Was very happy to have my 56 plate t5 back. Except for the poor lights, poor brakes, poor speakers, noises and rattles, lack of DAB, tatty seats, noisy cog driven 2.5 and wet dog smell.

[stevenprestwich]

I've just bought a brand new vw transporter t6.1 dsg 150 highline van with extra's. led headlights, reverse camera, heated seats. extra's were nearly £4000 which to me is rip off, i don't have the problem with footrest because there is space with it being automatic. It's the first transporter i've ever owned and i find it cramped even though i'm only 5.8 and not fat, also the storage space in front i find crap too, i did own a mercedes sprinter L2H1 which would have been 3 years old in dec 2023, after 10 days ownership of the transporter i think the mercedes was a better van and it was cheaper, i understand transporters have a big fan base, that said if you ask the wife she'll say don't listen to anything he says he talks crap.

[familiemitbulli]

From a value for money perspective we do agree, but for a already expensive van we wanted to have the more modern entertainment system, digital cockpit and driving assistants. Our T6.1 California Ocean with automatic gear box also has a foot rest. 🤷‍♂️

[scotttacchi]

Loving the content. I bought a new 6.1 in feb and had a full and bespoke campervan conversion. When spending that sort of money that I have saving myself 6k or 8K on a second hand, 30, 000 M did not make sense. If the second hand values were not so strong, then perhaps.

[jessicatruman]

I feel your trying to justify why you dont have one! Personally we bought our t6.1 from new cos we wanted a new van. We wanted to know the inns and out of it! I Personally prefer the look of a t6 or even t5. But that wasnt a option. The foot rest for me isnt a problem as we use cruse control alot so your well rested and its better for posture to be straight. The steering wheel i dont like. I prefer a round one. But again iv learnt to live with it. The fact its a light steering wheel just means your not straining yourself. I feel safe driving mine.

[dickie]

I had this choice a few months back T6 or T6.1 I had 30grand to buy one, but for the spec i wanted the T6s were coming out at 28grand upwards anyways and bein a few years older with 40 to 60k on the clock. So I went for the T6.1 highline I thought it was a no brainer tbh, newer model, with more tech, adaptive cruise, heated windscreen, folding mirrors, new dashboard design etc the infotainment system is great, I had to have the VC fitted which is very cool. i paid 31k for it with 18thous on the clock, the couple of grand I paid extra was worth imo, if I spent 28 to 30k on the T6 I’d always be thinking should I of got the newer model.
But I don’t think you can go wrong with either van, they are both great, just the newer model appeal swung it for me

[markfoster]

I drive a 2018 transporter t6 tsi 6 speed manual, no dirty diesel. Drive the tsi yourself! It's a nice drive

[StuartGreen]

Not having a footrest in a 6.1 seems to be the central argument of this video 😂 I had a T5 and then a T6.1. Both solid vehicles. Each iteration is different.

[Savinme]

What are you carrying? T6.1 is not only an external update, it is a bunch of modern options, including for security. Digital dashboard, power steering, automatic parking, obstacle proximity sensor, lane keeping, trailer assistant and just a super modern interior with modern USB type C. I just bought the T6.1 because of this. How can you drive a modern car in an old showroom and with an old T6 steering wheel that is 12 years old and the same as a 2010 Polo Golf? Personally, for me, this is a death longing ...

[ManAndHisVan]

Every owner will find something they don't like in the next iteration of their vehicle. just look at the chatter around the T7 and ID Buzz.

I'll be doing a 2 year, 60, 000KM review of my T6.1 in a few weeks.

[dieselbushcraft]

Well I’ve not driven a 6.1 but the dash does look nicer. Mine is a 2019 T6 150 Highline, other than being nervous when filling the AdBlue due to all the horror stories on social media it hasn’t caused any dramas. I honestly believe that VW needs to redesign the AdBlue system and make it less sensitive, so I’m told the transit you just bung some in but the T6 seems to be exacting as in put in the exact amount at the exact time. So far it’s been OK as a vehicle and I love it as a camper and fingers crossed we get many happy years camping from it.
I wish the cruise was adaptive but that little mod is too costly and that’s about as bad as it gets.

[cheesesteakjimmy]

I have a t6 personal van and a 6.1 work van and I personally like the 6.1 better drives just like a car and engine is alot quiter both 102 ps

[stephenboothby]

VW's have a lot of money to make up because of their cheating and the subsequent fines. Expect to get less for your money. Add to that dealerships charging a fortune for "non warranty" issues. I was recently told I needed to pay £2300 to replace a clutch an dual mass flywheel with 8k on the clock.

[marinejunkies]

I've just bought the 6.1 highline and it's a way better drive then the t6 and the dash and steering wheel is night and day better

[KevinSimpson_MTB]

My 19 plate T6 Kombi Highline doesn’t have the sunglasses holder, so it was obviously taken out before the 6.1.

[Adam_H_Official]

Got a T6 ( Euro 6 ) and with the amount of money spent on it over the period we have these vans, the advantages over getting a new one is virtually none existent and probably a back step after aftermarket upgrades. With a good suspension setup, Antiroll bars, upgraded bushes, better sound deadening, new steering wheel and head unit, I honestly think moving to a 6.1 would only be for cosmetic reasons if i were to do it at some point, of which you can just get a T6.1 front end conversion if you really wanted that 6.1 front end look and feel.

[pebble]

The 140hp engine and the 102hp engines are exactly the same. The 140 has a stronger gear box with 6 speeds, the 102 has 5 speeds. I have the 102 euro 5 with no issues at all and has been remapped to 180hp. I have not driven a 6.1 but removing the foot rest due to the electric steering is a big no and the sunglasses case! Plus I can’t get out of my mind the paddle board paddle on the front end lower bumper of the 6.1

[federicomartinoli]

My manual California T6.1 does have the foot rest and it's also very big (left drive version for Italy)