Some owners of a Grand California 600 or 680 will have already discovered it – the fine crack in the side wall of the bathroom, directly around the opening for the Truma T-piece. The cause is less spectacular, but the effects are all the more annoying. Replacing the side panel means removing the entire bathroom, taking out the seat bench and putting in a new side panel – a huge amount of work for what is actually a minor problem.
Why is that?
There always seem to be imperfections during factory assembly: Drill holes that are frayed, end pieces that have not been glued in centered – and above all a T-piece support surface that creates uneven pressure distribution due to its shape.
Particularly when heating up and cooling down in heating mode, point loads occur on the side wall, which is only 13 mm thick. If the material works for a long time, cracks can occur.
The solution: decoupling plate
This is exactly where the decoupling plate comes in. It ensures an even contact surface on the inside of the side wall and distributes the pressure of the Truma end piece cleanly over a larger area. The curvature of the T-piece is absorbed and the critical point on the rear is neutralized.
Installation is simple and can be carried out by yourself with a little skill. The seat bench is opened, the T-piece unscrewed, the ventilation ducts removed – and then the decoupling plate can be inserted. If you like, you can also replace the flaps with the more open Truma louvre inserts – for better air distribution and, according to Truma, also for safety reasons.
Little extra: Less fuss in the box
A nice side effect: fixing the ventilation ducts with felt or adhesive tape at critical points also reduces the typical rattling noises while driving. This is because the pipes are often not attached at the factory.
Conclusion
The decoupling plate is a small investment (35 euros including shipping), but can prevent major damage. If you ride a Grand California, you should definitely take a look behind the seat – or even better, take preventative action.
The decoupling plate is available here
Note:
This guest article is based on information and experience from Guido Kassel. Many thanks at this point for documenting and sharing his findings.
2 comments
Hi, are you able to post the decoupling plate to the UK?
Many thanks
Dave McLoughlin
Good morning David,
of course 🙂
https://shop.grandcali.com/en/products/entkopplungsplatte-fur-vw-grand-california-600-680
Best regards