have asked on T4forum, but it’s kinda slow over there…

GF and i are looking at vans.

we have an idea as to what we (eventually) want to end up with….
what we want:

– two seats up front with the possibility of the passenger or both seats swivelling.
– ability to carry four people.
– a seat bench that can be moved forward when carrying passengers and/or bikes in the rear and slid back to make space for eating/slouching.
– small sink/cook area with the view to being able to remove the unit for more space or alfresco cooking. (shouldn’t be too difficult as i’m a joiner/chippy).
– sleeping for two. whether we use a folding seating bench or some sort of storage unit that essentially carries half the bed once the seats are folded flat/back on themselves i’m not sure.

anyone have experience of installing sliding rails for a bench seat (capable of carrying passengers)? easy job or do i need a workshop?

are there plenty of seat designs that fold into a bed?

it seems to be a minefield of information and i don’t know where to start….

yes you can get sliding seats that fold into a bed. It’s a VW option.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VW-T5-REAR-BENCH-SEAT-belts-INKA-BED-INCA-transporter-fits-T4-inca-rock-and-roll-/131159747217#ht_954wt_1065

You want a multivan interior! Lots of removal of bits under the van and a specialist fitter IIRC – not many seats available. There is a v nice one that turns into a bed and has isofix but about £3000 when I looked into it – might be some cheaper ones without isofix…

Kitchen pod

http://www.uberbus.co.uk/conversion-essentials/kitchen-camping-pods

or make your own 🙂

Make sure it’s a prperly pull tested bed/seat and the same with swivels bases fro companies such as BEBB, Kiravans, Vanworx, alot of the rear R&R bed are just square section steel and bolted straight to the load bed with no underbody support or bracing meaning in the event of a crash they’re likely to just pull straight out.

We opted for a BEBB quick release one so can use it as a proper van too as necessary, they are as all safety tested ones more exspensive, but I won’t carry the children or any other passengers on something that is potentiall anymore dangerous than it needs to be.

VW factory fit stuff is obviously fine

EDIT: how much for a small kitchen pod :-O

HTH.

have looked at multivans and a decent one (not over 250k and with euro4 particle thingy) is upwards of 15k. besides, i don’t like the way the bed folds and i have heard that it isn’t that comf to sleep on.

rather take a standard motor (naked or Kombi) and fit in sliding chair/bed and add my own furniture.

so, sliding rails…. easy to fit? i’ve read that to fit the Caravelle/Multivan rails you need to get under and remove the tank in order to do so. isn’t there another option available?

Bongo?

nicht in Schermany….

If you want safe sliding rails you really need to buy a van with them. I looked at this and to get the rails fitted (which need welded plates as I recall to strengthen the floor) you needed a workshop. (and more skills than I have!)

I would think again, sorry

All perfectly possible as far as I’m aware.

That said I’ve just bought a T5 caravelle that does exactly what you describe. We’ve the multiflex board to make the rear bench into a bed; a kitchen pod (gas hob and sink); side awning, swivel front seats and two additional caravelle seats bringing the total to seven.

This guy installs sliding rails to panel vans or kombi conversions and comes highly recommended as I understand.

EDIT, although it would appear he’s not that local to you!

DR Brakes, you got any photos?

really struggling to get my head around all the various configurations and options. cheers

Just looked and T5 plates are bolted not welded. So if you could get the van on ramps may be possible DIY…

NWCC Under Chassis

You have got me googling now! I like this if you could get a crew van;
http://www.conceptmulti-car.co.uk/bike-and-surf.htm

Just another note, there are alot of cowboys out there claiming to do a proper job (the same as the bike industry really 😉 ) so your best bet is to go with one of the bigger reputable companies to make sure you get any safety stuff done properly.

I believe oxford t5 is the man to speak to there…

Sorry Alpin, I’ve not got any yet as I only just took ownership yesterday. Will take some soon and post some up but if you look at the link (for OxfordT5 also mentioned ^) in my earlier post you’ll see how the rails are set up.

We have the rear bench that can slide forward or backward on these and then a removable two additional captains seats that can go in between the driver/passenger seats and this bench.

When in bed mode, the rear bench slides forward and flattens to make a king size double (using the multiflex board at the back). Our camping pod goes in place of one of the two removable seats directly behind either the drive or passenger seat. We don’t have the two middle seats in for camping duties but they’re in the garage for when we need seven seats.

Look into crash tested beds / seats and not pull tested, lots of discussions on the t5 forum

There are lots of cowboys who claim they are type approved etc but it costs a fortune for the certification.

Most rock and roll beds are fine for sleeping but not for pass anger use.

Oxford t5 the way to for eom crash tested, isofix multivan/caravelle seat with rails. I’ve converted a tailgate t5 with caravelle captains and rear seat with original multiflex board. Really versatile vehicle!

Ps. He’s a top bloke too!