Looking to tap into the collective STW van knowledge. I know what I want(ish) from a spec perspective but don't know what's out there that matches.
- Size wise, something like a Peugeout Expert
- 3 seats upfront
- 3 seats in the back which will both convert into a flat bed for sleeping, and be belted. Optional, slide forward / back to create a "living room" with a fold out table.
- preferably middle section windows, but not rear.
- No other camper conversion
- Preferably a lift-up rear door, rather than double side opening doors.
Doesn't feel too moon-on-a-stick, but having looked a fair bit already nothing matches exactly. Where to look?
My mother has a car-version Berlingo which kinda matches some points:
2 front seats, 3 full size back, they fold flat. Lift-up rear door.
I know it's not the same but feels like it's on the way to what you want and I know there are plenty van versions of the Berlingo.
Probably not very helpful...
I think you are going to have to build it. You want a crew van basically but they tend not to have a bed option. Or you want a VW Combi - but they don't have 3 seats in the front.
So buy a normal van and do a rear combi conversion with windows and seats but keeping the 3 seats up front = 6 seat van
Could do this on a number of platforms.
Or you want a VW Combi – but they don’t have 3 seats in the front
They do a front bench. You have to really hate your passengers to make them use it though. It's not adjustable and designed for occasional use, at best. Gear lever surround intrudes on the middle person's knee to the extent that you have to wonder if there's a disproportionate quantitiy of pirates in Hannover.
Boxer/Ducato kombi perhaps?
Maybe you want a standard panel van and to install one of those Rock n Roll beds, plus side windows?
Just realised there's a previous thread. @franksinatra - did you get something sorted?
Early Honda Stpwagon (Stepwagon) fits some of your brief.
Jap import only. Mk1's were boxy utilitarian, with bed folding seats. Following models become more blingy.
Petrol only engines. Some spares support in the UK.
As said may have to build, can't think of anything factory with rear seats on rails.
VW T5/t6/t6.1 panel van with caravelle/california rails and caravelle 3 seater installed, put some cheapo non opening windows in the required positions.
Or find a Kombi with a double passenger up front and add one of the many types of Kombi beds for the rear when seats folded. Obviously that won't get you the space you require in the 'living area' due to not being able to slide the rear seats.
There aren't many vans where a third seat in the front is comfortable and quite as few where that seat is unusable - which is why its usually omitted when there are rear seats.
The current expert/dispatch vans (and all the other makes using the same platform) the middle seat is pretty much useless. In the transit custom its nearer to OK - for kids at least - if you're travelling any distance. Sprinters / Crafters and Boxer are all credible for adults but you're up into a different class of van there.
Are you looking new or used? Ex 'welfare vans' would give you a good basis for fitting rear seats like you want in the back and the'll have anchor points for seats, side window and already be classed to carry rear passengers on the V5 - but they'll be bigger than an Expert by a fair bit.
Otherwise - I'd look at the 8/ 9 seat Vitos and t5s and just take some seats out- they usually have plenty of seat position options. A few folk I work with use them as a sort of mobile office - have the second row of seats reversed - backs against the front seats and the rest space clear as their 'living room'
probably no need to have seats that convert to a bed as you'd prob have a beds-worth of clear floor
Sounds like a vw kombi. I have my front bench on a swivel. And 2+1 seats in the back. The single is never used and for 'living room' config. I move the 2 back seats against the wall opposite the sliding door a swivel the front bench to give an L shaped layout with 4 seats.
Not 3 seats in the front but just seen the late brake show review of the new VW multivan. Impressive bit of kit but blinking expensive.
How about an amdro style bed and anything where the seats fold forwards? Will be much more comfy than seats folded back.
http://www.amdro.co.uk/product/vw-transporter-kombi-bed-double/
How about fitting transit custom rear seats to van of your choice?
When I was born my dad got a pair of bus seats from the scrap yard and bolted them into the back of his Austin A40 van.
Thanks, some good ideas and info.
3 up front is for my one kid, then we're all up front. But actually, makes sense not to but have more comfortable seats in the back and a swiveling Captain seat at front of possible.
Viano is probably a good start point for the variable seat options.
Most of the s/h ones are ex airport shuttles with over 300k miles though.
I have a peugeot expert it's got quite good aceleration. Plenty space in the back for three bikes or two bikes, tools and a sleeping mat which is as far as I'll go towards a camper van conversion. The downside is noise, my van has a mesh not a solid bulkhead.
Thanks, some good ideas and info.
3 up front is for my one kid, then we’re all up front. But actually, makes sense not to but have more comfortable seats in the back and a swiveling Captain seat at front of possible.
Confused now - so how many passengers do you need this for? If your child was going to be in the front, was the plan for more adults in the back?
3 up front is for my one kid, then we’re all up front.
Just NO!
Drivers airbag - check
Passenger airbag - check
Middle seat airbag - Nope
I'm not sure why a third middle seat is allowed without an airbag. I'd not let my grandkids travel in a van with a middle seat, unless they were under the age when you're meant to turn off the airbag of course.
On the T6 the airbag is specific for the double seat so perfectly safe enough.
They are one of the most uncomfortable things you will ever sit on though. Brackets are available to give more lean on the backrest and fold it flat, but if you can get away with a single passenger up front then 100% do that.
If you went down the rear seat on rails approach you can have the rear seat pushed up towards the front seats so that your young one will not be any further away than they would be in a normal car, then when you park up for the day slide it all the way back - it's a 2 second job with the caravelle/california type seats/rails. They also have isofix if that's reqd too.
The important question is actually
"What Van can i afford"......
😉
Confused now – so how many passengers do you need this for? If your child was going to be in the front, was the plan for more adults in the back?
I have occasional friend too (in the back).
The downside is noise, my van has a mesh not a solid bulkhead.
I'd wondered about noise. It's a thing then, yes?
@Jimmy It's a bit of pain in mine sometimes. I can live with it. It may not be a problem if your van has a solid bulkhead.
How about a people-carrier ie a large car, like a Ford Galaxy or Toyota Previa. Much nicer than a van to drive. Lots of seats but obv it's either sleep on the floor/camp mat or put up with winding them back. Maybe you can buy a seat/bed 'unit' which slots in to the seat fixings.
A bulkhead isn't easily compatible with having a seat/bed if you want to make best use of the interior space. Our Transit Custom has a solid plastic bulkhead behind the second row of seats. Cargo area behind is approx 1.8m long at floor height but shorter higher up due to angle of the bulkhead, so not ideal for sleeping.
It's noticeably quieter than our T5 camper conversion (no bulkhead) we had before, but not a fair comparison.
Bulkhead definitely not compatible with your requirements.
I wouldn't worry about noise. Sound deaden and insulate behind the panels and carpet line, either the whole lot or just panels. Can sound deaden cab and rear floor too under standard rubber cab mats/flooring of your choice (or both in my case).
Just realised there’s a previous thread. @franksinatra – did you get something sorted?
Nothing. Just way too expensive. Had to stick with my car.
Doesn't have the 3 seats in the front but with sticking a passenger in the back it sounds like a Nissan Elgrand would be ideal! Either get one with curtains or a couple of cardboard cut outs and velcro to cover windows.
I've had a couple of crew cabs, sticking a support in the rear footwell and a single inflatable mattress fits perfectly for the odd night sleeping in it. Went for a LWB Trafic crew over an Elgrand last year but that was just due to knowing the Trafic.
I've got an 8 set Viano, bloody lovely thing it is. XL so its massive! Was loads on the market with less than 300k when I bought mine. Mine had 87k on a 64 plate, pretty much the last they made before changin to the V-Class.
Only 2 seat up front but very comfy with arm rests, I'm planning to put mine on swivel plates. 2, 3 seat benchs in the rear, currently set up facing each other as the kids like it like that. Can also get 7 seater with 2 captains chairs and bench seat in the rear. Rear seats don't fold flat to form a bed but there are beds that fold out and span the rear seats when the backs are folded. Not cheap but I'm thinking of getting one of those or getting mate to see if he can make one, he owns a metal fabrication company.
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