Help, I want 3 3point seatbelts in rear

[Alice]

I was told by a seatbelt fitter that rear facing was safer in a crash too. The seat belt does not tighten and crush in an impact, it merely tenses to restrain the weight that presses against it. It would therefore not crush a passenger. In an impact the weight of the child would be spread and supported by the length of the booster seat, and they are less likely to suffer neck injury.

My youngest always travelled in the rear facing buddy seat on his childseat in our old van. The belt iwas secured to the same pillar as the front passenger belt. My other child faces him on the rock and roll bed, as this is the only other 3 point belt in the rear. I previously used the lap belt next to this with a britax eclipse stage 2 car seat which is the only one you can use with a lap belt.

Brickwerks do an extra long belt that is I believe very good. It's on my list to purchase for new van so I can do the same again.

[alkers]

So from discussion, it sounds like rear facing seats are ok - although you obviously loose space in back. Any thoughts on side facing seats? My automatic reaction is that these are not safe- but does anyone know anything about this. Thanks, Jo

[Alice]

Side facing I was told are not OK but I have seen them used, just wouldn't risk it myself.

You do lose floor space with a buddy seat but it's a really useful store. Some keep port-pottis in them. Mine holds all the debris (toys) that the kids need. They are allowed to fill it but then that is it, makes them pack sensibly

[lhd]

Hi Lhd, thank for message. What exactly did you see being salvaged? A 3 point belt or a buddy seat.
Can you still buy buddy seats new? Are they difficult to attach - Is there a tank under the floor there. Is this a problem,or can you just work around this carefully?

It was basically a contraption that went through the cupboards using a threaded bar joined to the body of the van.
Rob.

[MattyBigNose]

Do you really need a full camping interior? Why not cook outside/in an awning and have much more space in the van for the five of you? (and not have it smelling of breakfast!!)

With no cupboards we have a full width RnR bed/rear seat that comfortably seats (and could sleep) three. I believe it's the original Caravelle base and seat back mounted on a very sturdy hinged frame. We are running with three lap belts having only bought the van late last year but planning to upgrade to 3 point on each side, leaving a lap belt in the middle.

I am thinking of using rear seatbelts from a Renault Scenic. Each belt has a second plug at the other the side of the passenger which means the belt can fully retract when folding the seat into bed mode. The remaining lap belt will continue to simply drop down below the seat.

On the buddy seat question - I wouldn't attach the belt to a wooden buddy seat - better I would have thought to use the driver/front passenger seat belt mounting points if the buddy seat is rear facing.

NB - I am not an expert so please do not treat the above as advice. Also, I am not seeking any advice on this just sharing some thoughts.

[TravellingChick]

Ahhhh but there is a certain satisfaction in the aroma of bacon wafting thru the van as you drive LOL!

I concur on the fittings for a buddy seat tho. Mine was pro fitted and is located on the pax door pillar below the pax belt and re-uses the bolt for the pax belt clippy in bit.

A full width r&r is fabulous but I like having the full camping interior as it's less to pack, less to unpack and set up plus you can make a coffee in a layby anytime you like.

[Cruz]

I agree a fully ladened camper is best. Just cut out the pies and get yourself out onto the lakeland fells and you'll easily fit into a 3/4 rock and roll bed. With a little work you may one day get the missus in too

[sonic23]

Sounds like you need a quick-release removable Multivan style Buddy seat, with seat belt. That way you can remove it and whack it in the awning when you're pitched up, by simply pulling a knob to release it. The mounting mechanism comes in either LHD or RHD versions.

Here's the sort of thing:

http://cgi.ebay.de/VW-Bus-T3-Bluestar-L ... 240%3A1318

And one mounted in a westy, but using a captains style seat....nice:


You can pick them up on ebay UK too (got mine on there - and it came with the mounting bracket and seat belt).

cheers,
Rich

[alkers]

I defo want the camping interior - the whole point of getting a camper is so I don't have all the hassle of packing. Just want to pack a few clothes and drive off. Also Having to set up the awning everytime you spot a nice place to picnic, have a cuppa just doesn't meet my umagination of "life on the road". Otherwise I may as well continue doing the camping trips in the estate!

Thanks Rich, that is exactly what I am after.But how are the seatbelts attached? From your pics and link (although my german isn't too good!) I couldn't see any buckles on the seat.

Also I understand there is a fuel tank under that spot on a T25. Is it tricky to get the bolts in?

[sonic23]

The factory system for those removable seats is a lap belt. The push button release part of the seat belt goes where the ones for the front seats go (i.e on the side's of the battery boxes). The roller part of the seat belt simply bolts onto the side mounting bracket for the seat. If you wanted to fit a three point instead - it would be fairly straightforward (I know that Viking and possibly some Devons campers had a 3 point belt on the jump seat behind the front seats).

To mount the bracket for these seats on a 2WD you would have to remove the breather tank for the petrol tank that's hidden up in the inner wheel arch.....obviously not a problem for Syncro owners

Here's a write up (pics at the end) on how to mount the bracket for these seats (including what to do about the breather/vapour tank)

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=339213

cheers,
Rich