Making Multivan rock and roll secure in caravelle

[ally]

bump

[Mick & Tracey]

My multivan seat is different set-up it doesn't have latches and doesn't rely upon any side support (it is supported by the hinge mechanism),

but the bracket in your picture looks like it could easily be made up by a local engineering workshop or welder if you can't do it yourself

As an alternative to extending the latch pin, would it be simpler to space out the catch on the seat with say a block of wood? Would be a simpler DIY job and would avoid long pins protruding. Presumably wouldn't foul anywhere as your seat looks like it's narrower at this point. Just a thought.

[Mick & Tracey]

My multivan seat is different set-up it doesn't have latches and doesn't rely upon any side support (it is supported by the hinge mechanism),

but the bracket in your picture looks like it could easily be made up by a local engineering workshop or welder if you can't do it yourself

As an alternative to extending the latch pin, would it be simpler to space out the catch on the seat with say a block of wood? Would be a simpler DIY job and would avoid long pins protruding. Presumably wouldn't foul anywhere as your seat looks like it's narrower at this point. Just a thought.

[silverbullet]

My multivan seat is different set-up it doesn't have latches and doesn't rely upon any side support (it is supported by the hinge mechanism)

what would be more of a concern is that on a multivan the rear is supported when in the upright position so any load on the rear isnt taken through the mechanism but straight on to the side supports!

You'll break the seat or worse, your passengers...

[ally]

Cheers Guys

So cutting it off and extending it the correct position seems the only option

Silver Bullet, yes i want it to be safe, but currently it's not safe at all! It does support passengers ok if they lean back, it's if you break sharp the seat moves forward.

[silverbullet]

Before you do anything rash, post up a pic or two and get a final opinion, just to make sure...

[ally]

http://www.dropbox.com/gallery/1835209/1/van?h=b0307c" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

here you go, does this work?

[silverbullet]

Yep link works ok. My guess is you've got a late multivan bench, that's why it's narrow but with catches that you'd usually see on a caravelle. You really need the multivan side panels to mount the pegs (not sure if they are the same part) but that's going to be £££ and you'll have to change the lot to match etc.
Otherwise it's advertise for a 'velle one, straight swap. I don't envy your position, it's a toughie.
PS I would steer clear of modifying the seat or the peg mountings, I know it has been done but it's not good practice imho.

[bpikeuk]

Hi,

Yes that looks like exactly the same problem as I had. My R&R bed came from a RHD UK spec Caravelle, an option apparently.

Quite simply, and it really was simple, I drilled out the 4 spot welds which hold the pin brackets onto the panel, unscrewed the pin and screwed it into the back side of the braket. I then offered it up to the side panel and had a look at where the conection needed to be. A little bending of the bracket and some pencil marks on the new panel location later and I broke out the MIG. I welded the captive nuts on a bit better as the force is now on the outside rather than pulling through the plate. I then applied some weld through primer to the panel and the bracket and tacked into place for a trial fitting. The position was right but the angle needed a little tweaking !. I ran a seam weld along the top and bottom, dressed with a linishing wheel and Bobs your mothers brother.

Getting the new holes through the existing side panel is a bit more 'eye' work but I found that with a small scalpel and careful use of the hole saw I got a reasonable finish.

Hope that this helps

Barry