Caravelle folding bed problem

[tforturton]

Well, I finally managed to locate a correct Caravelle folding bed, and after giving it a good clean, I've spent all day trying to fit it. The four bottom bolts were tricky, but I finally got them in, but once it's all in place, I have a problem ......the catches on the sides of the seat back do not line up with the pegs sticking out of the side panels. I thought it was me for a while, and I jiggled it around as best I could, but the four bolts prevent it moving very much.
Now, with the ordinary Caravelle rear bench (the one I took out), that didn't line up perfectly either, but it had a metal plate bolted to either end of the seat back, and these hook over the securing pegs. I could probably find some way to adapt that system, but the whole point of the folding bed is that when you pull the handle, the catches let go. If I used the two metal plates then the catch release would not work.
When the parts arrived, there were two rubber dumbbell-shaped pieces with it - which may or may not be part of the original set-up. I can't see how they could possibly help this problem, but someone might recognise them, and help me out. To be honest, as fra as I can see, the only way the catches are going to mate up with the pegs is if I physically move them, or fit new ones in a different place.
My concern is that the securing pegs for a rear bench Caravelle are actually in a different location to those on a Folding bed Caravelle. Does that make sense?
So here we go - does anyone know anything about how these folding beds fit? Should the catches fit cleanly onto the pegs? If so, what could I have done wrong, so that they don't line up?

[alfieboy]

You'll need to grind off the plate that holds the locking pins in and move it back a bit and re-weld it. Caravelle seat pins are in a different place to caravelle rock n roll bed pins.

[tforturton]

Thanks alfie boy. Mocki has just sent me photos which confirm what you say - on his vehicle there are two separate mounting points for the pegs. On mine there's only one (the wrong one). I'm no great shakes with a welder, so I'll be asking my garage man to make the necessary changes. Thanks again.

[nij_p]

Thanks alfie boy. Mocki has just sent me photos which confirm what you say - on his vehicle there are two separate mounting points for the pegs. On mine there's only one (the wrong one). I'm no great shakes with a welder, so I'll be asking my garage man to make the necessary changes. Thanks again.

Vw in their wisdom had 3 locales for the pins.
Position1 - rearmost for non Z bed
Position2 - forward most for standard Z bed
Position3 - just behind the forward post for the slightly narrow 'weekender' bed.

If you have a standard z bed then the forward hole is 4" in front of the one you have.

I made a template for the weekender bed if you need

[tforturton]

Sure, is it a diagram?

[tforturton]

Anyone know if you can buy the little plate (with a captive nut) - that the securing peg screws into. Seems a shame to cut the original one out and weld it back on somewhere else, if I can simply buy a couple of new ones from somewhere.

[ropeman23]

I made a couple of brackets up for mine, about 100mm long which bolt into the existing holes and relocate the peg further forwards. I can send you a pic if you want.

[tforturton]

Definitely. Can you put them on a PM for me? Thanks

[ropeman23]

Definitely. Can you put them on a PM for me? Thanks

Sure, I'll take some photos tomorrow.

[ropeman23]

Definitely. Can you put them on a PM for me? Thanks

Sure, I'll take some photos tomorrow.

Sorry didn't get near the van today. Tomorrow...

[tforturton]

I've been offered a pair of plates with the peg attached, but the pictures I've seen make them look a bit big, and the pegs aren't the same as the ones provided by the guy who sold me the bed. So I'm in a bit of a quandry. Do I...
1. Pay for a pair of VW plates/pegs, that will do the job, but may not be the right part. Weld to car.
2. Make my own plate with captive nut, to fit the pegs I have. Weld to car.
3. Make up a pair of brackets, that use the old mounting point. No welding required.
Anyone care to comment?

[gtavalanche]

Id say, The pegs are all the same thread size, just different lengths. id just move yours but if you really dont want to do that, Just get the VW ones and weld them in. Then paint/seam seal so it doesnt rust.

[ropeman23]

Sorry for the delay, here's what I did


photo by ropeman23, on Flickr

[tforturton]

That's actually a very neat solution, ropeman23 - I wish I'd th9ought of that.
In the meantime, I went ahead and bought the two rectangular plates with captive nuts and pegs. When I remove the trim panels, I can see that there is a recess pressed into the inside body panel, where the plate will sit. There is also a hole in the trim panel backing board, where the peg will poke through. I'm going to need to cut the round hole in the vinyl trim though (any hints on how to do this without making a right mess of it?).
So all I need to do is to weld the plates in place, and away to go. So here's my question - is this okay? I can't see anything anywhere nearby that might not like the heat of the welding, but just want to make sure. Aslo, I guess I'm going to have to grind a shiny patch or two for the weld to stick to. When I'm done, I grind down the rough weld, and spray it with some rust inhibitor. Is there anything else? Have I forgotten anything?
Also - how can I ensure that the plate is in exactly the right place? The hole in the trim is a good guide, but does it need to be absolutely dead right? All help gratefully received.

[faggie]

just recently checked the caravelle seats i have in my bus and van and it does not use any securing pins on the side of the van the rock n roll system gives it enough support , in fact there are no securing latches in the seat , on the bottom of seat there is a fibreglass cover plate this has a tag plate with westfalia on it, anyone seen or using the same seat this is a full width rear bed seat in the factory caravelle grey material