Club 80-90 Forums

Hello All

This is my very first post and certainly my first of many questions for all you campervan experts.

I plan to buy a T3 camper in about 6 months. Just saving a bit more cash so I can get one in the best possible condition.

Just thinking about passenger safety here.....

Are there campervan conversions that have 3 point seatbelts and headrests in the back?

Are "buddy seats" safe for passengers while driving?

Can an extra row of seats be bolted to the floor when its not being used as a campervan to add more seating capacity?

Thanks

Llamapup

Liamapup Hi

If its a help... the Holdsworth Villa 3 conversion has a rock and roll bed seat fitted with lap belts and some have an additional buddy seat/poo pot box also fitted with a belt, giving a total of five seats with restraints.
The buddy seat obviously faces to the rear of the van because it is behind the passenger seat and the floor mountings have to be really secure but it looked safe to me although I did remove it on my van.
Adding an extra row of seats in a camper with all its built in fitments, cupboards/bed etc. could be somewhat difficult ... it would be interesting to see if anyone else has tried it?

I've got an extra row of seats in my California. not in at the moment though as we've just got back from 4 weeks travelling around northern Spain (fantastic!!). will try and get them back in this evening and post a photo for you. they slide in and out on rails in the floor.

Thanks Guys

I'm convinced that rear passenger safety must be a reasonably simple to achieve in a camper van, but as I have no experience of being a passenger in one its just not that clear as how it the seating format works.

For most of you campervan owners, is there just one row of seats with three lap belts in the back?

Thanks

Llamapup

Llamapup wrote:For most of you campervan owners, is there just one row of seats with three lap belts in the back?

Thanks

Llamapup

I think two is more common. A third tends to place someone in a position to smack the furniture in a crash.

Hi Llamapup
You said you were going to buy a camper in six months... so plenty of time to do your research about which conversion ...

Look on ebay at the campers for sale - usually lots of pics of interiors and seat variations.

Go and view a few for sale locally but don't be tempted until you learn to recognise the pitfalls. Look on the 'Wiki' here

Look on the 'Garage' here for camper pics

Go to a couple of VW Events, be nosey, ask questions and opinions most owners will be only to pleased to discuss their van.

Supermarket car parks are a good place to look in summer (huh when did we have one of those)... don't get arrested!

You can't beat seeing a camper in the flesh if you know what I mean!

Buy a multivan, fit a pop top, and you have plenty of seating and 4 beds.