Adding an additional 3 seat bench

Rustyrider · Sep 19, 2017

Hi all

I have a 2015 California beach with 3 bench seat option, my circumstances have changed recently and I need to use my vehicle more as a people carrier to cart around 6 kids and 2 adults

If I was to purchase another 3 seat rear bench and drop into the rails behind the existing bench would this work ? Obviously entering and exiting the vehicle would be a struggle

Any advice would be greatly received

Steve

CALI FATE · Sep 19, 2017

Cant see why not - but as you say - it will be a struggle getting in and out, as it is a big heavy lump to slide forward and back for access. You could have one seat facing backwards and access from the back door - all the seat belts etc are integrated so no safety issues that i can see.

Would make a big old bed too -

Stuart · Sep 19, 2017

I think it would work, but worth doing some calculations regarding payload?

Amarillo · Sep 19, 2017

CALI FATE said:
You could have one seat facing backwards and access from the back door

I don't think the bench is reversible, the single seats swivel but cannot be put in the wrong way round.

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andyinluton · Sep 19, 2017

Have you thought about swapping the front passenger seat for a double? - gives you the 8 seats and leaves the back seats in the normal configuration.

6 kids facing each other within kicking distance sounds like a recipe for a stressful drive.
I don't know what your leg room requirements are but we had the v5 on our se changed to 6 seats & managed to get 2 "5th" seats in an SE staggered on the rails in front of the bench. You should be able to do the same and have 2 front seats, 2 front row in the rear, 1 single in the middle behind them, then the 3 seater bench. The middle seat on the bench will have no leg room but would be ok for someone in a child seat.

It may be worth having a look at the seating options in a caravel? they do a triple seat for it that does not make up into a bed which may be smaller than the beach one.

Rich20 · Sep 19, 2017

Surely access would be a problem as the bench seats would have to be close together. Not sure people could get out in an emergency. VW would offer it as an option if they could have made it work. Stick with the 2 extra rotating seats as designed.