Any thoughts on a 5th seat please?

[newboldi]

Hi all,

Our new van arrived last week and we love it! it's a T6.1 Ocean which we didn't factory order ourselves and the one thing we would have gone for is the optional 5th seat. It would be quite useful (I think) and therefore, I'm wondering if anyone has any knowledge of how one may be retro fitted, cost, hassle, etc? Thanks in advance, Ian

 

[Stu@rt]

There are some older posts recommending this firm for the installation of the additional rail.

Oxford VW T4 T5 caravelle and kombi Conversions and seats sales. - Home Page

Visit us for Volkswagen T4 & T5 caravelle and kombi Conversions and seats Sales,

www.oxfordt5.co.uk

Bit of a trek for you though!

 

[pjduffill]

Does your cali have 2 or 3 rails?

 

[testpilottimmy]

Does your cali have 2 or 3 rails?

A loaded question - if you have 3 rails, you just need to buy a seat - a few hundred pounds second hand. If you only have 2 rails, I think you will be in for a few thousand.

 

[newboldi]

Does your cali have 2 or 3 rails?

Hi 2 rails (I think)

A loaded question - if you have 3 rails, you just need to buy a seat - a few hundred pounds second hand. If you only have 2 rails, I think you will be in for a few thousand.

Ouch...pretty sure its two rails. Might leave that one then...thanks

 

[pjduffill]

Hmm, its a bit of a job of work then, translates to a few bob. In agreement with testpilottimmy.

This is my 5th seat, you can see the position of the three rails. Third rail by kitchen unit.

 

[newboldi]

Hmm, its a bit of a job of work then, translates to a few bob. In agreement with testpilottimmy.

This is my 5th seat, you can see the position of the three rails. Third rail by kitchen unit.

View attachment 76329

Thanks, looks good and what I am trying to achieve...

 

[pjduffill]

there is a mechanism under the middle rail, seems like it may be fixed to the chasis? As the seat has its own seatbelt it must be fixed in a safe and secure way to ensure no mishaps in event of emergency stop etc. Consequently, need to ensure a professional and insured fit?

 

[2haw]

Oxford T5 installs additional seats to Transporters, probably best to contact them if you only have 2 rails but really need/ want a 5th seat.

Do you have a photo of the inside?

 

[pjduffill]

if not a vw dealer fix, it may be a modification i would be inclined to check:

• insurance company ( modification from 4 to 5 seats)
• vw for potential exclusions in event of warranty claim
• guarantee provided by converter if not vw

 

[andyinluton]

if not a vw dealer fix, it may be a modification i would be inclined to check:

• insurance company ( modification from 4 to 5 seats)
• vw for potential exclusions in event of warranty claim
• guarantee provided by converter if not vw

Check your V5, there's a good chance it already states 5 seats.

On a coast it can be more complicated as if you do a factory order 5th seat you have to have a chassis upgrade as well.

If I was specing a new 2wd van I think I would bet the extra few quid just to have the factory fit 3rd rail, as its now not standard it could well be one of the sought after options on the second hand market.

 

[testpilottimmy]

Check your V5, there's a good chance it already states 5 seats.

On a coast it can be more complicated as if you do a factory order 5th seat you have to have a chassis upgrade as well.

If I was specing a new 2wd van I think I would bet the extra few quid just to have the factory fit 3rd rail, as its now not standard it could well be one of the sought after options on the second hand market.

It was our reason for not going for a 4Mo.

 

[pjduffill]

My overriding need was for the fifth seat. As per testpilottimmy, i would have liked the 4 Mo but the fifth seat was not an option. I guess this may be down to the chassis design (different on a 4Mo)

 

[andyinluton]

My overriding need was for the fifth seat. As per testpilottimmy, i would have liked the 4 Mo but the fifth seat was not an option. I guess this may be down to the chassis design (different on a 4Mo)

Its weight thats the problem with the 4motion that stops it being an option. You can get various caravelles & beaches in some markets with the rails & 4 motion so it does all physically fit.

 

[reserves]

Unless you really need it, I wouldn't bother, we had one and never used it.

It's *very* heavy and not something you can get in and out of the van quickly. Also gets in the way of the bed etc.

However if you need to transport more than 4 in the van, then you don't have a choice!

 

[Vegas 2020]

It was our reason for not going for a 4Mo.

Hi there,
I’ve fitted the centre rail for a fifth seat into my Ocean 4 motion. It wasn’t a factory option due to the 4 wheel drive. Don’t know why !
The holes are pre drilled into the floor , and you can purchase the centre rail , bolts and ends from Vw parts.
Be extremely careful when cutting out the floor , as you only get one chance.
Measure 10 times , cut once.
Im sure there are plenty good Vw conversion specialists out there.
Good luck with.
It is a very good addition.
Check your insurance though.
Any changes / alterations may invalidate your policy.
Safe driving.

 

[alan middleton]

Hi 2 rails (I think)


Ouch...pretty sure its two rails. Might leave that one then...thanks

If you have 4motion, you will have only 2 rails.

 

[Camperfamily]

Hi there,
I’ve fitted the centre rail for a fifth seat into my Ocean 4 motion. It wasn’t a factory option due to the 4 wheel drive. Don’t know why !
The holes are pre drilled into the floor , and you can purchase the centre rail , bolts and ends from Vw parts.
Be extremely careful when cutting out the floor , as you only get one chance.
Measure 10 times , cut once.
Im sure there are plenty good Vw conversion specialists out there.
Good luck with.
It is a very good addition.
Check your insurance though.
Any changes / alterations may invalidate your policy.
Safe driving.

View attachment 76460

The reason is because you are now over/ at high risk of being over the payload if you load up your 4motion with 5 average sized adults and kit...

I presume your V5 also says 4 seats as 4motion. Did you get that changed with DVLA?

 

[Vegas 2020]

The reason is because you are now over/ at high risk of being over the payload if you load up your 4motion with 5 average sized adults and kit...

I presume your V5 also says 4 seats as 4motion. Did you get that changed with DVLA?

Ok. Thanks for that info. I’ve removed the original seat/ bed and fitted two new single seats. I use downstairs as a workshop/ office and occasionally sleep up top.
So I’ve four single seats now. This will keep it under the permissible weight.

 

[Camperfamily]

@Vegas 2020 that’s impressive and worth a thread in its own right. Sounds like a good setup

 

[Dark Ocean]

Hi there,
I’ve fitted the centre rail for a fifth seat into my Ocean 4 motion. It wasn’t a factory option due to the 4 wheel drive. Don’t know why !
The holes are pre drilled into the floor , and you can purchase the centre rail , bolts and ends from Vw parts.
Be extremely careful when cutting out the floor , as you only get one chance.
Measure 10 times , cut once.
Im sure there are plenty good Vw conversion specialists out there.
Good luck with.
It is a very good addition.
Check your insurance though.
Any changes / alterations may invalidate your policy.
Safe driving.

View attachment 76460

Hey Vegas, that is a brilliant job you have completed there. I didn’t realise you could add the third rail to a 4motion. Is that on a T6? I wonder if it’s the same setup on a T6.1 too? I’m really interested in this as we regularly need five seats but not having 4mo wasn’t an option for us. You’ve given me hope!!

 

[Vegas 2020]

Hey Vegas, that is a brilliant job you have completed there. I didn’t realise you could add the third rail to a 4motion. Is that on a T6? I wonder if it’s the same setup on a T6.1 too? I’m really interested in this as we regularly need five seats but not having 4mo wasn’t an option for us. You’ve given me hope!!

Thanks Dark Ocean ( great handle)
My van is a 30 th edition Cali.
I presume the 6.1 floor is pre drilled for the centre rail.
If you have access to a lift or are friendly with a garage owner , take your van in to a garage and up on a lift.
Get a very good light and measure 1/2 way between the two existing rails. You will see small rectangular plates spaced evenly apart , running up the centre floor. These will be the anchor points for your third rail. I will try and dig out a few pictures of when I fitted mine.
Let me know how you get on.
These Vw ,s are very adaptable. That’s why I’ve had them since 1990. Great engineering.

 

[Camperfamily]

@Dark Ocean you may wish to read up on previous posts on this forum on why a 4motion Cali doesn’t come with a fifth seat.

My understanding is that it will take you over the van’s payload if loaded with 5 adults, which I presume would have issues for insurance and potentially safety issues.

 

[andyinluton]

As long as you are aware that your already low payload will be reduced even further & only intend carrying 2 adults + small children you may be ok weight wise.

Your payload before you start is 376 KG, The 5th seat + additional rails come in at about 50kg if you were to then put in 4 X 75kg adults in addition to the driver you would be left with just 26kg for everything else!!! Thats why VW don't sell it with the extra seat.

That assumes you havn't put on solar panels etc.
You can increase the figure by not carrying any water, dump the spare if you have one, but whatever you do it will be tight.

 

[yossarian]

One could recover around 100kg+ of mass just attacking the low hanging fruit:

Remove Spare wheel : 20kg
Remove 2 AGM batteries: 43kg
Add Lifepo4 80Ah : 13kg
Empty fresh water: 30kg vs full. I forget how much is included in standard weight.
Empty grey water: 30kg (as above)
Under fuel: 16kg

There's 126kg right there which is a 33% increase in payload.

It all depends on circumstances. The factory seats are obscenely heavy.