Any thoughts on a 5th seat please?

[andyinluton]

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.

The payload assumes no grey water carried, so forget that.
Don't forget to deduct more payload if you've had a towbar fitted as that weighs a bit.
Payload assumes 90% fuel, loosing another 16kg means you would not go over half a tank.

 

[WelshGas]

It all depends on how you plan to use the vehicle with the 5th seat fitted.
As a camper - No. You would be overweight.
As a family Taxi - just carrying additional passengers to and fro with no camping equipment - no problem.

 

[Dark Ocean]

It all depends on how you plan to use the vehicle with the 5th seat fitted.
As a camper - No. You would be overweight.
As a family Taxi - just carrying additional passengers to and fro with no camping equipment - no problem.

Hey Welshgas, when I do the school run which is most mornings, I have four kids in the car (not all mine), so the fifth seat would be really handy otherwise I will have to borrow my wife's car. When camping, its just the four of us (plus the dog) with no need for the fifth seat. I hadn't thought about the insurance implications. I've opted for a factory fit tow bar too, so there's extra weight there too. 18 inch Palmerstons, so no spare wheel.
The other thought I had was second hand value if I have customised the van away from factory spec.

 

[WelshGas]

Hey Welshgas, when I do the school run which is most mornings, I have four kids in the car (not all mine), so the fifth seat would be really handy otherwise I will have to borrow my wife's car. When camping, its just the four of us (plus the dog) with no need for the fifth seat. I hadn't thought about the insurance implications. I've opted for a factory fit tow bar too, so there's extra weight there too. 18 inch Palmerstons, so no spare wheel.
The other thought I had was second hand value if I have customised the van away from factory spec.

To be quit honest, personally, I don't think DVLA or the Insurance company will care at all about upgrading to 5 seats. It is your responsibility to ensure the vehicle is not overloaded when in use. You would be well within the MGW if a 5th seat is fitted and you are just carrying an additional passenger.
As far as Warranty is concerned, if genuine parts are used, and fitted as per VW's instructions then I cannot see it being any different to fitting any VW accessory post build.
After all what about the warranty regarding fitting a tailgate bike rack, or a 5th seat post delivery or HD rollbar or spoiler?

 

[Dark Ocean]

To be quit honest, personally, I don't think DVLA or the Insurance company will care at all about upgrading to 5 seats. It is your responsibility to ensure the vehicle is not overloaded when in use. You would be well within the MGW if a 5th seat is fitted and you are just carrying an additional passenger.
As far as Warranty is concerned, if genuine parts are used, and fitted as per VW's instructions then I cannot see it being any different to fitting any VW accessory post build.
After all what about the warranty regarding fitting a tailgate bike rack, or a 5th seat post delivery or HD rollbar or spoiler?

That makes sense. I wonder if there are any recommended companies out there that would carry out the fitting of a 3rd rail safely? I have read on this forum somewhere that companies adding rails on conversion vans charge a fortune.

 

[WelshGas]

That makes sense. I wonder if there are any recommended companies out there that would carry out the fitting of a 3rd rail safely? I have read on this forum somewhere that companies adding rails on conversion vans charge a fortune.

http://www.oxfordt5.co.uk/ is closer to you and I’ve only heard good comments.
The fact that the California probably has the same floor pan and mounting points wether it has 2 or more rails might help, unlike a plain commercial van that may not.

 

[andyinluton]

DVLA and insurance will want to know, neither of which should be a problem. I had our old SE changed to 6 seats on the logbook just by writing to DVLA & insurers were happy with a carefully worded letter from a friendly Dealer on headed paper that had words to the effect that it was a genuine VW seat fitted in accordance with VWs instructions.

You do not want to have an accident with more passengers than the van is designed to carry in the eyes of the law!!!

there's a company, I think its T5 Oxford that specialise in adding seats to all sorts of transporters etc.

 

[Dark Ocean]

DVLA and insurance will want to know, neither of which should be a problem. I had our old SE changed to 6 seats on the logbook just by writing to DVLA & insurers were happy with a carefully worded letter from a friendly Dealer on headed paper that had words to the effect that it was a genuine VW seat fitted in accordance with VWs instructions.

You do not want to have an accident with more passengers than the van is designed to carry in the eyes of the law!!!

there's a company, I think its T5 Oxford that specialise in adding seats to all sorts of transporters etc.

Thanks Andy, that’s two recommendations for OxfordT5, so I shall be on to them tomorrow for a quote and also hold off on ordering the two rail Brandrup carpet!!!! Now I just need a 5th seat in the T6.1 art velours. What do you reckon my chances are.... ?

 

[andyinluton]

Just find any seat and put a brandrup second skin on it

 

[Perfectos]

Thanks Andy, that’s two recommendations for OxfordT5, so I shall be on to them tomorrow for a quote and also hold off on ordering the two rail Brandrup carpet!!!! Now I just need a 5th seat in the T6.1 art velours. What do you reckon my chances are.... ?

There’s a couple of cheap seats on a well known auction site right now

 

[WelshGas]

Thanks Andy, that’s two recommendations for OxfordT5, so I shall be on to them tomorrow for a quote and also hold off on ordering the two rail Brandrup carpet!!!! Now I just need a 5th seat in the T6.1 art velours. What do you reckon my chances are.... ?

Before getting the rail fitted, if you proceed, notify DVLA and the Insurance company.

 

[Dark Ocean]

There’s a couple of cheap seats on a well known auction site right now

Thanks Perfectos! I shall have a little look now.

Before getting the rail fitted, if you proceed, notify DVLA and the Insurance company.

Thanks Welshgas, I’ll get the quote and make sure it’s not bonkers money, then contact DVLA and insurance, the. Try and find a seat. Simples, thanks guys, I’ll report back as I progress.

 

[Beez]

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.

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

Hi there, Great job fitting the rail for the fifth seat onto your 4 motion. I need to do exactly the same on our 2015 4 motion cali as the 3 children have almost out grown the 3 child MultiMac we currently have in the cali (really excellent product the multimac and it has "done exactly what it says on the tin" this last 2-3 years). I have been looking for a VW conversion company for some time (South UK) - would welcome any recommendations ?? (have contact oxfordt5 several times of last months by not reply), thanks.

 

[Kevthegas]

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.

Hi Vegas 2020
Have you any pictures of this set up?

Kev

 

[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!!

Hello Dark Ocean.
Since the big exit from the Eu , I havnt been getting the usual weekly Cali club notifications/ emails.
Got a mail yesterday from another member and have now logged on and saw your mail. Apologies for delay.
I’m involved with a camper van company for the past 20 years or so. The VW ‘s are very well thought out.
I would presume yours is already pre drilled and prepped for an extra centre rail.
Cheers Noel.