Bench driving comfort

Auberg-ine · Sep 2, 2021

(Seems there's a server problem each time I want to introduce a question via the search function @Martin ?)
Anyway, so here's the question: any complaints about sitting at the backbench while driving? Even when driving on straight highway stretches my son and girlfriend get carsick, even after introducing my travel box (https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/thread...ocean-interior-organisation.25087/post-513747). They propose I should swap places to experience for myself. Now since I don't like handing over the wheel I searched for the biggest research source available, here!
If you can't convince them before our departure tomorrow morning that it's just in their heads, then I'll be forced to switch my beloved Auberg-ine for the Espace. Beheuuu...

pluc99 · Sep 2, 2021

The short answer is yes, your son is complaining. Whether there are others who experience the same or not is irrelevant. I'm guessing that your son doesn't have motion sickness in other vehicles, in which case tweaking the suspension may be the solution.
The simple and only solution for tomorrow is to let him drive.

paul_f · Sep 2, 2021

Can you move the seat further forward? That might improve things.

two-saabs · Sep 2, 2021

Auberg-ine said:
(Seems there's a server problem each time I want to introduce a question via the search function @Martin ?)
Anyway, so here's the question: any complaints about sitting at the backbench while driving? Even when driving on straight highway stretches my son and girlfriend get carsick, even after introducing my travel box (https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/thread...ocean-interior-organisation.25087/post-513747). They propose I should swap places to experience for myself. Now since I don't like handing over the wheel I searched for the biggest research source available, here!
If you can't convince them before our departure tomorrow morning that it's just in their heads, then I'll be forced to switch my beloved Auberg-ine for the Espace. Beheuuu...

Let him drive

BrugseB · Sep 2, 2021

Or he just should keep his eyes on the road and not on the girlfriend?
We still have a box of Touristil in the van, pills of which production ceased some 5 years ago. Makes me wonder if they work at all and seriously querying the "mind" factor

Nolan · Sep 2, 2021

My wife and kids say the same, with the rear bench right back it's right over the rear wheels.

No issues with the two captains chairs or with the bench when it's pushed forwards.

El&Ed · Sep 2, 2021

It wasn’t until I tried the back seats out that I realised the bench could be pulled further forward using the toggle. It made a big difference to comfort and motion sickness.

GrumpyGranddad · Sep 2, 2021

Auberg-ine said:
(Seems there's a server problem each time I want to introduce a question via the search function @Martin ?)
Anyway, so here's the question: any complaints about sitting at the backbench while driving? Even when driving on straight highway stretches my son and girlfriend get carsick, even after introducing my travel box (https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/thread...ocean-interior-organisation.25087/post-513747). They propose I should swap places to experience for myself. Now since I don't like handing over the wheel I searched for the biggest research source available, here!
If you can't convince them before our departure tomorrow morning that it's just in their heads, then I'll be forced to switch my beloved Auberg-ine for the Espace. Beheuuu...

Do they spend the journey staring at their smartphones @Auberg-ine ? If so ask them to try not doing so and looking out of the window. The brain then has a reference point and can make sense of the fluid movement in the ear canals.
Worth a try.

kurienp · Sep 2, 2021

Travel sickness is for real ... though I have only ever experienced it when in the middle of the atlantic in a bad storm ... when our daughter joins us on trips, either she drives (which I don't like) or she takes the train to the destination and we pick her up from the nearest train station.

Have tried lookout of window, looking straight on, sleeping, eyes closed, windows open, head out, head in, pillows, .... and nothing has worked. It is either drive herself or the train. I send her on the train.

Auberg-ine · Sep 2, 2021

kurienp said:
Travel sickness is for real ... though I have only ever experienced it when in the middle of the atlantic in a bad storm ... when our daughter joins us on trips, either she drives (which I don't like) or she takes the train to the destination and we pick her up from the nearest train station.

Have tried lookout of window, looking straight on, sleeping, eyes closed, windows open, head out, head in, pillows, .... and nothing has worked. It is either drive herself or the train. I send her on the train.

Yes, but they only seem to feel uncomfortable in the Cali, not in the Espace. So is it perhaps about the fact that the bench has no profile like the captain chairs? Hence my question, if you've heard about other people complaining at the back?
Edit: it's not like they have to vomit or so, just not at ease, despite the extra armrests I created.

Wesel · Sep 2, 2021

With us, no one has ever reported this.
We add cushions like you to your photos, but nothing in the middle.
The suspension may be a reason, but we have a standard one.
The tires and their inflation pressure too.
And finally. .. the way of driving?
Did they eat in the morning?
Are they looking outside? Aren't they busy reading. In my case, if I did this I would be sick in the front as well as in the back

Wesel · Sep 2, 2021

Are they happy to come with you ?

kurienp · Sep 2, 2021

Auberg-ine said:
Yes, but they only seem to feel uncomfortable in the Cali, not in the Espace. So is it perhaps about the fact that the bench has no profile like the captain chairs? Hence my question, if you've heard about other people complaining at the back?
Edit: it's not like they have to vomit or so, just not at ease, despite the extra armrests I created.

Ah! got it. In our case, it is in all vehicles - so a different story.

I think it may then point to two things - a wallowy suspension - and/or the fact that the rear bench seats are not as supportive as the car seats. Is there a possibility you could try with a Cali that has a different suspension setup aka - either the heavier ARBs and/or Air suspension ...or maybe even a lowered Cali? Unfortunately, in this case, you may have to try different options to pinpoint the issue.

Louis II · Sep 2, 2021

My daughter gets travel sick in the back if she looks old down or out of the side windows but fine with head up looking forwards out through the windscreen.

My Dad used to have Citroen’s with air suspension and my sister was sick so frequently travelling in the back that we had a “sick box” on permanent standby.

She had some of these in the end which believe it or not seemed to work……

2 Pack Travel Anti-Nausea Travel Band for Motion Sickness Nausea Relief Headaches Acupressure Drug Free Wristbands Ideal for Holiday and Travel https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07J6FV6BD/?tag=eliteelect-21

Auberg-ine · Sep 4, 2021

OK, so we made the big trip, in the Auberg-ine! 1300km without any problem. I made a deal that in case of nausea I would advance the bench, or even hand over the wheel. Having this option seemed enough to get their fixation out of the way. At the highway I saw them in all kinds of positions, leaning, laying, sleeping onto each other ("who's idea was it to put a box between lovers?"),... So it's not so much about travel sickness.
But then back at the local curvy roads they had to re-install the box. One just needs more grip at that backbench, especially the passenger at the right. Before I brought in the iso-box I did have an armrest at that side ( https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/thread...ocean-interior-organisation.25087/post-421088 ), But both this one plus the box is too narrow. Therefore it would be good to advance the bench so that this passenger also gets his right arm to rest at the window recess. We'll give it a try in the coming week. Stay tuned!