Buying a Beach with extra seats to accommodate multi-generation family

[BusyLizzyBee123]

Hi everyone,

I'm very much enjoying being a part of these forums for all the advice and inspiration.

We are hoping to purchase a Beach with the 3-seater bench seat and an extra seat - so that we can get out and about with my elderly parents (who are on the verge of giving up driving for health reasons) and our young children (total 4 adults and 2 children). We also hope to use it as a camper ourselves, with just the children at times too. But I suppose really the primary focus is going to be having longer days out together (and making the most of it whilst we still can). But that those who need to rest etc can come back to the van to be comfortable, make tea etc.

Does anyone else use their van like this?

Also, I can't seem to work out how to get the extra seats to add on the configurator - or is this just a quirk that I'd be better talking to a dealer about. Would it be worth getting the 7th seat as well, for extra flexibility? I'd really appreciate hearing about others experiences.

It looks like we'll probably buy new, as there aren't really any about with extra seats.

 

[Jdorling]

On the new 6.1 beach you can only have the 7 seats on the tour model, the camper model maximum is 5 seats

 

[WelshGas]

Hi everyone,

I'm very much enjoying being a part of these forums for all the advice and inspiration.

We are hoping to purchase a Beach with the 3-seater bench seat and an extra seat - so that we can get out and about with my elderly parents (who are on the verge of giving up driving for health reasons) and our young children (total 4 adults and 2 children). We also hope to use it as a camper ourselves, with just the children at times too. But I suppose really the primary focus is going to be having longer days out together (and making the most of it whilst we still can). But that those who need to rest etc can come back to the van to be comfortable, make tea etc.

Does anyone else use their van like this?

Also, I can't seem to work out how to get the extra seats to add on the configurator - or is this just a quirk that I'd be better talking to a dealer about. Would it be worth getting the 7th seat as well, for extra flexibility? I'd really appreciate hearing about others experiences.

It looks like we'll probably buy new, as there aren't really any about with extra seats.

Please note, as said above the Beach Camper, maximum 5 seats and taxed as a Campervan/Motor Caravan. Relatively low Annual Motor Tax.
The Tour, maximum 7 seats, is taxed as a MPV, much higher Annual Motor Tax + , as it costs over £40,000, is subject to 5 yrs Luxury Car Tax on top of the Annual Motor Tax.
The cheapest way would be to buy any extra seats online, on the Forum or elsewhere, as they often come up for sale. Even if they have a different fabric cover you can always fit seat covers.

 

[scottk]

I don’t know if the 3 seat bench comes with 2 or 3 rails but you will need 3 rails for the extra seats, I believe. It’s only about £90 to add it.

 

[andyinluton]

We are hoping to purchase a Beach with the 3-seater bench seat and an extra seat - so that we can get out and about with my elderly parents (who are on the verge of giving up driving for health reasons)

Have you tried getting your parents into the van?
Only asking as we struggled to the point of giving up with my dad, a combination of needing to bend over & duck, the step & having nothing to hold onto to pull himself in meant he found it almost impossible.

 

[jMacdent]

On the new 6.1 beach you can only have the 7 seats on the tour model, the camper model maximum is 5 seats

It is possible to have 6 seats in the Beach Camper. 3 seat bench and 1 extra on the rail.
Option 3 seat bench - (£186) and 1 swivel seat on rail (£492)

 

[Jdorling]

It is possible to have 6 seats in the Beach Camper. 3 seat bench and 1 extra on the rail.
Option 3 seat bench - (£186) and 1 swivel seat on rail (£492)

I don’t believe it is possible as we tried to when ordering our beach and the configurator will not allow you to add the extra 6th seat, we spoke in length with vw about it and maximum in the back camper is 5 seats

 

[Jdorling]

Please note, as said above the Beach Camper, maximum 5 seats and taxed as a Campervan/Motor Caravan. Relatively low Annual Motor Tax.
The Tour, maximum 7 seats, is taxed as a MPV, much higher Annual Motor Tax + , as it costs over £40,000, is subject to 5 yrs Luxury Car Tax on top of the Annual Motor Tax.
The cheapest way would be to buy any extra seats online, on the Forum or elsewhere, as they often come up for sale. Even if they have a different fabric cover you can always fit seat covers.

The beach camper is however only registered on the v5 as 5 seats so adding an additional seat would mean needing to have the v5 corrected

 

[jMacdent]

I don’t believe it is possible as we tried to when ordering our beach and the configurator will not allow you to add the extra 6th seat, we spoke in length with vw about it and maximum in the back camper is 5 seats

Apologies Jdorling, I have seen the two options one above the other on the configurator but didn't know that it was one or the other. I stand corrected but sure there are people on the forum who have bought the extra seat retrospectively (with a 3 seat bench Beach)

 

[BusyLizzyBee123]

Ah, so much knowledge to be gained here. I didn't realise the info I was reading was on a previous model(s). That would make sense as to why it can't be added on the configurator - if it's only available as a 5-seater.

No- we haven't tried getting them into a van either. At the moment, it would be no problem for my Mum, but you're very wise to point it out - I think my Dad would struggle.

Perhaps we will just go with the 5 - it would give us some extra versatility and because there's quite an age difference with my parents - I can see my Mum coming with us more of the time, as she is younger.

It wasn't a must-have to be able to transport them all with us - I just thought it might be nice to have the option. But, they are still able to use trains and taxis, for example.

To be honest - I was always keener on the Coast! But we were trying to accommodate everyone.

 

[WelshGas]

The beach camper is however only registered on the v5 as 5 seats so adding an additional seat would mean needing to have the v5 corrected

Easily done by DVLA. As long as within the weight limit of the vehicle which it would be.

 

[Kayleigh]

Have you tried getting your parents into the van?
Only asking as we struggled to the point of giving up with my dad, a combination of needing to bend over & duck, the step & having nothing to hold onto to pull himself in meant he found it almost impossible.

That’s a good point to make. I carry a fold up step in the boot for my elderly mother to use to get in and out of our van. Even so, she finds getting out a bit tricky.

 

[andyinluton]

It is possible to have 6 seats in the Beach Camper. 3 seat bench and 1 extra on the rail.

It’s physically possible to fit 2 extra seats, changing the V5 used to be a formality - my old SE was changed to 6 seats from 5 & the insurers were happy with just a confirmation from a vw dealer that the additional seat I had was a factory produced item fitted to factory fitted floor rails in accordance with VWs instructions.
No need for engineers reports or the like.

 

[WelshGas]

With the introduction of Euro 6 WLTP emissions standards, manufacturers test groups of vehicles rather than individual vehicles so the range of "weight adding " options have become limited. They are either included as standard, eg awning cassette or extra seat, or limited as an option.
But post delivery, the annual emissions testing is much simpler and limited to the engine rather than whole vehicle.
So the Beach Camper will be sold as a 4 or 5 seater as they are similar weights but the market for a 5/6 seater is so limited it doesn't warrant the testing expense so that option of the additional seat ex-factory is withdrawn.
Nothing to stop an owner having the extra rail and seat fitted. However, VW may not allow their Dealerships to undertake the work.
The VW Tour, however, may have been tested with 5 or 7 seats, ex-factory , hence the option of additional seats is available.

 

[andyinluton]

Nothing to stop an owner having the extra rail and seat fitted. However, VW may not allow their Dealerships to undertake the work.
The VW Tour, however, may have been tested with 5 or 7 seats, ex-factory , hence the option of additional seats is available.

The Beaches all have the required number of rails. Theres no `"work" to be done.

 

[Jay586]

I changed to a kombi to gain additional seats for my mum. It wasn't just getting in, it was getting out that became an issue and I ended up getting another car within a few months.

 

[WelshGas]

The Beaches all have the required number of rails. Theres no `"work" to be done.

Just going by Post 4 above, as there was a query if the T6.1 Camper came with the extra rail, as you cannot configure it with an extra seat.

 

[Winston Rumfoord]

got a 3 seat bench 6.1 beach camper and just to add:
- defo comes with the rails you need to add two extra swivel seats
- updating the v5 was easy, got it back within a week of sending in February. No letter from VW needed, just a very brief letter from me and some photos
- updating insurance was easy too.
agree with earlier suggestion that best approach is to buy used individual seats separately.

 

[andyinluton]

No letter from VW needed, just a very brief letter from me and some photos
- updating insurance was easy too.

In my case I needed the letter for the insurers as I was fitting 6 seats in a SE designed for 5 & they correctly viewed it as modified.
On a beach as you've demonstrated it, won't be a problem as they are designed for 7 seats.

 

[BusyLizzyBee123]

Hi

We have a Beach Tour for sale (on the classifieds on this site) seats can be added into the rail system making it a 7 seater if I can help further let me know. There’s quite a few new and nearly new seats for sale on various selling sites they are very easy to put in and out of the van.



View attachment 90906

Is it a camper as well though? I thought the tour was just lots of seats.

 

[2haw]

got a 3 seat bench 6.1 beach camper and just to add:
- defo comes with the rails you need to add two extra swivel seats
- updating the v5 was easy, got it back within a week of sending in February. No letter from VW needed, just a very brief letter from me and some photos
- updating insurance was easy too.
agree with earlier suggestion that best approach is to buy used individual seats separately.

I’m surprised this didn’t change the VED rate..

Well done!

 

[WelshGas]

I’m surprised this didn’t change the VED rate..

Well done!

The VED rate is determined at first registration, M1 or N1 , Fuel and Vehicle MGW. Thereafter it cannot be changed.

 

[andyinluton]

I’m surprised this didn’t change the VED rate..

Well done!

Its still as much of camper as it was when it ws built.

 

[BusyLizzyBee123]

Somebody on another page on this forum told me that this model is subject to extremely high tax, as it's classed as a luxury vehicle.

 

[WelshGas]

Somebody on another page on this forum told me that this model is subject to extremely high tax, as it's classed as a luxury vehicle.

£645 or thereabouts for first 5 yrs. Then it drops to £155.