Lifes a beach

gareth230380 · Jul 14, 2020

We picked up T5 beach on Friday and went straight out. The wife said she was worried about driving it as its huge compared to her mini. We stopped of a coffee by the coast and googled the dimensions and couldn't believe its the same size as my X5 which she happily runs around in. That was it, she took the keys and I've not had a drive since.

We went for a beach as with 2 dogs and a toddler, we wanted the interior space and practicality for day trips. That said, its flexible enough we are sure to be able to have family camping trips in it. After our first weekend, we now have a shopping list for essentials and upgrades and we're looking forward to making it our own.

One instant thing about the van which perplexes me is how can it have a "multiflex" rear board which only has a single position and is not flexible in anyway - why would VW make it so impractical.... You can't fold it to put the seats down and the height is all wrong and needs to be adjustable to put bigger items under it.

Can't wait to get out in it more and explore the UK this year!

Stoneybroke · Jul 14, 2020

Welcome.

2-seat or 3-seat Beach?

gareth230380 · Jul 14, 2020

Stoneybroke said:
Welcome.

2-seat or 3-seat Beach?

2 seater. It was a bit of an impulse purchase when we realised we would not be flying anywhere soon.

OGII · Jul 14, 2020

You could try this:

Another DIY Multiflex alternative

My take on replacing the useless Multiflex in a 2 seat Beach. It uses 21mm Unistrut, the channelling often used by electricians etc. It bolts together using captive nuts that you buy for Unistrut. If you can cut the lengths and bolt stuff together you can make it, no welding etc. needed...

vwcaliforniaclub.com

LemonDrop · Jul 14, 2020

Welcome to the 2-seat Beach club. Let's see some pics!

I know exactly what you mean about the "Multiflex" board, what a ridiculous thing to call it. It couldn't be less flexible.

These days if we're packing for a big camping trip we take off the comfort mattress and load up underneath and on top of the board and then put the mattress on the top.

gareth230380 · Jul 14, 2020

LemonDrop said:
Welcome to the 2-seat Beach club. Let's see some pics!

I know exactly what you mean about the "Multiflex" board, what a ridiculous thing to call it. It couldn't be less flexible.

These days if we're packing for a big camping trip we take off the comfort mattress and load up underneath and on top of the board and then put the mattress on the top.

I’ve set my local blacksmith to work making a folding frame to allow the seats to go back another 30cm with the board in place, plus will be adjustable from standard height + raise up 20cm. See attached. Once built will post picks of it.

Stoneybroke · Jul 14, 2020

I was going to point you in the direction of the DIY adaptation, but was beaten to it!
There's several options on these pages.

BeagleMum · Jul 14, 2020

gareth230380 said:
We picked up T5 beach on Friday and went straight out. The wife said she was worried about driving it as its huge compared to her mini. We stopped of a coffee by the coast and googled the dimensions and couldn't believe its the same size as my X5 which she happily runs around in. That was it, she took the keys and I've not had a drive since.

We went for a beach as with 2 dogs and a toddler, we wanted the interior space and practicality for day trips. That said, its flexible enough we are sure to be able to have family camping trips in it. After our first weekend, we now have a shopping list for essentials and upgrades and we're looking forward to making it our own.

One instant thing about the van which perplexes me is how can it have a "multiflex" rear board which only has a single position and is not flexible in anyway - why would VW make it so impractical.... You can't fold it to put the seats down and the height is all wrong and needs to be adjustable to put bigger items under it.

Can't wait to get out in it more and explore the UK this year!

Have you got the 3 or 2 rear seater?
Love your wife’s style

wishing you many happy adventures from a fellow Beach owner.

clarinetbcn · Jul 14, 2020

Just a note to the OP: people are asking if you have a 2 or 3 seat bench because the 3 seater multi flex and bed are higher, and the multi flex is foldable.