Rear bed shelf (multiflex board) removal

[Jako888]

First post, so be kind.

We are in the process of deciding on a camper. Currently weighing up either a nearly new T6.1 or a new T7 hybrid. As a keen cyclist one thing I would like to do is to be able to carry my precious bike(s) inside the van - particularly when I go out on my own. On the T6.1 it is pretty easy to remove the rear shelf - and then just slide the bench forward, which will allow for bikes to be transported, similar to this picture. Eg. Mounting the forks on a fork mount which can be fastened to the rails. The picture is a bit of a bodge and there are neater solutions out there from the likes of CJ Leisure, but same principal.

So 2 questions.

1. How easy is it to remove the rear shelf in the T7 compared to the T6.1?

2. Anyone aware of mounts already available which mount to the T7 rails?

 

[sticky1]

First post, so be kind.

We are in the process of deciding on a camper. Currently weighing up either a nearly new T6.1 or a new T7 hybrid. As a keen cyclist one thing I would like to do is to be able to carry my precious bike(s) inside the van - particularly when I go out on my own. On the T6.1 it is pretty easy to remove the rear shelf - and then just slide the bench forward, which will allow for bikes to be transported, similar to this picture. Eg. Mounting the forks on a fork mount which can be fastened to the rails. The picture is a bit of a bodge and there are neater solutions out there from the likes of CJ Leisure, but same principal.

So 2 questions.

1. How easy is it to remove the rear shelf in the T7 compared to the T6.1?

2. Anyone aware of mounts already available which mount to the T7 rails?

View attachment 137872

It’s easier to remove the shelf in the T7 and far easier to slide the seats forwards and even remove. I just remove one when I take a bike on my own. The bed can be made up with one seat removed (obviously the bike has to come out) I swing the front seats around and pop the bike on top of the front seats in a bike bag.

You can fit virtually any fork mount onto the track with standard seat track kits which are widely available from Amazon etc. personally I pop my bike in a bike bag and strap it to the seat. I leave the rear shelf and mattress in.

The T7 comes with adjustable track lashing brackets (there’s definitely a better name) which you could use to strap the back of the bike down.
Brackets look like this https://shop.wiest-autohaeuser.de/en/product/original-vw-t7-lashing-eye-for-securing-loads/

 

[Jako888]

Thanks Sticky. Went to a dealer today to compare - and I agree, looks to be quite a bit easier in the T7

 

[faustomilani]

If you want to use the van as a Camper to cook and stay out several days the T6.1 is definitly the best choice. The bank is about 100kg but there are tool from the market to support the removal a lift it up.

 

[SusiBus]

We used to remove the board in our T6 to carry things, which was a straight forward job. It seems this is not the case with the T6.1. The tilting shelf, which is of little use (imo), compared that in theT6, appears to be a retrograde step.

 

[Jako888]

Having looked at both a T7 and a T6.1 we came to the conclusion that a lightly used 6.1 will work better for us. The main reason being the rear seat(s). It is just my wife and I and we will never (or extremely rarely) have passengers in the rear. So for none driving (eg camping) duties, we very much prefer the bench over the 2 individual seats. I think we needed to use the rear seating for passengers regularly, I would probably go T7.

I liked the double doors and the access to fridge from the outside. But the T6.1 also feels a little more specious.

 

[sticky1]

Make sure you are happy without having somewhere to put your left foot. Lots of people mention this about the 6.1. I had a T6 California which was ok.
You won’t be removing the bench seat, so it is worth double checking that with the bench seat in it still gives you enough room to get your bike in. You’ll likely need to remove both wheels.