Removing 3 Seat Bench Beach

j3ggo · Nov 5, 2017

just wondered how do you get the 3 seat bench out? I want to clean the rollers.

Crell · Nov 5, 2017

You'll need at least 2 people for the triple seat and ideally 3. It's seriously heavy and unwieldy.

You can clean the rollers just by exposing them rather than having to lift it out though If I remember correctly.

Slide the seat back
Remove the grey plastic end caps in your pic. - Flat bladed screw driver from the runner side or a thin finger through the rubber seal - it's just a plastic compression tab.
Remove the silver strips- they slide towards the space created by removing the grey plastic end caps. You need to push down slightly and just slide them towards where the grey caps came out - there's a lot of friction to overcome
With the new layout of the rails though I'm not sure how you'll get to the rear runner. You might have to remove the longer metal strip but not sure.

Borris · Nov 25, 2017

Unless the T5 and T6 Beach rear three seater bench and floor rails differ, which I doubt, why take the bench out when you can easily clean the rollers with it in situe?

Whilst I've never done this myself, it strikes me as an easy task to carry out. Just open the six lift up flap storage covers beneath the bench (three at the front and three at the rear) and then remove the plastic storage trays. You can then clean the rollers which are easy to both see and get at. To reach the entire circumference of each roller just move the bench to and fro. The bench seat rollers run on top of the aluminium floor rails not beneath them whilst the securing and locking part of the bench lies beneath the aluminium floor rails and engages with the vehicle chassis/floor.

I would imagine that the bench seat is very heavy so unless you have to take it out I would avoid doing so. If you do need to take it out then follow the above mentioned steps by Crell in his/her post. Then slide the bench fully forward and lift out. Given its size and likely weight I would imagine that there is a very good chance of damaging your van and/or your back in the process so be careful.

WelshGas · Nov 25, 2017

I think a lot of owners believe the rollers run IN the channels. The rollers run on top of the Aluminium strips. The Locking Mechanism is in the channel. When you pull the Lever the Locking Mechanism is pushed down to disengage and the bed/bench then rolls forward or backwards.

s2bear · Nov 27, 2017

Dealer told me that the 3 seat bench weighs around 170kg so what ever you do, mind your fingers.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

j3ggo · Nov 27, 2017

Borris said:
Unless the T5 and T6 Beach rear three seater bench and floor rails differ, which I doubt, why take the bench out when you can easily clean the rollers with it in situe?

Whilst I've never done this myself, it strikes me as an easy task to carry out. Just open the six lift up flap storage covers beneath the bench (three at the front and three at the rear) and then remove the plastic storage trays. You can then clean the rollers which are easy to both see and get at. To reach the entire circumference of each roller just move the bench to and fro. The bench seat rollers run on top of the aluminium floor rails not beneath them whilst the securing and locking part of the bench lies beneath the aluminium floor rails and engages with the vehicle chassis/floor.

I would imagine that the bench seat is very heavy so unless you have to take it out I would avoid doing so. If you do need to take it out then follow the above mentioned steps by Crell in his/her post. Then slide the bench fully forward and lift out. Given its size and likely weight I would imagine that there is a very good chance of damaging your van and/or your back in the process so be careful.

That's pretty much the conclusion I came to. I can see how to take it our now but its not worth it when you can access the rollers without taking the seat out. Thanks.

j3ggo · Nov 27, 2017

s2bear said:
Dealer told me that the 3 seat bench weighs around 170kg so what ever you do, mind your fingers.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Wow that's heavy. It is quite a unit.

CALI FATE · Nov 27, 2017

j3ggo said:
Wow that's heavy. It is quite a unit.

Take it and get it recorded on you tube as a warning to others -

j3ggo · Nov 27, 2017

CALI FATE said:
Take it and get it recorded on you tube as a warning to others -

I have not taken it out. Too big a job that's not necessary.

Amarillo · Nov 27, 2017

Am I imagining this, or did someone once post a series of pictures of themselves removing the 3 seat bench solo using an engine hoist?

Follow my blog: www.au-revoir.eu

Zebra · Nov 28, 2017

You weren’t imagining it, but can’t find that thread now...

Zebra · Nov 28, 2017

found it, have a look at his:
https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/threads/vw-california-beach-seating-and-bed-options.14486/

Amarillo · Nov 28, 2017

Zebra said:
found it, have a look at his:
https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/threads/vw-california-beach-seating-and-bed-options.14486/

Yes, that's the one. The Beach really can have an enormous payload area. Next time we move we could do so without a removal van.

Follow my blog: www.au-revoir.eu