needing some help measuring seats

[Prisoner_zero]

Hi folks
I find myself in need of some help from somebody with a tape measure.

I have a 2019 Caravelle with the rail system, That came with only the rear 3 seater bench, this was because we needed a wheelchair hoist fitted in the back to lift her wheelchair in for transport. For some reason, they only ordered what was a new vehicle with the back 3 seat bench, rather than the kombi 2+1 that usually fits in the center position instead, resulting in the bench seat being moved to the center position

Normally, this would not be a problem; however, we also now need a seat lift fitted in the centre this has meant the bench had to be taken out.
In the previous 3 Caravelles, I have had this had not been an issue as we had the 2+1 split and the seat lift just replaced the single-seat

It was my understanding the adapters would order the two-seat kombi from VW to replace the bench and fit the turny seat where the single-seat was normally fitted as previous adapters had done in the past with no issues

However, what i got back was two god awful single seats apparently ordered from Switzerland for £1600 that are 4in narrower left to right and 5in shorter front to back than the normal Vw seats bolted to the floor so they no longer move in the rails all this was done site unseen or approved i had been under the belief the seats where VW equivalents but quite frankly look like seats you may get in a works van

when I complained they told me that the 2 seat kombi was too wide to allow the fitting of the chair lift seats, considering this had not been an issue in my previous two vehicles I feel I am being fed bullshit excuses

So what i am looking for, are measurements of the width of the two-seater bench so I can check the claim made if somebody could give me that i would be very grateful.

 

[Deaky]

A Caravelle does not have 2 +1 seating option. You’d need to order a Kombi van to get this option. A caravelle is a much higher trim spec than a Kombi, which is essentially a van with a row of seats in the back. It would be possible for you to retrofit Kombi seats but it would evolve a lot of work

The floor and rail system would need to be removed and Kombi seat brackets fitted, you’d need a new floor which wouldn’t be quite as high as your caravelle floor so you’d have to replace the side steps and rear threshold. Also your lovely caravelle side panels, which you don’t get in a Kombi would no longer reach the floor.

 

[Prisoner_zero]

A Caravelle does not have 2 +1 seating option. You’d need to order a Kombi van to get this option. A caravelle is a much higher trim spec than a Kombi, which is essentially a van with a row of seats in the back. It would be possible for you to retrofit Kombi seats but it would evolve a lot of work

The floor and rail system would need to be removed and Kombi seat brackets fitted, you’d need a new floor which wouldn’t be quite as high as your caravelle floor so you’d have to replace the side steps and rear threshold. Also your lovely caravelle side panels, which you don’t get in a Kombi would no longer reach the floor.

Thanks for the reply
I have to admit i am pretty confused i had a 2010 Caravelle Ex i would have sworn in court it had the 2+1 split in the middle row fitted on the rail system with the single-seat removed to allow the fitting of an " Evo Hd orbit turny seat", and after asking my daughter and son in law , she remembers it the same way I am even more confused because I turned the single-seat that was removed, into a computer chair for my room and am sitting on it now that left the double bench in the car

 

[Deaky]

You can get single seats that fit on the rails and also swivel. You can only fit two, I don’t think there is room for a 3rd in the middle.

 

[JOG]

I have two rear captain chair swivel seats going

 

[Prisoner_zero]

You can get single seats that fit on the rails and also swivel. You can only fit two, I don’t think there is room for a 3rd in the middle.

Even though it was not long ago I was never in the back as the driver so my memory is pretty bad as regards it , and i have to admit I have scoured the internet for a picture of the config i describe but failed to find any picture of what my meager memory recalls so I suspect our memories are faulty

I have two rear captain chair swivel seats going

Thanks
But as a carer on benefits i could not afford them (its a Motability vehicle)

 

[Prisoner_zero]

Ok now more confused these are the type of seats i had fitted in my Caravelle ex it was a 2010 TDI140A but unlike these they had the plastic trim around the bottom with storage space and a flap fitted on the rails

 

[Deaky]

That’s a shuttle, not a Caravelle

 

[Prisoner_zero]

That’s a shuttle, not a Caravelle

Er...... you know i have had so many versions over the years you may well (i have no doubt) you are correct
first one I had was the Caravelle EX (loved that car) but thinking back my daughter was so young I may not have had the chair lift as I could just lift her in
the second one was a Caravelle SE lwb with a chair lift, I suspect, now you have helped me sort it out in my memory (thanks) and the one i have now is also a SE lwb (this is starting to make sense)
because I was pretty sure that both had the 2+1 seat config (thought I was having a stroke lol) to be honest they are all pretty similar although the Ex came with steering wheel controls and cruise control(they have all been automatics i have had ) why that's not standard on all auto's is beyond me

So the one I have now is a Caravelle Se 150 LWB MPV 2.0 DS (just checked the paperwork)
and should have come with the 2+1 split center seats and a rear 3 bench seat.....yes? ( thank you for being so patient with me although I am a marine engineer, not a "car guy" )

so my question is how wide is the center two-seater bench in a " shuttle" if anybody can help i would be very grateful,as i am for this excellent help you have so far provided Deaky

 

[Skyliner33]

As @Deaky said the only Transporters that have rails are Caravelles. These do not have a 2+1 seat option.

The only ones that have 2+1 are either Kombi or Shuttle. Neither of these have rails.

 

[Prisoner_zero]

The thing is they have all been special orders by Motability because my daughter's legs don't bent we needed a vehicle that gave the flexibility to move the center seats back further than normal hence the rails with an electric door option but definitely have all been Caravelles first the EX then the SE i have had 4 in total

That’s a shuttle, not a Caravelle

sure this picture is likely a shuttle however, all i have had is Caravelles this is i am 100% sure of, and they all had the rails and this seat config I would add these have all been special orders through Motability

Due to my daughter's disability we needed a rail system so the chairs could be moved further back this may account for the confusion As i have Never had a Kombi or Shuttle.

 

[JOG]

A chat with @Andysmee might help - he’s becoming something of a “seat guru”. Perhaps a chat with @Skyliner33 who is currently trying to overcome the challenge of putting in Cali rails in a LWB

 

[Andysmee]

A chat with @Andysmee might help - he’s becoming something of a “seat guru”. Perhaps a chat with @Skyliner33 who is currently trying to overcome the challenge of putting in Cali rails in a LWB

To my knowledge, the only 2 seater bench on rails is the California bench seat with storage underneath. The Caravelle had two singles on rails (which I've even seen converted to front seats - hilarious consequences, you can't adjust the recline! I bought the headrests and armrests off a grateful couple and condemned the seats to the skip, whilst delivering a pair of captains seats in replacement - everyone left happy!) and a table on rails, and rear triple that you have on rails. That triple is the same as the California Beach triple, I think, and is a little high when you sit on it?

All the 2+1 options I've seen were on bolt down seat mounting points. Or the 1+1+1 on bolt down points. I've not seen a 2+1 on rails in any variant T5 onwards, or even aftermarket, unless you mean a double with a single in front of it which is common on Reimo rails and retrofitted rails, to offer a 5th/6th seat e.g.

https://reimonorth.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/sliding-seats-extra-2.jpg

 

[Andysmee]

Could try this: Cutting down a caravelle full width seat

But you'd know if you'd commissioned that!

 

[Andysmee]

Ah...evidence of a sliding rear double from a T4, but before my time, I'm afraid: VW T4 T5 TRANSPORTER CARAVELLE REAR BENCH SEAT BED with belts INKA INCA | eBay

Edit: even that's 3-seater