Unusual rear seat?

[gixermark]

Hi guys, I like the fact this seat slides…. But the box section at the rear looks unusual.

Is this a known solution? Look good…? Or cheap product used?

It seems well priced for the year, so I guess it can’t be top spec!

Summerhill Motors LtdVolkswagen Transporter T30 TDI P/V HIGHLINE - Summerhill Motors Ltd

AA APPROVED DEALERSHIP, LOW RATE FINANCE PACKAGES AVAILABLE WITH SAME DAY DRIVE AWAY! NOW IN STOCK THIS ULEZ COMPLIANT 2020 VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER CAMPER CONVERSION WITH ONLY 4500 MILES FROM NEW WITH SERVICE HISTORY. FULLY CONVERED THIS CAMPER IS FINISHED IN GLOSS WHITE WITH A HIGH TOP GLOSS...

summerhillmotorsbristol.co.uk

 

[cgtmiles]

Looks like a bed from a California, these have the seat base and back forming 2 of the 3 bed sections then the third fits on the frame at the back, it doesn’t look like the normal frame but maybe that’s because the top isn’t fitted.

 

[bobbybasic]

Yep, thats a California 2 seater bed.

Great seat/bed favoured by some of the best converters.

The final third is called the bed extension or Multiflex board and can be designed and built in a variety of ways.

Cali T5s were metal, then ply, then the T6.1 was a ratchet design also ply.

Some companies build their own for their conversions, others you can pick up on eBay.

It’s the final piece of the puzzle and can be tricky to figure out as it’s not an off-the-shelf solution like lots of other beds that have everything built in.

On the van you shared the bed extension looks a bit unfinished, especially with the rail trims missing.

Here’s some further reading:

Cali conversions - what did you use for a 'multiflex board' to make the seat into a bed? And toppers

 

[gixermark]

cheers guys !! i knew it looked a bit unusual at the rear.

 

[bobbybasic]

Yeah its a bit weird, its either unfinished and not fixed down, or it has been bolted into the floor.

A more common route is to fix them down onto the rails like this VW T5/T6 California conversions Multiflexboard. Consoles with struts and board. 5060745900114 | eBay

It is also easier to take out for when you want to put the seat all the way back.

 

[gixermark]

funnily enough, one of the campers i'm also looking at online is this one owner california...

2015 Volkswagen California SE TDI Bluemotion Technology

2015 Volkswagen California SE TDI Bluemotion Technology, Semi Auto, In Silver. 1 OWNER F.VW.S.H 6 VISITS & CAMBELT.

www.riversideviewcarsales.co.uk

i'm ideally looking to spend 30-35K on a camper, happy to go a bit more if it ticks more boxes.. the T6.1 with the unusual bed/rear caught my eye as it looked 'reasonable' value for the year/miles

 

[cgtmiles]

There’s only £7k between those vans but 120k extra miles on the Cali! Prices seem to be all over the place at the moment and are always strong for calis but I think either the t6.1 is low or the t5 is high. Loads of other factors to take into account but underneath all the features etc is a van and the usual considerations should be made as when purchasing any vehicle

 

[gixermark]

the T6.1 is low (compared to others in market) and the cali is moderately high for a T5, but is a one owner Cali - so i guess is always going to command reasonable money.

prices are defo a bit all over. i think some folk are still a bit optimistic on pricing, and vans are sitting.... on a few of the dealer vans i've checked online dealers have been discounting - and for them to discount in June/July definitely shows a weakness in the market generally.

I'm on a few car whats app & FB groups, and there are a fair few posts every day of people off loading their 2nd (toy) cars as mortgages etc come in for renewal, so maybe i should just wait out and see what happens.

there is no one van that is totally knocking me over right now, but it drives me nuts looking every day !!

 

[cgtmiles]

Patience is a virtue as they say

It’s so difficult to make comparisons like I said before but I guess once you know you’ll know if you know what I mean. Keep looking! The t5 is a euro 5 which may cause issues in cities etc but the t6 engine is possibly more complex and so could be more unreliable long term and maybe they are happy for it to sit on the forecourt until it sells whereas the t6 needs to do turned around. There are often good vans for sale on the for sale thread on here or maybe the Cali club site. That may give you some idea and link to the history over buying from trade.

As an owner who bought before covid I have no issue with prices being high!

 

[gixermark]

ha - yes..... the 'inflated' prices are defo good for owners... at the end of the day, campers (and particularly VW Transporters) have always held good money.

we had 'full fat' motorhomes for ~12 years up until last year.... and i had no intention of buying another as we are doing different family holidays, but i like to race (cars) occasionally and am also into mountain biking and boating.. hence a smaller 'daily' like a VW with the ability for the odd night to stay appeals.

its just mind blowing some of the money on builds now for what is an awesome, but compromised vehicle.