B pillar grab handle

[TrevorK]

I looked at this thread back in 2019 when I bought my van.
Much too technical for me so I purchased this.

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Still going strong, and safer than many of the other aftermarket hook solutions out there.

 

[Captain Quick]

It’s a novel idea Trevor but I don’t think that’ll work for our campervan with its captains seats when they’re facing backwards which I guess will be mostly when we‘ll need access to the habitation area. It may help others though.

 

[vegt]

The strap measures 22cm overall length, has a loop size of 14cm and has a 11cm bolt hole for fixing. It comes in various colours and costs £4.50…
View attachment 155705

Do you know where I could pick up one of these?

I don’t have space on my B pillar due to the bulkhead, but I think it might work quite well on the existing threaded rivnut for the seatbelt:

 

[Captain Quick]

The straps I plan to use in my camper are sold by TRS… Door Handle Pull

 

[vegt]

The straps I plan to use in my camper are sold by TRS… Door Handle Pull

Thanks, I ordered one of those from eBay for £6.95 and it turned up just now.

It seems to work really well with the seatbelt hole. I have a black 7/16” seatbelt bolt coming in the post, but for now I’ve mocked it up loosely with a 10mm bolt:

 

[Captain Quick]

That looks really good. A neat and inexpensive solution it seems. It‘s definitely what I’ll fit when I take delivery of my van, although I would like to fix it on the B pillar using the captive nut that’s used for one of the top bulkhead retaining screws.

 

[vegt]

That looks really good. A neat and inexpensive solution it seems. It‘s definitely what I’ll fit when I take delivery of my van, although I would like to fix it on the B pillar using the captive nut that’s used for one of the top bulkhead retaining screws.

I think that’ll be ideal.

Thanks for suggesting this!

 

[Wills]

I took a similar route as @Activeman with a custom angle iron bracket. A little tweaking and am happy with the result

 

[Ads_Essex]

I took a similar route as @Activeman with a custom angle iron bracket. A little tweaking and am happy with the result

View attachment 209814

I need to do this - i wince everytime someone uses the passenger seat to pull their lardy-arse out of the back seat

 

[Wills]

For the DIY’s interested in the addition, here a pictorial insight to the work required

The handle needs the end finishers (circled) removing from the handle body and the handle mounting points (circled) need reducing in height by 8mm. This allows the bracket to fit flush with the cover.
The mounting bracket is made of angle iron cut and shaped to fit. I used the original lower captive nut to secure the bracket but a rivnut on the higher fixing as the bracket needed to be further back for the faces to be parallel with the upper cover surface. I used epoxy putty to secure the “captive “ nuts to the back of the bracket at an angle that lined up with the handle / cover profiles so they’d be flush. Also putty on the surface to produce the same angle finish. You could tack the nut once you’ve got the angle right and make a profiled washer for the front if suits but it’s all out of sight so out of mind.
I used a multi tool to remove some of the insides of the pillar cover to allow for the mounting bracket as per pic. The removal of the fixing lugs don’t cause an issue as the handle holds it tight in place if you get it right.
Finally with the bracket securely in place and the cover lined up I carefully measured for a pilot hole in the cover for the handle. Little by little the holes expanded to the correct diameter.
Looks ok too

 

[FWhite]

Lots of good info here, thanks to all!
So, as I understand :
A) there is no plug & play solution for the basic Van or even Kombi. I have 9 seater Kombi (not sure if it exist in the UK) and to suppose that all of them are fit enough to jump on without pulling is a little bit of a stretch. OK it is basically a worker's transport, but we are now supposed to work until 70...
B) So no VW "kit" that matches the Kombi B pillar trim with the bracket.
What about installing a Caravelle or a Multivan trim? I know, it is expensive, but can it be done, anyone has?
C)Anyone tried these?
LINK
they are for the Wrangler Jeep, but they could e mounted with the 2 bolts suppoes for the handle bracket and let come out from under the trim...

 

[FWhite]

C)Anyone tried these?
LINK
they are for the Wrangler Jeep, but they could e mounted with the 2 bolts suppoes for the handle bracket and let come out from under the trim...

Done that...
It looks... spartan, but that is how I love my Bus!