Lincoln (or nearby) Caravelle owners

[T6Fin]

Hi,

Wondering if there are any T6 Caravelle owners in the Lincoln or surrounding area that would be kind enough to let my wife and I come and see how much space is available, move the seats about and get a feel for it; and talk to some people that own one and how they find it.

My wife and I currently have a Kombi but are considering swapping it for a caravelle… we’ve got three children and the 2+1 seating allows for our child seats, but the practicality of doing them up / getting them in isn’t that great.

Thinking long term we need a a rear seat and a single in the 2row, to allow for 2 kids at the back and youngest in the single seat. Caravelle will be more versatile once they are a bit older instead of just adding a kombi bench to the third row.

Thanks in advance!

 

[dubber36]

The Caravelle will be easier do begin with due to the twin sliding doors. Also row 2 seats swivel so you can load the children with the seats rotated 90 degrees to face the doors, then spin them back to lock into the the forwards or rearwards facing positions. Instead of the rear bench, you could have an extra row 2 seat. These can be fitted centrally, so you could have a 2-1-2 formation and a massive boot.

 

[Pontius]

We have a LWB Kombi and three also. Have 1+1+1 in the second row, but have taken the middle seat out. In the third row we either have a 3 person bench, or a single seat or two singles, depending on how many we are transporting. Works really well. Can’t slide anyone or rotate but this is a first world issue. I thought like you to get a caravelle or put a caravelle floor into the Kombi but this setup is great.

 

[Macmain12]

Hi @T6Fin

sorry we are up in Wigan.. But

The Caravelle is probably the best and most Versatile vehicle we have had as a family, Be it with Camping trips (8 man Tent) Trailer etc. long journeys Cornwall or even my own Fishing, the car always adapts to how we need to use it.. we mostly take the 2 seats out and push the rear bench seat forward. as i said probably the most Practical car we have ever had.. we love it.. if we were to replace it, it would be with another Caravelle and ill be completely honest we normally change our vehicles every 4 years but have decided to keep hold of out T6 2016 Caravelle..

Good luck

 

[T6Fin]

The Caravelle will be easier do begin with due to the twin sliding doors. Also row 2 seats swivel so you can load the children with the seats rotated 90 degrees to face the doors, then spin them back to lock into the the forwards or rearwards facing positions. Instead of the rear bench, you could have an extra row 2 seat. These can be fitted centrally, so you could have a 2-1-2 formation and a massive boot.

Hey Dubber36 - thanks for getting back to me. That’s really great to know. We’ve got twin sliding doors on the Kombi and they are great, so knowing Caravelle has that too is reassuring.

 

[T6Fin]

Hi @T6Fin

sorry we are up in Wigan.. But

The Caravelle is probably the best and most Versatile vehicle we have had as a family, Be it with Camping trips (8 man Tent) Trailer etc. long journeys Cornwall or even my own Fishing, the car always adapts to how we need to use it.. we mostly take the 2 seats out and push the rear bench seat forward. as i said probably the most Practical car we have ever had.. we love it.. if we were to replace it, it would be with another Caravelle and ill be completely honest we normally change our vehicles every 4 years but have decided to keep hold of out T6 2016 Caravelle..

Good luck

Hey @Macmain12,

Thanks for getting back to me. Your response basically leaves the impression that a Caravelle is the way to go! and that’s what my wife said!!

I’m going to keep asking around to see if we can find one to look at. There is a T5 Caravelle not too far so may check that out for a sense of size. I’m under the impression the seats and rails are the same size, just need to check t5 / t6 internal dimensions to see if they are the same and it’s worthwhile using that as a gauge for size.

Thanks again!

 

[T6Fin]

We have a LWB Kombi and three also. Have 1+1+1 in the second row, but have taken the middle seat out. In the third row we either have a 3 person bench, or a single seat or two singles, depending on how many we are transporting. Works really well. Can’t slide anyone or rotate but this is a first world issue. I thought like you to get a caravelle or put a caravelle floor into the Kombi but this setup is great.

Hey @Pontius,

Thanks. That’s good to know. We’ve got a SWB and from what I can tell the flexibility isn’t as great as LWB (only put a bench on 3rd row in SWB) and I’m not sure my wife would be keen on a longer van!

Do you think you’d change for a Caravelle? Have you done much else in the back, carpet or speakers and heating etc?

 

[CAB]

Hey @Macmain12,

Thanks for getting back to me. Your response basically leaves the impression that a Caravelle is the way to go! and that’s what my wife said!!

I’m going to keep asking around to see if we can find one to look at. There is a T5 Caravelle not too far so may check that out for a sense of size. I’m under the impression the seats and rails are the same size, just need to check t5 / t6 internal dimensions to see if they are the same and it’s worthwhile using that as a gauge for size.

Thanks again!

T5 / T6 internal dimensions are identical

 

[Macmain12]

Hey Dubber36 - thanks for getting back to me. That’s really great to know. We’ve got twin sliding doors on the Kombi and they are great, so knowing Caravelle has that too is reassuring.

The exec has electric sliding doors by the way, and heated windscreen

 

[Pontius]

Hey @Pontius,

Thanks. That’s good to know. We’ve got a SWB and from what I can tell the flexibility isn’t as great as LWB (only put a bench on 3rd row in SWB) and I’m not sure my wife would be keen on a longer van!

Do you think you’d change for a Caravelle? Have you done much else in the back, carpet or speakers and heating etc?

Hi T6Fin,
You can put two single seats in the back third row instead of a bench if you wanted.
I did debate going down the Caravelle route but this Kombi setup works really well as I can easily lift out the rear seats if needed and allows for a U-shaped setup if needing an overnighter. Also I know this van and the engine and it's history and so switching to another where I don't know how it's been treated (and given the number of issues that people have with their vans) I wasn't that keen. They stopped making Caravelles in 2022 (I think!) so would now be a multivan and my Kombi is newer so kept the Kombi. Good luck with whatever you choose!

 

[Chimp]

I replied to your message on messenger as thinking of the opposite swap, am in Norfolk.