Three front seats or two?

[Salty Spuds]

Our camper has single captain’s chairs, we can easily do a couple of hundred miles at a time. I’ve had work vans with the double passenger bench seat and they are awful. I was ok as I was driving, but on the couple of occasions where I was a passenger, after a couple of hours my 4rse was numb & my back was aching.

 

[DrPhill]

Fit some load lashing points if not already fitted and use a dog cage.
The van may look roomy when it’s a panel van, by the time it’s converted there is very little (none) free space so I hope you have a small dog.

Lashing points - plenty on the big river... but what would folk recommend. I assume (?) that the panelling is strong enough to screw into? Crate isn't an option, or only with earplugs or a loud stereo. Spoilt little princess would far rather be on the front seat with us.....

Good thought about dog, we had a T6 SWB conversion before with two dogs - so yes it is a tight squeeze. We now only have one, currently 18.5kg, projected to be no more than 20kg. We reckon it's doable.....

 

[Trihard1]

When I bought recently I wanted two captain seats. This allowed me to get to back of van without getting out plus if parked in a tight spot could use side doors rather than front opening doors. However it is personal choice really and dependant on needs

 

[Ayjay]

The doubles can be made to be very comfortable with a couple of mods and IMHO are worth it just for the storage space if you’ve got a camper and use it for extended trips.

 

[Badjamin]

Single seats are a luxury if you don't need extra storage and have a max of two passengers at any given time. Your conversion will likely increase passenger qty in the rear so there is flexibilty. Being able to get from front to back is handy in a pinch obvs.

A bench has loads of storage and is quite customizable. The angle of seat back can be altered for comfort with a seat bracket swap that also allows it to fold down also. The chair height can also be adjusted with an adjusted seat base although pricey. Having a swivel increases rear seating for guests/entertaining. Also, when your elderly fam get in the front they can belt in all the way from b pillar to middle passenger seat belt point meaning there's a lot less contorted, arthritic difficultness hehe

I need between two to five seats generally for wife/adult kids/frail elders so am fine with three seats up front (two in the rear - RIB seat) If I need to get in the back I can fold bench seat back down and clamber over. Dog can lay on it when folded down. It's a 10deg recline with that bracket and has additional cushioning stuffed in seat for comfort. have a sliding swivel so have a lot of versatility and it also makes it stupidly easy to swivel.

As far as the dog in the back is concerned. With the bench seat up front it's automatically a safer situation in a forward impact for the pooch ( he can't get on rear seat as we tilt the base to vertical for luggage storage) Milo sits behind us and can peep through between seats and out of slider window. Doesn't even need to be secured to loading point. He probably wouldn't survive if we rolled the van more than once though...