thanks... really helpful 😀 By the way, when I have to move awkward things with nothing to grip onto I wrap luggage straps around the item and then use those as something to hold onto. Mattresses, furniture ... works on just about anything.
I have found it more useful for traveling and some camping (up to 4 people) with the middle row seats removed. My kids always prefer to take the rear seats anyways, and I have swivels in front seats, so I have heaps of free space even with unfolded bed (got the Multiflexboard at the back also). The weight of these seats though...
Hi, great video! On the basis of the same rails servicing both 2nd and 3rd row of seat, is it possible to: 1) swap the position of captain seats with the bench, and 2) hypothetically have 2 benches fitted at the same time?
1) it was a few years ago, but I’m pretty sure we did this when the van was new and if I recall it worked just fine, except a pain to get to the rear seats (good for luggage though!), can’t remember if they slid as far back as the bench because of how the rails are set up (outer rails go further back)… maybe it was the table not sliding back far enough… although that’s not the most useful thing relative to the space it takes up so loads of folks leave it out, and 2) I can’t see why not, the bench is heavy though so best to weigh/check with a dealer in case it cuts into your payload too much, and it’s deep front to back, so I’d also measure the door width relative to the middle row being as far forward as you would have it, to make sure people can get in and out of the 3rd row safely before investing in a 2nd bench. Also check insurance/licence requirements if carrying more people than it was originally designed for… hope that helps and glad the vid was helpful :)
Great video thank you! Do you know, can you have four rows of seats. We need a 9 seater but like the look of the comfy caravelle seats. Wondered if we could do a 2-2-2-3 configuration. Thanks in advance and great video ❤
Hi & you're welcome, glad it was helpful. The seats are indeed lovely! For a 9 seat configuration you'll be looking for a LWB vehicle and I'm not sure whether Caravelles (multivan in the rest of Europe and T7 onward, multivan here too!) are available in LWB; I don't believe at the time this Exec spec had an LWB option. There is a model called the Shuttle, which I'm pretty sure is 9 seats but not on the lovely rail system and with more basic seats (designed more as a taxi than a luxury family run-around/exec taxi). There are however companies (sorry, I can't recommend any specifics) that retro fit the rail system to vans and spare seats available via eg eBay or direct from VW so that might be one option with either a VW LWB base van with windows or someone like AutoCampers (I did test drive one of their Fords once) has a similar rail system but they prefer to fit to Fords (they can do VWs but tend to favour the value Fords give). The individual seats click into their rail system rather than slide but super easy to reconfigure, etc. and felt pretty comfy when we were test driving. Hope that helps - good luck!
Well… it’s a bit of an art form… and as a result I haven’t done it many times! If I remember correctly, it’s something like slightly lift the back whilst pulling forward at the front and all of a sudden it releases and can just be slotted back into place. 1st time I tried it was a case of gently wiggle in various directions until I found the way, it doesn’t need forcing.
I’ve never tried it because the middle row are captains chairs ie they swivel and are (I believe) crash tested with passengers facing both backwards and forwards. The feet that go inside the rails are different sizes front and back though so I suspect that means no to installing other than intended…
@@DollopussD that’s how we use ours, mainly big family car with with fresh coffee, cold drinks and an emergency loo on board! Plus viable as an occasional camper van for loads of passengers but only 2 (adults, could squeeze more small kids in!) sleepers :) Check the swivelling though depending on model, pretty sure the T5, 5.1, 6 & 6.1 do on the Caravelle BUT I’m not sure about the T7 as the seats are totally different (all individual, much better in some ways, but I’m not sure if they rotate)
I checked your channel, hoping to find the perfect video antidote to my amateur performance of this operation in my van, but sadly there was nothing there... I look forward to seeing your version of how to do this properly, presumably you already have the van, have performed this particular operation easily and smoothly many times, and thus recording an improved version shouldn’t take long. In response to your specific points: a) to a non-owner a screwdriver might seem the ideal tool. However, some VW manuals specifically say to use the key rather than a screwdriver. Presumably to remove the various parts gently, to avoid scratching the plastic/soft aluminium of the rail covers. For example, as mentioned by this VW approved retailer of vans & multivan specific modular camping units: th-cam.com/video/jNB9aWLYMpU/w-d-xo.htmlsi=0p1hLWvQp5agIbhD. Initially, it did strike me as slightly odd to risk the key over a screwdriver, but as releasing the “lugs” is doable with slim fingers anyway I didn’t see much chance of risk to the key and therefore I followed the advice of the pros, and b) yes I did struggle to remove the tracks and seats. The track covers aren’t loose, they are extremely tight fitting so as not to create noise when driving and must be correctly aligned to remove from and reinstall into, the tight spring clips. Aluminium is soft for a metal, so I didn’t want to be excessively rough with it and risk bending it, or to lever it using any sharp objects and risk scratching it, if the tool slipped. Each single seat weighs in at, I’d estimate 40 - 50 Kg, and the bench seat must be 90 or 100Kg and I neither have arms like an orangutang, nor biceps like popeye, which does indeed make moving such awkward items around extremely difficult. Furthermore, the seats themselves don’t lock closed, so not only must the lifter/s contend with bulk and awkward shapes with quite sharp edges, but shapes that move around when being carried… This isn’t an official VW channel, my objective here is to show real family life, as it is for me as a mother and a not particularly tall one at that, which can make “manhandling” things around more difficult than for your average camper. There are of course also upsides! My objective is to be realistic, not make everything look easy. Showing everything as polished and easy whilst pretending it’s the 1st time, like some sort of marketing video, doesn’t make a useful contribution to those who watch; it would essentially be a lie. Oh and might I suggest *use not *used would have been preferable in the 1st part of your sentence, *struggled as the task was performed in the past, for the middle part, and *your not *you in the latter 1/3. Best wishes.
“VW manuals specifically say to use the key rather than a screwdriver” … off course- if you damage your keys you have to come back to dealer and get new one and they will charge you $300-400 for in… normally they cost $40. For manufacture it’s business to make you come back to them that right then put radical idea to manual. So you now how your reply for my comment sounds for me… I have many different cars, for example 3 Volvo XC90 and on every review people say that auto gearbox is big issue this cars. Manual says don’t change oil in it, but if you go to Aisin or GM website’s they clearly say - change oil… I did with them more than 400k ich without any problems from gearboxes … I use my brain… If I looking for video how do something with car I want to see how to do it quick and properly… Thanks for your time to write your essay.
Thanks sooo much for taking the time to make this video. We hope to buy a caravelle soon. ❤
Thanks for your demonstration, it helped me to be able to adjust the configuration in my new (to me) MY18 MultiVan.
Thanks, I’m gonna fit in a bed and needed to know how to get the bench out 👍
thanks... really helpful 😀 By the way, when I have to move awkward things with nothing to grip onto I wrap luggage straps around the item and then use those as something to hold onto. Mattresses, furniture ... works on just about anything.
Glad it was helpful and great tip, thanks!
I have found it more useful for traveling and some camping (up to 4 people) with the middle row seats removed. My kids always prefer to take the rear seats anyways, and I have swivels in front seats, so I have heaps of free space even with unfolded bed (got the Multiflexboard at the back also). The weight of these seats though...
Hi, great video! On the basis of the same rails servicing both 2nd and 3rd row of seat, is it possible to: 1) swap the position of captain seats with the bench, and 2) hypothetically have 2 benches fitted at the same time?
1) it was a few years ago, but I’m pretty sure we did this when the van was new and if I recall it worked just fine, except a pain to get to the rear seats (good for luggage though!), can’t remember if they slid as far back as the bench because of how the rails are set up (outer rails go further back)… maybe it was the table not sliding back far enough… although that’s not the most useful thing relative to the space it takes up so loads of folks leave it out, and 2) I can’t see why not, the bench is heavy though so best to weigh/check with a dealer in case it cuts into your payload too much, and it’s deep front to back, so I’d also measure the door width relative to the middle row being as far forward as you would have it, to make sure people can get in and out of the 3rd row safely before investing in a 2nd bench. Also check insurance/licence requirements if carrying more people than it was originally designed for… hope that helps and glad the vid was helpful :)
@@CaraVanOlogywithBecky Thank you for the reply! Very helpful indeed!
Thanks Becky ,much appreciated.
Glad it was helpful :)
great explanation, thanks
Thank you
Great video thank you! Do you know, can you have four rows of seats. We need a 9 seater but like the look of the comfy caravelle seats. Wondered if we could do a 2-2-2-3 configuration. Thanks in advance and great video ❤
Hi & you're welcome, glad it was helpful. The seats are indeed lovely! For a 9 seat configuration you'll be looking for a LWB vehicle and I'm not sure whether Caravelles (multivan in the rest of Europe and T7 onward, multivan here too!) are available in LWB; I don't believe at the time this Exec spec had an LWB option. There is a model called the Shuttle, which I'm pretty sure is 9 seats but not on the lovely rail system and with more basic seats (designed more as a taxi than a luxury family run-around/exec taxi). There are however companies (sorry, I can't recommend any specifics) that retro fit the rail system to vans and spare seats available via eg eBay or direct from VW so that might be one option with either a VW LWB base van with windows or someone like AutoCampers (I did test drive one of their Fords once) has a similar rail system but they prefer to fit to Fords (they can do VWs but tend to favour the value Fords give). The individual seats click into their rail system rather than slide but super easy to reconfigure, etc. and felt pretty comfy when we were test driving. Hope that helps - good luck!
@@CaraVanOlogywithBecky that’s really helpful thank you so much 🙏
LWB caravelles are rare and expensive. Possibly there would be room with no boot space but bear in mind the seats are expensive as well.
Dzięki
Hi Becky, When you put the middle arm rest down on the bench seat , do you know how to then put it up again?
Well… it’s a bit of an art form… and as a result I haven’t done it many times! If I remember correctly, it’s something like slightly lift the back whilst pulling forward at the front and all of a sudden it releases and can just be slotted back into place. 1st time I tried it was a case of gently wiggle in various directions until I found the way, it doesn’t need forcing.
Can you put seats in backwards too?
I’ve never tried it because the middle row are captains chairs ie they swivel and are (I believe) crash tested with passengers facing both backwards and forwards. The feet that go inside the rails are different sizes front and back though so I suspect that means no to installing other than intended…
@CaraVanOlogy with Becky Oh, cool! They swivel! I think I found my first van life car 👍
@@DollopussD that’s how we use ours, mainly big family car with with fresh coffee, cold drinks and an emergency loo on board! Plus viable as an occasional camper van for loads of passengers but only 2 (adults, could squeeze more small kids in!) sleepers :) Check the swivelling though depending on model, pretty sure the T5, 5.1, 6 & 6.1 do on the Caravelle BUT I’m not sure about the T7 as the seats are totally different (all individual, much better in some ways, but I’m not sure if they rotate)
well it is not wise to use your car key as a screw driver... otherwise cheers
Great advice to used car key, not screwdriver…🤦♂️and you really struggle to remove tracks and seats…👎 looks like you doing this first time.
I checked your channel, hoping to find the perfect video antidote to my amateur performance of this operation in my van, but sadly there was nothing there... I look forward to seeing your version of how to do this properly, presumably you already have the van, have performed this particular operation easily and smoothly many times, and thus recording an improved version shouldn’t take long. In response to your specific points: a) to a non-owner a screwdriver might seem the ideal tool. However, some VW manuals specifically say to use the key rather than a screwdriver. Presumably to remove the various parts gently, to avoid scratching the plastic/soft aluminium of the rail covers. For example, as mentioned by this VW approved retailer of vans & multivan specific modular camping units: th-cam.com/video/jNB9aWLYMpU/w-d-xo.htmlsi=0p1hLWvQp5agIbhD. Initially, it did strike me as slightly odd to risk the key over a screwdriver, but as releasing the “lugs” is doable with slim fingers anyway I didn’t see much chance of risk to the key and therefore I followed the advice of the pros, and b) yes I did struggle to remove the tracks and seats. The track covers aren’t loose, they are extremely tight fitting so as not to create noise when driving and must be correctly aligned to remove from and reinstall into, the tight spring clips. Aluminium is soft for a metal, so I didn’t want to be excessively rough with it and risk bending it, or to lever it using any sharp objects and risk scratching it, if the tool slipped. Each single seat weighs in at, I’d estimate 40 - 50 Kg, and the bench seat must be 90 or 100Kg and I neither have arms like an orangutang, nor biceps like popeye, which does indeed make moving such awkward items around extremely difficult. Furthermore, the seats themselves don’t lock closed, so not only must the lifter/s contend with bulk and awkward shapes with quite sharp edges, but shapes that move around when being carried…
This isn’t an official VW channel, my objective here is to show real family life, as it is for me as a mother and a not particularly tall one at that, which can make “manhandling” things around more difficult than for your average camper. There are of course also upsides! My objective is to be realistic, not make everything look easy. Showing everything as polished and easy whilst pretending it’s the 1st time, like some sort of marketing video, doesn’t make a useful contribution to those who watch; it would essentially be a lie.
Oh and might I suggest *use not *used would have been preferable in the 1st part of your sentence, *struggled as the task was performed in the past, for the middle part, and *your not *you in the latter 1/3. Best wishes.
“VW manuals specifically say to use the key rather than a screwdriver” … off course- if you damage your keys you have to come back to dealer and get new one and they will charge you $300-400 for in… normally they cost $40. For manufacture it’s business to make you come back to them that right then put radical idea to manual. So you now how your reply for my comment sounds for me…
I have many different cars, for example 3 Volvo XC90 and on every review people say that auto gearbox is big issue this cars. Manual says don’t change oil in it, but if you go to Aisin or GM website’s they clearly say - change oil… I did with them more than 400k ich without any problems from gearboxes … I use my brain…
If I looking for video how do something with car I want to see how to do it quick and properly…
Thanks for your time to write your essay.