Extra 'buddy' seat in Multivan?

[escapegoat]

Hi Guys,

OK, new member, looking for a replacement vehicle for my mitsubishi Delica for my mountain biking business. The delica has been great with 4wd for carrying 8 guests around with a trailer full of bikes behind, however it is now too old, and the new replacement D:5 Delica is not really suitable.

Every year we go to the French Alps, and we have always hired Caravelles, some 4-motion, some not. Now I was hoping for a 4-motion, but it appears they don't do caravelles over here with 4-motion. To be fair though the 2WD ones have always had no issues towing a full trailer up the Alps, so I guess they can manage in Adelaide!

Anyway, I am trying to look into either a Caravelle or Multivan. I really did want 8 seats though. When I went into the dealer they said there was an extra seat you can fit between the Multivan captain seats, to make it an 8 seater. However I can't find any details of buying this aftermarket (I can't afford to buy new, so looking at a 2008-2010 model!).

So, is it possible to legally buy and install this extra seat? Or am I better to just go for the Caravelle for the extra room and seats there....?

[Zaskar]

There are several companies that engineer such seats, and also provide engineering certificates for those adjustments, for Vic Roads registration. I don't know about the cost though, nor do I know what those companies are. Some of them design seats for disabled passengers, perhaps thats some place to start looking.

I have a 132kW Crewvan (5 seats) that has heaps of guts, and while not 4motion, has been more than adequate on the 4WD trails I've driven on while setting up Rogaines.

[escapegoat]

OK, thanks for the reply. OK I am now thinking a caravelle is the way to go- we have always hired them before in Europe and they have been great. I am looking at a 2008 T5 at the moment, LWB, looks good.

It has 150k on the clock, which is more than I'd like, but I guess it still has a fair bit left in the diesel engine. Is there much I need to check or worry about at this point, or in the next few thousand K's?

And again, it comes down to seats- this one is a 8 seater, yet I know we have had 9 seaters before- in Europe we had 3 3 3 seating- this one is 3 2 3. But the middle row appears to have the extra seatbelt (one in both columns AND one on the seat) - so, is it possible to get the 'european' 3 seat bench and fit it into this one and make it a 9 seater?!?

[Sunny43.5]

Quote /
It has 150k on the clock, which is more than I'd like, but I guess it still has a fair bit left in the diesel engine. Is there much I need to check or worry about at this point, or in the next few thousand K's? .end quote .
I will only suggest that the engines are all pretty good but from a personal experience have the auto serviced by someone who knows the Tiptronic and MAKE SURE they remove the sump and replace the filter inside . I will leave it at that .

[matt_john]

I have a 2008 multivan which after having surprise twins we had to add 2 extra seats too. One between the captains seats and one between the front seats. Total cost inc seats and engineering around $2-$2,500. Pretty good match on fabric. And it regularly has 8 people in it.