Seats/bed question

[HisRoyalFredness]

Hello,

This is my first post, and I have spent a happy hour reading through this forum looking at all the many bed/seats question, so apologies to adding just one more.

I've just looked at a Bongo with a view to buy, but as it will just be me and my 4 dogs (3 very small) travelling, are there any implications to simply removing the bench seat behind the front seats permanently? I could either sleep on the floor, or get a box built to work with the drivers seat as a bed. Floor space is more important for me than sleeping spaces as it's only me and the dogs. I can't see any reason why I would ever need to transport passengers - the reason I like campervans is I can get away from people, not take them with me.

I did think about just turning the seats round to face the rear, but I'd still be left with lack of floor space for the dogs while making the bed up and down. Putting them outside every time wouldn't work as my Grey wouldn't be able to get back in once the bed was up.

PS I'm Linda (Fred is one of the dogs)

[Bob]

Hi Linda, and a warm welcome.

There's no problem removing the middle seat, just 4 bolts, but it is VERY heavy. I'd get some help lifting it.

Before doing this, however, why not try sleeping on the driver's and middle seat (remove the headrest and slide to fit) then tilt the N/S part of the middle one forward to give you a 'Bedside Table'.

You can still get in and out of the sliding door and will have a ton of room at the back.

Personally I'd look for a Bongo with split rear seats, but the rear bench is also easily removed if you're not going to use it.

The middle seat will take up the same room whichever way it faces but slid forward will give a huge space to the rear, or a twin bench model with the rear bench removed will allow the middle one to go right back, hence a huge space by the side door.

If you're near us you're welcome to visit and I'll demonstrate, or pop a rough location in your proflle someone else will offer.

[helen&tony]

Hi
Welcome...and enjoy your Bongo
Question for you... Do you have an elevating roof on your planned Bongo...?...I can already see some alternatives!.....we have 2 GSDs and a lurcher, and the Bongo is ideal
Cheers
Helen

[winchman]

Hello,

the reason I like campervans is I can get away from people, not take them with me.
(Fred is one of the dogs)

That's a top quality quote.
Welcome we also have two small dogs

[HisRoyalFredness]

Thank you for the welcome! There is nothing in the back, just the kitchen on both sides, but a single seat comes with it. Apparently the sink/hob comes out and the seat goes back in. I did think of removing the bench seat and putting the single one in, but moving all the runners seemed a lot of work to get done.

Yes it has an electric elevating roof. I hadn't though of leaving one seat back down (doh!). But as long as there are options, just waiting for my brother to get back to me so we can take it for a test drive. If that goes well I can hopefully pick it up early next week.

I'm in Essex, I'll update my profile.

[helen&tony]

Hi
If it's just a Dog-mobile, then you could entirely remove the floor part of the elevating roof bit and create a hammock area on one side. The area would be open, so that when you elevate the roof, you can peer over the edge of the hammock, and the dogs still get to see you. You can remove everything below, and just keep something to cook with! That'd make a great wild camping tool for you and the dogs!!!
Cheers
Helen

[Bob]

You don't need to remove the runners just because you take the seat out, just leave in place.

It will not be easy to fit a single seat behind the driver's to make a bed, but I' sure you could make something.

[HisRoyalFredness]

A hammock in the roof might sort the problem, although I'm not sure I'm agile enough to do that every night. That's how I was hoping the roof beds would be set up though, so it's another plan I could try. I used to have a coach built Bedford Bambi and I liked the bench beds as I could just nap all afternoon with the dogs on my lap once the dog walking was done - I think I will miss that.

[nicxf]

Not quite the same, but I toured last year with my folding electric bike and mobility scooter squeezed into the back of the van, so had the same issue of needing a LOT of floor space! I have the split rear seat model, so when I was only stopping for one night I didn't mess about unloading the bike and scooter every time but had both rear seats flipped up to leave space for the bike and scooter (and portaloo) and slept on the driver's side front seat and one side of the middle seat. As suggested above, the other side of the middle seat was folded over to make a bedside table. This setup worked really well and left loads of floor space at the back and a comfy sleeping space. I now have a dog so am still trying to work out what I'll do, but may opt for a similar arrangement but put the whole of the middle seat down so she can sleep next to me, which she'll love. And I'm looking at putting something on the back to carry the scooter so I don't have to mess about loading it.

[HisRoyalFredness]

Well it looks like I'll be bringing it home on Tuesday. It needs to go to my mechanic for my peace of mind before I go anywhere and once it's all sorted I will be able to try a few things.

[Bob]

Nice one.

[HisRoyalFredness]

I'm so excited!