middle swivel seats - north star conversions

[weeginger73]

I was wondering if anyone has had any experience with this conversion company and these swivel seats?

http://www.northstarconversions.co.uk/8.html

It seems like the perfect solution to have seats facing forward for driving safely with children in car seats, then just swivel them round when parked up. I haven't seen anything like this before and sounds great when paired with their outback removable conversion. They said they'd send it all up to me on a pallate for easy DIY installation.

My only concern is that although the swivel plate has been crash tested, the seats haven't (the company says this would be too expensive) and I don't want to compromise on my child's safety. I was wondering if anyone has these seats or any comments on the safety of the modification? I'm not very technical so am finding it difficult to decide.

[winchman]

I like the idea but has the swivel been tested for one seat or the weight of two????
I cant comment much more really as I havent seen one or know the full story
Personally I feel itch much better and would look better to fir two swivel captains chairs from a Kia sedona or Ford Galaxy, as you are fitting a factory manufactured fully tested seat assembly in the same method as it was originally designed for.

[Griffin]

It's a good idea bit HOW MUCH

I did the seat slider change (so you can move the seats whichever way the seat is facing) and then it's just a case or undoing 4 bolts, 'swiveling the seat' (ok lifting it and turning it around but it's doable, I just stand astride it and lift it from the centre) and doing up 4 bolts.

Just a thought but have you tried having your kids travel backwards ? mine love it and I am comfortable with the safety aspect (whilst I appreciate the views of others).

[Simon Jones]

Bear in mind your average rock and roll bed you can pick up on eBay for a few hundred quid won't be crash tested either. Same applies to anything any of the normal Bongo converters would fit in a camper van.

[dave_aber]

"two swivel captains chairs from a Kia sedona or Ford Galaxy" may well be crash tested - in a Kia Sedona, or a Ford Galaxy. As far as I know, they have not been crash tested in a Bongo - so how do you ensure that the seat won't simply rip out of the floor in an accident?

If you mount a seat with 4 x M6 bolts it still isn't safe. If you use 'similar' bolts to the Kia / Ford floor fixings, it MAY be - but without crash testing, how do you know that the bit of floor you have chosen is suitable?