Side Conversion with R/R Seat & Bed - Replace with 2 Seats

[donaldthomps]

Hi, we brought a 2001 Bongo that has a full side conversion and R/R Seat & Bed.

Whilst its nice to have a bed that's really is only for 1, the seats are far from comfortable for the passenger, we came back from France last week after a 10 day holiday and had a passenger in the back for the trip, not a pleasant experience fir them.

So my thinking is to take out the R/R and replace it with 2 rear seats, that way we get a small single bed & 2 seats.

Any comments or suggestions on this?

Thanks

[JoeC]

I am thinking of doing the opposite so will wait for peeps replies.

[Dr Fingers]

I have to say that a side conversion has never appealed to me, primarily because of the width problem. For a singleton, a R+R bed might be fine, but for this twosome (we're not big, 5'8, 5'2) the bed width just doesn't hack it. If only they'd built Bongy 6" wider, and 2' longer..

also, we're really not interested in cooking onboard.

but, ...this is designed for the Japanese, apart from the Sumos, not the biggest people on the planet. Also, it seems the units that converters use are 'VW size'. If the side units were an inch or two smaller (ie less wide), inc the SMEV stuff, it would make a big difference in Bongy, where every inch is precious (as the actress said to the bishop..)

nothing's perfect, and personally we stick with unconverted for maximum flexibility; that's the fun of these machines, do what works for you; have fun!


Derek

[Diplomat]

...nothing's perfect, and personally we stick with unconverted for maximum flexibility; that's the fun of these machines, do what works for you; have fun!


Derek

In my opinion there is not a great deal of space in a Bongo (even one with an upstairs) to throw away on fitted furniture unless it is across the rear and the front seats are part of the bed. But then you haven't got the front seats left clear for heaping clothes/bags/rucksacks etc on at night (only the footwells!).

If I need reminding of the Bongo's dimensions, I just pop out and sit for a while in my SORNed VW Type 25. The (wider) bed in that stays set up all the time and still leaves me with massive central floor space, access to cupboards, cooker, sink etc. and, of course, walk through to the front all with the passenger seat capable of reversal even without a turntable. It's almost like a holiday chalet in the garden. I did that only yesterday and remembered van camping with room to move about!


Frank

[helen&tony]

Hi
+1 for unconverted...the Bongo is so much better as a load carrier/ people carrier/ dog transporter/ shopping trolley once a month, without furniture. IF I wanted furniture, I'd have it demountable to use outside. It's purely personal, but I like cooking outside, to the point that in one house we had, we did almost all cooking in the garden, as we had a gas Barbi outside the kitchen door. The idea of cooking in a van , be it VW, Bongo, or any other always seems dodgy to me...it's not a motorhome built for safety, and the thing has a tank full of petrol...I like the comfort of a large bed, so I sleep up top or in an awning...dogs downstairs with Tony...or vice versa. The VWs tend to be wider, and I converted our Type 2 with full side conversion, and overhead lockers in the rear, and it had an extractor fan in the roof, pop-top and the lot...BUT....I never used the cooker inside...we used another stove outside!....so...I didn't even consider a conversion in the Bongo for a second!
Cheers
Helen

[winchman]

After almost 3 years of ownership, one conversion and a few conversions on paper.
My conclusion is the Bongo is a tight squeeze for two, so I have a conversion to keep it as a camper in the eyes of the insurance and bough a cheap two berth caravan and this is the best most practical solution we have come up with.
We use the Bongo as a load lugger / people carrier and camp in the caravan