Omega Owners Forum

Chat Area => General Car Chat => Topic started by: hoofing it on 29 October 2012, 19:46:49

Title: minibus conversion to motorhome
Post by: hoofing it on 29 October 2012, 19:46:49
Ive got a bit of a dilema im currently converting a ldv convoy ex 17 seater minibus to a motorhome but what I would like to know are you allowed rear facing passenger seats.
I'm going to re-register it as a motorhome with 4 seats but would VOSA accept rear facing as longs as the proper seats/seat belts are used.
I asked at my local class vii mot station but one guy said forward facing only but the garage owner said as longs as the proper fixing are used the seats can face forward or backwards but not sideways then VOSA must pass the seats/seatbelts before the motorhome is mot'ed and it can get re-classed at the same time to a class iv.
Any help would be greatfull :y
Title: Re: minibus conversion to motorhome
Post by: tunnie on 29 October 2012, 22:05:09
Can't see why not, when hunting for them for GrandpaT i saw many with rear or side facing seats.
Title: Re: minibus conversion to motorhome
Post by: Vamps on 29 October 2012, 22:29:41
Can't see why not, when hunting for them for GrandpaT i saw many with rear or side facing seats.

Not for travelling in on newer models though :y  as someone who ran a crew bus years ago for Cub Scouts, all side facing seats, I tend to find things have changed, so not sure I know the actual answer to this question..... :-\ :-\ :-\
Title: Re: minibus conversion to motorhome
Post by: the alarming man on 29 October 2012, 23:16:48
i also have read somewhere recentley any landrover with sideways seats a couple of insurance brokers/companies (carol nash being one) have revoked in force policies because they will not insure a vehicle with side ways seats....with or without belts :y
Title: Re: minibus conversion to motorhome
Post by: Andy B on 29 October 2012, 23:18:20
There are plenty of 7 seater estate cars with 2 rear facing kiddies' seats.  :y
Title: Re: minibus conversion to motorhome
Post by: Vamps on 29 October 2012, 23:31:37
i also have read somewhere recentley any landrover with sideways seats a couple of insurance brokers/companies (carol nash being one) have revoked in force policies because they will not insure a vehicle with side ways seats....with or without belts :y

I thought of Landrovers as have had a couple of them with side facing seats, all quite legal at the time... :)
Title: Re: minibus conversion to motorhome
Post by: Vamps on 29 October 2012, 23:32:02
There are plenty of 7 seater estate cars with 2 rear facing kiddies' seats.  :y

Modern, are you sure?..... :y
Title: Re: minibus conversion to motorhome
Post by: hoofing it on 30 October 2012, 07:39:08
Thanks for the replies oh and vamps have you been winding up TB again I see your post count is very small  ;)
Title: Re: minibus conversion to motorhome
Post by: the alarming man on 30 October 2012, 09:18:57
who vamps???.....never :y
Title: Re: minibus conversion to motorhome
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 30 October 2012, 11:19:22
Converting an LDV!

Lets hope you dont need any parts or panels!
Title: Re: minibus conversion to motorhome
Post by: 05omegav6 on 30 October 2012, 18:17:50
 ;D Ford still make the engines somewhere, probably Turkey :'(, as for panels, mild steel is readily available in 8'x4' sheets...

As for rear seats, it is peferctly acceptable to have rear facing :y loads of coaches do, and I know of several taxi/minicab operators who have reversed the middle row in their Tourneos as it significantly improves rear passenger legroom and rear row access. Also Merc Vianos have a conference seating option, LTI still make those moronic noddy cabs with fold down rear facing seats >:( etc etc...
Title: Re: minibus conversion to motorhome
Post by: hoofing it on 30 October 2012, 20:23:28
Converting an LDV!

Lets hope you dont need any parts or panels!
This ones is in good nick underneath as it was registered as a bus and the previous owner had it from new (53 plate) so no expense spared. Only real problem is the engine its fooked well it's done 386329 miles the body is a bit tatty.
I bought a doner van last week for £200 mot fail it had more holes than a hooors knickers ::) and i'm a dab hand with a welder as most Disco owners are :y
I managed to get a hold of someone from my local VOSA test centre and as longs I take it to them first for a inspection of the seats then I can register it as a motorhome and also change it from class vii to iv.
oh I see youv'e been a naughty boy to 70 posts
Title: Re: minibus conversion to motorhome
Post by: Andy B on 30 October 2012, 21:44:17
There are plenty of 7 seater estate cars with 2 rear facing kiddies' seats.  :y

Modern, are you sure?..... :y

yes (http://www.ebay.co.uk/dsc/i.html?LH_TitleDesc=1&_sacat=0&_from=R40&_nkw=mercedes+e+class+estate+7+seater&_trksid=p2045573.m570.l1313&_odkw=e+class+estate+7+seater&_osacat=0)  ;)  ;)
Title: Re: minibus conversion to motorhome
Post by: Vamps on 30 October 2012, 22:14:04
There are plenty of 7 seater estate cars with 2 rear facing kiddies' seats.  :y

Modern, are you sure?..... :y

yes (http://www.ebay.co.uk/dsc/i.html?LH_TitleDesc=1&_sacat=0&_from=R40&_nkw=mercedes+e+class+estate+7+seater&_trksid=p2045573.m570.l1313&_odkw=e+class+estate+7+seater&_osacat=0)  ;)  ;)

 :y
Title: Re: minibus conversion to motorhome
Post by: zirk on 30 October 2012, 22:21:04
Fairly sure you can fit side or non manafacture interior for disabled use not sure how that work f.or your project, wink.