Is this possible? LWB Delica question

[jthom]

Looking at buying a LWB Delica but not sure if it can do the following:

We want to put the van's rear seats up against the windows and put a queen mattress on the floor in the back while we ride in the front and middle seats. Is it possible to fit a queen mattress BEHIND the MIDDLE row of seats in a Delica with a long wheel base?

We are a three piece band going on tour, so out thinking is that we would put all the gear on the bed while we drive and then when we stop to sleep we move the gear to the front and middle seats and sleep on the bed.

We're looking at either this or getting a "Little Guy T@G" car trailer.

Thanks for your help!

[islander20]

I have a LWB, I dont think I could do what your envisioning. I can fit a queen with the middle seats nearly all the way extended towards the fronts seats. My bed is on a raised platform that folds up. I have storage under the entire bed when it is out, when its folded up I have full use of the middle seats as well as storage under the bed where the bench seat would be.

Three guys road tripping and sleeping in a delica, even a LWB doesnt sound very realistic. Two would be more reasonable. Unless you guys are all fairly small?

[jthom]

Thanks Islander20.

Are you saying that a queen bed fits when the middle seats have been slid towards the front seats (hence making them 'unsittable')? I'd like to know if the middle seats are on rails like my last (L300) Delica. Also if the middle seats can swivel to face the back.

Do the rear seats flip up against the side walls on the '94 model?

I love the idea of making a bench to sit over the wheel wells - I'm assuming a queen mattress would be too wide otherwise?

We are a fellow and two ladies, and only two of us would actually be sleeping in the van.

Thanks again for your help. :)

[islander20]

Yes the middle seats are on rails and spin 180 degrees. I believe the L300 is the same? Haven't actually been inside one. For my queen to fit I spin the chairs 180 and a folding platform extends from the box over the wheel wells to the chair seats. There is a foot or so of space between the front and middle seats. The middle chairs are unusable since the bed is resting on them for support. Its quite easy to setup and take down, so i basically have a four seater L400 with a 2/3 queen bed behind the middle seats, which becomes a full size queen.

Yes the rear bench seat flips up against the windows. I have taken my rear seats out due to the box I have in there place. The wheel wells would cut into a queen, though all the seats fold flat into a sort of bed. Throw an air mattress on top and it would be decent.

I can grab some pictures of my setup later if your interested. From what you've said I think a LWB would work well for you.

[jthom]

Yes, I would love to see some photos if you have them. I'd love to build a platform just like the one you have set up. Is it fairly simple to construct?

Thanks again :)

[islander20]

Heres the setup

http://i1382.photobucket.com/albums/ah2 ... eadyck.jpg

http://s1382.photobucket.com/user/nadai ... t.jpg.html

http://s1382.photobucket.com/user/nadai ... m.jpg.html

I didnt actually make the box, though the construction wouldnt be to hard. That mattress is pretty thick, but I had it lying around and it is very comfortable. If I had have gotten the solid roof I would have a bit more head room inside, but the glass roof is very nice. When its setup the mattress moves forward, it isnt usually wedged up at the end.

[Mr. Flibble]

You don't even need to for the seats up. They convert into a bed.

Just fold the seats into bed position, put the queen mattress on top and you are good to go! Plus you have storage underneath.

I have done this a few times.

[Mr. Flibble]

Here is a short video of a SWB with a queen bed inflatable in it:

[jthom]

Thanks for the photos - looks like a sturdy and comfy setup.

I tried the inflatable queen on the folded seats in my last delica and would like to try something different. I have yet to find an inflatable mattress that holds its air for longer than a couple of months (especially in changing temperatures).

:)

[calcos]

@islander20 - how does your platform fold? is it 2 pieces on hinges? if so, how long is the folding flap? And how high is the platform from the ground?

[islander20]

It is two folding pieces, ill grab some measurements tommorow. Sometimes I wish my platform was lower so I had more head room...but then i'd have less storage. I would give it plenty of thought before you decide on a route.