Benefits to Walk Thru vs. Bench Seat on Westy?

vdubud · Samba Member Joined: July 10, 2006 Posts: 23

I am looking to find a '67 Pop Top Westy and wondering
why some people prefer a walk thru versus the standard
front bench seat? Shocked

My wife and I will primarily use it for road trips and sleeping in the back?

Any benefits to either configuration?

Thanks for the advice.
Jeff

Major Woody · Posted: Mon Jul 24, 2006 2:45 pm Post subject:

With a bench, you have an additional small cabinet in the back.
They seat the same (with the jumpseat insert).
Nice to be able to get into the back from the front, especially in bad weather and with the side tent erected. Remember you have to close the cargo door to open the passenger side cab door. That means in order to get from the camping area into the front without shutting the door (not possible sometimes when cooking or with tent erected, you have to get out, go all the way around the bus to the driver's side before you can get into the front.
Bench can sleep a kid on the front seat, under the cot.
Also, might be illegal but sometimes mom or dad needs to get out of the driver seat when the vehicle is moving down the highway to get a cool beverage out of the icebox or quell an insurrection.
We have a walkthrough and I would have nothing else.

biggestdaddyo · Posted: Mon Jul 24, 2006 2:51 pm Post subject:

pyrOman · Posted: Mon Jul 24, 2006 2:59 pm Post subject:

Go walkthrough! Razz

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Riff Raff · Posted: Mon Jul 24, 2006 3:03 pm Post subject:

Bench seats are WAY more comfortable for the passenger. The bus is not really wide enough to accomodate two people and a walkthru section. Drivers side is fine, but the passenger is jammed up against the door and has to gaze at the A pillar.
When I had my walkthru, I built a little bench to go in between the two seats because my dog was too big for the passenger seat.
Both my wife and my dog prefer the bench seat.
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RINC · Posted: Mon Jul 24, 2006 3:10 pm Post subject:

All good points here.

I never really took to owning a walkthru till I got my westy.

I dont like the location of the spare tyre with the walkthru.

Although with my daughter riding along, she can get to the back without kicking me in the head. She loved to do that when jumping over the bench. It really made her giggle.

///Mink · Posted: Mon Jul 24, 2006 3:21 pm Post subject:

bill may · Posted: Mon Jul 24, 2006 4:03 pm Post subject:

non westy-but my camper is ---- a walk thru'- i vote walk through. passenger can walk "thru'" to the back if tired of looking at a piller and since mine is registered as a HSCR in california he/ she can drink a beer as long as they stay behind the driver.. hcsr is house car. 1965 panel walkthru' HSCR.
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RINC · Posted: Mon Jul 24, 2006 4:07 pm Post subject:

Campy · Posted: Mon Jul 24, 2006 4:21 pm Post subject:

Twenty-nine years ago, I traded my 1961 Westy (non walk-thru) for a restored 1957 kombi, which was not a walk-thru, but I bought a camper unit out of a wrecked bus, right away, installed it, had much fun with it and still own it. I had often wished that there was an aisle in it, though.
When I finished restoring my 1963 walk-thru camper over two years ago, I couldn't believe how great it is to have an aisle up front, especially when the stereo is on and I am on the z-bed in back. It doesn't hurt when I have a few beers in the ice box, either. Smile

I have a 1958 walk-thru that I started restoring first but I never finished it. It's going to be even better. Walk-thrus forever. Cool

Erik G · Posted: Mon Jul 24, 2006 4:33 pm Post subject:

Walkthrough. 10,000 hippy hack jobs can't be wrong LOL

no but really, a walkthrough is much nicer in my opinion
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crofty · Posted: Mon Jul 24, 2006 4:49 pm Post subject:

I prefer my bench- you get a bigger /better rear seat, extra cabinet and all rest of the stuff that has already been said.

If i was old and crotchety i'd bitch about the bench and rear access. LOL
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Fish · Posted: Mon Jul 24, 2006 4:57 pm Post subject:

My California Camper HSCR has the "hippy hack" walk thru. It definitely has it's advantages. For one the passengers bucket seat can fully recline. Small short home made cabnet/bench seat the front seat lays over when reclined. Drivers can't, it hits the ice box. As for the bench. It is better if you have young kids. It's a good place for them to sleep. Also the girl friend or wife can sit closer to you if you want her to. Wink

Bench seat with a cab divider makes the front heater work quicker and better then with a walk thru.
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pyrOman · Posted: Mon Jul 24, 2006 5:14 pm Post subject:

///Mink · Posted: Mon Jul 24, 2006 5:19 pm Post subject:

Fish · Posted: Mon Jul 24, 2006 5:24 pm Post subject:

Towel Rail · Posted: Mon Jul 24, 2006 6:11 pm Post subject:

On a bench seat, your honey can scooch over and cuddle when it's cold. Wink

///Mink · Posted: Mon Jul 24, 2006 7:18 pm Post subject:

hotvw1 · Posted: Mon Jul 24, 2006 8:15 pm Post subject:

Walkthrough all the way. Had one in my 65 21 and now in my 62 23. If I want the wife to sit closer I will walk through and we can jump on the bed (the rest is edited for content)

Hella Bro · Samba Member Joined: February 28, 2002 Posts: 1143

Ive had both walk-thru and bench. Ill take either and be happy. I like the 1/3 2/3 over the long bench tho. The 1/3 seat is better shaped for the driver.The long bench keeps picking my pockets and stuff always gets lost to the nether regions of the under-seat world.


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Benefits to Walk Thru vs. Bench Seat on Westy?
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