TheSamba.com :: View topic - BusDepot front cot WITH 3pt seatlbelt on jump seat

Thu Mar 03, 2022 9:45 am

Hello,

VERY specific question here.

My wife wants requires 3pt belt to be installed on the rear facing seat in an 85 Weekender. My understanding is this will mean both bolt hold locations on the B-pillar will be occupied.

I need to get a cot over the front seats for a young child. I've found the PVC solution in another thread:

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=9816045#9816045

But IF I want to go ahead and order the Bus Depot option:

https://www.busdepot.com/251898565

does anyone know if the rear B-pillar brackets will interfere with an added 3pt upper belt mount when the second is installed for the rear jumpseat?

Obscure, yes. But I'd love feedback before ordering, opening, crying, returning.

Thanks.

Image location for reference.

Thu Mar 03, 2022 10:01 am

curious to keep tabs on this, if you end up installing their kit (which i didnt realize they were offering! neat!)

i would imagine that there is some freedom in where you locate the tabs - to an extent as long as the cot stays somewhat taught - to avoid interfering with your second set of belts

the tabs look smooth also, so i could see the belt running over it without snagging

Thu Mar 03, 2022 10:18 am

How about getting a longer shouldered bolt and doubling up both upper seat belt loops. That's a fairly beefy point and, depending on which way the vehicle is impacted, only one seat belt will be under stress in an accident. If it's a roll, both have some stress. But not the kind of force from a head on or rear impact.

Hans

Thu Mar 03, 2022 10:36 am

Spreader wrote:

But IF I want to go ahead and order the Bus Depot option:

https://www.busdepot.com/251898565

does anyone know if the rear B-pillar brackets will interfere with an added 3pt upper belt mount when the second is installed for the rear jumpseat?

Obscure, yes. But I'd love feedback before ordering, opening, crying, returning.

Thanks.

Image location for reference.

What did bus depot say when you asked them?

Thu Mar 03, 2022 10:38 am

vanis13 wrote:

What did bus depot say when you asked them?

No response (yet). I suspect it's an oddball question.

Thu Mar 03, 2022 10:55 am

I have the Bus Depot cots in both of my '85 weekenders. Love them. My kids are now grown and in college and when a group goes camping, a 20 year old sleeps in the cot.
If I understand correctly, you want to install the jump seat shoulder belt on the B pillar a directly below the drivers seat belt. As you can see in the picture, the cot bracket will interfere with the jump seat shoulder belt. You do have some flexibility with the cot bracket, but not much. If you move the cot bracket forward, then your cot will have too much slack. This is probably the best option, but you will want to sleep with your head on the passenger slide and let your feet sag in the slack. If you move the cot bracket down 2 inches, then the steering wheel will hold the front corner high and the cot will not lay even. If you move the cot bracket above the drivers belt, then there is not enough clearance from the ceiling.

Thu Mar 03, 2022 10:57 am

JimmyJagged wrote: I have the Bus Depot cots in both of my '85 weekenders. Love them. My kids are now grown and in college and when a group goes camping, a 20 year old sleeps in the cot.

:shock: theres enough room there for a full sized adult to scrunch up on the cot? whoa!

Thu Mar 03, 2022 10:59 am

Yep. And it is comfortable. It is the same length as the full size rear seat. I've slept there once 8) . It is more comfortable when I roll the window half-way down and I can stretch my legs. Funny to see the end of a sleeping bag hanging out the window. This is my son.

Thu Mar 03, 2022 11:04 am

I'm liking Hans' suggestion of doubling up on the belt mounting, it's done all the time for 2nd row seat buckles in many vehicles, you just don't see it since the bolts are under the seat frame/cushion on those seats.

Thu Mar 03, 2022 11:18 am

jlrftype7 wrote: I'm liking Hans' suggestion of doubling up on the belt mounting, it's done all the time for 2nd row seat buckles in many vehicles, you just don't see it since the bolts are under the seat frame/cushion on those seats.

I like that idea also. If you do that, then the child cot bracket should fit fine.

Thu Mar 03, 2022 12:25 pm

JimmyJagged wrote: Yep. And it is comfortable. It is the same length as the full size rear seat. I've slept there once 8) . It is more comfortable when I roll the window half-way down and I can stretch my legs. Funny to see the end of a sleeping bag hanging out the window. This is my son.

:lol: :lol: :lol:

Hmmm no go in my family. I am 6'4" and my son is 6'7"..... :P

Thu Mar 03, 2022 12:57 pm

JimmyJagged wrote: Yep. And it is comfortable. It is the same length as the full size rear seat.

wow! awesome!

Thu Mar 03, 2022 2:58 pm

dobryan wrote: JimmyJagged wrote: Yep. And it is comfortable. It is the same length as the full size rear seat. I've slept there once 8) . It is more comfortable when I roll the window half-way down and I can stretch my legs. Funny to see the end of a sleeping bag hanging out the window. This is my son.

:lol: :lol: :lol:

Hmmm no go in my family. I am 6'4" and my son is 6'7"..... :P So, no legs hanging out of the window then?.... :wink: :wink:

Mon Mar 07, 2022 6:51 am

JimmyJagged wrote: Yep. And it is comfortable.

You all sold me. I was considering the PVC frame cot for my daughter. But for the amount of work and still some cost, it's much more limited in size (and therefore use) than the full size cot.

BusDepot got back to me as well
". In all the years we've sold this we've never had anyone tell us that they were unable to install the cot without removing their seatbelts"

Probably because; people make it work. I'll make it work too.

For now, I've convinced my wife to ONLY make me buy the 3pt belts for the rear bench. The cot is ordered and we drive on!

Scheduled to pick up my Weekender in less than a month now and couldn't be more excited!

Mon Mar 07, 2022 8:11 am

A bit confused. Is this what you mean?

https://www.gowesty.com/product/made-in-usa/3443/3-point-retracting-seat-belt---jumpseat-lh-rh-

Duncan

Mon Mar 07, 2022 8:47 am

DuncanS wrote: A bit confused. Is this what you mean?

https://www.gowesty.com/product/made-in-usa/3443/3-point-retracting-seat-belt---jumpseat-lh-rh-

Duncan

Very cool cot, I'll have to check them out! No kids, but another handy spot to store clothing, goods when champing.

Hey, a question. Is there a market for those rear-facing and removable Vanagon jumpseats? I might have access to a complete mint rarely used silver one... Not gonna bother buying to re-sell it if there isn't a market for it... Bulky to ship too.

Bill

Mon Mar 07, 2022 12:46 pm

They are very desirable and bring good money. However you need both the floor sockets and the pedestal retaining bracket.

I took one out of a Carat and stuck it in my GL. Never mind the other weird stuff, just the bracket bolted to the rear of the PS pedestal.
the floor
And in place.

Duncan

Mon Mar 07, 2022 5:09 pm

Spreader wrote:

BusDepot got back to me as well
". In all the years we've sold this we've never had anyone tell us that they were unable to install the cot without removing their seatbelts"

That is because you do not have to remove the front seat belts to install the cot brackets. Your problem is that the bottom bolt hold location will be covered by the cot bracket; as shown in my first picture. That is why you will need to put both seatbelts in the top bolt hold location with a longer bolt like Hans suggested.

Be sure to give us an update when you complete the installation.

Wed Mar 09, 2022 9:37 am

JimmyJagged wrote: That is why you will need to put both seatbelts in the top bolt hold location with a longer bolt like Hans suggested.

Be sure to give us an update when you complete the installation.

For now, the Mrs. has given me approval to NOT put in the rear facing 3pt seatbelt. So I'll be installing the cot as per usual - blocking the lower seatbelt bolt hole.

Wed Mar 09, 2022 9:59 am

JimmyJagged wrote:
Be sure to give us an update when you complete the installation.

x2 definitely curious to see how you get on, take some pics !