TheSamba.com :: View topic

Thu Jul 10, 2025 12:32 pm

What have you found that works in your original MV/EVW console to extend/expand the cupholders?
Our twist-to-tighten extenders were always problematic, and are worse as they age; they keep falling out when loaded & moving. (The square notch in the console cupholder is the culprit; if it were a round hole, the things would work fine. Maybe I'll make a notch insert.)

Has anyone tried these from BougeRV? https://www.bougerv.com/products/joytutus-large-stable-cup-holder-expander

Thu Jul 10, 2025 1:25 pm

I usually remove the US Spec lower console and install the earlier-style/euro style center cubby that doesn't block the floor and doesn't have cupholders that can only hold soda cans.
Then I use simple floor mounted cupholders just ahead of the gear shifter that are expandable and stable (Nalgene bottles will fit). I also utilize flip down The Ultimate Cupholders for both doors. And the EVC is fortunate enough to still have one of the flip down swivel seat mounted cupholders (very rare).

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000FGIBYQ?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_1

But since that's not your use case, UniWerks makes good 3-D printed expanders ... when I use them I usually sand the back corners and paint them to match the interiors.

https://www.uniwerksdesign.com/eurovan-t4-plastic-parts/

Thu Jul 10, 2025 2:57 pm

I went with these cheap ones. They sit higher so are in easier reach, and adjust to fit just about any size cup. And they fold up if you don't like the sight of them all the time.

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=folding+cup+holder

Fri Jul 11, 2025 8:12 pm

This is completely not what you were asking, but hear me out. Like you I found the original cup holder ridiculous, so long ago I abandoned the console for a subwoofer.

Fast forward to more recent times, after many trials, I ended up with putting a box between the seats. It's low enough to step on while going between the front and back. But more importantly, I step on it all the time dealing with raising and lowering the pop top as well as climbing up. Plus, it has storage and I put what size I wanted for cup holders that are more accessible. Another benefit, I can spin the seats with the water bottles in place.

Something to consider.

Sun Jul 13, 2025 5:32 am

Yeah -- the original cupholders in later north american Eurovans are nearly useless.
This guy has some excellent solutions for adapters to fit large cups, stanley cups, nalgene, etc. They're not cheap but not unreasonably priced either (IMO): https://www.uniwerksdesign.com/vw-eurovan/

I designed my own 3d printed version that is similar to these to hold my wife's nalgene and hydroflask bottles and they work really well.

The upside of this approach is that a larger cup or bottle fits the adapter (and the adapter fits the OEM cup "holes") perfectly. Nothing falls out or wiggles during hard stops, cornering, or accelerations. The downside is you need multiple adapters if your spouse or you typically enjoy multiple cup sizes on the road.