Is it worth getting a swivel seat base fitted...?

[Simonjdcooper]

2003 Burstner A645
Wondering it ifs worth getting a swivel base fitted, one has come up appropriately cheap, near me. Wondering if it's a good idea and whether pilot or copilot would benefit more.
Who loves them and why?
Hate them? Get it off your chest in the comments below.
TIA

 

[BouncyBoatFolk]

Depends on the layout. Spinning the seat into back of another row of seats probably isn't much use.
We use our all the time, and if it's the drivers seat the addition of a patriot lock to the base plate adds another level of security.
Mike.

 

[herald_400rl]

Our passenger seat swivels and never used it. We have a U shaped lounge so you'd be sat on your own. Maybe useful if the vans full and your cooking, but there's only 2 of us.

 

[scotzsue]

We love ours, didn't have or need them on first van.
Be aware the person who snaffles the passenger seat may manage to avoid a lot of housekeeping duties, like pouring drinks for friends

 

[Guigsy]

Not sure what your van is like, but on the latter Ducatos, swivel seats can interfere with the handbrake. So you play a game of sliding the seat and turning a bit, then sliding a bit more to clear the steering wheel, then sliding again.

Also, it adds to the seat base height. So if you're a short-arse, it can be a problem.

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[ivorantony]

Not sure what your van is like, but on the latter Ducatos, swivel seats can interfere with the handbrake. So you play a game of sliding the seat and turning a bit, then sliding a bit more to clear the steering wheel, then sliding again.

Also, it adds to the seat base height. So if you're a short-arse, it can be a problem.

Not on the latest type with electric hand brake, but agree with the increased height of the seat,
Wife uses a small foot stall to rest her feet on as they otherwise would dangle clear of the floor,

 

[Stag man]

Van came with swivel bases, so never thought about them much, just part of the fittings
On balance, I would say yes, it's nice to be able to turn the seats around and chill after a journey
The drivers one is a bit of a faff and is only to be tackled sober!!

 

[Al n Val]

Wouldn't be without them tbh, infact they are essential to us to be able to use the moho as we intended to

 

[Clivefog]

Passenger one gets used every time. Driver one not much use as to turn it it needs to slide forward turn abit and then back to get around steering wheel, same in reverse then the nause of getting the seat adjusted to the correct position for driving. Handbrake drops down so no problem there. Passenger one also used for getting fridge in and out as required.

 

[gpat]

We use them every single time we stop.

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[headlight]

Our passenger seat swivels and never used it. We have a U shaped lounge so you'd be sat on your own. Maybe useful if the vans full and your cooking, but there's only 2 of us.

Same here, passenger seat swivels, U shaped lounge, have never used it in 3.5 years we've had the motorhome.

 

[oldiesontour]

I bought them but decided not to fit them,with U shaped lounge no need, passenger ends up blocking woos bang and sitting to high during travel,drivers to much hassle and in many of the vans( factory built one or both were limited on amount of rotation by other fittings...cupboards etc)

 

[Markman]

We are in a PVC, so always eat around the take at the front, so swivel seats are a must. They expand the space immeasurably. I'm really surprised to learn that many people don't automatically turn theirs!

 

[L' Hobo]

Not sure what your van is like, but on the latter Ducatos, swivel seats can interfere with the handbrake. So you play a game of sliding the seat and turning a bit, then sliding a bit more to clear the steering wheel, then sliding again.

Also, it adds to the seat base height. So if you're a short-arse, it can be a problem.

I removed my swivel from the drivers side so that I could see the dashboard dials properly on my X250 model Ducato
Now there is no problem as before the steering wheel and cross strut got in the way.

I still have it, so I can sell it on with the van should I ever decide to get rid of it BUT as my genuine Fiat one are very expensive , it's for sale should someone would like to PM me with a reasonable offer...........

 

[herald_400rl]

We are in a PVC, so always eat around the take at the front, so swivel seats are a must. They expand the space immeasurably. I'm really surprised to learn that many people don't automatically turn theirs!

This isn't our MH but its the same layout, the passenger seat swivels and its pointless:

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[Bramidan]

Wouldn’t be without ours.
Difficult to use? One lever and spin it round. 30 second job.

 

[headlight]

This isn't our MH but its the same layout, the passenger seat swivels and its pointless:
View attachment 1063606

Similar layout to mine.
Pointless swivelling the passenger seat and the drivers seat can't swivel as my bathroom wall is in the way.

 

[gus-lopez]

but on the latter Ducatos, swivel seats can interfere with the handbrake.

On the mark 7 Transit you have to physically remove the handbrake mounting & buy & fit a modified one that lowers the handbrake to enable seat swivel use Fortunately I put the hob m cupboard & all the electrics behind the drivers seat so no point in rotating that one.

Also, it adds to the seat base height. So if you're a short-arse, it can be a problem.

I fitted a swivel base to the passenger seat for my use as I usually sit in the drivers seat with back against door & feet on passenger seat. Uncomfortable.
My wife sits on the passenger seat but adds two cushions as well

 

[oldiesontour]

At Newark show last year when approached by a sales person whilst looking a some nice new MHs " Is there anything I can help with"...
" Can you tell me why the two front seats swivel.. but only 1/2 way before hitting the bench seats... pointless in my opinion"
.."It's what people want if the seats don't swivel people won't buy"..." So no real use just a selling point ? "....
"Well yes I suppose "

 

[herald_400rl]

At Newark show last year when approached by a sales person whilst looking a some nice new MHs " Is there anything I can help with"...
" Can you tell me why the two front seats swivel.. but only 1/2 way before hitting the bench seats... pointless in my opinion"
.."It's what people want if the seats don't swivel people won't buy"..." So no real use just a selling point ? "....
"Well yes I suppose "

And then these idiots are on the road and we wonder why accidents happen

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[Lenny HB]

Can seats are the most comfortable in the house so why not.
Our van would be unusable without the seats swivel ed.

 

[Grianan]

It would absolutely depend on the layout. For us it’s essential as our table is just behind the passenger seat.
If you had a van like the one in herald_400rl photo above it would seem redundant.

 

[Langtoftlad]

I removed my swivel from the drivers side so that I could see the dashboard dials properly on my X250 model Ducato
Now there is no problem as before the steering wheel and cross strut got in the way.

I had a lowered seat box fitted during build which returned the swivelling seat to the original height... well worth it imo.

 

[Simonjdcooper]

This is our layout.

 

[CAB96]

View attachment 1067239This is our layout.

What's the daytime layout?

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[BrochMike]

Use our passenger swivel cab seat all the time (in a 2 berth PVC with rear lounge), but...

...if layout of your A645 is the same as one I found online, there wouldn't seem to be much to gain due to the bench seating at front, on both sides, being immediately behind the cab.

And, unless uprated, payload must already be pretty tight for a 6/7 berth, so adding more weight might not be advisable.

 

[Simonjdcooper]

What's the daytime layout?

The Internet doesn't know... The double and single are dinettes. Imo if I. Could swivel the driver seat it would make getting access in and out of the front easier. But everyone says the driver seat is more of a pig to use... Which is the one we'd probably want. Academic now as the guy sold it...