Forums / Building your own camper van / Seating and Insurance
Seating and Insurance
Hi Andy, welcome. The Sprinter is a great choice :). Good layout choice, and I am toying with the idea for a future van.
Mini-buses carry more than 10 people, so you should be able to do the same. The problem would be that you need to have safe seating for them, probably including seatbelts, and all probably facing forward.
I am no expert so you'll need to check with the DVLA (assuming you are in the UK). You'll also need to discuss this with insurance companies as this would be a modification, but so is the conversion.
I've heard good things about www.adrianflux.co.uk insurance. I would suggest calling them about the insurance. Then call the DVLA and see what they say.
I would do this before doing any work, just so that you know what is possible.
Please let us know here how you are getting on, as this will help other people.
Cheers
Joined: 2008-08-10
Hey all,
First of all I would like to say that this site and forum has been a great help (if not persuasive force!) in helping me move towards converting a camper van.
I plan to convert a long-wheel-base Mercedes Sprinter for travelling around Europe and England during the Summer next year. The layout of the van from the front backwards would be: front cab,
then first seating area which fold down to make a double bed, seats 3/4 people
then small kitchen
then rear seating area which also folds down to make what would probably be larger than double bed, seating around 4.
First of all I was wondering would it be 'legally' safe to carry a total of up to 10 people in the van. I plan to have 3 seats including driver in the front, and two seating areas in the back with the rest. Also would they need seat belts and what are the requirements for this?
Second. What are the chances of actually getting insured on this, and how much would it cost??! It would be an interesting call the insurers asking a quote for a 10 seater van!!
Many thanks!
Andy