Bongo Fury

Have been meaning to get around to doing this since having the Bongo converted last July, but thought I should do it well in advance of MOT and insurance renewals.
I had a rear conversion fitted, which necessitated removal of the rearmost bench seats. The centre row have also been turned around to face into the 'hab' compartment at the rear of the van.
My question is, should I, as well as changing the taxation class to 'motor caravan', alter the number of seats, currently shown on the log book as 8, to 5 or 2? I could always turn the bench around for the MOT, but it's a lot of faff for a 30 minute inspection! I have currently left in place the seatbelts for the middle row of seats and would perhaps like to be able to use them very occasionally for human passengers.

The conversion has to meet ALL the specifications, bed, table, storage, water etc. see the DVLA documentation here;
https://www.gov.uk/government/publicati ... -motorhome
https://www.gov.uk/government/publicati ... -from-2012
https://www.gov.uk/change-vehicle-detai ... ce-to-give
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/s ... aravan.pdf
https://www.gov.uk/vehicle-approval/ind ... e-approval

g8dhe wrote: ↑Mon Jan 08, 2018 5:02 pm The conversion has to meet ALL the specifications, bed, table, storage, water etc. see the DVLA documentation here;
https://www.gov.uk/government/publicati ... -motorhome
https://www.gov.uk/government/publicati ... -from-2012
https://www.gov.uk/change-vehicle-detai ... ce-to-give
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/s ... aravan.pdf
https://www.gov.uk/vehicle-approval/ind ... e-approval

Yup, done all of those. I have the letter re-written (from the DVLA website) and set of annotated photographs ready to send off; it's just the number of travelling seats that I'm unsure about. Presumably the existing bench seat is type-approved, as the DVLA are happy to register unconverted Bongos when they arrive in the UK, it's just the fact that I normally have it facing rearwards that might cause an MOT tester to have kittens (though I'd like to see mine try )

Shouldn't be any problem with it facing rearwards, and there's no requirement for seatbelts on a rear facing seat.

I did once have an MoT fail because the tester didn't know the rules so just swapped it back for 1/2 hour. As you say, bit of a pfaff but Bongy got his medical.

Bob wrote: ↑Tue Jan 09, 2018 11:39 am Shouldn't be any problem with it facing rearwards, and there's no requirement for seatbelts on a rear facing seat.

I did once have an MoT fail because the tester didn't know the rules so just swapped it back for 1/2 hour. As you say, bit of a pfaff but Bongy got his medical.

Thanks, Bob, for that nice clear answer. Does this mean when I send the log book off as well as applying to be a 'Motor Caravan' I change the number of seats to 5?

That's what I would do.

I did this with mine earlier this year without any problem at all
Rear conversion that had been in from before I bought it so no date of install or anything. Rear facing bench seat.

Just followed the instructions from the DVLA website with regards photographs and etc. made made sure it showed with the bed made and in traveling format with seat up. Showed the conversion and where the gas and water bottles were stored. Used a template letter from on here in the fact sheets I think.
Also changed the number of seats at the same time to 5 as you say.

No issues at all. Came back a few weeks later all done new V5 issued.

Cheers
Ian

Hi Ian,
Have you put it through an MOT with the seats still facing rearwards?

Hi

Yes. To be honest i never even thought about it being a problem and went through with out an issue.
Not sure if it matters but it does have 2 lap belts.

Cheers
Ian

Hi. I'm looking at changing the v5 to a motorhome aswell. Just wondering if the middle seats would technically qualify as a table?

Thanks
Jay

Jay22smith wrote: ↑Mon Jul 30, 2018 11:41 am Hi. I'm looking at changing the v5 to a motorhome aswell. Just wondering if the middle seats would technically qualify as a table?

Thanks
Jay

Don't forget that to qualify as a motor caravan it needs certain other 'habitation' items that a non-converted Bongo doesn't have, such as a storage locker, water tanks, cooking facilities - gas rings or microwave - and power supply for cooking.

Markas wrote: ↑Mon Jul 30, 2018 4:55 pm

Jay22smith wrote: ↑Mon Jul 30, 2018 11:41 am Hi. I'm looking at changing the v5 to a motorhome aswell. Just wondering if the middle seats would technically qualify as a table?

Thanks
Jay

Don't forget that to qualify as a motor caravan it needs certain other 'habitation' items that a non-converted Bongo doesn't have, such as a storage locker, water tanks, cooking facilities - gas rings or microwave - and power supply for cooking.

Yeh, iv got the others covered. I just wondered if I'd get away with the middle seats as the table requirement?

Worth a try.

The seats fold down and have a flat, solid, top.

A table in my book.

That said, if they won't have it this is easy to fit, just make a table top and screw the rail underneath the window, just in front of the middle seat.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/i/251976757234?c ... 0dfff68e81

I'll try my luck then. If not plan B will be that table rail