There were 4 on the seat ...

**scrambler** · 22nd August 2006, 06:31 PM

I'm wanting to work out ways of getting 4 kids in forward-facing seats in my "new" OneTen. Having done 4 kids/ 2 adults in the 2 benches of the Series, with a roster for who is in the front and arguements over who sits behind who, I'm wondering about getting all 4 (under 10) across the middle seat.

Apparently there's a "Category 2" seat where the seat width is 300mm instead of the 410 of an adult seat. You can get this classification if the head height is under a nominated amount and other fittings are appropriate to the class (http://www.dotars.gov.au/roads/publi..._vsb_05_b.pdf).

It turns out that the required height is level with the top of the doors so an easy bolt-on modification of a false ceiling between the internal roof gutters should meet that requirement, with a new seat belt anchorage in the centre to give 4 seats with belts.

Now, this is just an idea, I haven't asked an engineer yet.

Before you ask, yes I have a sideways seat in the rear and no, I don't want to use it. I also have a gas tank on the drivers side rear wheel arch so forward-facing seats in the load area are out. Current compliance is 10 seats but vehicle has 7 fitted.

Any thoughts from the radical modders and family folks? Any automotive engineers on the forum care to comment?

**Michael2** · 22nd August 2006, 08:24 PM

My radical idea is a passanger carrying trailer.

It features internal roll cage, brakes, great insulation (no engine/transmission noises) reclining coach seats, safety harnesses, panoramic windows, moon roof, onboard entertainment (TV, Computer, CD, Radio, MP3, Mobile internet...., cctv comms to the main vehicle.

I bet if someone engineered & produced it, it would be a hit with families, especially for road trips. You & your wife in the car, just like the old days.... and the kids having fun in the trailer.

or

you could relocate to an African country and carry 20 people any way you choose in a standard Land Rover.

**scrambler** · 22nd August 2006, 08:35 PM

Originally Posted by Michael2

My radical idea is a passanger carrying trailer.

It features internal roll cage, brakes, great insulation (no engine/transmission noises) reclining coach seats, safety harnesses, panoramic windows, moon roof, onboard entertainment (TV, Computer, CD, Radio, MP3, Mobile internet...., cctv comms to the main vehicle.

I bet if someone engineered & produced it, it would be a hit with families, especially for road trips. You & your wife in the car, just like the old days.... and the kids having fun in the trailer.

or

you could relocate to an African country and carry 20 people any way you choose in a standard Land Rover.

Kinda like a grown-up version of the kid-carrying bicycle trailers? Sounds good to me. Perhaps pad the entire interior with high density foam for sound suppression and the inevitable fights?

Steve

PS Much as I love this answer, I would like some on-thread as well!

**LRHybrid100** · 22nd August 2006, 10:08 PM

just get one of those lux dog trailers!!!

LRH

**Michael2** · 23rd August 2006, 05:21 AM

I can't comment on legalities,and even if I could, things deemed dangerous in NSW are the safety standard else where (child anchorages I'm thinking off).

But I'm guessing that if there was provision for 4 seatbelts, head restraints (if applic) etc, then it should be legal.

Another radical option.....

mount the back seat lower to the floor and mount a 3rd row slightly higher, like a Cobra Attack Helicopter, or one of those three wheeled 2 kid prams. That would give you seating for 6 in the back, and if the kids are short, then head room won't be an issue.

But if you develop the trailer you could become a millionaire.

Imagine, truckies taking a trailer load of passangers along to off set costs; and the public bieng able to get to places buses don't run to as a result. And extended families being able to take road trips, not to mention that you could buy a 90 for fun, but still be able to take the kids when you had to.

**JDNSW** · 23rd August 2006, 05:39 AM

Originally Posted by Michael2

I can't comment on legalities,and even if I could, things deemed dangerous in NSW are the safety standard else where (child anchorages I'm thinking off).

For what it is worth, in NSW carrying passengers in trailers is specifically illegal - despite the fact that when I was a boy a local (Western Sydney) bus company had enough semitrailer buses that one of their business names was "Trailer Tours". As far as I am aware the only reason they stopped using them was because they wanted to do away with conductors, and there were no incidents related to their being trailers.

**zwitter** · 23rd August 2006, 09:19 AM

Hi
Actually i think a simpler, legal solution in NSW would be a single forward facing seat in the rear. They are advertised in 4WD mags and online various places. plus as the kids grow up they will still fit. comfortable for long trips.

They can be folded up out of the way.

just google Or yellow pages.

These guys even have a pic of a 110 on the home page http://www.autoseats.com.au/

Only have UK mags at hand but will post if i find a pic.

zwitter

**dobbo** · 23rd August 2006, 10:18 AM

On my Hard top I am considering cutting out the front half of the box section on the back and welding a new floor in at the same height as the existing floor this should give enough room to fit a large bench seat or 3 recaro type seats in a forward facing position. I only have the three kids but it may be enough room for four seats with a squeeze.

I haven't checked on the legalities of it yet though.

**scrambler** · 23rd August 2006, 10:20 AM

Thanks for the link, zwitter. Had thought about that, having seen the single side-folding seats (like the 2007 'fender) on the net, but I can;t decide who to banish. Once I get together the money to get myself a TDi or TD5, or even one 2007MY Defender I'll think more seriously about a "proper" third row. But for now I don't know which of the kids to relegate!

Steve

**scrambler** · 23rd August 2006, 10:23 AM

Originally Posted by dobbo

On my Hard top I am considering cutting out the front half of the box section on the back and welding a new floor in at the same height as the existing floor this should give enough room to fit a large bench seat or 3 recaro type seats in a forward facing position. I only have the three kids but it may be enough room for four seats with a squeeze.

I haven't checked on the legalities of it yet though.

Have a look at the link I posted above, Dobbo, to check on the legalities of the seating. Won't help you with the body mods of course. If there's adult head height, the minimum width of seat is 410mm so you'd only get 4 seats across at 300mm category 2 meaning reduced head height.

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I hear Boeing is making a trailer for 747s!!!

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