How do you guys do chairs in your (Low roof) Vans?

[Rick39]

Hey all, 
I have a Chevy Express 3500 with just a standard van roof that I am planning to live out of. I work online teaching English and do some freelance writing, as a result I spend many hours a day sitting in a chair. My current office chair will not fit in my van, so I was wondering if there are any other digital nomads out there who spend many hours a day planted in a chair, what kind do you use? 
I do plan to work outside or in coffee shops when possible but for teaching the kids online I really need to guarantee a quiet, non distracting environment, so inside the van is kind of a must. 
I've thought about using my passenger seat and just installing a swivel, but to be honest, the seats in my express aren't all that comfy for extended periods (not awful, just not great). Thanks for all the help!

 

[user 423]

Check craigslist for captains chairs. Sometimes you can find them when a conversion van is parted out or someone removes them to make more space. I gave away two really nice ones from the back of mine.

The passenger side seat in my van is like a nice leather recliner. For some reason they don't make a swivel base for my year Ford, so I have it reversed sort of permanently since it's just me when travelling. Occasionally, I have turned it around to accommodate a passenger but it's a hassle, so I haven't done it very often in 3 years.

 

[Trebor English]

The third office chair I tried could lower enough so that my head did not touch the roof.  I am 5' 9" and my van is a Ford Windstar mini-van with the original ceiling and flooring.  All the way to the back there is less space and I don't fit.5

 

[flying kurbmaster]

With limited space you are on the right track with swivelling your passenger seat that makes such a huge difference and worth the cost.

 

[Jimmyflorida]

i use amazon basics office chair i probaly spend 2-4 hours a day  yes i can never sit long in passenger seat either i also use a memory foam cushion to seat on

 

[maki2]

This small, lightweight chair from Ikea is just the right size to fit in a van. The distance across (diameter) at the wheels is 25" which is important to know for space planning in a van as you want to be able to get it pushed in under a desk or table top. . https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/snille-swivel-chair-white-s79046260/
While it might not look like it this chair is extremely comfortable. I have a very bad lower back but I can sit in it with for long stretches of time withjust the right amount of support. The height from the floor is adjustable by turning the seat around in the post.

Best of all the price is outstanding at only $19.99! I found mine in a Goodwill store for only $5.00.

The wheels do not roll around unless you are sitting down in it. That makes it a bit safer for on the road use as it won't go sliding around when turning corners.

 

[maki2]

The traditional Japanese culture used very low desk where they sit on a cushion or very low, legless chair. There are modern takes on this, just do an image search.

 

[rectalogic]

I use an Ikea POÄNG chair in a ProMaster City

https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/poaeng-armchair-birch-veneer-hillared-dark-blue-s99305926/

 

[MrNoodly]

I'm 6 ft. tall with short legs and long torso. I have a standard roof Express and usually just sit on the edge of my bed. With my setup (bed along one wall, cabinet along the other) an additional chair would always be in the way.

I also have a folding chair that I use inside the van sometimes. It's fits my butt and back perfectly and easily stores out of the way when I don't need it. But I usually use it as my camp chair. Much more durable and easier to fold away than actual camp chairs.

<a href="https://imgbb.com/"><img src="https://i.ibb.co/R4DX5xT/chair.jpg" alt="chair" border="0" /></a>

Of course, sometimes I sit on my 5-gallon bucket.

 

[grandpa pete]

I already had a 3 gallon plastic bucket ( potty ) in my 2001 ford turtle top...I glued carpet on the bottom : so it would slide around easily : and put a cushion on the top with a fabric cover = dual use bucket

 

[hugemoth]

I use a folding beach chair in my low top camper. Light, small, and can be folded out of the way. Pretty comfortable with a couple pillows on it.

 

[Sasnak]

Passenger/drivers chair with swivel base is least space consuming. Mine are very comfortable to me.

 

[DannyB1954]

I have seen people take out the passenger seat to make room for a recliner, storage bin, or table. It is not legal to carry a passenger this way, but if you travel alone you don't need the factory chair.
My van has the swivel seats, but I never spin the passenger side around to face forward. I made a table that swivels into different positions. You can see it here if interested.

 

[MrNoodly]

... but I never spin the passenger side around to face forward.

My late model high back seat blocked the view of the side mirror and part of the windshield. Also, the top of the headrest hit the windshield, making the seat too upright. So it all kind of depends on the make and model van and the type of seats.

 

[DannyB1954]

Correction on my earlier post. I meant to say it is illegal to carry a passenger in a recliner. Sorry Bout that.

 

[B and C]

I leave my passenger seat turned facing backwards. I slide the seat all the way forward and tilt the seat back as far as it will go . I turn the seat a little so it kinda nestles against the engine cowl and dash. No problems seeing my mirror and only a little of the windshield blocked which is easily overcome by leaning forward a little. This is what works for me.

 

[MrNoodly]

Correction on my earlier post. I meant to say it is illegal to carry a passenger in a recliner. Sorry Bout that.

It's illegal to ride in any seat that doesn't have properly installed seat belts. And in most places it's illegal to ride while not buckled in.

 

[B and C]

The last time I looked, in Texas you can have as many people in a vehicle as you want as long as all the seatbelt seats are full. A front passenger seat normally would qualify as one needing a belted passenger. I think this originates from the farm/ranch community.

I don't remember about a rearward facing seat. Seems it would be safer if belted in.