Passenger seating in rear?

[mayble]

Just curious how many of you have legal passenger seats in the rear of your van.
While looking at small vans I started thinking about removing the front passenger seat.  I could use that space for storage and/or a secure spot for the dog to ride and have easier access between front and back.  I've seen it done in motorhomes but they generally have belted seating in a couch or dinette to accommodate the occasional passenger.  I don't plan to travel with a human but should probably keep the option open for ride shares or emergencies.
In my state seat belts are only required (for adults) in the front seat but I believe some states require them all around.

 

[Almost There]

Just curious how many of you have legal passenger seats in the rear of your van.
While looking at small vans I started thinking about removing the front passenger seat.  I could use that space for storage and/or a secure spot for the dog to ride and have easier access between front and back.  I've seen it done in motorhomes but they generally have belted seating in a couch or dinette to accommodate the occasional passenger.  I don't plan to travel with a human but should probably keep the option open for ride shares or emergencies.
In my state seat belts are only required (for adults) in the front seat but I believe some states require them all around.

I have only the passenger seat (and the drivers' seat of course) in the van. I kept the passenger seat because it now swivels around to become my living room/dining room/office chair.

In the 15 months that the van has been on the road full-time I can count on one hand the number of times an extra seat would have come in handy. In those cases we just used someone else's vehicle like when four of us where going out to dinner.

Ok, one time we 'smuggled' a third who sat on my little footstool for a few miles....

Oh and the dog gets the passenger seat...always...well unless they've got a DL too!

If there's already 2 of you in the vehicle on a regular basis, I can maybe see the need for additional seating, otherwise nope!

 

[TrainChaser]

Personally, I'm not going to bother. I'm not going to try to prepare for every possible contingency, under all possible conditions, for every mile I drive. If I have to take passengers, I'll strap them to the roof rack and call it good. That's almost as good as a seat belt, right? If it's raining, they can hold their breath. If the sun is shining, they can bring their own sunscreen.

 

[ArtW]

How does your dog ride? I would keep the passenger seat and get a harness to connect him to the seat belt and keep the seat, Buddy once slid up under the dash during an emergency stop, and I thought 'what wouyld happen in an actual crash?'
I want my furkid as safe as I am in the vehicle

 

[mayble]

Thanks all.  
My dog doesn't ride on the seat, he prefers the floor or the bed.  I think if I pull the passenger seat out I'd probably put a crate there for him so he'd be more secure in an accident.
Putting passengers on the roof rack sounds good, as long as they don't mess with the solar panels

 

[AngryVanMan]

I want to put legal/belted seats in the rear area of my van. At least one, and if I can swing it I'd like to have a sofa area with the required frame/belts as well for 2 or 3 more positions.

My thinking is if one of my siblings or friends has a trailer rig (or if I get a small Scamp "backup" rig or something) - OR if they want to go tent camping, I can take a small crew along on vacations or adventures. SO many people I know miss out on real exploration because they are 1) too afraid/lack of confidence 2) don't have the equipment or 3) don't have friends willing to go with them. I'm hoping I can show some new people a bit of the adventure they're missing!

 

[speedhighway46]

Although this thread is about seats, and "seating", it fits easily into my overall design/build approach. That is: don't include a feature in your plan which will be only used 5% of the time. Take advantage of the 95% of the time when that particular feature is not needed and use the space/money/effort/etc into another feature which you can derive more benefit more often.

The 5% of the time you do need that particular feature, do what Clint Eastwood told his young recruits in Heartbreak Ridge . . . "adapt."

 

[highdesertranger]

I have gone back and forth with this for a few years. I have a crew cab truck and have been thinking about removing the rear seat. I only occasionally use it for passengers. I would gain a lot of storage if I took it out, and 3 people could still legally ride in my truck. decisions, decisions. highdesertranger

 

[anewbiewannabe]

HD I'm surprised you haven't replaced the bench in the back with a storage box already! Leave the seatbelts in place. Use the top of the box for hauling other gear usually, then if ya need to haul crew remove gear on top of box while hauling crew and throw down a sleeping mat or sumtin for their butts and maybe some kinda padding at their backs if it's gonna be a long ride. LOL You could have top access and/or outside access on the box. My daddy woulda put fishing poles in for easy reach.  

If I manage to escape into a van then I'll keep my passenger seat because I already have plans for a co-pilot though she'll only be with me on vacations. If I manage to still be traveling when/if I have grandkids then I'll be looking for the split seat double passenger seat that I've seen for vans so I can haul 2 passengers. Err, just remembered that car seats can't go in the front. Now there's something else for me to think about! :s

Mayble, since it doesn't sound like having a passenger other than the furry kind is going to be a common occurrence for you then I'd focus on what would make you and your dog most comfortable. In an emergency you'll have some sort of bed in the back that someone could sit on, or even the floor. Ah, figuring out our answers, huh? I wish you the best with whatever decision you make.

 

[mayble]

Good advice everyone.
When I look at it logically, it makes sense to remove the seat.  I'm in the van 100% of the time, the dog 80%, and another human about 5% tops.
So a safe and comfy driver's seat is priority one, followed by a safe and comfy canine navigator/co-pilot station.