Sevel swivels: how much clearance to they need behind to rotate?

[HarryInHudds]

Hi, I'm trying to do some concept design for a novel* layout on a MWB Ducato, as a move up from a VW T5. Layout will be broadly similar, with a side kitchen behind the driver's seat. However I'd also like to make both cab seats swivel. Length will be tight as there are other bits to get down the side. We don't have the van yet, so..... can I ask
If anyone can measure for far back the seat goes during rotation at c700mm up from the cab floor, from a fixed point I'll have on my cad model of the body (eg central part of the step -in steel, or the back face of the B-post. I'd be very grateful.
Thanks, Harry
* I'd be very surprised if no-one had tried this, but I've not seen it. More later.

 

[wildebus]

I am going to make a guess here based on observation of various swivel seats .....
The amount of gap you will need to leave between the seat base and the end of the kitchen, in order to leave enough room to have the drivers seat back be able to recline enough will be enough to have the seat swivel round.
I can rotate both my seats on my Ducato based MH without having to either move the seat back or forwards, or to adjust the seat back to straighten it.
I usually had to do both of those things on my T4, T5 and to a degree my VW LT with the Ford Galaxy swivelling seats fitted, in order to clear the doors and/or the steering wheel. The Ducato swivels seem much better in that respect. At the very worst you would need to adjust the seat back a little when rotating I think.

 

[wildebus]

I had a look yesterday and took some measurements....

I have 20cm between the seat base back and a vertical hard panel. With the seat in the normal driving position and seat back positioned as I usually have it (fairly reclined as I have long arms) there is around 3cm gap left from the rear most seat part and the vertical panel.
When I rotated the seat, as I mentioned, I don't have to make any adjustments at all to turn it fully, and the part that sticks out the most would be the rear left back support at the base of seat. While the seat turns that protrudes around 17cm at the bottom.
So long story short, with seat central, you will need to have a gap of at least 17cm between the seat base rear and the start of the kitchen unit. You will likely get away with less if you move the seat forward before swiveling, but I reckon you MUST get a look at a van with a swivelling seat to confirm your own measurements before you commit to your plans.

 

[HarryInHudds]

Thank y very much for the detail of your reply. Yes I'll need to find one to measure!
Do your swivels have the offset pivot point (towards the van CL)? - it appears these would reduce the backwards swing.

 

[wildebus]

Thank y very much for the detail of your reply. Yes I'll need to find one to measure!
Do your swivels have the offset pivot point (towards the van CL)? - it appears these would reduce the backwards swing.

I don't know as nothing to compare to. How would I know?

 

[HarryInHudds]

I don't know as nothing to compare to. How would I know?

not wanting to do an egg-sucking tutorial, some are like this:

I would expect you'd have noticed if your seat stepped inward c 4" over a 180deg rotation... so you probably haven't. I think the intention is to create room for the armrest to be by the door, as well as giving setting the seat nearer a table in front of a second row of seats. It seems to bring the seat nearer the table too, though I'm not sure that's a good thing. - I don't know the detail here, which is why I started the topic . But thanks for replying.

 

[wildebus]

I'll have a look when I'm next in it (prob tomorrow) but pretty sure the seat swivels centrally.

Thinking about it, I don't think I have come across a single swivel seat that is anything other then central swivel - and that has been a pain on some vehicles as I have had to open the door when swivelling to stop the seat hitting the door pocket on at least one van.

The double swivels I have not used personally but I know they are one that go back and forwards when turning in order to clear obstacles.

 

[trevskoda]

Side clearance is important as the back can hit side of van when swinging.