Solution for small vehicles when the seats do not fully fold
Summary
Why this article?
We decided to create this page because many "small vehicles" that we convert are sometimes in the "ludospace" format, meaning they have rear seats that fold to allow installation of our kits. But the issue we encounter is that some seats do not fully fold (they are not level with your floor). That's why we recommend placing a pallet at the back of the minivan to level the floor and install our kit. This article is dedicated to answering your questions about these vehicles.
Which Combeing kits can I install in my minivan?
In small vehicles, you can install one of our two kits: the "SMART Kit" and the "SMART + Kit":
The SMART Kit
Single sleeping arrangement of 53 cm x 160 cm to 184 cm.
Designed for solo use with space available for equipment.
SMART Kit PlanConsists of 2 closed storage boxes and a space between them. For a 184 cm long bed, just pull out our shelf and tilt the front seats.
The SMART + Kit
Double sleeping arrangement of 105 cm x 160 cm to 184 cm.
Designed for solo or duo use with plenty of storage.
SMART + Kit PlanA more complete setup, with half-height boxes to comfortably settle in your small van interior for reading, eating...
In these kits, you have the option to add extras such as drawers and shelves for more practical storage.
The seats in my rear bench do not fold completely, what should I do?
For most small vehicles that we convert (in the "ludospace" mode, meaning with a rear bench), you may need to add a pallet in the trunk beneath our floor.
The seats or rear bench of your vehicle fold, but sometimes the floor of your vehicle's trunk is not level with the folded seats. In some vehicles, your seats can be removed, and the floor then slightly sticks out where rear passengers' feet would be placed.
Here is the case you might encounter if you want to convert your minivan with our Combeing kits (Smart Kit or Smart + Kit). In the photo below, you can see that the seats are not at the same height as the trunk floor:
In the photo below, we have added a pallet so that it is level with the seats, allowing us to place our floor and then install the kit.
The steps to follow...
Step 1: Place the pallet
First, fold the seats and place the pallet as shown in the photo below. In this first photo, you can see the floor with the pegs that cannot be inserted because they would fall (due to the space between the two wooden slats on the pallet). This leads us to step 2.
Step 2: Add wooden slats on the pallet
In this second step, the idea is to add two wooden slats at the ends of the pallet to easily insert the pegs, linking the floors (the pegs will not fall).
Step 3: Position the first Combeing floor
Now we can position the floor at the rear (the closest to the trunk), then place the pegs into the two already set markers on the floor. Thanks to the two wooden slats, the pegs won’t fall.
Step 4: Position the second Combeing floor
Then, you need to position the second floor to almost cover the entire rear of the vehicle.
In the first photo, we can easily see that the floor is aligned with the pallet (it doesn’t stick out).
In this second photo, the floor is flat thanks to the pallet, and it rests against the folded seats. This will allow us to install the Combeing Kit (either the
"SMART Kit" with one bed or the
"SMART + Kit" with two beds).
Step 5: Install the conversion kit
This step involves installing the kit. These photos show the finishing touches you can give your Combeing kit.
Step 6 (bonus): Interior decoration of the converted van
The pallet may not give the most attractive visual finish (we can see this in the previous photos), but one customer decided to add mosaic tiles to the visible wood of the pallet and add custom drawers she made herself.
Here’s a photo to give you some inspiration for your future setup!
Which vehicles are affected by this article?
Here are all the vehicles potentially affected by the issue of seats not fully folding and therefore requiring the placement of a pallet on the trunk floor (always with a rear bench,
never a utilitarian vehicle):
Citroën Berlingo 1,2 and 3 (Since 1996)
Dacia Dokker (Since 2013)
Fiat Doblo 1 and 2 (Since 2000)
Ford Transit Connect (Since 2013)
Mercedes Citan 1 W415 (2012-2021) and Citan 2
Nissan Townstar (Since 2022)
Nissan NV200 (2010-2018)
Nissan NV250 (Since 2020)
Opel Combo A & B (1994 - 2011)
Opel Combo C & D (Since 2011)
Peugeot Partner 1 (1996 - 2008)
Peugeot Partner 2 (2008 – 2018)
Peugeot Partner 3 (Since 2018)
Renault Kangoo 1 (1997 – 2007)
Renault Kangoo 2 (2008 – 2020)
Renault Kangoo 3 (Since 2021)
Toyota ProAce City (Since 2020)
Volkswagen CADDY 2, 3, 4 & 5 (Since 1995)
Transform your utility vehicle into a camper van in 5 minutes.
Combeing is the ideal solution for owners of utility vehicles, vans, and campers who want to temporarily repurpose their vehicle for leisure in just a few minutes.
52 reviews
What our customers say...
Alain Martin
7 month(s) ago
Welcoming, very professional and competent team, very practical, functional and quality equipment, well done, great company, well-deserved stars.
salmandra x.
8 month(s) ago
I had put my kit in the basket. Sent an email with a question, Mathieu called me straight away, and even advised me on a better configuration. Appointment made 2 days after installation, with removal of my partition. And I was so well received that I added the kitchen module. A lovely, warm team. Go there with your eyes closed. I'll go back and do my insulation later... Thanks again... Sandra
Morane Barguillet
8 month(s) ago
We ordered our kit in September 2023 for our Opel Vivaro H1L2, we have used it well and made it profitable since. Received on a pallet with a very fast turnaround. A smooth and simple installation with several layout choices. We do not regret our investment. The materials after a year and a half are like new, you just have to take care of them. I recommend ??
Joel Joel
1 year(s) ago
5 stars well deserved. Great team A simple email resulted in a purchase. I felt considered, taken seriously and at the center of attention Once there, Matthieu was more than incredible. Really at the top. Knew how to satisfy, fulfill all my wishes. The family thanks you.
Hervé LOZES
1 year(s) ago
Ingenious and really well thought out concept, quality material and precision manufacturing, with a responsive team, I highly recommend!
Laetitia Coudrai
1 year(s) ago
We bought a Combeing kit a few months ago for our VW T5 transporter and we are very satisfied with it! Delivery was free and fast. Customer service is top notch, whether for information or responsiveness. The kits are adaptable to your type of vehicle but also to your use whether it is road mode, night mode or day mode (with table). Very good value for money. We highly recommend. And a big thank you to Mathieu for sending goodies!!
Laurent Gréco
1 year(s) ago
A great team, a high-quality product, a very competitive price. We sold our converted van because our annual usage time did not justify such an expensive investment. We bought a utility vehicle that we converted to our taste with the possibility of modifying its configuration according to our needs following the many very professional tips received from COMBEING. The team took the time to welcome us into the company and to assemble our modules in order to have a tailor-made layout with everything necessary to live independently: gas, water point, electricity, toilet, solar panel, shower... In short, everything necessary to live pleasant moments according to our desires without having to have our vehicle approved in VASP. Thanks again to the whole team for their welcome, their availability and their professionalism which really deserve to be highlighted
Domie Palet
1 year(s) ago
Very satisfied with the modules, fast delivery, a super friendly team, thank you Mathieu for his advice and his professionalism, the best!!!! We recommend without moderation...
Johann Manassian
1 year(s) ago
Really great, the team is really cool, the products sold (sports kit for VW T6 for me) are really great (but I didn't doubt that, I had already planned everything thanks to their website, but with their advice I made some changes that suit me better). I also did the sprayed cork insulation before going to get my kit, super simple and beautiful rendering. I really recommend more than ever. Thank you and good luck in your new premises.
caroline faure
2 year(s) ago
5 stars without hesitation for this professional company for the modular fitting out of Vans and Campers. Special dedication to Mathieu, who was able to listen and find all the solutions to my constraints while respecting my budget! The team is great, the atmosphere friendly! I recommend!!
Laurent FOUCHARD
2 year(s) ago
I was looking for a van that could be used as a daily, utility or leisure vehicle and with the Combeing Full kit, I found exactly what I wanted for my L1H1 van. I spoke several times with Mathieu and Raphaël, their listening, their responsiveness and their availability as well as their advice and services were very valuable in guiding me in my choices... In short, very well-made kits, easy and quick to set up, as well as a great team mean that I highly recommend this friendly company...
Stephane Picard
2 year(s) ago
We made an appointment, Mathieu welcomed us warmly and showed us around the workshop, then we went to the selection area to recap and make the quote. We had all the necessary technical explanations as well as his advice and feedback. The guy is sincere and super professional. Our choice validated, he helped us throughout the time needed to set up the modules. Again, lots of advice and tips, thanks to him. I thought the idea was absolutely brilliant on paper but it's even better in the van, the possibilities are endless, the quality is great, everything is thought out down to the smallest detail. In the end, it confirms that with my 1m70 we can sleep across without any problem and therefore keep the table in place during the night. Conclusion: we are satisfied beyond our expectations. Thank you COMBEING, thank you to the brilliant inventor and thank you Mathieu for your advice
Our strengths & values
No VASP approval required
Shipping within 48 working hours
Come and leave with your kit
Local and artisanal production
Low ecological impact
Professional integration (ESAT)
Infinite combinations to suit your wishes
Our kits adapt to all types of vans. Combeing selects the appropriate floors for your utility vehicle; you will just need to move the boxes around on this floor as you see fit. In just a few seconds, switch from a configuration with a table and seats to a large bed that covers the entire interior of the vehicle.
