Posted: 13 January 2021 11:49 AM Subject: Sports craft swivel seat base.
Just joined
Posts: 8
Anybody have any experience of these. I want one for my left hand drive sea sloop but just for the passenger side. I assume the bases which are offset, (hence this is crucial) are same excepting for the release lever and swivel offset position so I would require a drivers side for my passenger seat requirement. I have asked two suppliers for advice both of whom replied with “No guarantees on wether that is correct” can anybody confirm my assumption.
Thanks
should fit OK on to the passenger seat base of a 2004 LHD Fiat Ducato, but I can well understand that a UK supplier would not be prepared to guarantee that this would be so.
(There are alternative manufactuers to Sportscraft (eg. FASP, MAPA, RIB) and I noticed one advertiser warning that some cutting and drilling would be required to install the plate.)
Posted: 15 January 2021 9:03 AM Subject: RE: Sports craft swivel seat base.
Location: MODERATOR - 2015 Rapido 640F LHD 2.3ltr 150bhp
If it were not for COVID-19 Andy would have much better opportunity to visit UK suppliers and inspect the seat swivels themselves.
Andy’s 2004 SEA Sloop 5 motorhome is LHD and he is assuming that a seat-swivel suitable for the driver-side cab seat of a RHD 2004 Ducato would be suitable for the passenger-side cab seat of a 2004 LHD Ducato. This is a reasonable assumption, but (as he has been warned by two suppliers) there is no guarantee that it is correct. The chances are minimal that anyone on this forum (or any other UK motorhome forum) can tell him otherwise.
The seat-swivel mechanisms UK-advertised on the following three links are for the driver-side cab seat of a RHD Ducato and should fit a 2004 vehicle
but I note that the ‘hole centre’ dimensions quoted for the Sportscraft and FASP swivels differ and one of the reviews of the FASP swivel mentions having to drill holes when installing the swivel (something I mentioned in my previous post and probably necessary whatever swivel mechanism were chosen).
Thinking laterally, it might be worth looking at the swivel mechanisms advertised abroad as suitable for the passenger-side cab seat of LHD Ducatos and comparing those swivels with the UK marketed versions. For example
I’d be asking myself whether I REALLY need to do this now and risk buying an unsuitable swivel or wait until travelling abroad is easier (Andy has said he has been accustomed to spend 6 months in France annually) and source a swivel outside the UK. I've looked at some Sloop 5 photos and it seemed that the amount of rotation avalable for the passenger-side cab seat would be limited by the furniture behind it. The seat-cushion height increase resulting from adding a swivel also needs thinking about. If I HAD to choose, I’d probably opt for the FASP swivel as these were fitted to my 2005 Ford-based Hobby motohome and the standard swivels on my 2015 Rapido’s cb seats look like FASP products.
Posts: 4250 Location: NE Lincolnshire - M/H - 2012 Adria Sport S572SL
In the event that they can't guarantee the product will fit, ask if they can supply a copy of the dimensional diagram & fitting instructions so you can check before purchase.
Some will but others may not.
Besides encountering potential problems fitting a UK-sourced driver-side swivel mechanism (sold for RHD vehicles) to the passenger-side seat of a LHD vehicle, Andy also mentions ‘offset’. Some swivel mechanisms have an asymmetrical pivot-point that allows the seat to swivel without the cab door needing to be opened.
Thanks for the replies all. As derek states, one of my issues is the furniture behind the passenger seat and it was with this in mind that the offset pivot and the excellent German build quality reviews nudged me toward the sports craft. The fact that it would bring the seat some 10cms into the cab was a big plus. The downside is the seat height increase of 45mm. The fasp I believe is less at 30 mm. You can purchase a lower base for 2006 and later models but this costs in region of £140 and not sure if they do one for my 2004 model.
Having looked at the catalogue kindly linked by Derek, I note that the swivels are either universal fit for both passenger or driver side or it would appear differentiated only by the release lever so on that basis I am now confident the driver side sportscraft will indeed fit my passenger side. Trial run with a 45mm cushion for my wife tomorrow and hopefully a decision will be made.
Many thanks for again for your inputs. Very helpful.
Posted: 16 January 2021 8:14 AM Subject: RE: Sports craft swivel seat base.
Location: MODERATOR - 2015 Rapido 640F LHD 2.3ltr 150bhp
You might try contacting Wyvern Seating about this. Tony Sugg may still be trading and he used to specialise in seats and lower seat boxes for older motorhomes.
but I don’t know if this was part of the UK standard specification or retrofitted. The attached photo taken from the Becks advert shows the higher passenger seat, but also suggests that a Slopp 5 has more floor-area space on the left side of the cab than on the right.
has two customer reviews of the Sportscraft swivel for the PASSENGER cab seat of a RHD Ducato X244 vehicle. The reviews read
Very substantial and well finished. This seat swivel has an offset axis of rotation so Ideal if you have something immediately behind the seat, like in our Adira twin
and
Pros...not expensive..very easy to fit, took about 1/2 hour with no mods to make..works smoothly.
Cons..raises seat height quite a lot...seat now rocks side to side because you are sitting on the rollers that move the base ( needs some support when in the forward position ), but quite happy with the product, it gives me an extra seat in the motorhome now.
Posts: 4250 Location: NE Lincolnshire - M/H - 2012 Adria Sport S572SL
Atlowers - 2021-01-15 11:19 PM
Thanks for the replies all. As derek states, one of my issues is the furniture behind the passenger seat and it was with this in mind that the offset pivot and the excellent German build quality reviews nudged me toward the sports craft. The fact that it would bring the seat some 10cms into the cab was a big plus. The downside is the seat height increase of 45mm. The fasp I believe is less at 30 mm. You can purchase a lower base for 2006 and later models but this costs in region of £140 and not sure if they do one for my 2004 model.
Having looked at the catalogue kindly linked by Derek, I note that the swivels are either universal fit for both passenger or driver side or it would appear differentiated only by the release lever so on that basis I am now confident the driver side sportscraft will indeed fit my passenger side. Trial run with a 45mm cushion for my wife tomorrow and hopefully a decision will be made.
Many thanks for again for your inputs. Very helpful.
My wife was small & swivel seat additional height meant her legs didn't reach the floor, we found a typist's foot test was an ideal solution. They are height adjustable & didn't impede access.
