4 captain chairs
I have an EB-52 layout with 4 captain chairs up front.
It has advantages and disadvantages.
It is great having the kids up front where we can pass things back and forth and hold a conversation over the diesel engine noise.
The downside is the obvious loss of floor and counter space and the difficulty turning the seats.
While we expected to turn all seats toward the center and use the optional folding table like a mini living room for games and meals, the seats (standard ford I believe) are very tight and prove difficult to turn. On a daily basis with the van filled with camping stuff, we have found it too frustrating to turn them all in and we just turn the easiest which is the front passenger seat. The driver usually sits on the bench in back for meals and game time is on the fold down bed/bench.
In hindsight I am still happy with the 4 captains seats however I might have looked harder at replacing them with smaller seats that would rotate more easily. Our plan is once our kids get older, take out one captains seat and move one child to the back bench. As the benches don't have head rests, we need to decide if the additional crash risks are worth it.
Also, if you are in bear country and need to bring in coolers and other gear for the evening, the four seat configuration doesn't leave much room inside. Over time, it may drive us to a small trailer on the back of the van.
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2008 SMB EB-52, Quadvan 4x4, 6.0 PSD SOLD
2017 Ford Transit T250 148WB mid-roof w/ Quadvan 4x4
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