Hi all.

In another thread we have been dicscussing our ideal Multiplas, additions we would have liked to have seen and that sort of thing.

Well, the issue of the Multi not being long enough to fit a double mattress in the back for short camping trips and overnight stays, came up. It was suggested that someone had seen the Multi seating folded to a double bed?

Curious and with too much time on my hands, I've just been fiddling with Myrtle and it appears that you can certainly make two useable single beds. Both the drivers side seating and the passenger side seating can be folded virtually flat. ( I've posted the following in that thread but I think it deserves a thread of its own.)

Here's what you do.

1. Slide the driver's and passenger seat as far forward as they will go.

2. Remove the headrests from these seats (they do come out - standard push in button on one stem and look very closely on the plastic at the base of the other stem and there is a push in section. Not easy to see, but it's there.)

3. Recline seats until they are level with the rear seat squab behind.

4. Remove parcel shelf.

5. Recline rear seats as far as they will go. There you go, a single bed!

6. Lounge or doze, whichever you prefer.


If the front seat backs overlap or miss the rear seat squab, realign the rear seat in its floor catches to get it in the correct place.

Unfortunately, this doesn't work with the middle seat as it doesn't slide forward enough or recline enough either. However, if you were to remove the centre rear seat and fold the front center one down into its picnic tray position, you have a useable overnight camper.

I didn't realise this was possible until now. I've had Multi's for about five years!

Maybe someone with an Uglybug could have a bash and see if their seating does the same?

Pictures below. (Click on the pics and they become bigger.)

And did you know your rear seats can face the other way? Useful for viewing sports, or fishing perhaps?

Thanks for all that - the 'bed' doesn't look too comfy I have to admit, but it's nice to see it can be (sort of) done!

I have thought about putting the seats in backwards - it'd be great on the beach as a way of keeping an eye on little one and out of the breeze at the same time.

Since the discussion on the other thread I'm idly wondering if I could build (perhaps on top of the base of a scrapped seat) a little unit containing something like one of these with a water and gas supply underneath - ideal for a nice cup of tea.

That's a really neat unit. As you say, an enclosure with that on top, built on the base frame of an old seat, would make a really neat lift-out instant camper for two. All that space under the Multipla floor would be ideal for fresh and waste water tanks, plumbed through the floor. That would keep the interior clutter free and keep the C of G low as well. One of the Honda soft-roaders (HRV?) had a shower handset with a water tank and pump under the floor.

How about an extra battery under the floor as well?

I've also looked at the tailgate and wondered how easy it would be to create a concertina skirt that could be dropped down to ground level when the tailgate is open. A pair of these could be used at the corners of the tailgate to keep it propped open (those rectangular feet have pop-out ball joints so they could be easily removed when not in use - just bolt the rectangular plates to the tailgate inner pressing and drill a clearance hole in the plastic tailgate liner moulding to pass the prop through), provide stability and be able to cope with uneven ground. Sealing the skirt to the tailgate opening would be the challenge!

widemouthfrog said:

......I've also looked at the tailgate and wondered how easy it would be to create a concertina skirt that could be dropped down to ground level when the tailgate is open. A pair of these could be used at the corners of the tailgate to keep it propped open (those rectangular feet have pop-out ball joints so they could be easily removed when not in use - just bolt the rectangular plates to the tailgate inner pressing and drill a clearance hole in the plastic tailgate liner moulding to pass the prop through), provide stability and be able to cope with uneven ground. Sealing the skirt to the tailgate opening would be the challenge!

Click to expand...

Something like this? http://www.packashack.co.uk/

Ok, I've continued fiddling with Myrtle's seats, with particular thoughts of how well a Multi would perform as a 'day van'.

I have found an interesting set up of the rear seats for a day out at the beach, or similar. See what you think of the piccies below.

Good stuff Pandabloke , despite owning two Multipla's over a period of 7 years it was only the other day, while reading the owners manual in the bog that I realised the stretchy elastic things under the rear seats were used to clip the rear seats onto the front headrests when they are tipped forward.

Oh and LOL at the sausage casserole :devil:

Cheers.

Excellent work sir!