(Home) Rear seat-belts

after upgrading(?) from a 1997 peugeot 806 (8-seater) to our 1991 townie super-extra some six months ago, we were more than happy. the bus is great - reliable, comfy, easy to drive (except uphill on a motorway!) kids love it (facing each other), fridge was great for summer trips, etc etc. however, i am now beset by a terrible blow - the rear seat-belts, or more accurately, lap-belts. my family foster-cares for a living (so we thought the townie to be the ideal foster wagon!) but our agency's new regs state that any foster child must sit in a three-point belt. i've got two choices - sell (which, sadly, looks likely and i've started the process) or upgrade to 3-point belts. but is this possible as the belts are fixed via the seats rather than pillars? - plus, we like the townie because the kids can face each other - so to remove this option due to 3-point belts being installed kinda defeats the object....help please!!

- (#5622) Steve Rainford, 23 Sep 02

Steve,
I think, if you search on the Ace Answers site, there has been some discussion about this previously.

- (#5623) John Davis, 23 Sep 02

Yes covered on Ace Answers. However have you considered four point (full harness) fittings that can be fixed to the seat? I investigated the idea with Securon, ideal for small people not so good for teenagers (lots of adjusting) so did not bother in the end.

- (#5624) Clive, 23 Sep 02

I've got a "new" shape Royal Lounge, and that has 3-point belts in the back (except for the rear middle) so maybe if you sell your current Townie look for the new shape model. It's actually got 3 point belts on the captains seats- for facing foward- and lap belts -for facing backwards!

- (#5625) Dave, 24 Sep 02

Thanks for the suggestions, the two lads in question are 14 & 16 - harnesses sound great for my own three littlies but not for the foster boys. Unfortunately I have to have the eight-seats (three kids + two foster lads + wife + me!) so a (newer) Royal Lounge is out too. I've had a look at the thread on Ace answers but I'm no good at welding and not too keen on drilling new holes either - plus I'd have to have the seats in their (original) all face front config which none of the faily are too keen on.

- (#5626) Steve Rainford, 24 Sep 02

I have a customer who runs a fleet of coaches for schools that often carrying disabled children as well, they have to have 3 point belts on all seats, local authority regulations, this means that they even have to have a 3 point belt on the seats that are nearest the aisle, ie not next to the internal structure of the bus/coach. To achieve this I put him onto a company in Amersham called SECURON 01494 434455. They do a 3 point belt that fits at the bottom of the seats for the lap strap, then the shoulder strap comes up over the back of the seat, held in place by a guide, this aloows for even the centre seats to have 3 point belts, and I would imagine would still facilitate the middle row facing backwards as the belts would still move with the seats. If they meet the local authority regs for 26 seater coaches, I would think they would be OK for an 8 seater Townie, even for inspection, give Securon a try & see what they can do. They may only supply via one of the Factors or retailers, but at least if they can give you a part number you should be able to get them from your local supplier, I may even be able to help you there as well, give them a call & then let me know. HTH Regards Rob.

- (#5627) Rob Drinkwater, 24 Sep 02

Just had a look at Securon site http://www.securon.co.uk/
found 507S/SL22 that may be suitable
£47.38 for one £ 38.57 for two or more
Hope this helps.
Clive

- (#5628) Clive, 24 Sep 02

In Ace Answers I've described how I fitted them to my '91 Royal Lounge, including Securon part numbers, prices and sources. I did have some nuts welded on to little plates to drop inside the pillars but you can buy suitable Securon nut-plates and avoid the welding - but you still have to do a few hours of practical work.

Bob Murphy, mobile mechanic, gave me a reasonable quote to come and fit belts. He's listed on the Townace Nutters site/Spares & Repairs - email RCMVR@AOL.COM, though obviously geography comes into it. I decided to do it myself as a way of finding more about the car but in retrospect his quote was a good one.

- (#5629) Dave Mason, 25 Sep 02