California Hand break - relocation (make your driver's seat rotate in the parking with hand break)

[Robert-ert]

If you use a swivel seat in a Volkswagen Van Transporter - California, Beach, T5/6 etc., you surely know how irritating it is not to be able to rotate the driver's seat when the hand brake is on....
There is simple solutions for relocating the brake slightly down to the floor, like this one
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Just-Kampe...ion-Compatible/dp/B08QJG1BHD?tag=unique09f-21
requiring no modifications to the car or damaging anything – just four screws and everything works
It works but... You can't put the factory cover back on
My project - COVER solves that problem

https://makerworld.com/pl/models/2184678-vw-transporter-relocated-down-handbreak-cover#profileId-2371403


and is prepared for both sides of the steering wheel

just choose right.

 

[FivetonesCali]

Just to check, does lowering the handbrake allow for swivelling of the seat with the handbrake applied then?

 

[Robert-ert]

Yes it works you can turn your seat without any problem with handbrake holding your Cali

 

[Perfectos]

If you use a swivel seat in a Volkswagen Van Transporter - California, Beach, T5/6 etc., you surely know how irritating it is not to be able to rotate the driver's seat when the hand brake is on....
There is simple solutions for relocating the brake slightly down to the floor, like this one
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Just-Kampe...ion-Compatible/dp/B08QJG1BHD?tag=unique09f-21
requiring no modifications to the car or damaging anything – just four screws and everything works
It works but... You can't put the factory cover back on
My project - COVER solves that problem

https://makerworld.com/pl/models/2184678-vw-transporter-relocated-down-handbreak-cover#profileId-2371403

View attachment 143132
and is prepared for both sides of the steering wheel

just choose right.

Nice work

 

[Viktorgeorge]

Hello @Robert-ert , this looks a great idea so thank you for the work and for generously making this available to others.

I bought the metal brake relocator in anticipation, and I asked my contact (a member here) who does my 3D printing to make the handbrake cover (at #1 above). I do always pay him, though it is probably not much more than the materials - as I think it mainly a hobby. He has emailed me to say:

"I am unable to do the handbrake part as its got a non commercial licence and cannot be reprinted for money. I have tried to contact the designer but have had no luck - sorry."

Can you help me resolve this situation? I do not have any personal access to 3D printing.

 

[L&R.]

Hi, I was interested in this, but Amazon has none in stock, nor as it happens anything else from Just Kampers in their Amazon store.
We have been using a set of chocks (€5) for the last year - as soon as I pull up, either with or without levellers, just push them in, and the result is the same. Just leave the handbrake off to swivel the seats.

 

[Viktorgeorge]

Hi, I was interested in this, but Amazon has none in stock, nor as it happens anything else from Just Kampers in their Amazon store.
We have been using a set of chocks (€5) for the last year - as soon as I pull up, either with or without levellers, just push them in, and the result is the same. Just leave the handbrake off to swivel the seats.

In my posting here is where I got the brake relocator from:

https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/threads/handbrake-lowering-kit.12839/post-770528

However, I see they are now sold out now. It looks as if there are a few others on eBay if you hunt.

At my age (mid 70's) it is a pain to get out and chock wheels. I accept you only need to temporarily let off the handbrake, but, each time I do and the car moves a little because we are on a slope, my wife reacts badly.

 

[Marco Venturi]

In my posting here is where I got the brake relocator from:

https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/threads/handbrake-lowering-kit.12839/post-770528

However, I see they are now sold out now. It looks as if there are a few others on eBay if you hunt.

At my age (mid 70's) it is a pain to get out and chock wheels. I accept you only need to temporarily let off the handbrake, but, each time I do and the car moves a little because we are on a slope, my wife reacts badly.

When about to swivel my driver's seat I, first of all, go behind the seat and wind the back rest forward and put the right arm rest down to a position where (through experience) I know the seat will clear the steering wheel when being swivelled.
Still slightly behind the front seats and stood facing the dashboard, reaching with an extended walking pole - holding it in my right hand - through to the driver's footwell, I locate the rubber foot of the pole onto the brake pedal and apply constant pressure, whilst taking off the handbrake with my left hand and then releasing the seat's turn mechanism to swivel round the seat. Next I re-apply the handbrake, and only then take the walking pole pressure off the brake pedal.
Never had the car move once and it's a manoeuvre I can do without getting out of the car. Happy days.

 

[Viktorgeorge]

When about to swivel my driver's seat I, first of all, go behind the seat and wind the back rest forward and put the right arm rest down to a position where (through experience) I know the seat will clear the steering wheel when being swivelled.
Still slightly behind the front seats and stood facing the dashboard, reaching with an extended walking pole - holding it in my right hand - through to the driver's footwell, I locate the rubber foot of the pole onto the brake pedal and apply constant pressure, whilst taking off the handbrake with my left hand and then releasing the seat's turn mechanism to swivel round the seat. Next I re-apply the handbrake, and only then take the walking pole pressure off the brake pedal.
Never had the car move once and it's a manoeuvre I can do without getting out of the car. Happy days.

Thank you Marco, sounds like something to try!

 

[crookrise]

Dont use the handbrake, auto in park isnt going anywhere.

 

[Marco Venturi]

Dont use the handbrake, auto in park isnt going anywhere.

Agreed it's not going far at all though on a ramp it might roll a little (half an inch maybe) but sufficient to unnerve Mrs V

 

[WelshGas]

Agreed it's not going far at all though on a ramp it might roll a little (half an inch maybe) but sufficient to unnerve Mrs V

Aah, but if you stop on footbrake, apply Park, foot off footbrake and then Handbrake, when you come to release Handbrake to turn seat - No movement.

 

[Viktorgeorge]

Aah, but if you stop on footbrake, apply Park, foot off footbrake and then Handbrake, when you come to release Handbrake to turn seat - No movement.

@WelshGas, predictably, is right: but it is getting out of the pre-existing handbrake habit. Also the fear that ‘park’ (even if a temporary condition) is a rather tentative hold. I remember seeing a photo of the small stud it relies on. But that temporary condition occurs either way so @WelshGas wins!

 

[jakubklapka]

Aah, but if you stop on footbrake, apply Park, foot off footbrake and then Handbrake, when you come to release Handbrake to turn seat - No movement.

I just wonder, how does that affect the lifetime of the gearbox. What what I've heard, it's better not to have tension on P for prolonged periods. With all my DSG cars, I actually do the opposite - Handbrake on -> N (Cali only, since it does not have electronic PB) -> release footbrake (let it settle on handbrake) -> then P. Sounds complicated, but it's two second muscle-memory thing.

 

[WelshGas]

I just wonder, how does that affect the lifetime of the gearbox. What what I've heard, it's better not to have tension on P for prolonged periods. With all my DSG cars, I actually do the opposite - Handbrake on -> N (Cali only, since it does not have electronic PB) -> release footbrake (let it settle on handbrake) -> then P. Sounds complicated, but it's two second muscle-memory thing.

I used this technique of footbrake, P and then Handbrake on my California for 10 yrs and 140,000 + miles.
On vehicles with electronic handbrake the handbrake goes on after P is selected.

 

[Perfectos]

Once the seat is turned re apply the handbrake !

 

[dspuk]

It’s a funny one this one. Obviously when driving, always use the handbrake when expected.

Parked on site I just bother anymore - put it in P, drop the handbrake, never worry about it again until leaving. So zero seat turn faff.

So while an elegant solution, I’d counter given what we know about how the van sits on the pin in P, maybe not needed?

Of course, I’ve not tried this on a 45 degree slope, but then I’d not stay long if at all on that site anyway.

 

[Marco Venturi]

You're almost certainly right, but with my walking pole method I get no movement anyway.

 

[Marco Venturi]

Aah, but if you stop on footbrake, apply Park, foot off footbrake and then Handbrake, when you come to release Handbrake to turn seat - No movement.

You're almost certainly right, but with my walking pole method I get no movement anyway.