Hard to move lower seat bed.. T6.1

[California newbie]

Hi we are brand new to the California T6.1 world - in fact new to the whole camper van thing. We pick up our used 2022 van on Friday. However, the seat is harder to move than we expected.. videos show that some are easier to others .. can anyone give us some advice on how to make that a bit less like a wrestling match… lubricant, cleaning, technique. Appreciate any advice or indeed any other tips you think newbies would benefit from in this early stage.

Cheers

 

[kpttnuts-beach]

Hi we are brand new to the California T6.1 world - in fact new to the whole camper van thing. We pick up our used 2022 van on Friday. However, the seat is harder to move than we expected.. videos show that some are easier to others .. can anyone give us some advice on how to make that a bit less like a wrestling match… lubricant, cleaning, technique. Appreciate any advice or indeed any other tips you think newbies would benefit from in this early stage.

Cheers

I sit on the seat that’s directly above the lever used to release the bench for moving and find that works better than not sitting on it while trying to move it. Stops the bench seat from tilting instead of sliding.

 

[California newbie]

Thanks I guessed that technique will make a difference.. I’m not very technical and so cleaning tracks and maybe a bit of PTFE spray in the tracks to offer dry lubrication… thanks for your advice.

 

[colintfcolintf]

I’ve found it gets easier with practice!

 

[acer]

I’ve found it gets easier with practice!

Yes, regular squats and deadlifts don't hurt either...
Well they do a bit!

 

[California newbie]

Well I could do with some upper body exercise- just didn’t expect this would be the route..

 

[acer]

Well I could do with some upper body exercise- just didn’t expect this would be the route..

You will find many such unexpected benefits to Cali ownership. Top hits vary, but three favourites off the top of my head are:
Upper body flexibility - for packing away the roof bellows prior to sliding closed.
Learning how to use a syringe - to clean your roof drains.
Development of stamina - for dealing with your dealer.

 

[California newbie]

Terrific roof drains all my fantasies are finally realised ..

 

[WelshGas]

Hi we are brand new to the California T6.1 world - in fact new to the whole camper van thing. We pick up our used 2022 van on Friday. However, the seat is harder to move than we expected.. videos show that some are easier to others .. can anyone give us some advice on how to make that a bit less like a wrestling match… lubricant, cleaning, technique. Appreciate any advice or indeed any other tips you think newbies would benefit from in this early stage.

Cheers

Over 10 yrs with a California I found the easiest way was - Sit in centre of bench seat. R hand pulls up release lever and walk forward using feet whilst remaining seated until the seat reaches the Stop in the slider nearest the kitchen unit. Pull strap to lower back fully and then reverse process to move seat back to engage with rear bed board.
Trying to slide the bench from the sliding door side risks misalignment and jamming the seat at an angle in the tracks.

 

[Fletchi]

I found that if you are on any kind of slope it doesn't like sliding uphill. If you are level or down hill mine works OK.

 

[California newbie]

Thanks all - ready to start using it!

 

[wildslammer22]

Also the bench seat lever is one of the few things on a Cali that you really don’t need to baby (the other being the catches on the awning legs) ie pull up hard to ensure it’s fully disengaged. At first you might worry you’ll break it but you won’t! Unless you’re a power lifter that is…

 

[jakubklapka]

Another trick I found is left hand on the lever, right hand grabbing the seat in the are of the strap and right foot toe-hooking the drivers seat (either backrest or the seat). It looks really funny, but I can slide it that way even on quite a slope.

 

[Gliderbee California 6.1]

I found that while being seated on the bench and pulling the lever, a few "hops" up-and-down make sliding it much easier, as if it has to get "deblocked" ...

 

[gands]

Ours was quite hard to move since owning. It’s a MY21ocean. I vacuumed out the runners after removing the runner covers and then applied dry silicone spray. Bench is much easier to move now.

 

[Loz2286]

It helps if you're parked slightly downhill rather than uphill.

 

[Robin007]

Hi we are brand new to the California T6.1 world - in fact new to the whole camper van thing. We pick up our used 2022 van on Friday. However, the seat is harder to move than we expected.. videos show that some are easier to others .. can anyone give us some advice on how to make that a bit less like a wrestling match… lubricant, cleaning, technique. Appreciate any advice or indeed any other tips you think newbies would benefit from in this early stage.

Cheers

Some good advice here. Well worth watching California Chris on You Tube. He explains lots of things very well for the 6.1. Enjoy your new van!

 

[Maddie]

Agree with others, sit on the seat and walk it forward or backwards.
In addition I find that a slot rocking motion with the lever lifted, before you start moving the seat helps release the locking pin.
My small wife manages it with no difficulty but she practises yoga.
Its practise, never found the need for oil

 

[crookrise]

Here's a tip to do with the bed
Remove the stop in the floor slider, you can then get the jack off the back of the bench seat without emptying the "boot" and taking a caving course.

 

[dchedley]

Hi we are brand new to the California T6.1 world - in fact new to the whole camper van thing. We pick up our used 2022 van on Friday. However, the seat is harder to move than we expected.. videos show that some are easier to others .. can anyone give us some advice on how to make that a bit less like a wrestling match… lubricant, cleaning, technique. Appreciate any advice or indeed any other tips you think newbies would benefit from in this early stage.

Cheers

Wendy and I have a 2027 camper and also have problems bringing the seat forward . I opened the draw and attached I short piece of webbing close to the middle close the draw and then I ( or Wendy ) can pull the bed forward . It is easier if someone else lifts the catch but with a bit of practice one person can do it.

 

[dchedley]

Wendy and I have a 2027 camper and also have problems bringing the seat forward . I opened the draw and attached I short piece of webbing close to the middle close the draw and then I ( or Wendy ) can pull the bed forward . It is easier if someone else lifts the catch but with a bit of practice one person can do it.

2017 sorry

 

[swfblade]

Over 10 yrs with a California I found the easiest way was - Sit in centre of bench seat. R hand pulls up release lever and walk forward using feet whilst remaining seated until the seat reaches the Stop in the slider nearest the kitchen unit. Pull strap to lower back fully and then reverse process to move seat back to engage with rear bed board.

This.

 

[RoB5urf]

This.

That's the method we've always used but its definitely became harder over the 10 years we've had the van.

 

[WelshGas]

That's the method we've always used but its definitely became harder over the 10 years we've had the van.

You are 10 yrs older.