Sprinter Van Seating Options
The Complete Guide to Sprinter Van Seating Options
Sprinter vans are among the luxury fleets, which demand premium modifications. You might be looking for a seating system, but they offer way more customization than you can imagine. If we focus only on seating options, the flexibility is too wide. Tourism businesses, corporations, and private owners choose top-notch seats when they have to change the interior of these luxury vans. If you are one of them, this guide is specifically for you.
Start With Your Sprinter Van Configuration
The complete guide to Sprinter van seating options starts with the length of the van. There are usually 144-inch wheelbase or 170-inch wheelbase types. The entire format in a van can change depending on these configurations. So, it is better if you know the types of Mercedes Sprinter vans for seat selection.
Passenger, Crew, and Cargo Vans
When selecting Sprinter van seats, keep the three main types of this van. They are passenger, crew, and cargo types. The number of passengers is the least in cargo and the most in passenger. Here are the following points that will help you understand better.
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The crew van has two seats with space for a single seat in the cargo section. There is also a window on both sides of the middle section of the cargo area. Also, there is flexibility to add three seats in the mid-section, which is why there are windows there. (Driver, front passenger, and 1 to 3 passengers in the middle row)
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A passenger van is all about the maximum passenger seats because this is what it is for. It has windows in the entire rear section because it has no cargo, but only seats. The seating options are many, which range from 10 to 15 seats. Besides, a 144-inch wheelbase has 12 seats, and a 170-inch wheelbase has 15 seats.
How Seating Capacity Affects Interior Space
Sprinter van seating options are all based on the type/model of van and the owner's preference. It is like a choice between quality and quantity. If you prefer quality, you will have more luxuries but fewer seats. If you prefer the quantity of passengers, you will have fewer additional amenities. The more seats there are, the less legroom there will be.
Choose the Right Sprinter Seating Layout
The layout selection will further explain why you need to choose seats carefully. One can transform this van into a shuttle service, a luxury room, or even a work-from-van solution. Sprinter van seat layouts provide the maximum seating solution depending on your needs. The following information will help you understand it better.
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If you choose a 12-seat format, it will go like this. Driver, front passenger, and 10 passengers at the back. (2, 3, 3, and 4-seat format) or (2, 3, 3, 3, and 4-seat format).
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Choosing a 7-seat format will create a balance between luxury and accommodation. A passenger van that has a 7-seat format will have a 2, 2, and 3-seat format where each seat is against the inner wall, and there is space between them to walk.
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A 13-seat format gives you options like a 4-person bench seat at the back, with 1-2, 1-2, and 1 seat against the inner walls, including the driver and front passenger.
Bench Seats vs. Individual Captain Seats
Most Mercedes Sprinter seats have similar designs. Whether you choose individual captain seats or bench seats, they have a little difference. That difference is in the armrests, which expand the comfort level.
Bench seats are mostly used for the last row where passenger seating accommodation is required. Otherwise, even three passengers in the middle and pre-last row get individual captain seats. Almost every sprinter van provides individual captain seats because it is more about luxury.
Fixed, Folding, Reclining, and Swivel Options
Here are the different types of sprinter van captain seats you can find in the industry. They all have different purposes, compatibility, and layout support.
Match Seat Width, Comfort, and Capacity to Your Use
Seat width is what you should know about. It will help you understand Sprinter van seating configurations more clearly. A standard sprinter van’s seat has a 25-inch-high backrest. Its total width is 19 inches. These two dimensions are mostly fixed in all the models of Sprinter vans. It is better to follow these dimensions through OEM compliance, because they will help you manage seating layout better.
Executive and Luxury Sprinter Builds
If you are choosing seats for luxurious purposes, especially for the executive format, the number of seats might be few, and the amenities will be higher. The following could be possible amenities along with special seats.
Shuttle, Fleet, and High-Capacity Applications
Those who choose sprinter van bench seats for shuttle or fleet purposes will focus more on the comfort and storage features of the seats. All the seats have a good or the best level of comfort, where you can have the following applications.
Camper and Multi-Purpose Vans
A camper or multi-purpose van has the fewest seats, like driver and front passenger seats. The remaining space can be used for storage, sleeping, and overlanding camping gear, depending on how the van will be used. The entire rear and middle section is for the following applications.
Check Mounting, Floor Tracks, and Compatibility Before Buying
Before you finalize sprinter van passenger seats, you need to have a few things in mind. Check the mounting format, which is mostly OEM-based, where you can install only as many seats as that mounting track can allow. So, look at the floor track and its compatibility before choosing the types of seats and accessibility for your van.
OEM Floor Tracks vs Floor-Mounted Systems
OEM flooring is factory-based flooring, which has limitations. Since it is provided by the OEM, you will get only limited adjustability. If there is a floor-mounted system or aftermarket system, you can have customization. That customization with new flooring will help you install almost any kind of seat that is compatible with a Sprinter van. Custom flooring will provide high adjustability through the smart floor method. An L-floor method has limited flexibility, which is suitable for those looking to modify vans for fleet and shuttle service mostly. A smart floor provides wide customization, which is best suited for camper, executive, and custom formats.
Verify Safety and Compliance Requirements
Safety is the utmost priority, and you need to know about all the OEM loading guidelines. They are usually available on the official website of the Sprinter van manufacturer. However, if you are going for an aftermarket option, you will get them from your service provider.
Follow FMVSS 202a, 207, 208, and 210 standards to comply with safety requirements. Whoever you choose for the sprinter van’s seats, that service provider must follow these standards.
Seat Belts, Mounting Points, and Applicable Standards
The anchor points are available in the sprinter van, and it is better to follow the already-available ones. Following OEM or factory mounting points will be safer in many ways. Also, do not use thin sheets to bolt seats to the floor because they can not hold the pressure in sudden braking. If you choose a reliable seat supplier, make sure they have an OEM format for custom mounting and anchor points.
In seat belts, always choose three-point seat belts. They are the safest type, whether you go for fleet, luxury, or camper type.
What to Check Before Ordering Sprinter Van Seats
Always follow these steps when you are choosing Sprinter van seats.
FAQ
How Many Seats Can a Sprinter Van Have?
It can have up to 15 seats. It depends on the type of Sprinter van, and the passenger type has the maximum seating solution, from 12 to 15.
What Is the Difference Between Sprinter Bench Seats and Captain Seats?
Captain seats have armrests on both sides, so every passenger gets fully comfortable without compromise. A bench seat has no armrests or at the outer ends, where two, three, and four persons can sit easily. However, some passengers may have to compromise some space in case someone has higher body width.
Can Aftermarket Seats Be Installed on Sprinter Factory Floor Tracks?
Yes, it is possible if aftermarket seats comply with OEM standards. YHTDCoachworks is one of the global suppliers that may meet such requirements.
What Should I Check Before Buying Sprinter Van Seats?
Check compatibility of seats with the floor tracks, mounting system, and van’s layout. Make sure the seats comply with safety standards in terms of seat belts and anchoring points. Then choose the type of seat that matches the interior format because you can choose the type and number of seats according to space. Besides, inspect the comfort level, storage, additional features, and maintenance compatibility of seats.