Symbol cupboard access

Brilliant, thank you for the pics. How on earth did you come up with that idea??
I have actually utilised the step storage, there are a few threads about that on here. One again another design feature that A/S could easily have incorporated at minimal cost.

Thank you, and, you're welcome.

What a great discussion - thanks. It echoes the niggles we have with our 2014 Symbol. Just a little more thought from AS and it would be sooo much better and closer to the easy-to-use set up of our old 2002 model.
Will be trying out the raised single bed 'mod' very soon and look forward to seeing any developments on side access to the annoying top access cupboard.

That's the beauty of throwing ideas and thoughts around.

My bits have arrived from A/S for the side door mod so there is no going back now especially when I cut a hole in the panel!!

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Dbvwt wrote:My bits have arrived from A/S for the side door mod so there is no going back now especially when I cut a hole in the panel!!

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Remember, measure twice, cut once

I have been thinking of doing a similar mod to the seat step. There is such a lot of wasted space under there! 

It looks as if you have three magnetic catches holding the flap down. Do you find that enough to hold the table? Was thinking of something simple but more positive like a couple of meter cupboard catches.

Mag catches are fine for holding The table but you do need to make sure the step as a whole is well supported. I raised the step 40mm to make sitting at the table more comfortable.  I’ve also fitted reduced height seat bases, again for improved comfort for those of us not over 6ft tall.

Dbvwt wrote:Obviously this only applies to Symbols of a certain age but the cupboard under the wardrobe has driven me mad since I bought the van. Maybe it’s just me that stores bedding on the top opening cupboard making it pretty useless for easy access unless everything is removed. 
I’m thinking of making a front opening of some kind, I just wondered if anyone else has done a mod with this not insignificant space that could be put to better use in our compact vans?

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Looking at your picture again, I see a fairly obvious difference. The cupboard is still there, but I guess it’s shallower because of the heater air intake.

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That’s interesting, so what have you got in there that needs that vent?

Dbvwt wrote:That’s interesting, so what have you got in there that needs that vent?

It’s where the space heater draws its intake air from before heating it and expelling it through the other vents. I think.

So is your space heater in that cupboard?

I was wondering that too. Ours is under the settee, taking up the once useful and rare large space in the wagon with a vent in the same location under the settee panelling

Dbvwt wrote:So is your space heater in that cupboard?

No, it’s underneath the van. The water heater is underneath the bench seat, but is also designed to be fitted underneath the vehicle. The guy who does the habitation service was a but surprised about that.

First class idea Mr Whippy 99 about the drivers side single bed as I would prefer to sleep on that side.  I have never attempted to swivel the drivers seat on my 2017 Symbol as it doesn't provide much leg room until I read your idea.  I found the drivers seat much more difficult to manoeuvre than the passenger seat.  Is there a secret of swivelling it round easily ?  Many thanks.  Bill

Morning Bill,
No secret to making life easy for the seat swivel unfortunately.  It’s a combination of sliding the seat back and forward at the same time as  swivelling round. It get easier with practice, but worth the effort for the extra sleeping room.
 

Mr Whippy 99 wrote:Morning Bill,
No secret to making life easy for the seat swivel unfortunately.  It’s a combination of sliding the seat back and forward at the same time as  swivelling round. It get easier with practice, but worth the effort for the extra sleeping room.
 

Thank you for that and yes I got there eventually and the only problem I have is that the seat base actually pushes against the handbrake and as I have a Comfortmatic gearbox I have no 'Park' facility.  I travel on my own now so will definitely try this next time I am away as if I am away for say a couple of nights I can always leave my bed made all day which I can't if I sleep on the other side.  Again thank you.  Bill

I don’t have a problem with the handbrake - not taken any notice to be honest.  I did have to replace the end panel to the under seat storage after I fitted reduced height seat bases as the drivers seat didn’t clear the top of the one at the end of the bench seat.  Also worth mentioning is to lower the steering column, this gives a bit more clearance to the seat back.
 

I also tried out your brilliant idea Whippy but unfortunately it didn’t work out for me. I just couldn’t get the seat to rotate without dropping the handbrake and a hell of a lot of manoeuvring the seat. I don’t know if things are different on vans of a different age? A shame as it was ingenious, for us it’s unfortunately easier to make the double up.

I haven’t had a chance to try the mod I’m thinking of but it looks doable. There are stops on the 2 seat runners which should come off without compromising any safety, the seat locking mechanism is completely separate.
It would enable the drivers seat to be slid completely forward giving another 14cm bed length. 
The picture shows the seat as far forward as it goes at present.

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Can I take everything I’ve said back!!!!
After 5 years of ownership, I’ve just slid the drivers seat forward and turned it without issue even with the handbrake on and my kayak paddle in the way.
I’ve absolutely no idea why it didn’t work before? What an idiot 

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Well done, we all need a little help sometimes and need to be brave enough to admit it.  We use the little table at the front a lot and so to be quite honest, never thought of turning the seat anyway other than anti-clockwise. Hope you find the bed layout comfortable. 

I did think it was because I wasn’t turning it anticlockwise but I realised that wasn’t the case and edited my post. I’m still baffled why I’ve had so much trouble till now?

It does take a bit of shuffling back and forward while turning, not as easy as the passenger side.

Thank you so much Mr Whippy 99. I only need about an inch extra (stop it!) and I looked at removing the fold-out table but it's bolted through the cooker panel. At least the screw just rotated when I tried it. How do you stop the fill-in cushions sliding out in transit?
I don't feel there is enough room under the settee to warrant a door in the front but the partition under the single seat is coming out.
BTW I was able to turn the seat even when I had a handbrake extension fitted.
Lots of good ideas, Thanks everyone.