Citroen Berlingo Multispace Forte with 'Stealth Camper' potential

[Deleted member 4850]

Selling my low mileage 2003 Berlingo MPV which I adapted to convert in 15 minutes to a stealth camper. Very simple but effective: I used a length of plywood, a bathroom stool, 3 webbing straps and a set of adapted side blinds and dark curtains that make it look just like privacy glass from the outside. It's been great for wild camping, wildlife watching, staying on friends' driveways etc. Full spec and pics are here on Gumtree. Reason for sale: I just bought a part converted Transit and can't afford to keep both

 

[shawbags]

rear seats

Might seem a silly Question,i can get the rear seats to fold down but i cannot get the large rear seat base to fold again strait over,is there another catch if so where is it,cheers Shawbags.
Good luck with your sale.

 

[Randonneur]

Hi Shawbags,

You may be having the same problem I had with the first Berlingo I bought, 2004 model.

When you tip the back of the large rear seat section forwards it causes the middle seat belt to lock out as if its had a crash and it won't release the catch to the load deck in the centre of the rear seat. This is because the belt webbing retracts too far back into the reel cassette and causes the inertia mechanism to lock out.

I ended up having to take the seat belt apart, release the inertia mech and put everything back together again numerous times!!!

Citroen know this is an issue and there is a modified belt retraction runner/restrictor that fits on the top of the seat where the belt goes in. If you look at the belt there is a little button on it that is supposed to stop the belt going in too far so you can fold the seat. But the on the early models the plastic guide on the seat top is too wide and the button goes through when you fold the seat! Just go and buy the latest seat belt rear seat belt guide from a 2005 model. It fits straight on and your problem will be solved.

Sorry this post is a bit long winded, it always takes longer to explain than it does to see it in the flesh so to speak.

Hope this helps. :wave:

 

[Deleted member 4850]

Might seem a silly Question,i can get the rear seats to fold down but i cannot get the large rear seat base to fold again strait over,is there another catch if so where is it,cheers Shawbags.
Good luck with your sale.

The other thing that can cause a problem is the hook catch not operating properly - they get muck and dust in sometimes. I WD40'd the spring and checked that the cord that operates it was running freely, then the seat worked fine again.

Thanks for your good wishes: in fact we ended up keeping the Blingo, it's such a useful and economic vehicle. - sold the 4x4 instead!