The Scheel-Mann Seats for Long Camper Rides

About the Seats

  1. Backpain & Long Rides

Original VW Caddy Seat

I love using my self-built campers as daily commuters, something I've been doing for more than a decade. Like most camper builders, I spend countless hours behind the driver's cabin, refining the usability and efficiency of every available corner and centimeter.

However, I noticed that the driver's cabin is often left untouched, yet this is the area where we also spend a lot of time during driving. So, it was time to focus on the driver's cabin. While there isn't much one can change, there is one thing that can instantly transform any driver's cabin into a modern-looking camper - the seats.

This thought stemmed from a spinal injury I had some years ago. Constant lumbar spine pain combined with long drives no longer felt like a great combination. So, I did extensive research into seats that provide genuine spinal support to alleviate some back pain during driving. However, aesthetics are always a major factor when I choose a product.

It didn't take long for me to find the perfect match - the Scheel-Mann aftermarket seats.

Let me show you the seats and the installation process and explain why I now consider upgrading all my camper builds with them.

You can find a more in-depth installation of the Scheel-Mann seats in my camper conversion book (click).

Scheel-Mann Seat

2. Ordering & Arrival of the Seats

Firstly, finding suitable aftermarket seats for a car is quite challenging. I initially thought it would be a simple swap, however, most car models are built differently and the mounting surfaces also vary greatly. Simply switching seats from a newer car model to an older one won't do the trick. The seats must be approved for your specific car model, and Scheel-Mann offers custom seat mounting surfaces for most cars. I contacted them and received a direct answer about which seat and mounting plate would fit my VW Caddy.

After receiving this information, I placed an order for the Seat Model: Scheel-Mann Vario F.

Fun Fact: The company behind these seats was involved in developing the now universally present S-curved seat shell. They are also just a two-hour drive from my hometown. With these seats, you're acquiring a piece of car seat history.

Then it was just a matter of waiting for the packages to arrive.

The Seats Arrived

3. Removing the Original Seats

Removing the original seats is far less complex than I anticipated. Here's a little recap for you:

  1. There are just four screws holding the seat to the mounting plate.

  2. Another four screws are needed to remove the mounting plate.

It's a really easy and quick process to remove the seats, so don't worry about it.

Important: The black metal mounting platform shown in the pictures will be reused for the Scheel-Mann Seats. I almost made the mistake of giving away the original seats with the original mounting platform before I installed the Scheel-Mann seats. Fortunately, I noticed beforehand that the original mounting platform would be incorporated.

4. First Look at the New Seats

Pictures speak louder than words. In my opinion, the original seats are no match for the Scheel-Mann Seats. From my judgement, the Scheel-Mann Seats are superior in every single aspect.

The new seats have a lot of settings to adjust them to your spine, especially the lumbar part, which, given my lumbar injury, is a great feature. I've already tested it and it feels like someone is supporting my lumbar spine while sitting, relieving a lot of pressure from the vertebral discs. That's exactly what I need.

Now, let's let the pictures speak for themselves.

5. Tip Bevor Installing the Seats

Let's do things properly. If you already have the original seats and original mounting plates out, do yourself a favor and give the mounting plates a quick sand and new paint job before incorporating them into the Scheel-Mann mounting structure.

This can easily be done with regular sandpaper. Don't be overly cautious here, as the mounting platform is barely visible. Simply give it a good sanding, remove all rust if present, and then apply a scratch-resistant paint. I used Hammerite Black; click here to see which one.

Clean the platform with brake cleaner before applying paint. Click here to see which brake cleaner I used.

Now you're ready to install the seats, but wait, there's one more feature that will warm your heart, or in this case, your back. It's time for step 6: the seat heating.

6. Installing the Seat Heating

The seats come with seat and back heating.

The wiring harness is pre-wired, providing a plug-and-play solution. Simply connect it to a 12V source and find a spot for the heating button switch.

The switch has two settings:

Down = Green light, indicating low heating

Up = Red light, indicating maximum heating

My Recommendation:

Drill two holes next to the gear stick for the buttons to turn the heating on and off. The wiring harness can be hidden within the center console cover, as there is plenty of unused space.

7. Assembling the Seats

Assemble all the parts from the package, push the headrest cushion into the seat, and you're ready to go. It's time to place them in the driver's cabin and hope for the visual and comfort transformation I've been wishing for.

8. Final Results

After having driven more than 4000km with the Scheel-Mann seats, I can confirm that I travel with far less back pain, and the back heating adds an extra layer of comfort for those plagued by back pain, like me.

But they not only helped in making drives pain-free, their aesthetics also elevated the caddy conversion to an entirely new level. Also, as you can see in the pictures, my pregnant partner is particularly fond of them.

To see the installed seats, simply click the button below to access the mini-camper room tour video.

Thanks for reading through the article,

Lukas Kiemer