Here at campervanseating.uk, we know that choosing the right rear seating and bed system is one of the most critical decisions for your van conversion. The French-made RIB seats by Scopema are the industry standard for safety, comfort, and functionality.
While the RIB Altair has long been the champion in the UK, we’ve seen a surge in interest and custom orders for the innovative RIB Neptune in the last 12 months. To help you decide, we’ve created a one-stop comparison of these two premium systems.
⭐️ The RIB Basics: Safety and Comfort
Before diving into the differences, it’s important to remember what both the Altair and Neptune share:
- M1 Pull Tested Safety: Both are fully M1-certified, meaning they meet the highest European standards for passenger safety in the event of a crash.
- Flat Bed Surface: A hallmark of the RIB design, both models fold over to ensure you sleep on the underside of the cushions, away from seat belt buckles and seams, providing a perfectly flat and comfortable sleeping surface.
- Integrated Seat Belts: Both include integrated 3-point seat belts for every passenger position.
- ISOFIX: All modern units come with ISOFIX points as standard for secure child seat installation.
- Quality & Finish: You get the same renowned French engineering, robust mechanism, and high-quality foam (typically Scopex foam).
🔎 Key Differences: Altair vs. Neptune
The core difference lies in their design philosophy and dimensions, which dictates the type of campervan layout they best suit.
| Feature | RIB Altair (The UK Standard) | RIB Neptune (The Innovative Alternative) |
| Bed Length | Long (Typically 1860mm or 1940mm) | Short (1210mm) |
| Bed Mechanism | A single unit that converts into a full-length double bed. | A unit designed to be combined with turned front cab seats or a second Neptune unit to form a bed. |
| Typical Widths | Two-seater: 104cm,112cm, 120cm. Three-seater: 130cm, 150cm. | Often available in single seater 60cm or 86cm widths, can also be purchased in the same larger sizes as the Altair. |
| Layout Suitability | Classic, full-width side kitchen layouts (often called ‘side-bed’ conversions). | Transverse or ‘Dinette’ layouts, or those seeking twin beds. |
| Storage | Creates a large boot space (garage) behind the seat when in the seated position. | Allows for deeper cabinetry or a rear kitchen layout, as the seat is shorter. This is also popular for vans with shower blocks. |
| UK Stock Status | Standard Stock Item (Fast Delivery) | Bespoke Order (Lead time applies) |
💡 Which RIB Seat is Best for Your Conversion?
The choice between Altair and Neptune comes down to how you plan to use your internal space.
- The RIB Altair: Best for the Classic Campervan
The Altair is the UK’s favourite for a reason. Its full-length design makes it perfect for the most common conversion style:
- Classic Full-Width Layouts: If you plan on having a long kitchen unit down one side of the van (a “classic” UK layout), the Altair is the ideal fit.
- Maximum Passenger Comfort: The generous bed length (up to 6ft 4in) ensures comfortable travel and sleeping for taller users.
- Large Garage/Boot Space: When fixed in its rear-most travel position, the space created behind the Altair is a huge asset for luggage, gear, or water tanks.
- The RIB Neptune: Best for Modular, Dinette, or Rear Kitchen Layouts
The Neptune is shorter, designed for versatility and alternative, often continental-style, layouts. Its sales growth is due to its flexibility:
- Twin Bed or Central Double: Two 60cm or 86cm Neptune seats can be positioned with an aisle down the middle. When converted, they form two separate single beds or can be joined in the middle to form a wider double.
- Front Seat Integration (The Dinette): Because the Neptune is shorter (approx. 1210mm long in bed mode), it’s often used with the front driver/passenger swivel seats turned around. The front seats and the Neptune base combine to create a full-length bed. This frees up vital space for deeper cabinets or a rear kitchens/shower.
- Rear Kitchen Conversions: If your conversion focuses on a kitchen or storage unit at the very rear (a ‘garage’ style conversion), the Neptune’s shorter depth allows for this space to be used more effectively.
🛒 Ordering Your RIB Seat with campervanseating.uk
The RIB Altair (In Stock)
- The Go-To Choice: We stock the most popular Altair sizes (e.g., 112cm, 120cm, 130cm, 150cm) for immediate dispatch and fast delivery.
- Best For: Standard side-kitchen layouts and those prioritising a full-length, one-piece bed.
The RIB Neptune (Bespoke Order)
- The Custom Choice: Due to the variety of widths and frame options for modular layouts, the Neptune is a bespoke order.
- Improved Sales: We’ve invested heavily in a robust ordering system to handle the complexity of Neptune orders, which is why we’ve seen increased sales. This ensures you get the exact size and configuration needed for your custom layout.
- Best For: Modular layouts, twin-bed setups, rear-kitchen designs, or converting a van where the front seats will form part of the sleeping area.
Ready to make the leap to M1-tested safety and unparalleled comfort?
📞 Your Next Step: Get in touch!
Choosing the right RIB seat is a big commitment to your campervan design. If you’re still debating between the stock Altair and a custom Neptune order, let us help you finalize your layout.
Get in touch today, we would love to help.
We can discuss your specific van model, conversion goals (e.g., maximum storage vs. maximum seating), and provide accurate lead times and pricing for both the UK-stocked Altair and the bespoke Neptune.