Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » [GMCnet] Birchaven Sofa
| [GMCnet] Birchaven Sofa [message #210766] |
Wed, 12 June 2013 02:09  |
Guy Lopes
Messages: 499
Registered: April 2004
Location: Sacramento, CA
Karma: 3
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Hello all,
The curb side sofa in my 76 Birchaven isn't comfortable to sit on as a sofa.
Unfortunately it also isn't too comfortable to lay on as a bed. What have
you all replaced the "mattress" with to fulfill both uses? Has anyone
replaced it with a whole new design? I know that the wheel well needs to be
dealt with, but I'm interested in seeing other's ideas in this area.
Thanks,
Guy in Sacramento
76 Birchaven
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Guy Lopes
76 Birchaven "Orion"
Sacramento, CA
W6TOL
www.GMC-Guy.com
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| Re: [GMCnet] Birchaven Sofa [message #210812 is a reply to message #210771] |
Wed, 12 June 2013 12:50  |
Guy Lopes
Messages: 499
Registered: April 2004
Location: Sacramento, CA
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Thanks Mickey. Do you have one? Got any pics?
Funny, the guy that I bought my Birchaven from last month is also a Mickey.
In Fresno
-----Original Message-----
From: gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org
[mailto:gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of Mickey Space Ship
Shuttle
Sent: Wednesday, June 12, 2013 5:26 AM
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Birchaven Sofa
JimB coop has a great one. ask him, mickey ca. pb 77
On Jun 12, 2013, at 12:09 AM, Guy Lopes wrote:
> Hello all,
>
> The curb side sofa in my 76 Birchaven isn't comfortable to sit on as a
sofa.
> Unfortunately it also isn't too comfortable to lay on as a bed. What
> have you all replaced the "mattress" with to fulfill both uses? Has
> anyone replaced it with a whole new design? I know that the wheel well
> needs to be dealt with, but I'm interested in seeing other's ideas in this
area.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Guy in Sacramento
> 76 Birchaven
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
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Guy Lopes
76 Birchaven "Orion"
Sacramento, CA
W6TOL
www.GMC-Guy.com
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| Re: [GMCnet] Birchaven Sofa [message #210833 is a reply to message #210812] |
Wed, 12 June 2013 15:56 |
Carl S.
Messages: 4186
Registered: January 2009
Location: Tucson, AZ.
Karma: 13
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Guy,
I have one of Jim B's sofas:
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/g5576-motorhome-sofa-project-08-10.html
We love it. It is very comfortable for both sitting and (so I'm told) sleeping.
Carl Stouffer
'75 ex Palm Beach
Tucson, AZ.
Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles, Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
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| Re: [GMCnet] Birchaven Sofa [message #210864 is a reply to message #210833] |
Wed, 12 June 2013 18:48 |
Joe Weir
Messages: 769
Registered: February 2013
Location: Columbia, SC
Karma: 7
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Not to be a party pooper, as that does look like a lovely couch, but the Birchaven couch base does not have room for this under neath it due to the location of the water tank:
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/data/5576/medium/Motorhome_Sofa_Project_012.jpg
The PO of my birch had installed a platform with wheeled legs that slid out to support the cushion when it was a bed. This left the inside 12" of mattress resting on the wheel well. At least it was uncomfortable to sit on as a couch... 
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/data/500/3Kd3Fe3Lf5Ff5Md5Jaccqb88b662618c71dad.jpg
I am in the same boat with what to put there. My original idea was to borrow from the PO's Idea, only using two hinged pieces of plywood - one for the back one for the bottom - so that when the bottom is pulled out, the back lays flat, filling the gap between the base and the wall. I still have to figure out how exactly to support it. The water tank takes up a lot of that space.
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/interior-upgrades/p49522-rear-couch-bed-work-in-progress.html
I remember reading someone with a Birch put a couch/bed so large it blocks the aisle to the bathroom, but I forget who it was. Would like to know the details of exactly how they mounted it.
76 Birchaven - "Wicked Mistress" - New engine, trans, alum radiator, brakes, Sully airbags, fuel lines, seats, adult beverage center... those Coachmen guys were really thinking about us second hand owners by including that beverage center...
Columbia, SC.
[Updated on: Wed, 12 June 2013 19:20] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: [GMCnet] Birchaven Sofa [message #210905 is a reply to message #210864] |
Thu, 13 June 2013 01:11 |
Guy Lopes
Messages: 499
Registered: April 2004
Location: Sacramento, CA
Karma: 3
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Thanks to all who responded.
Carl, this is exactly as I had in mind. Thanks for pointing me in the right
direction to the photos.
Joe, I was afraid that there wouldn't be any space for a couch like Carl's
due to the water tank in the 23' Birchaven. I haven't done any measuring,
but I'm hoping that the sub structure of the couch could be altered or
modified to fit the space. For example, maybe the vertical articulating legs
under the couch that allow it to fold could be moved so that they straddle
the water tank? I don't think that them being a few inches left or right
(fore or aft?) of their current location would hinder their operation much.
Of course the wheel well is probably still an issue?
Thoughts?
Guy in Sacramento
76 Birchaven
-----Original Message-----
From: gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org
[mailto:gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of Joe Weir
Sent: Wednesday, June 12, 2013 4:48 PM
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Birchaven Sofa
Not to be a party pooper, as that does look like a lovely couch, but the
Birchaven couch base does not have room for this under neath it due to the
location of the water tank:
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/data/5576/medium/Motorhome_Sofa_Project_01
2.jpg
The PO of my birch had installed a platform with wheeled legs that slid out
to support the cushion when it was a bed. This left the inside 12" of
mattress resting on the wheel well. At least it was uncomfortable to sit on
as a couch... :d
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/data/500/3Kd3Fe3Lf5Ff5Md5Jaccqb88b662618c7
1dad.jpg
I am in the same boat with what to put there. My original idea was to
borrow from the PO's Idea, only using two hinged pieces of plywood - one for
the back one for the bottom - so that when the bottom is pulled out, the
back lays flat, filling the gap between the base and the wall. I still have
to figure out how exactly to support it. The water tank takes up a lot of
that space.
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/data/6393/couch.jpg
I remember reading someone with a Birch put a couch/bed so large it blocks
the aisle to the bathroom, but I forget who it was. Would like to know the
details of exactly how they mounted it.
--
76 Birchaven
Columbia, SC.
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Guy Lopes
76 Birchaven "Orion"
Sacramento, CA
W6TOL
www.GMC-Guy.com
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| Re: [GMCnet] Birchaven Sofa [message #210913 is a reply to message #210905] |
Thu, 13 June 2013 04:44 |
Joe Weir
Messages: 769
Registered: February 2013
Location: Columbia, SC
Karma: 7
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Guy,
If the supports can be moved, there may be room at either end of the water tank. In mine, I can see floor near the cabinet and wall on the left side at the back (water tank abuts the cabinet in front), and on the right side near the front (wheel well in the rear abuts shower wall).
You may not need the legs at all. I think the base just aids in the conversion between sofa and couch. If the seat and back are attached and hinged to each other, maybe you just need a sliding mechanism attached to the bottom tabs of the seat. Put a plywood top on the current Birch base, and attach the sliders to that.
I f you like this sofa, I would call JimB and ask him about mounting options in a Birch.
| Guy Lopes wrote on Thu, 13 June 2013 01:11 |
Thanks to all who responded.
Carl, this is exactly as I had in mind. Thanks for pointing me in the right
direction to the photos.
Joe, I was afraid that there wouldn't be any space for a couch like Carl's
due to the water tank in the 23' Birchaven. I haven't done any measuring,
but I'm hoping that the sub structure of the couch could be altered or
modified to fit the space. For example, maybe the vertical articulating legs
under the couch that allow it to fold could be moved so that they straddle
the water tank? I don't think that them being a few inches left or right
(fore or aft?) of their current location would hinder their operation much.
Of course the wheel well is probably still an issue?
Thoughts?
Guy in Sacramento
76 Birchaven
|
76 Birchaven - "Wicked Mistress" - New engine, trans, alum radiator, brakes, Sully airbags, fuel lines, seats, adult beverage center... those Coachmen guys were really thinking about us second hand owners by including that beverage center...
Columbia, SC.
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| Re: [GMCnet] Birchaven Sofa [message #210950 is a reply to message #210766] |
Thu, 13 June 2013 10:36 |
Ek_Lektro
Messages: 167
Registered: March 2011
Karma: 2
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Senior Member |
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I'm also looking for a solution on the curbside, Birchhaven...
and so i'm echoing Guy's request for any options.
I still have the original pull-out wood frame and legs,
and considering the wheel well and water tank,, there's not much to work with in this area,
So i'm not really expecting to find any new "hardware" adaptation available for this (?)...,
but in terms of the "soft-ware"... What's the best way to replace the "folding mattress"
required for converting from couch to bed? For years we had a futon mattress, and it was never
comfortable.
I'm guessing that the original design might be the best solution,
and i'm envisioning needing to take 2 pieces of mattress foam, and upholster them together for the fold.
But when its folded up like a sofa, there's the inevitable flop down of the sofa back portion.
I think the original Birchhaven had a long thin upholstery piece that was stuffed behind the sofa back
to deal with this, but not sure...
Any insights appreciated... thanks!
Greg
>> The curb side sofa in my 76 Birchaven isn't comfortable to sit on as a
> sofa.
>> Unfortunately it also isn't too comfortable to lay on as a bed. What
>> have you all replaced the "mattress" with to fulfill both uses? Has
>> anyone replaced it with a whole new design? I know that the wheel well
>> needs to be dealt with, but I'm interested in seeing other's ideas in this
> area.
>>
>> Thanks,
>>
>> Guy in Sacramento
>> 76 Birchaven
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| Re: [GMCnet] Birchaven Sofa [message #210980 is a reply to message #210950] |
Thu, 13 June 2013 13:33 |
Ken Henderson
Messages: 8726
Registered: March 2004
Location: Americus, GA
Karma: 9
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Senior Member |
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After living in the X-Birch with the OEM kitchen-closing queen-sized
slide-out crawl to the rear bath arrangement for four months straight, SHE
declared "NO More!". So I had to replace the two captain's chairs and
dining table I'd added behind the driver with a twin bed/sofa. That
required replacing the too-big LPG tank with a smaller one that allows a
normal seating height (19")
The kitchen bed is now twin width also. Two large trapezoidal profile
bolsters form the backrests on each of the beds. They stand on end on the
engine hatch at night. The kitchen "sofa", because of its height over the
wheel well is really useless to seating, so I left its bolsters at home for
this trip.
Since my floorplan is unique, this arrangement may not work for others; for
us it's nearly perfect.
Ken H.
On Jun 13, 2013 8:36 AM, "Ek_Lektro" <eklektro@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> I'm also looking for a solution on the curbside, Birchhaven...
> and so i'm echoing Guy's request for any options.
>
> I still have the original pull-out wood frame and legs,
> and considering the wheel well and water tank,, there's not much to work
with in this area,
> So i'm not really expecting to find any new "hardware" adaptation
available for this (?)...,
> but in terms of the "soft-ware"... What's the best way to replace the
"folding mattress"
> required for converting from couch to bed? For years we had a futon
mattress, and it was never
> comfortable.
> I'm guessing that the original design might be the best solution,
> and i'm envisioning needing to take 2 pieces of mattress foam, and
upholster them together for the fold.
> But when its folded up like a sofa, there's the inevitable flop down of
the sofa back portion.
> I think the original Birchhaven had a long thin upholstery piece that was
stuffed behind the sofa back
> to deal with this, but not sure...
>
> Any insights appreciated... thanks!
> Greg
>
> >> The curb side sofa in my 76 Birchaven isn't comfortable to sit on as a
> > sofa.
> >> Unfortunately it also isn't too comfortable to lay on as a bed. What
> >> have you all replaced the "mattress" with to fulfill both uses? Has
> >> anyone replaced it with a whole new design? I know that the wheel well
> >> needs to be dealt with, but I'm interested in seeing other's ideas in
this
> > area.
> >>
> >> Thanks,
> >>
> >> Guy in Sacramento
> >> 76 Birchaven
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
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Ken Henderson
Americus, GA
www.gmcwipersetc.com
Large Wiring Diagrams
76 X-Birchaven
76 X-Palm Beach
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| Re: [GMCnet] Birchaven Sofa [message #211211 is a reply to message #210950] |
Sat, 15 June 2013 22:47 |
Joe Weir
Messages: 769
Registered: February 2013
Location: Columbia, SC
Karma: 7
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Senior Member |
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Buy this:
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Mainstays-Mission-Wood-Arm-Futon-Walnut/10794469?findingMethod=rr
Throw away everything but the cushion.
I know you don't like a futon, but isn't that what the original was?
| Ek_Lektro wrote on Thu, 13 June 2013 10:36 |
I'm also looking for a solution on the curbside, Birchhaven...
and so i'm echoing Guy's request for any options.
I still have the original pull-out wood frame and legs,
and considering the wheel well and water tank,, there's not much to work with in this area,
So i'm not really expecting to find any new "hardware" adaptation available for this (?)...,
but in terms of the "soft-ware"... What's the best way to replace the "folding mattress"
|
76 Birchaven - "Wicked Mistress" - New engine, trans, alum radiator, brakes, Sully airbags, fuel lines, seats, adult beverage center... those Coachmen guys were really thinking about us second hand owners by including that beverage center...
Columbia, SC.
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| Re: [GMCnet] Birchaven Sofa [message #211375 is a reply to message #211211] |
Mon, 17 June 2013 12:03 |
Guy Lopes
Messages: 499
Registered: April 2004
Location: Sacramento, CA
Karma: 3
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Senior Member |
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Joe,
I presume that you have one of these? I'm interested. How does it fit the
factory base? Does it flop around? Any mods necessary? Photos of yours
available?
Thanks,
Guy
-----Original Message-----
From: gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org
[mailto:gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of Joe Weir
Sent: Saturday, June 15, 2013 8:48 PM
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Birchaven Sofa
Buy this:
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Mainstays-Mission-Wood-Arm-Futon-Walnut/10794469?f
indingMethod=rr
Throw away everything but the cushion.
I know you don't like a futon, but isn't that what the original was?
Ek_Lektro wrote on Thu, 13 June 2013 10:36
> I'm also looking for a solution on the curbside, Birchhaven...
> and so i'm echoing Guy's request for any options.
>
> I still have the original pull-out wood frame and legs, and
> considering the wheel well and water tank,, there's not much to work
> with in this area, So i'm not really expecting to find any new
> "hardware" adaptation available for this (?)..., but in terms of the
"soft-ware"... What's the best way to replace the "folding mattress"
--
76 Birchaven
Columbia, SC.
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Guy Lopes
76 Birchaven "Orion"
Sacramento, CA
W6TOL
www.GMC-Guy.com
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| Re: [GMCnet] Birchaven Sofa [message #211378 is a reply to message #211375] |
Mon, 17 June 2013 12:25 |
Joe Weir
Messages: 769
Registered: February 2013
Location: Columbia, SC
Karma: 7
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Senior Member |
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Guy,
I don' have much of anything left factory on the inside of my birch, so I cannot say if this will fit. I do not have one, but the more I think about it would be easier than what I was attempting..
On another note,
Have you seen the reverse floorplan birch on fleabay?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Classic-GMC-Motorhome-/261231006883?pt=RVs_Campers&hash=item3cd294d4a3&vxp=mtr#ht_530wt_1064
76 Birchaven - "Wicked Mistress" - New engine, trans, alum radiator, brakes, Sully airbags, fuel lines, seats, adult beverage center... those Coachmen guys were really thinking about us second hand owners by including that beverage center...
Columbia, SC.
[Updated on: Mon, 17 June 2013 12:32] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: [GMCnet] Birchaven Sofa [message #211529 is a reply to message #211422] |
Tue, 18 June 2013 14:53 |
Joe Weir
Messages: 769
Registered: February 2013
Location: Columbia, SC
Karma: 7
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Senior Member |
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That is a slick install, but it still requires clearance under the bed for the flip mechanism.
I'm thinking hinged plywood seat and back board, flat sliders and a latching mechanism. With it laying flat, pick up the hinged backrest and slide the whole thing back until it engages the latch, to make it a couch. The latches hold it upright. Hinged, fold out, supports on the face of the base suport it when down. Top with your favorite futon with matching upholstery color.
Looking for suitable sliders.
What am I missing?
76 Birchaven - "Wicked Mistress" - New engine, trans, alum radiator, brakes, Sully airbags, fuel lines, seats, adult beverage center... those Coachmen guys were really thinking about us second hand owners by including that beverage center...
Columbia, SC.
[Updated on: Tue, 18 June 2013 14:55] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: [GMCnet] Birchaven Sofa [message #211533 is a reply to message #211529] |
Tue, 18 June 2013 15:09 |
werewilfs
Messages: 329
Registered: July 2012
Location: Rappahannock County, VA
Karma: 0
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Please let us know what you find. I can picture exactly what you are talking about.
________________________________
From: Joe Weir <joeweir@gmail.com>
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Sent: Tuesday, June 18, 2013 3:53 PM
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Birchaven Sofa
That is a slick install, but it still requires clearance under the bed for the flip mechanism.
I'm thinking hinged plywood seat and back board, flat sliders and a latching mechanism. with it laying flat, then you pick up the hinged backrest and slide the whole thing back until it engages the latch, to make it a couch. The latches hold it upright. Hinged, fold out, supports on the face of the base suport it when down. Top with your favorite futon with matching upholstery color.
Looking for suitable sliders.
What am I missing?
--
76 Birchaven
Columbia, SC.
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Jared & Stefanie Kohl
Rappahannock County, VA
1973 Painted Desert "Onslow"
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