Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » changing to full rear bed- quick help
| changing to full rear bed- quick help [message #301271] |
Mon, 30 May 2016 08:03  |
lqqkatjon
Messages: 2324
Registered: October 2010
Location: St. Cloud, MN
Karma: 5
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Those that have done this, what thickness of plywood did you use to go across the back? I have a piece of 1/2 " I can use, and we are heading out to run some errands and trying to see if I need to go thicker.
75 palm beach flex steel facing seats. going to remove those and install a full size air bed back there for the wife.
I know there are pictures, but this is a quick request for the wife, and i do not have much time.
Jon Roche
75 palm beach
EBL EFI, manny headers, Micro Level, rebuilt most of coach now.
St. Cloud, MN
http://lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/
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| Re: [GMCnet] changing to full rear bed- quick help [message #301272 is a reply to message #301271] |
Mon, 30 May 2016 08:11  |
Dolph Santorine
Messages: 1236
Registered: April 2011
Location: Wheeling, WV
Karma: -41
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I built a frame from 2 x 4’s that I ripped in half, and some metal “L” brackets and “twist brackets” that I picked up at the local big box store.
Two strips of 1/2” luan completed the job.
Dolph
DE N8JPC
Wheeling, West Virginia
1977 26’ ex-PalmBeach
1-Ton, Sullybilt Bags, Reaction Arms, 3.70 LSD, Manny Transmission, EV-6010
“The Aluminum and Fiberglass Mistress"
> On May 30, 2016, at 9:03 AM, Jon Roche wrote:
>
> Those that have done this, what thickness of plywood did you use to go across the back? I have a piece of 1/2 " I can use, and we are heading out
> to run some errands and trying to see if I need to go thicker.
>
> 75 palm beach flex steel facing seats. going to remove those and install a full size air bed back there for the wife.
>
> I know there are pictures, but this is a quick request for the wife, and i do not have much time.
>
>
> --
> Jon Roche
> 75 palm beach
> St. Cloud, MN
> http://lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/
>
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| Re: changing to full rear bed- quick help [message #301277 is a reply to message #301271] |
Mon, 30 May 2016 09:15 |
Carl S.
Messages: 4186
Registered: January 2009
Location: Tucson, AZ.
Karma: 13
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lqqkatjon wrote on Mon, 30 May 2016 06:03Those that have done this, what thickness of plywood did you use to go across the back? I have a piece of 1/2 " I can use, and we are heading out to run some errands and trying to see if I need to go thicker.
75 palm beach flex steel facing seats. going to remove those and install a full size air bed back there for the wife.
I know there are pictures, but this is a quick request for the wife, and i do not have much time.
Jon,
My PO did that conversion and used 3/4" [lywood. I would think 1/2" would be fine as it is well supported and the span across the center open section is only about 2', maybe less. Plus, the mattress will distribute the weight.
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/g3296-permanent-bed-in-rear.html
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: changing to full rear bed- quick help [message #301287 is a reply to message #301271] |
Mon, 30 May 2016 12:48 |
habbyguy
Messages: 896
Registered: May 2012
Location: Mesa, AZ
Karma: 3
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Here is a link to some photos of the conversion my beloved PO had done... it's a very worthwhile change, with a 52" x 84" (custom) mattress, and a whole lot of new storage (always a good thing), plus room for the relocated electrical stuff, including my inverter, etc.
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/interior/p58402-rear-bedroom-platform.html
I'm never quite sure about getting the links to the gmcphotos website right - different users' photos seem to blend into each others doing it that way... there should be four photos of my coach's bedroom conversion total.
Mark Hickey
Mesa, AZ
1978 Royale Center Kitchen
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| Re: changing to full rear bed- quick help [message #301293 is a reply to message #301271] |
Mon, 30 May 2016 18:15 |
zhagrieb
Messages: 676
Registered: August 2009
Location: Portland Oregon
Karma: 0
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I built storage compartments over the water tank and generator raising the bed about 6 inches. My 1/2" bed platform rests on the edges of these compartments with no other support necessary.
Glenn Giere, Portland OR, K7GAG
'73 "Moby the Motorhome" 26'
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| Re: changing to full rear bed- quick help [message #301306 is a reply to message #301271] |
Tue, 31 May 2016 08:17 |
lqqkatjon
Messages: 2324
Registered: October 2010
Location: St. Cloud, MN
Karma: 5
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Ended up pulling out the flexsteel seats. removing the aluminum mounts for those, then I had some small angle iron, I screwed to each side, and used a 1/2 plywood to fill the gap. I spent $9 on a aluminum C channel for the edge to add support, and it turned out plenty sturdy.
I had wanted to put a full 74" piece down, but when I measured, I could not see how I could get it into the back, without removing a upper cabinet.
We just put a fancy airbed on it now. Will see how that works this upcoming weekend. Thanks for the quick replies, saved me from buying another piece of plywood.
Jon Roche
75 palm beach
EBL EFI, manny headers, Micro Level, rebuilt most of coach now.
St. Cloud, MN
http://lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/
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| Re: changing to full rear bed- quick help [message #301307 is a reply to message #301306] |
Tue, 31 May 2016 08:58 |
Carl S.
Messages: 4186
Registered: January 2009
Location: Tucson, AZ.
Karma: 13
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Senior Member |
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Jon,
I put in a nice foam mattress I got from Overstock.com. It has two 3" pads of differing density, with a 4" memory foam pad on top. It is very comfortable and actually sleeps better than our Select Comfort mattress at home.
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: changing to full rear bed- quick help [message #301308 is a reply to message #301307] |
Tue, 31 May 2016 09:07 |
Carl S.
Messages: 4186
Registered: January 2009
Location: Tucson, AZ.
Karma: 13
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Carl S. wrote on Tue, 31 May 2016 06:58Jon,
I put in a nice foam mattress I got from Overstock.com. It has two 3" pads of differing density, with a 4" memory foam pad on top. It is very comfortable and actually sleeps better than our Select Comfort mattress at home.
The closest one they show right now would be this one:
http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Memory-Foam-5-pound-Density-10-inch-Full-Double-size-RV-Truck-Component-Sleep-System/5129266/product.html?refccid =QLSWAKGCJVA3R3KLN6FULH2CH4&searchidx=32
I don't remember it being quite that expensive though.
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: changing to full rear bed- quick help [message #301309 is a reply to message #301307] |
Tue, 31 May 2016 09:07 |
lqqkatjon
Messages: 2324
Registered: October 2010
Location: St. Cloud, MN
Karma: 5
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Senior Member |
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I am not a fan of the full bed in back, but I was overruled. I do not like climbing over the bed to get to the cabnets, and open/close the curtains and blinds. Like to have that area for seating. This is the wife's idea, and whatever she wants to make herself comfortable. I did tell her originally to get a heavy foam mattress like you described, but she opted for the Air bed. I am also not a fan of airbeds, but this one was on sale for a screaming deal. It is a nice or at least so it seems.
I am sure next will be the mattress, but that is the wife's call.
Jon Roche
75 palm beach
EBL EFI, manny headers, Micro Level, rebuilt most of coach now.
St. Cloud, MN
http://lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/
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| Re: [GMCnet] changing to full rear bed- quick help [message #301316 is a reply to message #301308] |
Tue, 31 May 2016 09:40 |
James Hupy
Messages: 6806
Registered: May 2010
Karma: -62
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We have a 78 Royale that came fitted with two gaucho beds with bunks above
them, as well as the front dinette that converts to a double bed. I am
taller than the gauchos are long, so that rear space went largely unused.
We had a 3" foam pad covered in matching colors that we rolled up during
the day.
I finally decided to convert the gaucho beds to a large queen size bed that
goes port to starboard instead of fore and aft like the gauchos. This
required removal of the cabinet between the gauchos. I built out of 1/2 "
A/C Douglas fir plywood a bed platform height enclosure, for the new
progressive dynamics converter and the 50 amp automatic transfer switch. It
can be accessed either from the top or the front. I screwed white oak rails
to the front of the new enclosure as well as the sides of the gauchos and
cut a piece of 1/2" plywood to fit the space between the gauchos. I had the
upholstery shop make me a foam mattress with matching materials to the
gauchos. We tried it like that for a while, but could feel the seams. So we
ordered a queen sized extra long foam mattress from RV MATTRESS .COM. It
came all vacuum packed with warnings to not open the bindings until the
mattress was in place. That thing opened like an inflatable life raft
inside the coach. Very comfortable. Would do it the same way again. I did
find it necessary to screw down the panel between the gauchos as well as
add a brace, port to starboard, at the fore end of the bed. Crawling over
each other in the night has not been a problem for us newlyweds. Your
experience might vary. (Grin)
Jim Hupy
Salem, Or
78 GMC ROYALE 403
On May 31, 2016 7:08 AM, "Carl Stouffer" wrote:
> Carl S. wrote on Tue, 31 May 2016 06:58
>> Jon,
>>
>> I put in a nice foam mattress I got from Overstock.com. It has two 3"
> pads of differing density, with a 4" memory foam pad on top. It is very
>> comfortable and actually sleeps better than our Select Comfort mattress
> at home.
>
>
> The closest one they show right now would be this one:
>
>
> http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Memory-Foam-5-pound-Density-10-inch-Full-Double-size-RV-Truck-Component-Sleep-System/5129266/product.html?refccid =QLSWAKGCJVA3R3KLN6FULH2CH4&searchidx=32
>
> I don't remember it being quite that expensive though.
> --
> Carl Stouffer
> '75 ex Palm Beach
> Tucson, AZ.
>
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| Re: [GMCnet] changing to full rear bed- quick help [message #301319 is a reply to message #301307] |
Tue, 31 May 2016 10:07 |
Keith V
Messages: 2337
Registered: March 2008
Location: Mounds View,MN
Karma: 0
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Jon,
I have a full rear bed, it uses 3/4 plywood. There is a support, actually the front wall of the underbed storage box, about 18" back from the door, and right at the door I have a 2x4 support to keep it sturdy when you sit on it getting in and out. The 2x4 is supported on the ends. I added the 2x4 cause It bounced a little and I figured it would destroy the plywood sitting my big butt on it.
It's rock solid now.
I covered the wood with some cheap thin carpet to keep the splinters out of the mattress
I have a air mattress back there and we love it. It has a built in pump and has survived 4-5 seasons so far. We do have a mattress pad on it, the vinyl is not the best to sleep against.
>
> Jon,
>
> I put in a nice foam mattress I got from Overstock.com. It has two 3" pads of differing density, with a 4" memory foam pad on top. It is very
> comfortable and actually sleeps better than our Select Comfort mattress at home.
> --
> Carl Stouffer
> '75 ex Palm Beach
> Tucson, AZ.
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
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Keith Vasilakes
Mounds View. MN
75 ex Royale GMC
ask me about MicroLevel
Cell, 763-732-3419
My427v8@hotmail.com
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| Re: changing to full rear bed- quick help [message #301321 is a reply to message #301271] |
Tue, 31 May 2016 10:23 |
lqqkatjon
Messages: 2324
Registered: October 2010
Location: St. Cloud, MN
Karma: 5
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Thanks Keith,
Carpet- that is what we need. we had a bed skirt and our old foam mattress top that we had originally used over the flexsteel seats, that we put over the sections to help protect the air bed from the joints, screw heads, and splinters if there are any. I also see an issue with the heat from the generator now.
We bought an insta-bed from Fleet farm. I had not seen any "full size" airbeds with the built in pump, and this one went on sale at Fleet farm for $69, down from $99. If we keep the airbed thing, I do see the problem of boondocking, and needing to fire the generator for 110v to inflate the bed. I may have to finally force me to do some an inverter installation. I need to check this week on the draw of that pump, and I can always bring one of my smaller inverters and run it off the cigarette plug back there if needed.
Jon Roche
75 palm beach
EBL EFI, manny headers, Micro Level, rebuilt most of coach now.
St. Cloud, MN
http://lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/
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| Re: changing to full rear bed- quick help [message #301338 is a reply to message #301321] |
Tue, 31 May 2016 13:43 |
hal kading
Messages: 642
Registered: February 2004
Location: Las Cruces NM
Karma: 4
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Senior Member |
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Jon,
Have you considered using your 12 volt suspension pump to inflate the bed? Might not be to difficult to plumb in
Hal Kading 78 Buskirk Las Cruces NM
Hal Kading 1978 Buskirk Stretch 502 Las Cruces NM
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| Re: changing to full rear bed- quick help [message #301373 is a reply to message #301271] |
Wed, 01 June 2016 14:39 |
Tony Cook
Messages: 121
Registered: August 2014
Location: Torrance CA
Karma: 0
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just throwing in my 2 cents but why take all the seating out and building a frame,platform etc.? I just folded them down and put a full bed pillow top back there and it works fine. Also I like the idea of keeping the original seating if ever want to go back or future owners. Just wondering why some do the remodel seems like a lot of work to get the same results of just putting a mattress over existing bed plus it can come out and access everything if needed.
Tony Cook
77' Kingsley ' SuperSession 77 '
Torrance Beach,CA
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| Re: [GMCnet] changing to full rear bed- quick help [message #301375 is a reply to message #301373] |
Wed, 01 June 2016 14:55 |
powerjon
Messages: 2446
Registered: January 2004
Karma: 5
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Senior Member |
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Tony,
Having slept on a mattress laid on top of the Davos Seats in the back, it is just not a good base for the mattress! Sleep on that layout for 4 months and then tell me what you think. We tried several layouts in the back including bunk beds, boy that sucked! The ability to gain storage space with the bed conversion is the main reason we and others use the lift up bed. It is best to get what they call a half pillow top mattress which keeps the thickness down from what you get with a full pillow top. Believe me that you're NOT going to turn the mattress once you get in back in the rear area. Your suggestion is not out of line it just that most want to upgrade the coach.
JR Wright
78 Buskirk Stretch
75 Avion
Michigan
> On Jun 1, 2016, at 3:39 PM, Tony Cook wrote:
>
> just throwing in my 2 cents but why take all the seating out and building a frame,platform etc.? I just folded them down and put a full bed pillow top
> back there and it works fine. Also I like the idea of keeping the original seating if ever want to go back or future owners. Just wondering why some
> do the remodel seems like a lot of work to get the same results of just putting a mattress over existing bed plus it can come out and access
> everything if needed.
> --
> Tony Cook
> 77' Kingsley ' SuperSession 77 '
> Torrance Beach,CA
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J.R. Wright
GMC GreatLaker
GMC Eastern States
GMCMI
78 30' Buskirk Stretch
75 Avion Under Reconstruction
Michigan
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| Re: changing to full rear bed- quick help [message #301376 is a reply to message #301271] |
Wed, 01 June 2016 15:17 |
Tony Cook
Messages: 121
Registered: August 2014
Location: Torrance CA
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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Cool just saying what has worked for me we did add some support under the mattress to actually raise it higher to get about level over the linen/laundry cabinet and it helped the bit of taco'ng that maybe is encountered with just a mattress only. I am 6'4" so getting up higher over that ledge made a world of difference can totally stretch out.
Tony Cook
77' Kingsley ' SuperSession 77 '
Torrance Beach,CA
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