| Additional Non-Standard Bed Design Question [message #130978] |
Sun, 19 June 2011 21:57  |
A Hamilto
Messages: 4508
Registered: April 2011
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I haven't opened any cans of worms lately (been busy renovating the hall bathroom) so I guess I will stir the pot a little this evening.
Has anybody ever considered making a set of something like a pair of buddy seats in the front that fold down into a single or double bed?
My 23' supposedly sleeps 4, and that would be enough, but when the dinette is folded (or unfolded) into a double bed, it is really not big enough for any combination of two of my four family members. I am 6'2" and about 275# and both of the boys are not getting any smaller at ages 13 and 14. So the wife and I can't fit on the dinette while the boys sleep in the queen bed in the back, and the boys can't fit on the dinette while the wife and I are in the queen bed in the back. And three of us can't fit in the queen bed. So what can I replace the front seats with that would convert from seats into a single or double bed (and still be safe for driving when configured as seats)?
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| Re: Additional Non-Standard Bed Design Question [message #130981 is a reply to message #130978] |
Sun, 19 June 2011 22:07  |
GeorgeRud
Messages: 1380
Registered: February 2007
Location: Chicago, IL
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I modified the interior of my 26ft. Palm Beach with two jack sofas that can be folded down to make one large sleeping platform (the bottoms butt up to each other when folded down). I haven't had a chance to try it yet, but it seemed like a nice way to handle the problem. You could easily sleep three across on the platform, as well as the double bed in back. You can also just fold one down to make a nice bed, and still have the other couch to sit on.
I'm trying to design a small folding table to use while eating in the coach.
George Rudawsky
Chicago, IL
75 Palm Beach
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| Re: [GMCnet] Additional Non-Standard Bed Design Question [message #130984 is a reply to message #130978] |
Sun, 19 June 2011 22:17 |
Ken Henderson
Messages: 8726
Registered: March 2004
Location: Americus, GA
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Mark,
We haven't had any occasion to use it for some years and I don't think
I have any photos, but for a cockpit bed I found a Coleman folding cot
with a removable center leg. I replaced that leg with one long enough
to reach the floor with the ends of the bed resting on the seats. The
youngsters who used it had no complaints and when I tried my 6'2" 230#
on it, I thought I might survive a night.
Whatever you do there, and with 80" of length you can do plenty,
consider using a removable steering wheel -- it makes the cockpit much
more usable. Apparently neither I nor anyone else has posted photos,
but the Grant 2001 Security System makes that simple. Here's some
info; I can provide detailed instructions for use on the GMC:
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/GRT-2001/
Ken H.
Americus, GA
'76 X-Birchaven w/Cad500/Howell EFI+ & EBL
www.gmcwipersetc.com
On Sun, Jun 19, 2011 at 10:57 PM, A. <mark wrote:
>
>...
> Has anybody ever considered making a set of something like a pair of buddy seats in the front that fold down into a single or double bed?
>...
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Large Wiring Diagrams
76 X-Birchaven
76 X-Palm Beach
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| Re: Additional Non-Standard Bed Design Question [message #130996 is a reply to message #130978] |
Sun, 19 June 2011 23:02 |
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mike miller
Messages: 3576
Registered: February 2004
Location: Hillsboro, Oregon
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| ahamilto wrote on Sun, 19 June 2011 19:57 |
... Has anybody ever considered making a set of something like a pair of buddy seats in the front that fold down into a single or double bed?
My 23' supposedly sleeps 4, and that would be enough, but ...
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1. The cockpit area gets used a LOT more when parked on a 23 foot than a 26.
2. The "sleeps" numbers from the manufactures have always seemed "optimistic." (or for small people who "like" each other.)
Ken has mentioned a cot that can be modified to fit across the front seats. I have seen folding reclining chairs that LOOK like the legs would fit between the seat bases. It the seats where faced inboard and the chair reclined before setting it in place.... it LOOKS like it would work. Someday I'll find someone who has one and borrow it for long enough to test the idea.
Another idea:
I have alway thought that mounting the passenger seat base on slides that would allow it to move over the center hatch, would be one way to make the cockpit into a "bedroom." ie: Face seats inboard and unlatch the slide. Slide the whole seat and base towards the center of the coach until there is enough space to fully recline the passenger seat. Use the driver's seat as a foot rest. (Note: You would need a good way to latch the slides/seat base into position for travel... you wouldn't want a loose seat "squeezing" the passenger against the seatbelt if you have an "incident.")
Mike Miller -- Hillsboro, OR -- on the Black list
(#2)`78 23' Birchaven Rear Bath -- (#3)`77 23' Birchaven Side Bath
More Sidekicks than GMC's and a late model Malibu called 'Boo'
http://m000035.blogspot.com
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| Re: [GMCnet] Additional Non-Standard Bed Design Question [message #131151 is a reply to message #130984] |
Mon, 20 June 2011 19:56 |
A Hamilto
Messages: 4508
Registered: April 2011
Karma: 39
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| Ken Henderson wrote on Sun, 19 June 2011 22:17 |
Mark,
We haven't had any occasion to use it for some years and I don't think I have any photos, but for a cockpit bed I found a Coleman folding cot with a removable center leg. I replaced that leg with one long enough to reach the floor with the ends of the bed resting on the seats. The youngsters who used it had no complaints and when I tried my 6'2" 230# on it, I thought I might survive a night.
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That is something that could work, although "Coleman folding cot" sounds REAL uncomfortable to me. I could see making something that acts kind of like that, only wider and with more of a real mattress. But where to store the mattress? Inflatable would work, but I don't like them. It is hard to stay warm on them.| Quote: |
Whatever you do there, and with 80" of length you can do plenty, consider using a removable steering wheel -- it makes the cockpit much more usable. Apparently neither I nor anyone else has posted photos, but the Grant 2001 Security System makes that simple.
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I figured I would put a cover on it to keep from accidentally hitting the horn while sleeping.
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| Re: Additional Non-Standard Bed Design Question [message #131155 is a reply to message #130978] |
Mon, 20 June 2011 20:15 |
Chr$
Messages: 2690
Registered: January 2004
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
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you could put a bunk across the back above you and the missus, and let the other kid sleep on the dinette.
Another option is to get some conversion seat captains chair quick release bases for your cockpit seats, then pop them out and put a kid up there. I have them on my rear chairs and the floor is flat with them recessed a bit.
My coach came with two sofa's facing each other, but one was the factory bunk bed.
-Chr$: Perpetual SmartAss
Scottsdale, AZ
77 Ex-Kingsley 455 SOLD!
2010 Nomad 24 Ft TT 390W PV W/MPPT, EV4010 and custom cargo door.
Photosite: Chrisc GMC:"It has Begun" TT: "The Other Woman"
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| Re: Additional Non-Standard Bed Design Question [message #131161 is a reply to message #131155] |
Mon, 20 June 2011 20:44 |
John Sharpe
Messages: 489
Registered: February 2006
Location: Texas
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| Quote: |
.......get some conversion seat captains chair quick release bases for your cockpit seats, then pop them out and put a kid up there. I have them on my rear chairs and the floor is flat with them recessed a bit....
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I've got those in my coach. They are Heavy and I have a place to use them in my 26 footer. Don't know if you will have space in your 23. An extra long twin mattress fits nicely and could be carried on top of your 'queen' while in transit. Or the air mattress option.
John Sharpe
Humble,TX
'78 Eleganza TBI
'89 Spectrum 2000 MPI V-10
'40 Ford Panel Delivery TPI
johnasharpe@gmail.com
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| Ultra Van (was: Additional Non-Standard Bed Design) [message #131208 is a reply to message #131203] |
Tue, 21 June 2011 05:56 |
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mike miller
Messages: 3576
Registered: February 2004
Location: Hillsboro, Oregon
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Did you see on "real page" 30/31 (16 on the PDF) that they came with "ULTRA Pumps".... a Macerator!
Now that is ahead of it's time!
Mike Miller -- Hillsboro, OR -- on the Black list
(#2)`78 23' Birchaven Rear Bath -- (#3)`77 23' Birchaven Side Bath
More Sidekicks than GMC's and a late model Malibu called 'Boo'
http://m000035.blogspot.com
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| Re: [GMCnet] Additional Non-Standard Bed Design Question [message #131357 is a reply to message #131152] |
Tue, 21 June 2011 20:06 |
Sandra Price
Messages: 709
Registered: May 2006
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Mike, when we drove to AK in '05, we took our daughter's tent for them to
use when they joined us. Since they like tenting, it worked well. They
just went to the UPS store, bought a box, packed and shipped tent back home
before they flew back. Sandra Price
On Jun 20, 2011 7:58 PM, "Mike Miller" <m000035@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>
> ahamilto wrote on Mon, 20 June 2011 17:49
>> GeorgeRud wrote on Sun, 19 June 2011 22:07
>> > I modified the interior of my 26ft. Palm Beach with two jack sofas that
can be folded down to make one large sleeping platform ...
>>
>>
>> I would need to see a drawing or something. The dinette in mine ...
>
>
> You are talking apples and oranges. A 26 FOOT coach with two facing
couches, and a 23 FOOT coach with a dinette on one side and the door and
kitchen across from it.
>
> But you could put a one of the couch/bunk bed set ups in the 23.
>
> Another option would be to carry a tent. :twisted:
> --
> Mike Miller -- Hillsboro, OR -- on the Black list
> (#1)'73 26' exPainted D. -- (#2)`78 23' Birchaven Rear Bath -- (#3)`77 23'
Birchaven Side Bath
> http://m000035.blogspot.com
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| Re: [GMCnet] Additional Non-Standard Bed Design Question [message #131368 is a reply to message #131357] |
Tue, 21 June 2011 20:47 |
Ken Henderson
Messages: 8726
Registered: March 2004
Location: Americus, GA
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During our 2000 trip to AK, we met a GMC family at Denali (they were
beside the road with a busted water heater hose). Man, wife, DIL, 3
grandkids. They told us about expecting the other 6 members of the
family to arrive the next day with tents, etc.
Two days later we saw them again in Fairbanks. The tents got lost and
they'd slept all 12 in the GMC! Darned if I know how anyone got ANY
sleep. :-)
Ken H.
On Tue, Jun 21, 2011 at 9:06 PM, Sandra Price <bsprice9359@gmail.com> wrote:
> Mike, when we drove to AK in '05, we took our daughter's tent for them to use when they joined us...
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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] Additional Non-Standard Bed Design Question [message #132133 is a reply to message #132131] |
Sun, 26 June 2011 18:53 |
tphipps
Messages: 3005
Registered: August 2004
Location: Spanish Fort, AL
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Buy the boys their "own" tent and let them sleep outside. Use the coach for their comfort, and rainy days.
Or, get a small folding tent trailer and tow it behind the coach for the boys.
Get a 26' and be done with it.
3 ideas and none of them really great.
Tom Phipps,
MS II - sleeps only 2.
2012 Phoenix Cruiser model 2552
KA4CSG
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