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After a January trip to OHIO from Cenral Wisconsin (during which we drove straight into a Blizzard in central Illinois) to pick up our 13' (1986) Burro, we could hardly wait for spring and summer to begin our eggventures. Finally the weather cooperated, the time off from work Gods smiled on us and off we went on our virgin tour in mid-April. We started out small, like the shake down cruise of the SS Minnow and became true fiberglass lovers. We have camped in 100 degree heat and monsoon rains and have loved every minute in our unit. NOW for the question......anyone done any interior modifications concerning the bed area? We have discussed the possibility of expanding the bed area by cutting out 1/2 the closet area and removing the sink and 1/2 of that lower cabinet and making a larger bed platform ( we don't have a need for the table nor have we ever used the sink) and then refiberglassing the area (Making sure the structural integrety is good). I'm nor sure I want to tackle the project by myself without some helpful advice......ANYone done this type of MOD???? Dennis and Michele
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Based on our 1978 13'
Burro (which we no longer own), I think you could do the bed expansion as you state. Both the sink area and the portion of the closet are just extensions of the inner
fiberglass wall, molded to make those units. If you cut them away carefully, you will want to at least put another layer of wall on the inside or you will be looking at the inside edge of the outside fiberglass wall. The sink area is certainly not a load bearing structure so that cutting should be safe. The closet area may need a solid piece (wood probably) inserted at the top of the cut along with extra support from the floor to this piece to brace the closet. Otherwise you may find your roof eventually sagging at that point. I think you could do it with supports added toward the front (hitch end) of the closet and triangular braces holding up the closet floor (the new piece of wood). This should expand your bed by quite a bit - probably around 12'. You can buy a portable sink for those times you need one. The final thing to consider is the resale after you have customized your trailer. If you want to sell it later, some folks may not like the cutting you've done. We cut out a hole in the back wall for a 5000 BTU A-C and the buyers loved it, so do it well and it shouldn't be a problem. You'll love the bigger bed! We have a 16'
UHaul Vacationer and the extra 8" width is positively spacious after our Burro. Good luck!