Casita Liberty twin beds

[Keith Williams]

We now have a 17 ft Liberty Deluxe Casita and I'm designing the mod's for the twin beds and shelves and table. I've seen what Jim & Carol Upton, Maggie & Wes Rudi, and Mike & Lori Sanders did with theirs.

I would love to see some photos of how others of you have modified yours. The recent post here about that Unit on the Florida lot was interesting and kinda spawned this idea of a new thread.

So, let's see what you've done. I'll share my ideas and pictures of what I end up doing.

Thanks,

Keith

[Anne3358]

We have a 2009 Casita Liberty Deluxe and did Ruth and Dan's High Tech Bed Mod. Just returned from a ten day trip and the bed mod is fantastic. Each 'twin bed' is now 30" wide. We purchased a Calif King 4" foam mattress. Cut the mattress (with an electric knife) to the size we need.

Decided on the Calif King because we needed the length. Here are some pictures of Bill making the bed mod.









I downloaded all the info that 'Ruth and Dan' posted about their Mod. Very important is the 3M VHB that was recommended. It cost about $65 with shipping. Bill used clear pine for the extension and then pretty much followed the direction that Dan posted.

Just returned from a trip so the bed has not been put together. Also, we have decided to make a template to 'round' the foam mattress on the right so that it fits better the Casita wall. As soon as we're done I'll post more pictures.

[Keith Williams]

Wow, Anne, that's exactly the kind of info I'm looking for. Great new ideas. Thanks for sharing.

Now, who's next?

EKW

[Patrick M.]

We added 1x10" boards to each side, supported by screw-in legs. The boards are held in place by a few strips of velcro, making them easily removeable This gives about a 30" width to each bed.

I'm think about adding some storage at the end, and if the legs are in the way I'll just move them closer to the front.

Oh, and we have a parrot - it gets the custom table!

[Keith Williams]

Hi again, Anne,

Can you elaborate on the 4" California King Mattress? Was it all Memory Cell foam, or just a 4 ' Topper, or what kind of foam?? I'm not clear on exactly what you bought, and maybe you can share where you bought it, too.

Thanks,

Keith

[Keith Williams]

We added 1x10" boards to each side, supported by screw-in legs. The boards are held in place by a few strips of velcro, making them easily removeable This gives about a 30" width to each bed.

******************

I'm think about adding some storage at the end, and if the legs are in the way I'll just move them closer to the front.

Hi Patrick, thanks for sharing your mods. I hope we get some more. I am designing some shelves for the end, too. Basically, I visualize a "column" up from the floor, with shelves that would hold baskets or pull out drawers of some kind. Wanting to keep added weight to a minimum, I will make them out of 3/8 or 1/2 inch Birch plywood and just design some way, like a net, or something to hold the "baskets" in while traveling. I'm even thinking of a pull-out shelf to provide a table top extension for Laptop or dining or game use. A pair of drawer slide extensions should give enough support, I think.

I'll post whatever I come up with and I welcome your ideas.

Keith

[Keith Williams]

For what is worth, I went over to the Casita Club site and did a search for "Twin Beds" and came up with tons of information. Even some of what has been posted here. So, I think I now have enough ideas to be TOTALLY confused.

Thanks to all who posted here.

Keith

[Anne3358]

Hi again, Anne,

Can you elaborate on the 4" California King Mattress? Was it all Memory Cell foam, or just a 4 ' Topper, or what kind of foam?? I'm not clear on exactly what you bought, and maybe you can share where you bought it, too.

Thanks,

Keith

Here is the link to the Serta Ultimate 4-inch Memory Foam Mattress Topper. We're very happy with the mattress. It did come with the 'foam' smell but after airing it out for a few days the smell has never returned.

I'll take some picture in the morning. It's a very solid foam ..... I would never put this on a reg mattress as a topper, you would need a step stool to get into bed.

[Anne3358]

My husband is a cabinet maker and he used 3/4" clear pine board which weighs less then plywood. He then attached shelf brackets (using the 3M tape) to the Casita bench to help hold up the extension board. Each bed used three brackets which still allows you to store 'stuff' under the extension.

Promise ..... pictures tomorrow.

[Anne3358]

Hi again, Anne,

Can you elaborate on the 4" California King Mattress? Was it all Memory Cell foam, or just a 4 ' Topper, or what kind of foam?? I'm not clear on exactly what you bought, and maybe you can share where you bought it, too.

Thanks,

Keith

Hi Keith;
Here are the pictures I promised.

Three views of the bed:




Another post to follow.

[Anne3358]

View of the brackets holding the extension board.





One more ......

[Anne3358]

View of mattress. It's difficult to photograph a white surface.

[Keith Williams]

Thanks again Anne, Those pictures really help a lot. We are getting close to finalizing our design and I'll be sure and post what we do. I really appreciate your efforts in helping us out.

Looks great!

EKW

[Larry&Carrie]

[quote]View of mattress. It's difficult to photograph a white surface.


Attachment 22619

Now, that's another use for suspenders. And here I thought all along all they were for was to hold my trousers up......

[Anne3358]

Thanks again Anne, Those pictures really help a lot. We are getting close to finalizing our design and I'll be sure and post what we do. I really appreciate your efforts in helping us out.

Looks great!

EKW

You're

[Anne3358]

Now, that's another use for suspenders. And here I thought all along all they were for was to hold my trousers up......

I think they are cheaper then suspenders .... because they are made to hold 'sheets' in place. They work very well after all the mattress is 30" wide and the sheet is 38".

[Patrick M.]

I am designing some shelves for the end, too. Basically, I visualize a "column" up from the floor, with shelves that would hold baskets or pull out drawers of some kind. Wanting to keep added weight to a minimum, I will make them out of 3/8 or 1/2 inch Birch plywood and just design some way, like a net, or something to hold the "baskets" in while traveling. I'm even thinking of a pull-out shelf to provide a table top extension for Laptop or dining or game use. A pair of drawer slide extensions should give enough support, I think.

Yes! Sounds like a plan, and do post your creation!

BTW, check out what this guy did: http://www.casitaclub.com/forums/index.php...&hl=plywood

[Keith Williams]

Thanks Patrick, I had just found that post yesterday and was surprised to see that he had done so much of what I was thinking of. So, when I get done with ours, I'll post it. It will probably be quite a while but, hey, we never stop working on these things do we? Lot's of fun, though. I love "projects".

Later,

EKW

[Keith Williams]

[ATTACH][/ATTACH]
Well, we finally got the twin-bed mod's done, or at least done for now. I'm sure we will make further additions and changes but we are running out of time and energy for now. We are leaving for a trip around the middle of September. We will be at the "NOG" in Oregon so, hopefully, we'll see some of you there.

Anyway, I used some of your ideas and added 6 inch extensions to both sides and attached them with double sticky tape. I used Heavy duty tape that I bought at LOWES for around $5 per roll and we'll see how long it lasts. If the ledges start to come loose on top, I may just run some countersunk sheet metal screws down throught the plywood into the Fiberglass. I'm not too worried about a few little holes in that area. It should always be covered or could be filled in if needed.

We bought a 60 x 80 inch slab of 4 inch open-cell foam and cut & covered mattresses with Denim. Two large cushions 28 x 66 and 2 small, rounded end pieces that were 18 x 28 inches overall. We ordered a 3 inch memory-cell topper to use but our kids ended up with it for their King-size bed. That stuff happens, eh? So, we're going to try just the foam and if needed, we'll get another topper.

I built support brackets out of some 1 inch Alder wood that I had and attached them to the underside of the extensions with 2 inch brads & Titebond Green Glue. I couldn't bring myself to pay 6 bucks each for the metal supports from LOWES.

In case you're interested, the extensions are 6 x 66 inches and the support blocks are 4 x 5 with the angle cut and I double stickied both edges and the entire 66 inch surface of the fiberglass offset ledge .

Pictures are / will be attached and questions and comments are welcomed. I forgot to take a picture of the finished mattresses but will do so soon.

[Patrick M.]

Great job Keith! I'm beginning to like the idea of the taped-on brackets which are off the floor, vs. my posts. May be time for a re-mod!