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05-08-2016, 05:48 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Trailer: Bigfoot 17 ft 1992 / Chevrolet S10 4.3L.
Posts: 146
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Bigfoot gaucho bed modification
I have a Bigfoot 1992 17 foot gaucho model and the bed was to small,
I decided to change to have a larger bed without really changing anything
I enlarged the moving surface while leaving access to the toilet, put a thicker mattress.
In large cushions are blankets and pillow
Now I have a 50-inch bed in place of 42
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05-08-2016, 06:44 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Name: Jon
Trailer: 2008 Scamp 13 S1
Arizona
Posts: 11,925
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That is a really elegant solution to a problem many have raised! Beautifully executed, too. Thanks for sharing.
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05-08-2016, 09:03 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Name: Kathy
Trailer: 2017 Escape 19
Washington
Posts: 600
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Oh, nicely done. We've given much thought as to how to improve the sleeping arrangements on our Bigfoot. In the end we decided to order a new Escape 19! We'll continue to use our Bigfoot with its original layout until our new trailer is ready (not until Jan. 2017), but I'm going to bookmark this post. When we sell our trailer this would be a good post to share with prospective buyers. Thanks.
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05-08-2016, 09:48 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Name: Jack L
Trailer: Sold the Bigfoot 17-Looking for a new one
Washington
Posts: 1,561
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A very good idea and quality workmanship/
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05-08-2016, 10:48 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Name: Walter
Trailer: 2017 Escape 17B
SW Virginia
Posts: 2,254
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Excellent mod. Makes me wish I had a Gaucho instead of Center Bath.
How about sharing how you configured the support.
Walt
__________________
Past owner of 1995 13' Casita, 1994 16' Casita, 2012 Parkliner, 2002 17' Bigfoot.
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05-08-2016, 11:04 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Trailer: Bigfoot 17 ft 1992 / Chevrolet S10 4.3L.
Posts: 146
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For the new mobil part , i cut new plywood with the 8 inch extention with a cut for opening the bathroom door
In close position , i make a wood frame to support the part with 2 legs
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05-08-2016, 11:09 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Trailer: Bigfoot 17 ft 1992 / Chevrolet S10 4.3L.
Posts: 146
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That is the support bed in close position
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05-08-2016, 11:13 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Name: Walter
Trailer: 2017 Escape 17B
SW Virginia
Posts: 2,254
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Thanks. Quite attractive as well as functional.
Walt
__________________
Past owner of 1995 13' Casita, 1994 16' Casita, 2012 Parkliner, 2002 17' Bigfoot.
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05-08-2016, 10:40 PM
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#9
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Member
Trailer: 2008 Bigfoot 25FB trailer
Posts: 83
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Nice job on the bed modification, we have an 05 17.5 gaucho very similar to yours, my wife wanted to leave the bed out all the time.
My approach was to take down the bathroom door and replace it with a bi fold door made to match. Local cabinet door company made the same size door in 2 panels, I stained and used satin poly, added brass piano hinges on the back it folds out of the way while allowing full access, we have a maxx aire fan in the bathroom and needed a way to have the door open and out of the way when using the fan for ventilation. I am still thinking on a door latch as the original is too bulky and gets in the way. The photos were upright in my phone! I am not sure how to fix it.
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05-08-2016, 11:16 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Name: Daniel A.
Trailer: Bigfoot 17.0 1991 dlx
British Columbia
Posts: 741
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Fixed your photo.
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05-09-2016, 01:33 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Name: Alan & Barb
Trailer: Bigfoot 25RQ
Washington
Posts: 180
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Bigfoot Gaucho Mod
We have a 2005 17.5G also and find the bed a bit narrow. To test a solution, I cut a piece of 1/2" plywood to 15"X 35" to fit the gaucho's end cushion. This goes next to the extended gaucho at the end away from the bathroom. I put a lip on the underside and use quick clamps to anchor it to the gaucho. It's supported by 2 "X's" made of square pieces of MDF notched in the middle to fit together. The thought was we would have a sturdy platform using an existing cushion and that could knock down flat for storage. Total cost is $0. In practice (1 night so far) it works well but does restrict bathroom access a bit. The bifold door idea has a huge appeal and would be a simple change. I'd even considered reworking the existing door.
I don't have photos but can take some if anyone wants to see.
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05-16-2016, 10:22 PM
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#12
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Member
Name: Hillary
Trailer: 2008 Bigfoot 25B17.5G
Washington
Posts: 62
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What a great way of doing it, and it also expands the (dog) seating area! Do you sleep with heads or feet at the narrow end? My husband and I just bought a 2008 17.5g, we don't even pick it up until next week, and this might make all the difference for us. We are moving to the Bigfoot from a 2005 Escape 17b, because we have five dogs and it was priced very well. Definitely something to think about after we've taken it out camping a few times!
__________________
Hillary & Jeff
Camping with the sighthound variety pack and leaving 4 cats at home
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05-17-2016, 01:47 AM
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#13
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Member
Name: ChrisAnn
Trailer: 2004 Bigfoot 17CB
Florida
Posts: 50
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@Hillary, have you sold your escape yet?
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05-17-2016, 04:09 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Trailer: Bigfoot 17 ft 1992 / Chevrolet S10 4.3L.
Posts: 146
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We sleep head in the wider, feet need less space than the shoulder
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05-17-2016, 06:44 AM
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#15
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Senior Member
Name: Walter
Trailer: 2017 Escape 17B
SW Virginia
Posts: 2,254
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Alan. Pictures would be welcome, thanks.
Walt
__________________
Past owner of 1995 13' Casita, 1994 16' Casita, 2012 Parkliner, 2002 17' Bigfoot.
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05-17-2016, 09:22 AM
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#16
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Senior Member
Name: Alan & Barb
Trailer: Bigfoot 25RQ
Washington
Posts: 180
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We also sleep with feet toward the narrow end for the same reason.
Walt, I'll post photos later today.
Alan and Barb
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05-17-2016, 01:51 PM
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#17
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Member
Name: Hillary
Trailer: 2008 Bigfoot 25B17.5G
Washington
Posts: 62
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Heads up makes sense to me, but our feet get crowded with dogs so I was undecided
No the escape isn't sold yet, since we don't even have the BF home yet, but we have a close friend interested in it and every time I mention it anywhere I get asked so I expect it will go quickly!
__________________
Hillary & Jeff
Camping with the sighthound variety pack and leaving 4 cats at home
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05-25-2016, 04:34 AM
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#18
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Senior Member
Trailer: Bigfoot 17 ft 1992 / Chevrolet S10 4.3L.
Posts: 146
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Modification test
After an output of 4 days, the change is marvelous. I had already put a foam on small bench but it was moving it was bulky. Now it's really a big comfortable bed with 6-inch foam.
And the day is when the bed is closed it is really a beautiful space to relax
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05-25-2016, 12:34 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Name: Francois
Trailer: Bigfoot
British Columbia
Posts: 1,163
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nice mods...both....
if I had a G I'd be tempted....great solutions both...because let's face it 41" ain't no "double" no matter what the brochure says.....LOL
but I noticed in the pictures.....something that used to get on my nerves and that I have dealt with....easily....and that's the shower curtain storage in the BF wet bath...
storing it by the toilet is obvious at first but it's all crumpled up at that end, is in the way of the toilet and when deployed never hangs straight....(sound familiar?)
I store it other end....after buying any old shower curtain cut it exactly in half (now you got another one for next time)....install two 1/4" screweyes (?) in the corner (not in the FG)... a length of 1/4" bungy cord....add a little suction cup....loosen the bathroom light and slip the end of the curtain behind it and tighten back up again.....
now the curtain will always lie flat against the bathroom wall (no more crumples, be out of the way from the toilet and hang perfectly straight when deployed)
very simple but a vast improvement over storing it opposite side....and you can trim the bottom of the curtain to fit the bulge created by the holding tank at the far end for a perfect fit...again so it always hangs STRAIGHT down
I love that wet bath.....I'm surprised they haven't come up with the same idea...a little larger for small apartments....sure is a snap to keep clean...
after preview...in the pictures....the wire coming out of the top of the light powers a computer fan in the hatch...(when the light is on so's the fan)...the white pipe near the floor is the rerouted heat duct that used to come out under the dinette seat....my door is turned upside down (so it opens the other way)....and I removed the door catch (hinges are spring loaded anyways)...a small bungy keeps the door secured for travel
happy trails F
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05-31-2016, 05:47 PM
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#20
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Junior Member
Name: James
Trailer: Bigfoot B-17G
New Brunswick
Posts: 5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Yvon Chayer
For the new mobil part , i cut new plywood with the 8 inch extention with a cut for opening the bathroom door
In close position , i make a wood frame to support the part with 2 legs
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Hello!
This looks like the solution to our problem! We just bought a 93 17 ft Bigfoot, after travelling in a Toyota Sunrader motorhome (fiberglass) for the last 8 years. I am 6'5" and love the height in the Bigfoot, but was concerned about the bed size. I love your idea, but don't quite have my head around how you did the carpentry. Would you be so kind as to post a picture of your handywork without the cushions on it. I think this will be my first project once I get this trailer home.
Thanks,
James
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