Making Large Bed Permanent - Fiberglass RV
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Old 07-07-2007, 06:30 PM   #1
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I've read some folks like to do this, and put storage drawers underneath that pull out as well as the compartments. Here's some questions:
Do they regret/miss their table much?
Has anyone ever "double deckered" over their main bed to make a top level bed so they could use the gaucho area for bathroom and still maintain sleeping capacity?
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Old 07-07-2007, 06:43 PM   #2
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I did the front table mod in my 13 and wondered what took me so long to do it..

Never regreted it, gained LOTS of storage, had a comfy place to relax and MUCH less work every nite and morning.
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Old 07-07-2007, 08:04 PM   #3
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I showed my "new to me" trailer to a friend (wearing shorts who is 6'1") and he cut his thigh on the plastic table top squeezing in. I saw a picture of a trailer with this nicely made up bed and a tv hanging off the wall and I thought that looked much more comfy. You can always sit on the edge to eat or develop some tray setup or swing out table top. The storage under the bed would be enormous, especially for canopies, tents, etc.

Quote:
I did the front table mod in my 13 and wondered what took me so long to do it..

Never regreted it, gained LOTS of storage, had a comfy place to relax and MUCH less work every nite and morning.
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Old 07-07-2007, 09:17 PM   #4
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Has anyone ever "double deckered" over their main bed to make a top level bed so they could use the gaucho area for bathroom and still maintain sleeping capacity?
That is exactly what I've been thinking. Wouldn't it be great?! IMHO It really makes a lot of sense and more than just a few people have must have an interest in it. Sure wish new fiberglass manufacturers would offer this as a factory option!
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Old 07-08-2007, 08:04 AM   #5
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Suzanne,

If there is only one that is going to be sleeping in that bed, you could do as I did. I moved the bed back right behind the table pedestal base. It gives me about a 34" bed (which has proved to be ample, a place for storage drawers on each side and a place to put a small free-standing table that I use as a food prep area.

Since this picture was taken, I have added a set of two drawers on the left side. More storage and counter top.

If there is going to be two using the bed, then you could make it more like a gaucho or U shaped dinette where it could be retracted or that section removed during the day.
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Old 07-09-2007, 02:58 PM   #6
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I was thinking a version of this, drawers underneath and poles like the gaucho for a top bunk if needed?

http://www.watsonmountain.com/pics/scamp/drawers.jpg
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Old 07-09-2007, 06:33 PM   #7
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I'm confused. If you're going to have drawers, why do you need poles for a bunk? Do you plan on removing the drawers for sleeping? Where would you store them at that time? Why not just finish the top of the drawers off with a solid piece of some sort and use that as a sleeping platform. Now you have a permanent bunk AND storage.

In the link you provided, I guess you know Nancy and Mike removed the gaucho completely from the 5th wheel and had the drawers (and steps) added permanently. There's no way to go back to a gaucho.
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Old 07-09-2007, 08:54 PM   #8
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The picture is only somewhat depicting of the intended outcome. The bed would be at its current level, with drawers underneath, the proposed (emphasized) double decker would have to be engineered with a platform/poles to be above the current bed. It'd probably not be half as wide as the lower bed. It's an idea born of the limitations of the 13' potential---for me, if you wanted a bathroom where would you put it and not impinge on capacity? And since many people don't like making up/taking down a bed, tah dah. It's in evolutionary thinking-only phase, that's all. Another poster thought of double-deckering too, maybe we'll come up with something.
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I'm confused. If you're going to have drawers, why do you need poles for a bunk? Do you plan on removing the drawers for sleeping? Where would you store them at that time? Why not just finish the top of the drawers off with a solid piece of some sort and use that as a sleeping platform. Now you have a permanent bunk AND storage.

In the link you provided, I guess you know Nancy and Mike removed the gaucho completely from the 5th wheel and had the drawers (and steps) added permanently. There's no way to go back to a gaucho.
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Old 07-10-2007, 02:52 AM   #9
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Suzanne,

In 6 years of having my Scamp the dinette has always been bed, sleeping on the cushions with sheets and comforters. I made a simple pull out tray the width and depth of the foot well area. The tray gives me the latitude of putting whatever I want on it without being constrained to a particular sized drawer or box. I tried all sorts of configurations of storage boxes, they were never the right size.

Over the years I have put a variety of odd sized things on the tray but the one constant has been the porta potty. I made a 3 sided brace the height of the stepup. The brace stores around the porta potty then when in use it is placed on the floor to support the tray. It keeps the tray from tilting when using the PP or accessing other items at the rear of the tray.

Recently, I took the cushions out and made a 6 inch mattress out of 2 inch dense foam and 4 inches of Memory foam. What a difference in having an actual one piece mattress. Much much diffent than sleeping on all those cushions. After getting the new mattress Lily and I slept on for 3 nights. The real test is upcomong this Friday when we head to the Oregon Gathering and on to Vancouver Island before heading home after some 38 days.

I have the couch up front to sit on and have contemplated modifying it into a small dinette like Gina did. And then again I like the couch because I have storage in the center which would be the foot well of a dinette. I kinda of hate to lose that storage but I do like the idea of a small dinette up front. Maybe someday I decide to modify it into a dinette.
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Old 07-10-2007, 09:36 AM   #10
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Thanks Joy, I'm still so new to this but just imagining all the logistics of shifting bedding around, table top rearrangement, cushions, bleigh, and it's all in the category of "wasted motion". I like the tray table idea. Casitas have a corner braced table for TVs that's copy-able.
BATHROOM: I'm thinking with a permanent bed arrangement, you don't need access to the other side of the table and you could bump out the closet area to form a bathroom and put in a shower pan/toilet--small but functional. But, I'm jumping the gun, still have to just get my tires figured out today! There's time to tweak the trailer down the road.
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Old 07-10-2007, 09:23 PM   #11
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Thanks Joy, I'm still so new to this but just imagining all the logistics of shifting bedding around, table top rearrangement, cushions, bleigh, and it's all in the category of "wasted motion". I like the tray table idea. Casitas have a corner braced table for TVs that's copy-able.
BATHROOM: I'm thinking with a permanent bed arrangement, you don't need access to the other side of the table and you could bump out the closet area to form a bathroom and put in a shower pan/toilet--small but functional. But, I'm jumping the gun, still have to just get my tires figured out today! There's time to tweak the trailer down the road.

Keep dreaming. We think it’s time for a shower & more room. I may have to add a foot or two to the Trailmite in order to get what I want, so will buy a white 17 footer and paint it with “Sterling.” in the mean time so we don’t have to stay home in this heat. Have fun at the beach we just may see ya Sunday for breakfast i like briteside brushes well. Lee & Paula
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