New bed mechanism

[cabezon23]

It's not even two weeks ago that Ben installed my new Bobcat on my (really short bed) Tacoma, and I already had to take the bed apart.
What I didn't like is two things:
- the wasted space between the bed and the window
- the space between the kitchen cabinet and bed is way to narrow to pass through

So, this is the first prototype of my new bed mechanism. We just took the camper to Key West over the weekend and it works just great. The four of us slept very comfortable (five with the dog) in the Bobcat.

 

[cabezon23]

Above are the pictures I took from my bed mods. The first pic is from the original setup, the rest are the modifications I did.
This is still a prototype, but it works. One additional benefit I see is the increased storage space if you leave the bed setup. The space is almost doubled compared to the original setup.
Here is the second set of pics:

 

[cabezon23]

This is what I still have to do to this setup:

- connect the backrest to the board with hinges
- connect the backrest with a zipper to the seat cushions
- change the regular piano hinges for spring loaded piano hinges like the ones from the roof mechanism

This way I would only have to pull up on the seat cushions and the boards would spring into place.

 

[erod]

looks cool, interested to hear how it holds up...congrats on the new camper...looks like you got some great features...keep us up to date on your progress...cheers

 

[Brian]

Bed....

That looks like a really nice solution to your issue. Now once you get it finished you better have a conversation with Tomas (I think it was) who found that his interpersonal bedboard antics caused a catastrophic collapse of his couch/bed. He won't get too graphic online but maybe a PM to him about it would be in order!
Brian

 

[DLN]

cabezon,

Very slick setup, nice work. For those of us with the new FWC couch set up it won't apply but still a great idea for those who can use it.

 

[cabezon23]

Just to let you know, it's still working great

looks cool, interested to hear how it holds up...congrats on the new camper...looks like you got some great features...keep us up to date on your progress...cheers

Just to let you all know, the couch mod is still working great without any incidents.
It takes less than 5 seconds to convert the couch to a bed and about 15 seconds to return to couch.

Now I guess it's time for a new mod, but still don't know what

 

[Tomas Tierra]

Cab,
Now that's a creative solution to the problem(s) with the lower bed.Question is,how will it hold up when activities other than sleep are engaged?? THis is what brought about my need for the mod I'm doing, untimely collapse..

A man needs a solid work bench!

 

[b team]

Nice job and interesting solution

 

[cabezon23]

There is nowhere to go

This bed mechanism has been extensively tested by the toughest professional testers I could get. My 2 and 10 year old kids. Jumping from the cab over bed onto the lower bed, bouncing around etc, it still survived.
There is as far as I can see nowhere to go for the support boards. The horizontal board (1) with the two hinges gives support to the backrest and the seat cushions. This board itself is supported by the center support (2). The center support is held in place first by the spring loaded hinges and by some stoppers in the front wall and underneath the horizontal board. These stoppers also prevent the back rests to go completely vertical in the couch position, which for me makes it much more comfortable. The outer support board (3) is also held in place by the spring loaded hinges on one side, stoppers on the front wall and underneath the seat cushions.
The seat cushions and the back rest are sewn together with a piece of fabric. This way they won't separate during the night when you toss and turn, or have your kids bouncing around.
I had at the beginning two sliding bolts going into the front wall for security, but the boards where not moving at all so I took them out again.

 

[pvstoy]

Hi Cabezon23,

I like your solution and what you did to make a nice bed. It looks stout and sounds like you had professional testers.

One Question I have with this set up is how do you handle getting stuff out of storage that is under the couch? I see that you have split bottom pads that allow you to only have to lift one side and not the whole length.

In the picture below I can only see that you have to remove both bottom pads and then lift up both long wood supports. Is this how you do it? If you have stuff stored under there that you can live without then that would be great.

Just curious if you had pre planed for that or for you, this is not a big deal (would rather have a cool bed for the kids).

 

[cabezon23]

Access to storage

pvstoy, the two support boards pop up now by them selfs as I used at the end spring loaded hinges (Ben from ATC sent them) like the ones for the roof mechanism.

To access the storage area I just have to lift up both seat cushions, the boards pop up and the access is open.

Once the bed is set up you can just lift one of the seat cushions to have access below.