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Where to put the "head of the bed"

PostPosted: Sun Oct 18, 2009 1:40 am
by eamarquardt
I have been thinking "outside the box" once again and have had a "eureka" moment. Most people seem to put the head of the bed at the front of the trailer. As most trailers have a curve there this may affect one's ability to have nice headroom when sitting up. If you have the head against the rear bulkhead (assuming your galley doesn't intrude into the sleeping area) you have nearly the full height of the tear to work with. In addition, baring suicide doors, It seems to me that the opening of the door will be a more natural motion (pushing the door open rather than trying to fold the door behind you) making egress a bit easier.
Also, putting the usual shelves over the area of the feet will now be more forward in the trailer and perhaps provide a bit better weight distribution. As I intend to only store clothes and sleeping items in these shelves, the weight won't be significant it will be more "balanced". Also if I mount an air conditioner in the "foretriange" it will be easy to plumb the air intake/exhaust over the feet which I think is more desirable than having it right near your head. Any thoughts?

PostPosted: Sun Oct 18, 2009 8:18 am
by Arne
both of mine have 'head to back' as I wanted dog space in the front so the dogs would not walk over the pillow area of my bed. Also, the dog space gives me some foot room for getting dressed, and a place near the door to put shoes (in the dog space on rubber mats).

Turns out the dogs sleep on the foot of the bed, anyway, but it still works the way I wanted. All sand is no where near the pillows. Head room is not an issue, and I have 2 windows on each side, one in the door, and one by my head.

I think the traditional tear is head to front so the galley can extend further into the sleeping area, But my galley wall is vertical with no intrusion into the living space.

PostPosted: Sun Oct 18, 2009 9:45 am
by bobhenry
Our tear is head to galley wall also. I can tuck my feet under the front cabinet and there is an added benefit with the cabinets in the front I can simply reach in and get what I want or change a radio station without getting it. We generally toss our shoes to the outside edge under the cabinet as well and they are at the ready as you set in the doorway ready to hop out.

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Yep it is a fireplace mantle for a headboard. It was in the rafters in the garage for 3 years.

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PostPosted: Sun Oct 18, 2009 10:37 am
by willik
My galley is straight wall and my a/c is on the front bottom. I put my head at the galley end because I need an ever so slight downward slant on the front for A/C drainage. It is just enough to keep me from getting a good night's sleep when my head is pointed down.

I'm not crazy after all

PostPosted: Sun Oct 18, 2009 10:53 am
by eamarquardt
Seems like my "eureka" moment has been experienced by others before me. Thanks for confirming my thoughts. Not a common experience for me, ha.

Cheers,

Gus

PostPosted: Sun Oct 18, 2009 4:13 pm
by Shadow Catcher
Our grass hopper design is with the head of the bed in the rear, the head board is actually the cabinet that contains the fresh water tank and pump. by lowering the tongue jack a three point leveling is possible. Nancy says it is however a bit inconvenient to make the bed as doors are in the front (windows on both sides near the head of the bed).

PostPosted: Tue Oct 20, 2009 8:59 am
by aggie79
We are building ours in the conventional manner. To provide for sitting headroom clearance, we have a front headboard cabinet. The face frame of the cabinet is angled to provide a comfortable seating position. You can see the layout in the dado on the sidewall.

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Tom