pull-out bed thoughts

[navigator]

Since my Scotty is down to a frame, I'm looking at rebuilding not as a Scotty. I am thinking on making the bed pull out from the front, so I can put a galley in the rear. One of the rules I have to work with is keeping the sides solid. I have two basic types of pull-out ideas:

1. The slide out seals to the body when closed, then pulls out as a unit to open. Roof is part of the pull-out.
~ concern - sealing when closed



2. The other has a hatch/lid that lifts up, then the pull-out pulls out. The lid would be on struts to hold itself open while the bed is moved in or out, and the lid latches to the pull-out to become the roof. Roof overhangs sides and slopes to help with waterproofing.
~ concern - water-tightness of hinge when open.

Here is a Sketchup of it, in which you can see how the lid raises to become a roof. On the right, the pull-out is out about six inches.



Both techniques allow quick open/close procedures, and can be done in the rain with minimal concern about getting the inside wet. The second one actually works better in that regard, since a wet roof would not be pushed into the body.With either plan, the bed is really not usable in the closed position, which is OK with me, since this is a camping trailer, not a travel trailer. Let me know what your thoughts are about which is easier to build and seal.


Thanks!

[aggie79]

I don't think the one on the left will work. In the closed position, it seems to block entry to the door.

As far as the one on the right, you the hinging "roof" probably doesn't need to be as deep as the height of the extension. I would just make it slightly longer than the extended length. This "roof" would also help act as a rain gutter to divert water coming off the rest of the travel trailer.

[grant whipp]

Nav.!

I like your second idea better (looks very cool and well thought-out!). For the hatch/lid hinge, just use the "hurricane-type" and you'll be good!

Looking forward to seeing this worked out and put "into the flesh" as it were. As always, then ...

CHEERS!

Grant

[fornesto]

Don't be afraid to put some swing down legs on the slide-out or a mechanism to connect down to the tongue. This will greatly reduce your engineering of the slide-out. Think of how the tent trailers work.

[Mark & Andrea Jones]

It would be a shame to lose all the space for storage while traveling.

Here's a thought. Have the side pieces fold down on top of each other, then have the front piece fold down on top of the side pieces. Then put a strap across the lot. The bottom piece (with all the folded pieces strapped down) can be folded up underneath of the overhead piece. Sorry, I can't draw it out too well.

That way, all the sides are vertically held and they don't impact the interior space (much) for storage while traveling. Only problem is that unless the sides are of ultra-lightweight stuff, it won't be easy to lift to fold up.

Andrea.

[navigator]

A few more details...

The bed is meant to be lengthwise, so no crawling over your spouse. The pull-out only extends half the length of the bed, so when extended the bed starts at the edge of the door, meaning there is not so much to support outside. But yes, there will be support poles at each corner, bracing to the tongue like a pop-up does.

When closed, the side walls will clear the doorway except for a bit of the top corner, so it would still be easy to stow stuff inside. It would not be possible to walk in, though, as the mattress will be across the middle of the door.

In the drawing above, the trailer on the right has the pull-out just starting to extend, it will end up looking like the one on the left when fully extended.

Wasn't sure if the hurricane hinge would still seal properly when the lid was opened. That would be the preferred way to attach the lid, certainly. Then good gaskets and latches would seal up the sides when closed (and open...).

I want the box to be a one-piece affair (except the roof), better for sealing and easier to set up. There likely will be windows in the sides, too. Another 'feature' is that the solid lid acts as a stone shield for the pull-outs' front window.

Here is a view of the pull-out box:

[grant whipp]

... It would not be possible to walk in, though, as the mattress will be across the middle of the door.

Why not think about a two-piece mattress & bed "floor"? 1/2 of the "floor" would fold in on itself with the bed cushions/mattress stacked on top ... when you slide out the slide out, fold the "floor" out and set up the cushions. That way you'll keep full access to the interior while on the road, and in an emergency, you could still crawl up onto the stacked cushions and take a quick snooze ... ... (plus, you'll keep relatively easy access to what is underneath the bed when the unit is closed up!)

Wasn't sure if the hurricane hinge would still seal properly when the lid was opened. That would be the preferred way to attach the lid, certainly...

The only way a "hurricane hinge" will leak in your proposed open position is if you've got a 60 mph wind blowing the rainwater up the slope of that roof ... and if that's the case, you'll have more to worry about than a leaky hinge ... ...!

There likely will be windows in the sides, too ...

I was going to suggest that, but I see you've got it covered ... ... what I will suggest, however, is that you make them the same size as as the front side windows already in the camper's walls, and mount them so that they line up with each other when the slide-out is slid in ...

This modification is perfectly do-able! And, there are slides out there that will let you do it without any additional supports down to the tongue. Good Luck with it, and as I said before, I'll be looking forward to its completion! As always, then ...

CHEERS!

Grant

[navigator]

...there are slides out there that will let you do it without any additional supports down to the tongue.

I've been designing various ways to do this, what do you have in mind?

One of the objectives is to have a "real" mattress, which rules out folding or split types. Doesn't it? Or do they sleep as well as "real" ones?

[grant whipp]

...there are slides out there that will let you do it without any additional supports down to the tongue.

I've been designing various ways to do this, what do you have in mind?

I use full-extension file-cabinet type slides for my stove drawers and ice-chest slide-outs, and my supplier has some with unbelievable weight-ratings ... let me check it out tomorrow and see what I can find ...

One of the objectives is to have a "real" mattress, which rules out folding or split types. Doesn't it? Or do they sleep as well as "real" ones?

I've slept on cushions that I thought were more comfortable than "real" mattresses, and I've also slept on some mighty fine futons (have you thought about a futon?), so I guess it really depends on how you rate their overall comfort. One of the challenges with split mattresses/cushions is keeping them together so they don't feel like split cushions, but if you've got a halfway competent upholsterer (IMHO), it really isn't much of a challenge.

Like I said, I think this is a great modification (one that might end up being copied many times, BTW) to a truly classic little trailer, and I'd hate to see you sacrifice full, unobstructed access to the interior. So, to paraphrase the intro to the Six Million Dollar Man: you can do it ... the technology is out there!

I'll try to get back to you on those slides before I head out to Dillon Beach, Friday morning, for the Cam's C5XII gig. 'Til then ...

CHEERS!

Grant

[GregB]

Here are some slides rated to 1,000 lbs. Look at the Super Slides.

http://www.kwikee.com/hdslide.html

GB

[grant whipp]

... I'll try to get back to you on those slides before I head out to Dillon Beach ...

O.K.,Nav.!

Check out Austin Hardware's selection of full-extension heavy duty sliders, model DSS43 (and maybe DSS28?) ... there are a couple of pair that have 40" and 47" extensions that have a weight-rating of 1,038# ...! While you are in there, have a look at some of the other sliders ... you might find something you like better.

Now, I haven't checked out their website, but my supplier is a direct competitor of Austin, and part numbers for a lot of their stuff are identical. You'd also do better dealing directly with Austin ... by the time you paid to have me order them and then ship them to you, you'd be paying substantially more. Of course, if Austin doesn't have them ... ...

CHEERS!

Grant

[navigator]

Thanks for the links, but those seem mighty high-tech (and high-priced) for me. Austin's super slides are $1+ per rated pound (1,000lb = $1,000). I'm thinking more along the lines of home-made, like the one used for a pull-out kitchen here: http://www.campertrailers.org/ians_kitchen.htm

Just to see what can be done, here's a real nice Aussie slide-out bed (in a motorhome), made by Allisee...

[navigator]

Have done a lot more sketchuppin' on the pull-out bed design, and have something I really like. A real, full-size mattress, height to stand, a galley, lots of inside and outside storage, lots of water, and not too complicated to build. Take a gander...

A 3/4 view of the basic shape. A lot of Scotty still in the profile, and that dropped floor.



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A look at the galley end. No cabinets, just shelves with dividers. The countertop flips down, and a faucet goes on the left side, with a plastic tub for a sink stored under it. The large opening under the galley is intended for a Drifta-type pull-out kitchen box, which can be set up as freestanding, or left semi-attached to the trailer. Or it could be used as cooler storage (on a pull-out). Large water tanks are over the axle.



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Here you see the counter folded up, and the side is hidden so the interior layout can be seen. The bed is in the retracted position, and note that its side walls clear the door, so the bed could be used. There are several shelves without doors, just cargo nets to secure contents (clothes). The large space under the bed is for chairs and other outdoor-type stuff, and will have a pull-out tray so there'll be no digging into the bowels of the trailer.



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Here the bed is pulled out. This is done by lifting the front lid, and pulling on the bed assembly, which is mounted on rollers. Not sure yet if a support will be needed to the tongue. A porta-potty sits on the wall opposite the door, for nite-time convenience.



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A closer look at the bed slides, crown rollers. After much searching, found them at Pacific Bearing,
http://www.pacific-bearing.com/CamRollerTechnology.aspx

Detailed page (PDF):
http://www.pacific-bearing.com/assets/0 ... d5e94a.pdf



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Feedback please! Especially on the galley. Let me know if this looks like a usable plan. The intention is not to cook at the rear of the trailer so much as to have easy access to food and supplies. Cooking will be done on a free-standing table. The twin propane tanks are so one can be removed for the stove (the other is for the water heater). And the pull-out clears the tanks!

Just bought a great old commercial gas griddle, 36" wide. Really great for pancakes and bacon, but it weighs around 200lbs. May be too heavy to include, but it was irresistable!

How does the axle placement look? It's 44" from the rear of the 123" body, which I believe works out to 36%. The galley will be heavy, what with all that cast iron the chef likes... I took about six inches off the rear, and added a few to the front, to make the bed clear the door. Currently about 12.5' long overall. Due to the dropped floor, only a torsion axle will work, and I designed for a 22.5 degree down angle.

Thanks!

-Leonard

[bgordon]

Leonard,

That looks great! Wow, you will be having a LOT of space in that galley!

At 36% the placement of the axle seems to be spot on, seeing that you have the large galley. But you know that already...

How tall is the trailer from the ground? From measuring with my eye on your pics it should be somewhere in the 6 foot 6 inches (2m) range, not so?

Anyway, I can't find fault with your design. In fact, it looks excellent!

Barrie

[Miriam C.]

Looks good but I agree with Grant about the Mattress. There are some wonderful ways to get comfort and still fold. Why give up usable space traveling if you don't need to.

Have you looked at salvage slide parts. Might save lots of money if you could find one.