Bench seat that folds into a bed?
- Thread starter Fergie
- Start date
There are 2 and 3 piece models available, for the tall guys like me I'd recommend looking for the 3 piece setup for the extra length. I found one that matches the buckets perfectly but its on the other side of the country, gotta find one closer
I've seen bi-fold and tri-fold seats mentioned on sites but have seen few examples or dimensions listed. I think even the tri-fold alone is too short for a tall adult. I know options from Discount Van Truck have varying widths that are bi-fold with a flat dimension of 48". I would need to build a platform in the rear of the van that would match the flat height to create a fullsize bed (54"x75"). This may not be all bad as that would give me a shelf for increased storage when it isn't a bed. I think this is what Pleasure-Way does on their Traverse model - link. I would need to see one in person to confirm.
RocKrawler
Supporting Sponsor
And I need tan, let me know if you decide to sell it (before the insurance settlement!)
loren85022
Explorer
Seat/Bed
I found my rear bed on Craigs List. It had never been installed. i got it for $350. We now have it in our 2008 E-150.
In the photo you can see the wheelchair lift at left. I installed an onboard air tank below, and later added a 3rd air connector just behind the lift. Its ideal for blowing out the van and keeping wheelchair tires inflated.
The bed is installed at or very near where the original 3rd seat installed. I originally bolted directly to the floor. The problem with this came when we created the bed you had to remove quite a bit of stuff in the back. So I removed the bed and added some 2x2" sq tubing to lift the seat a bit. This made for a nice compartment underneath and allows us to leave some things behind the bed. The switch to run bed is on the wheelchair lift and runs of the aux battery. The seat belts tend to get lost when you raise the bed to a couch so its good to have switch near the bed so you can keep'em in order with one hand while operating. Raising the seat did reduce the view out rear view mirror a bit I still enough.
The bed is 5'8"-sorta. For comfort we tend to get the bootie right in the middle section. So our pillows dont line up. I'm 5'9" and my feet dangle by a good 6". As it happens by lifting the bed, it also is at same height as the wheelchair, so I just turn it around and rest the ankles on the seat cushion. Karla is 5'-1" and fits perfect.
I left the 2nd row seat belts in. I added some removable tie-down clamps on the floor that can quick connect to the seatbelt to secure cargo.
I found my rear bed on Craigs List. It had never been installed. i got it for $350. We now have it in our 2008 E-150.
In the photo you can see the wheelchair lift at left. I installed an onboard air tank below, and later added a 3rd air connector just behind the lift. Its ideal for blowing out the van and keeping wheelchair tires inflated.
The bed is installed at or very near where the original 3rd seat installed. I originally bolted directly to the floor. The problem with this came when we created the bed you had to remove quite a bit of stuff in the back. So I removed the bed and added some 2x2" sq tubing to lift the seat a bit. This made for a nice compartment underneath and allows us to leave some things behind the bed. The switch to run bed is on the wheelchair lift and runs of the aux battery. The seat belts tend to get lost when you raise the bed to a couch so its good to have switch near the bed so you can keep'em in order with one hand while operating. Raising the seat did reduce the view out rear view mirror a bit I still enough.
The bed is 5'8"-sorta. For comfort we tend to get the bootie right in the middle section. So our pillows dont line up. I'm 5'9" and my feet dangle by a good 6". As it happens by lifting the bed, it also is at same height as the wheelchair, so I just turn it around and rest the ankles on the seat cushion. Karla is 5'-1" and fits perfect.
I left the 2nd row seat belts in. I added some removable tie-down clamps on the floor that can quick connect to the seatbelt to secure cargo.
I've been wanting the same info. If you Google "Rock and Roll Bed" you will find tons of info on this subject. I'm pretty sure that is the proper name for the unit Westfalia / VW installed and everybody else copied. Most of the info I have found is from the UK however. There is also a guy at the sportsmobileforum that built a similar bed. I've sent him a PM and am waiting for an answer.
http://www.sportsmobileforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=2650
http://www.sportsmobileforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=2650
An option for those wanting a fold out couch that has both the length and seat belts and don't mind the couch running lengthwise (not forward facing), look into the sofa/bed found in a kenworth studio sleeper. They are 80" long and fold out a little wider than a standard twin. My wife and I were more than comfortable sleeping on it, FYI I mostly slept on the couch, very comfy! I have one coming for my E350 eb that I just started converting, starting a build thread very soon.
TroySmith80
Adventurer
Here is a writeup on the samba using a hinge kit from the bus depot
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=352049
http://www.busdepot.com/details.jsp?partnumber=98553
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=352049
http://www.busdepot.com/details.jsp?partnumber=98553
That One Guy
Adventurer
It's really funny what your criteria is, Fergie. The seats in my van are EXACTLY what you described. Can't take pics until saturday if you want them, though.
loren85022
Explorer
Interesting bed being built overseas: www.smart-beds.com
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RshOPKHWPHc&feature=player_embedded"]YouTube - Video2.mp4[/ame]
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RshOPKHWPHc&feature=player_embedded"]YouTube - Video2.mp4[/ame]
That One Guy
Adventurer
What's the point of the seats being back to back? One side forward facing regular seat, the other facing a table?
Here is a link to a pic of the Kenworth sofa/bed. 4 bolts mounts it to the floor, loads of storage underneath and the seat belts are built in.
http://www.kenworth.com/newspics/PendletonBrochure.jpg
http://www.kenworth.com/newspics/PendletonBrochure.jpg
loren85022
Explorer
It's prolly not practical for all, but in our case it would get used for camera equipment, etc. Plus thats about where the dog likes to ride.
TroySmith80
Adventurer
I'm researching this same problem now too by the way. It seems like the sort of topic that a quick google search should pull up plenty of good, detailed how-to articles, but that doesn't seem to be the case.
I've seen seats / couches where the bench stays stationary, and the back swings forward and down (while rotating) until it lands horizontal in front of the bench with the padded side up. That seems like a good way to go because only one part is moving. Not sure how to design the linkage for the movement though. I think i saw this in an RV.
I've seen seats / couches where the bench stays stationary, and the back swings forward and down (while rotating) until it lands horizontal in front of the bench with the padded side up. That seems like a good way to go because only one part is moving. Not sure how to design the linkage for the movement though. I think i saw this in an RV.
Thats the deaign of the sportsmobile gaucho i believe. Atleast it is in my customers 94 smb.
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dhally
Hammerhead
Blazin Belltech makes sofa/beds for toy haulers etc. They have a rollover couch. I had a similar one in a previous van and was OK except it didn't have a latch for the back - a little unsafe. It was also "iffy" to sit on the edge of the bed (for me not my wife).
Also found the patent for the rollover couch if somebody wants to design one. http://www.freepatentsonline.com/4625347.html
Also found the patent for the rollover couch if somebody wants to design one. http://www.freepatentsonline.com/4625347.html