Fixed Beds

[rosies]

Hello all ,

I was just thinking wouldn't it be nice to have a fixed double bed that folded back into the wall . The advantages seem to be endless - more room during the day , no messy looking bed on view , a place to put free standing table and free standing stackable chairs , a real proper kitchen/dining area , a latest gismo !? ,possiblity of it being power operated , plain good sense and design , takes away the problem of having to have the loo washbasin in the bedroom , too many to list really . I also know it would take away under bed storage but this could be accomadated within a cupboard unit made for the stackable chairs and table . The table and chairs coming in very handy for outside and awning use . Most caravanners might think it would add to much extra weight but I don't agree , if its well designed ,tested and really thought over properly then I think the weight could be the same/similar to a normal fixed bed caravan arrangement .Only adding weight if it was electrically powered . Maybe someone else can think of reasons why not , I would be very interested in pit falls . Then again I might have already said a major problem , Good Design in the caravan industry could be the first . If caravanning building is to survive then they have to change , better design is only the start .

STEVE .

 

[weejock]

Rosie this is an idea that I have thought about for some time but my version would not stow to the side wall but rather the back wall. This would allow for a base seat below a window which would allow you to have the storage that you mention and by using a hinge that allows the bed to sit on the floor as it is raised to the wall this would allow for an end washroom.

I know the seat on one side would not totally suport the bed but a hinged bookcase that fell out as the bed came down could support the other side.

As someone who used to have a twin dinnette and has since switched to an end washroom side dinette I think this type of layout would give me the best of both worlds.

Ps Kath from Swift if you are reading this I can make myself avalable for any prototype testing.

 

[rosies]

Rosie this is an idea that I have thought about for some time but my version would not stow to the side wall but rather the back wall. This would allow for a base seat below a window which would allow you to have the storage that you mention and by using a hinge that allows the bed to sit on the floor as it is raised to the wall this would allow for an end washroom.

I know the seat on one side would not totally suport the bed but a hinged bookcase that fell out as the bed came down could support the other side.

As someone who used to have a twin dinnette and has since switched to an end washroom side dinette I think this type of layout would give me the best of both worlds.

Ps Kath from Swift if you are reading this I can make myself avalable for any prototype testing.

Hello slowcoach( I don't think SS would like you name in speeding caravanners section , LOL ) I didn't actually mention which wall I would like to see the folding bed in but as you asked , probably the dividing wall between rear washroom and kitchen . --- Steve .

 

[ValA.]

Fleetwood (I think) made a van where the double rear bed folded up against the rear wall, leaving a bench seat below it, and years ago we stayed in one very similar to the description below. However, we've got a fixed bed, in the right rear side of our caravan, and we love it just as it is - it's not at all messy, shuts off from the rest of the van, and is ready and waiting for us whenever we want to go to bed! We leave it made up all the time, with our best down duvet, egyptian cotton sheets and pillowcases, it has decent bed-side lighting both sides, shelves to put our cups of tea, reading glasses and books, and a comfortable mattress.

Give me a fixed bed every time. (But then there are only two of us, and how much more room could we actually use during the day than the two front settees, and the kitchen area). Fixed beds aren't practical with children, but boy, when they've grown up and you're on your own........!