East Neuk Fifer Lounge conversion (3 Viewers)

[Krazykate]

Looking to change the current lounge convertion of our Renault Relay to the newer much easier style. Slotting in batons, unclipping and flipping is doing my back in already!
Does anyone have photos or even better, videos how it works.
The conversion company are very busy and haven't sent details requested. We are 3 and a half hours away, it's very pricey and we're beginning to wonder whether we can get it down closer to home. Thanks in advance folks.

 

[Hedgewitch]

Do you have any photos of the current arrangement?
There are some devilishly clever minds here and you never know, someone might be able to come up with a solution/suggestion that you haven't yet considered?

 

[big bertha]

Our Fifer the bed is made into a double by adding 2 tables but we usually keep the bed up unless we need the belted seats. It's a 5 meter 09.

 

[Minxy]

It's difficult to advise without seeing how you do it now and how the later models do it.

 

[Hedgewitch]

Ah, see what you mean - that is quite “bitty”.

Do you absolutely have to sleep together in a double bed? Just for the time when you’re away in the van could you chuck the seat back cushions on the floor (for which the dog will thank you) and sleep on two singles?

Unless you are made of stronger stuff than me, I would not be able to sleep on that many cushions put together without a decent topper. Two single toppers are much easier to roll up and store than a double one (although during the day you could just leave them where they are if you normally leave the arrangement as per your photo)

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[yorkiebar]

Here's a vid of how the Consort beds work, very simple.



If you need any pictures or more detail, let me know.

 

[big bertha]

We have 2 duvalay toppers on ours with space in the middle for dogs

 

[Krazykate]

Do you have any photos of the current arrangement?
There are some devilishly clever minds here and you never know, someone might be able to come up with a solution/suggestion that you haven't yet considered?

I suppose it's two bench seats like the basis of most small lounge conversion vans, except a Fifer which they ofcourse convert already and are happy to rip the back out of and I was wondering what the magical replacement was if someone had any idea before I may have to drive down there.
Not wanting to hang around so I can get out there!

 

[Krazykate]

Sorry folks, I clearly haven't sussed how reading posts works They don't flow from the top down. I saw the one from Hedgewick and no one else. Off to read again.
Thanks for your patience

 

[Krazykate]

Our Fifer the bed is made into a double by adding 2 tables but we usually keep the bed up unless we need the belted seats. It's a 5 meter 09.



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Thank you, I appreciate it's better with photos of what's maybe there, essentially it's the usual two box frames with storage underneath and the long cushions on top.
In each side there is a hinged type double bed base under the main seating cushion, clipped together at each end where you have to lift the whole cushion off unclip the hinged base at both ends and flip each side out, but only after 4 lengths of wood have to be dovetailed into notches along the edge where the back of your knees would be if you were sitting. So awkward and so going!

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[Krazykate]

Here's a vid of how the Consort beds work, very simple.



If you need any pictures or more detail, let me know.

Heaven!
I totally get it as with our last van you just pulled a slatted flat frame from a box under the window and put the cushions in as per your video.
Our new purchase was more about the rest of the van too ofcourse but in reality the actual bed is awful. We have pennies to convert the bed but not entirely convinced it takes £1000 to do it that spectacularly!
Thanks for your time with this.
We only had our last van 18 months and weren't out a lot due to family illness, so newbies really.

 

[Hedgewitch]

Heaven!
I totally get it as with our last van you just pulled a slatted flat frame from a box under the window and put the cushions in as per your video.

I can see your current arrangement is a bit like putting together an Ikea flat-pack but without the allen key.

If it is any consolation (it won't be ) I feel your pain over bed-making.
So much so that I am ready to sign on the expensive dotted line for a van with a fixed bed . . .

 

[Krazykate]

I can see your current arrangement is a bit like putting together an Ikea flat-pack but without the allen key.

If it is any consolation (it won't be ) I feel your pain over bed-making.
So much so that I am ready to sign on the expensive dotted line for a van with a fixed bed . . .

What a dilemma, fixed bed, less space or lounge conversion where you can leave the bed out anything.... even if it takes an hour to do it
Compromise? Replace it and make life easier like the you tube video!

 

[Krazykate]

Ah, see what you mean - that is quite “bitty”.

Do you absolutely have to sleep together in a double bed? Just for the time when you’re away in the van could you chuck the seat back cushions on the floor (for which the dog will thank you) and sleep on two singles?

Unless you are made of stronger stuff than me, I would not be able to sleep on that many cushions put together without a decent topper. Two single toppers are much easier to roll up and store than a double one (although during the day you could just leave them where they are if you normally leave the arrangement as per your photo)

 

[Krazykate]

Oh I definitely need my snuggles when on holiday, with the dog thrown in their somewhere too.
I flip the cushions to their smoother side and now have two duvalays so all set, just putting the thing up easily is my challenge!

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[Minxy]

From your description and watching the video above it wouldn't take much to change your bed make-up to that, just get in touch with a local joiner and I'm sure they could do it for minimal cost utilising the bed panels you already have to create the sliding sections, just buying the sliders themselves.

 

[Krazykate]

From your description and watching the video above it wouldn't take much to change your bed make-up to that, just get in touch with a local joiner and I'm sure they could do it for minimal cost utilising the bed panels you already have to create the sliding sections, just buying the sliders themselves.

That's just what I'm thinking. Have found a local conversion company so that maybe an option too. Thanks for your help.

 

[Minxy]

That's just what I'm thinking. Have found a local conversion company so that maybe an option too. Thanks for your help.

You don't necessarily need a MH/pvc converter, any joiner should be able to do it and probably cheaper so shop around.

 

[Krazykate]

Found a joiner who's keen to help and experienced but not in conversion work.
Photos for those that asked earlier..... opinions/suggestions welcome.

 

[Minxy]

A quick solution is to remove the piano hinges so the bed planks are separate then lay them on top of the seat planks for storage.

When you make up the bed you'd still have to put the battens in but would then only have to slide out the bed planks rather than mess about taking the cushions off.

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[Krazykate]

A quick solution is to remove the piano hinges so the bed planks are separate then lay them on top of the seat planks for storage.

When you make up the bed you'd still have to put the battens in but would then only have to slide out the bed planks rather than mess about taking the cushions off.

Thanks for the suggestion Minxy. Avoiding battens unless they're preattached. In all honesty would just like the half beds that slide out from either side and snap together, it's not quite as simple as that though! Joiner has now been showered with you tube videos and we've all got our thinking caps on.

 

[Scully]

Do you have room above your bench door to mount runners along the bench. Then get your joiner to make you a slightly wider table and a small extra insert. Photo of runner just under edge of cushion and insert / table in positions ( albeit the table deliberately mounted upside down to show you what I mean). We leave the insert in position most of the time as it's just handy.

 

[Minxy]

Thanks for the suggestion Minxy. Avoiding battens unless they're preattached. In all honesty would just like the half beds that slide out from either side and snap together, it's not quite as simple as that though! Joiner has now been showered with you tube videos and we've all got our thinking caps on.

You could put legs on the central edges of the bed boards so that when pulled out they are self supporting negating the need for battens.

 

[Krazykate]

Do you have room above your bench door to mount runners along the bench. Then get your joiner to make you a slightly wider table and a small extra insert. Photo of runner just under edge of cushion and insert / table in positions ( albeit the table deliberately mounted upside down to show you what I mean). We leave the insert in position most of the time as it's just handy.



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Just like a ledge along? My last van had that. It sounds as if yours are removable or is it full panels???
I was just discussing today that making a longer dining table with the metal pole in the middle and then of course pulling the pole out and using the table as bed base. Just as you say it needs a shelf to lean on but is there enough support? I was even suggesting making a short pole and using it at night as a central support.

You could put legs on the central edges of the bed boards so that when pulled out they are self supporting negating the need for battens.

Hey Mel, you and I could just build it ourselves and buy beer with the savings

 

[Stonemags76]

I can’t believe what a ridiculous design it is in the first place! No wonder you want to change it! Ours is a warwick duo & has thin metal legs on each end of the slide out bits. You could use the wood you have & just put supports on each corner?

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[Krazykate]

I can’t believe what a ridiculous design it is in the first place! No wonder you want to change it! Ours is a warwick duo & has thin metal legs on each end of the slide out bits. You could use the wood you have & just put supports on each corner?

Yes absolutely, it's the support bit really. Do your metal legs flip down or are fixed almost like bed style?

 

[Stonemags76]

They are fixed, & just sit against the side when I push the wooden slats in. It does have metal along the front of the slats though, so I suppose that strengthens it?

 

[pjay]

That must be the old design, my 2020 Fifer M has 2 x slatted bases which just pull out to make a double in seconds.

 

[Scully]

Just like a ledge along? My last van had that. It sounds as if yours are removable or is it full panels???
I was just discussing today that making a longer dining table with the metal pole in the middle and then of course pulling the pole out and using the table as bed base. Just as you say it needs a shelf to lean on but is there enough support? I was even suggesting making a short pole and using it at night as a central support.

Hey Mel, you and I could just build it ourselves and buy beer with the savings



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The ledges along each of our benches are permanently fixed. They are 15mm in depth. We thought one long table would be too cumbersome, so made the table 90cm long and the wee insert 34cm making total of 124cm. Like the table, the insert is removable, however we just leave it in place as it makes a nice wee coffee table on its own when lounging about on the bench.

Given the sides of your bench currently support your weight using your cross members, I can't see any reason why they would not support you if you were to switch to the ledge + table method.

 

[Krazykate]

They are fixed, & just sit against the side when I push the wooden slats in. It does have metal along the front of the slats though, so I suppose that strengthens it?

Yeh I suppose it would a bit. My partner and I aren't dainty so a steel frame may be required

The ledges along each of our benches are permanently fixed. They are 15mm in depth. We thought one long table would be too cumbersome, so made the table 90cm long and the wee insert 34cm making total of 124cm. Like the table, the insert is removable, however we just leave it in place as it makes a nice wee coffee table on its own when lounging about on the bench.

Given the sides of your bench currently support your weight using your cross members, I can't see any reason why they would not support you if you were to switch to the ledge + table method.

I think that's a simple fix. So basically screwing on runners to either side which would sit behind your knees when sitting at the table? I have a two thirds table, maybe it will fit sideways as part of the final two sections.
Thanks for your input.