Electric drop down beds

[Wellington]

Can they be fixed at any height for sleeping or transit, or only at preset positions? I am only 5 foot tall, and my ten-agear has yet to reach even theses dizzy heights. This means we don’t need nearly the amount of headroom provided in most MHs. I’m wondering if I can lower the bed to a height that works for her, and I can still walk underneath without farting about with beds every day?!

 

[jezport]

Our Project 2000 can be stored or used at any height, it has the usual belts but at the front 2 corners it had 2 metal guide tracks. My control has an up and down button only so stops when you take your finger off the button

 

[Compactliner]

Overhead, not at all. It just needs no faffing around with. Literally, none. I drive, navigate, find places to stop and shop, cook, clean, do tanks, stow everything, play and nag. I have had it by bedtime! And how else are you going to get effectively two doubles into a van? I'd go up to 7.5 m, if need be. Plenty of room on the drive. It just seems silly when all I need to make it work at 6.4m is a bed that can be fixed a different height.

perhaps an electric addition to your current drop down would allow it to be positioned where you want it...
however, the reason it comes down to just above seat height is that it makes it so easy to hop up into without a ladder.....of course, it also means the user has lots of headroom....
but this is seems to be seen as a disadvantage....
then there is the bike rack....a garage is fine but will comtain lots of other stuff, a rear rack is too high and a tow bar rack might cause the bike to land on your foot..

as Sybil Fawlty one famously said about her mother ....

'She's a worrier. She has these, well, morbid fears they are, really. Vans is one. Rats. Doorknobs. Birds. Heights. Open spaces. Confined spaces. It's very difficult getting the space right for her really, you know."

 

[dbw]

How about finding someone who could modify the bed so it was permanently fixed at your desired height, more of an engineering problem than a motorhome problem?

 

[Wellington]

How about finding someone who could modify the bed so it was permanently fixed at your desired height, more of an engineering problem than a motorhome problem?

That might be very useful. I wonder how one goes about finding such a person? I wouldn’t have the fastest idea what to google!

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[Wellington]

perhaps an electric addition to your current drop down would allow it to be positioned where you want it...
however, the reason it comes down to just above seat height is that it makes it so easy to hop up into without a ladder.....of course, it also means the user has lots of headroom....
but this is seems to be seen as a disadvantage....
then there is the bike rack....a garage is fine but will comtain lots of other stuff, a rear rack is too high and a tow bar rack might cause the bike to land on your foot..

as Sybil Fawlty one famously said about her mother ....

'She's a worrier. She has these, well, morbid fears they are, really. Vans is one. Rats. Doorknobs. Birds. Heights. Open spaces. Confined spaces. It's very difficult getting the space right for her really, you know."

I know exactly what I want, it’s just a question of finding someone to to do the technical jiggery-pokery so that it doesn’t fall down. Or off. Or on my foot.

 

[Compactliner]

the Carthago drop downs are not unknown to unlock and come down....however the remedy is very simple....there are adjustable catches each side under the mattress.

getting a non electric version of an class bed to stow in a lower position would need some extra catches lower down...not immediately obvious where...as the existing ones are on the cantilever scissor bars that support the bed each side.

however, retro fitting an electric motor might allow you to keep the bed in a certain position, but its storage when travelling that is what you are seeking. whether this is safe with a non locked, non fully retracted electric version, i dont know. perhaps someone with an electric a class bed can comment.

im sure these beds arent designed for stowage, other than bedding (which can normally be accommodated) and are usually expected to be locked in position for safe travelling. perhaps a 'seat belt catch' arrangement might suffice? I'd also want to be sure what effect it would have on driver visibility (and safety) as the bed would be lower.

an electric motor might allow the bed to remain '3/4 raised' but whether this is safe (unlocked?) when travelling, again i dont know.

you could try moving your four pillows to the windscreen end of the bed and see if the bed will stow and lock. would save a lot of work, heartache and expense.

 

[DangerMousy]

It's fab, I'll have a look at one. I'm wondering about storage. I used every single nook and cranny on the 138 last year, and had everything we needed (and not much we didn't). I love van conversions, but do not need a repeat of the 'electric-bike-falling-on-my-foot' incident of 2018. Nor the interesting new words my then-seven year old learnt from it!

What kind of bike rack did you have before? (the one that led to the bike-on-foot incident?)
We've just fitted a chassis-mounted bike rack to our MH - it sits far lower than a rear wall bike carrier (about the level of the MH floor). I'm sure you could probably get (or improvise) a loading ramp.
Maybe if you could find an external bike rack that might mean you had more options for the internal layout?

 

[JaneyBMotorhomer In Hants]

I’m not a fan of the electric drop down beds, they are often not very well designed and if anything goes out of line it can cause massive damage to the mechanism which can be very expensive.

A good over cab bed really can’t be beaten for practicality

I am sitting here screaming "Don't buy one"!!!! We had an Adria from new with an electric bed. We had it for 18 months and it was in and out of the menders as the bed didn't work properly, juddering and not going up and down correctly. Most of the time we could not use it as if we had dropped it we might not have been able to get it back into position and then could not use the living space at all. It was a poor design. The motors had to be replaced - apparently they were not up to the job. Then the menders put the sensors back on the wrong way up and caused a whole load of new problems including bending the arms. Adria were very unimpressive over all this. Delays getting decisions and particularly parts (which come from abroad). It went on and on. So when it was a good as we thought we could get it we part/exchanged it for a motorhome with an island bed, not wanting to have these problems when it was out of warranty. Luckily we did not have to pay for any of this but it cost us a lot of fuel going to menders to say nothing of wasting our time and all the stress.

 

[Otter Spotter]

I don't understand why you think you would need to drive with the bed part lowered. Just a single press of a switch is all that is needed to raise or lower them. When not needed it simply stows in the roof.

Because the little darling doesn’t get out of bed til 1pm in the afternoon she’s a teenager

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[Wellington]

Because the little darling doesn’t get out of bed til 1pm in the afternoon she’s a teenager

Gods, don't even propose driving with her in it! She'd be delighted. She's not quite a teenager, but we're neither of us morning people, so she likes to keep civilised hours!

No, it is merely our princess-and-the-pea sleeping habits which mean that the overcab bed won't accommodate our (admittedly significant) bedding when closed. If it could be adjusted so there were a few more inches of load space, the van would be fine.

 

[Wellington]

the Carthago drop downs are not unknown to unlock and come down....however the remedy is very simple....there are adjustable catches each side under the mattress.

getting a non electric version of an class bed to stow in a lower position would need some extra catches lower down...not immediately obvious where...as the existing ones are on the cantilever scissor bars that support the bed each side.

however, retro fitting an electric motor might allow you to keep the bed in a certain position, but its storage when travelling that is what you are seeking. whether this is safe with a non locked, non fully retracted electric version, i dont know. perhaps someone with an electric a class bed can comment.

im sure these beds arent designed for stowage, other than bedding (which can normally be accommodated) and are usually expected to be locked in position for safe travelling. perhaps a 'seat belt catch' arrangement might suffice? I'd also want to be sure what effect it would have on driver visibility (and safety) as the bed would be lower.

an electric motor might allow the bed to remain '3/4 raised' but whether this is safe (unlocked?) when travelling, again i dont know.

you could try moving your four pillows to the windscreen end of the bed and see if the bed will stow and lock. would save a lot of work, heartache and expense.

I think adding additional catches to the cabinetry would be fine for the rear of the bed, certainly for travel and probably for sleeping, but the side towards the windscreen would still be hanging free. I have no earthy idea how gas struts work and whether this would do them any harm, though.

However, it has (rather belatedly) occurred to me that the window problem is completely fixable, by yours truly. The 'tent' is fabric, so all it actually needs is a sharp pair of scissors and a neat bit seamstressing. Now, I mightn't know one end of a gas strut from another, but I sure know how to use a sewing machine. Some additional fabric and velcro will make a very easy to use (and non-catching) curtain.

It has also occurred to me that the seat problem may be fixable too. Carthago clearly market their vehicles to Very Tall People (nothing wrong with that, I know some fine Tall People!') But I'm not one of them. So it is presumably possible to change the seats to some shorter ones. They would still be adequate for us, are generally fairly swappable and shouldn't make any fitter look at me as though I have three heads.

(Oh, and I tried all kinds of pillow arrangements. The bed still fell on my head. I even slummed it with three and without the gel mat. It was better, but still a problem, plus I had back ache as well)

 

[DangerMousy]

(Oh, and I tried all kinds of pillow arrangements. The bed still fell on my head. I even slummed it with three and without the gel mat. It was better, but still a problem, plus I had back ache as well)

Trying to think of more solutions for you......would a different mattress on the drop-down bed help your back and avoid the need for the extra mat and pillows?

 

[Wellington]

What kind of bike rack did you have before? (the one that led to the bike-on-foot incident?)
We've just fitted a chassis-mounted bike rack to our MH - it sits far lower than a rear wall bike carrier (about the level of the MH floor). I'm sure you could probably get (or improvise) a loading ramp.
Maybe if you could find an external bike rack that might mean you had more options for the internal layout?

I had a tow bar mount. The problem was not so much height, as I needed a foot more reach. The weight is all on the back of the bike (with the motor and the tow arrangement) and its hard to load first because of the tow. So getting the weight of the back of the bike up the ramp without the handlebars turning and whole lot falling off again was a feat of gymnastics, patience and bruises, even with a ramp and a low access. It would have been ok if there was any sort of support for the front wheel to hold it in place (even a slightly deeper gutter would have helped. I have since seen other racks and they are better designed, mine was awful in other ways too). Also, I carry a pop up tent, lafuma recliners and scooters (kids one!) and so on, so I do find a garage very useful.

I may have loaded it up with Moscato and Prosecco on the way back from Italy last year!

 

[Wellington]

Trying to think of more solutions for you......would a different mattress on the drop-down bed help your back and avoid the need for the extra mat and pillows?

I don't think so. I lack structural integrity, basically. So I need propping up in various places. The mattress itself isn't really a problem. The gel mat was a temperature thing. They are designed for dogs, but are self cooling. I reasoned they would work just as well for people, and indeed they do (especially people who's daughters are playing at princess in the rear bed with the air con!) I would not expect to need either in this country, but two girls travelling alone and stopping casually anywhere in France during a heatwave, I wanted to sleep with the windows closed.

I don't know if it was the weight of all this on the bed overloading the catches, the bulk of them putting pressure on the catches, or if the catches need looking at, but something isn't working for us.

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[Wellington]

Also, a general I am very grateful for peoples continued input. I really am!

 

[tonyidle]

the Carthago drop downs are not unknown to unlock and come down....however the remedy is very simple....there are adjustable catches each side under the mattress.

getting a non electric version of an class bed to stow in a lower position would need some extra catches lower down...not immediately obvious where...as the existing ones are on the cantilever scissor bars that support the bed each side.

however, retro fitting an electric motor might allow you to keep the bed in a certain position, but its storage when travelling that is what you are seeking. whether this is safe with a non locked, non fully retracted electric version, i dont know. perhaps someone with an electric a class bed can comment.

im sure these beds arent designed for stowage, other than bedding (which can normally be accommodated) and are usually expected to be locked in position for safe travelling. perhaps a 'seat belt catch' arrangement might suffice? I'd also want to be sure what effect it would have on driver visibility (and safety) as the bed would be lower.

an electric motor might allow the bed to remain '3/4 raised' but whether this is safe (unlocked?) when travelling, again i dont know.

you could try moving your four pillows to the windscreen end of the bed and see if the bed will stow and lock. would save a lot of work, heartache and expense.

My A class electric overcab bed uses the same scissor action system as most others I've seen but instead of gas struts is has linear actuators (think gas struts with a motor sticking out of the end). It doesn't have any electronics just a simple up/down switch that operates the actuators up or down. If I was converting an existing manual bed I'd leave the gas struts in place & add actuators (if space allowed) to give the actuators an easy life. Mine can be stopped in any position required by letting go of the switch.

 

[Compactliner]

Actuators to provide electrical operation might do the job.
with the cantilevered construction of the bed, the leading edge (windscreen) is always supported and doesn't need any catches there, this is totally different to typical mid mounted drop down which need support at all four corners.
I suggested the above several posts back, pausing the bed where it can accommodate the mass of bedding yet still allow safe driving.

I assume the bikes go in the garage of the Carthago? If not (and other racks are a problem) why not?
I simply wheel our bikes straight in and they are secured by an internal Fiamna rail/bar.
A ramp would make it even easier.

 

[Peter Goadby]

Mine can be set at any height. I wanted a full size bed, not made up of cushions, but didn't want the extra length to accommodate a fixed double bed. I also wanted a proper shower cubicle not combined with the sink and the loo and, most importantly, I wanted a garage to house our 2 e-bikes which many with a rear bed will not allow due to a reduced garage height. For me I got the best of all worlds. However, we have yet to have anyone sleep underneath our bed so we have only used it fully lowered to date

 

[Stonemags76]

I think maybe you need an engineer/Motorhome mechanic/van converter person to look at the bed & see if it can be fixed? I think it will be safe, because as you say, it will hit the headrests before it hits you or the child, and you can see under it being short, even if it comes down. I know you’re changing this van anyway, but then you could have a bigger choice, if any old drop down bed could be fixed? Like you, I don’t see why not, but then I know nothin!!

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[Wellington]

Actuators to provide electrical operation might do the job.
with the cantilevered construction of the bed, the leading edge (windscreen) is always supported and doesn't need any catches there, this is totally different to typical mid mounted drop down which need support at all four corners.
I suggested the above several posts back, pausing the bed where it can accommodate the mass of bedding yet still allow safe driving.

I assume the bikes go in the garage of the Carthago? If not (and other racks are a problem) why not?
I simply wheel our bikes straight in and they are secured by an internal Fiamna rail/bar.
A ramp would make it even easier.

That's encouraging, thank you. I was worried the most about the foremost edge. I will investigate options for either an electric one, or a set of additional stops. I've been poking about in the motorhome (again!) this afternoon, and there is definitely some room in the visibility window for adjustment. The blind comes down further than the bed does (and we only need a few inches). New seats with removable headrests would also solve the car seat issue, I think, but not quite allow the bed to lower enough not to drop the seats at all (although I could at least choose a lever mechanism to let them down that doesn't set off my thumbs) It's a question of letting it down enough to be tolerably flat.

The bikes most definitely go into the garage. The width will only just accommodate the tow gizmo, but they do go in and it's so easy I would be extremely reluctant to give it up (Moscato not withstanding!) I was going to get a ramp and fit an internal bike rack but its such a doddle, I don't need one (although securing it would be helpful) I haven't needed to try other racks, as I got the Carthago after the bike/foot incident.

The garage in the Carthago is so high, that I put in a plywood deck so that I could put the bikes and stuff on top and slide the recliner chairs in underneath (I don't routinely carry all that stuff, that was the experimental stage!). Worked like a charm, and I sat out so much more because of it (In fact, I was more likely to sit outside than in, it was easier than messing about with the bed. Except that the mozzies ate me alive in Italy and it poured with rain in France). This had the unexpected bonus of being the perfect height to hold my bike in place by the ceiling, while I secured it. I will add some kind of security for it this year. I love my garage!

 

[Minxy]

However, it has (rather belatedly) occurred to me that the window problem is completely fixable, by yours truly. The 'tent' is fabric, so all it actually needs is a sharp pair of scissors and a neat bit seamstressing. Now, I mightn't know one end of a gas strut from another, but I sure know how to use a sewing machine. Some additional fabric and velcro will make a very easy to use (and non-catching) curtain.

I nearly suggested this the other day but wasn't convinced how good a 'view' you'd have out ... perhaps try unfastening it and laying in the bed first before you attack it!

It has also occurred to me that the seat problem may be fixable too. Carthago clearly market their vehicles to Very Tall People (nothing wrong with that, I know some fine Tall People!') But I'm not one of them. So it is presumably possible to change the seats to some shorter ones. They would still be adequate for us, are generally fairly swappable and shouldn't make any fitter look at me as though I have three heads.

From your description you want to replace the existing seats with ones with removable headrests so that you can take them off to lower the bed down without having to faff with tipping the seats and/or removing the kiddy seat. This may be feasible however bear in mind you have built in seat belts so this is likely to limit your choice of replacement. What I can't remember, however, is whether your existing seats will have removable headrests already as they may simply be 'padded out' to make them appear that the whole seat back is one piece ... I know we had some like this is a previous MH/camper which I only found due to removing the original seat covers to store them away safely and there was a piece of foam cut to fit the around the existing removable headrests.

(Oh, and I tried all kinds of pillow arrangements. The bed still fell on my head. I even slummed it with three and without the gel mat. It was better, but still a problem, plus I had back ache as well)

Couldn't you put the pillows on the rear bed during the day?

 

[Wellington]

I nearly suggested this the other day but wasn't convinced how good a 'view' you'd have out ... perhaps try unfastening it and laying in the bed first before you attack it!

I noticed today that the tent is screwed in at top on the windscreen end, and only poppered at the bottom, so we can just roll it up, at least at first. (We'll try it in a day or two, when my hands have recovered from dropping the seats a few times today)

This may be feasible however bear in mind you have built in seat belts so this is likely to limit your choice of replacement. What I can't remember, however, is whether your existing seats will have removable headrests already as they may simply be 'padded out' to make them appear that the whole seat back is one piece...

That's very interesting, I shall give them a prod. I think I am going to have to change them, not least because it has become very apparent that they are really flaring up my hands, so some sort of lever instead of the enormous turny-thing would really help. I should like to preserve my hand function as far as possible (I'm forty two, and they are already starting to deform. All those patients I did manipulations on over the years would be laughing like drains!)

Couldn't you put the pillows on the rear bed during the day?

In theory, I could while we travel. If we are stopped, I'd prefer to keep Herself up there out of the way! I do understand that it sounds awfully precious and lazy, but I am 'on' all the time. There is no one to give you a break (and plenty of extra demands!) when you are single parent 24/7. Faffing about with beds is my absolute line in the sand. Even at home, I never, ever leave a bed unmade. The sinking feeling after a helluva day when you are at your absolute limit and then have to find more oomph to make your bed is just indescribably awful. Knowing that whatever I have to deal with during the day, the minute I call time I can just fall into bed is what makes me feel I can give it a go in the first place. People constantly tell me I'm awesome and they can't believe I go off in the van all by ourselves, but honestly, the secret is to always keep your bed made up and a tin of sausages on hand!

 

[Minxy]

I think I am going to have to change them, not least because it has become very apparent that they are really flaring up my hands, so some sort of lever instead of the enormous turny-thing would really help.

I agree about the big knobs, they really are NOT easy to use at all and I have difficulties with my hands so totally understand the frustrations, and pain, that you mention ... I have been toying with the idea of attaching something to them, a sort of clamp effort with a lever that can be used instead ... give me time to think about this as it is something I want to do anyway and I'm sure I'll come up with a solution.

the secret is to always keep your bed made up and a tin of sausages on hand!

Are we talking chipolatas or bratwurst?

 

[Compactliner]

a quick reply for know, nopefully helpful...
yes, the seat knobs arent the greatest idea but they are a lot easier to use if ou can take the 'pressure' off the spring by holding the seat back (by the heeadrest) and easing it back while turning as it has a spring to try and bring it forward. ive just checked mine (im living in the van at the mo....) and its much easier. the knobs can be slid off and replaced with levers as long as the fitting is similar....a square section rod, i think..
secondly, ive looked at the bed poppers in the past and they will be had to get off and impossible to pop back on as they are facing inwards.....even i wouldnt be able to get sufficient purchase so you have no chance....they must be put on during assemply when its much easier.
although i wouldnt recommend it, you could cut some sort of window but any sewing would need to be done in situ....again, a physically demanding (and difficult) task...
also, remember, if you can look out, folk can look in...youll be like a fish in a bowl...
a new van with a central drop down is unlikely to have a window...?? not sure.

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[Minxy]

a quick reply for know, nopefully helpful...
yes, the seat knobs arent the greatest idea but they are a lot easier to use if ou can take the 'pressure' off the spring by holding the seat back (by the heeadrest) and easing it back while turning as it has a spring to try and bring it forward. ive just checked mine (im living in the van at the mo....) and its much easier. the knobs can be slid off and replaced with levers as long as the fitting is similar....a square section rod, i think..

You can as you say take the pressure off the knobs by moving the seat back a little first but that's only part of the issue, for those of us with difficulty with gripping etc its the holding and twisting of the knob too which a problem. Having the same issue as Wellie I know exactly where she's coming from.

The info regarding the 'inner' of the knob is interesting and has already given me some ideas, thanks.

secondly, ive looked at the bed poppers in the past and they will be had to get off and impossible to pop back on as they are facing inwards.....even i wouldnt be able to get sufficient purchase so you have no chance....they must be put on during assemply when its much easier.
although i wouldnt recommend it, you could cut some sort of window but any sewing would need to be done in situ....again, a physically demanding (and difficult) task...
also, remember, if you can look out, folk can look in...youll be like a fish in a bowl...
a new van with a central drop down is unlikely to have a window...?? not sure.

Assuming the section that Wellie wants to open up is the windscreen area, and not the sides, the existing material could be detached from the bottom then separated from the 2 side pieces at the corners with the edges hand stitched/hemmed with Velcro attached in a few places so it can be dropped down and secured at night, and rolled up during the day with toggle straps to keep it there, or adapted to a Roman blind which would make opening/closing it easier, it wouldn't be difficult to do. An alternative which may be even better would be to detach the top edge and sides (hemmed as mentioned) and then have an' upside down' Roman blind mechanism to lift it up/down as required, this would give more privacy as it could then just be lowered partly to see over it but not 'expose' the bed itself. A piece of voile could be used to allow some privacy too.

 

[Wellington]

You can as you say take the pressure off the knobs by moving the seat back a little first but that's only part of the issue, for those of us with difficulty with gripping etc its the holding and twisting of the knob too which a problem. Having the same issue as Wellie I know exactly where she's coming from.

The info regarding the 'inner' of the knob is interesting and has already given me some ideas, thanks.

I think it’s the size it causing me issues. My hands are so small, that I struggle to get round them and them produce any significant force at full stretch. Her Ladyship has some lidded straw cups that I struggle with that are a similar issue. I don’t find dropping them so much of an issue, but getting them back up again is often more of a struggle than I’m really up for, because you can’t always release the pressure in the same way.

Are we talking chipolatas or bratwurst?

Those ghastly hot-dog things made of goodness-knows-what. She loves them. I loathe them, but they require no refridgeration, heating or preparation. and can be hacked opened with the foil cutter on the bottle opener if you forget the tin opener (ask me how I know. Why no, I never do forget the bottle opener!)

 

[Wellington]

a quick reply for know, nopefully helpful...
yes, the seat knobs arent the greatest idea but they are a lot easier to use if ou can take the 'pressure' off the spring by holding the seat back (by the heeadrest) and easing it back while turning as it has a spring to try and bring it forward. ive just checked mine (im living in the van at the mo....) and its much easier. the knobs can be slid off and replaced with levers as long as the fitting is similar....a square section rod, i think..
secondly, ive looked at the bed poppers in the past and they will be had to get off and impossible to pop back on as they are facing inwards.....even i wouldnt be able to get sufficient purchase so you have no chance....they must be put on during assemply when its much easier.
although i wouldnt recommend it, you could cut some sort of window but any sewing would need to be done in situ....again, a physically demanding (and difficult) task...
also, remember, if you can look out, folk can look in...youll be like a fish in a bowl...
a new van with a central drop down is unlikely to have a window...?? not sure.

I haven’t had a close look at the screwed poppers (it would likely be awkward to get a screwdriver up behind, I think) but the bottom poppers are a piece of cake. I noticed looking at window-possibilities yesterday that one had popped off, and popped it back on while I was messing about with heights.

I think preserving the existing tent and fashioning an entire new panel is probably the way to go here. Cutting the existing tent wouldn’t leave any hemming allowance without putting strain on it. I reckon unpopper the whole width, fix it up out of the way, and add in a new piece poppered to the existing poppers at bottom. Then I could sew in any kind of privacy in that I wanted, while preserving the existing tent. I think magnets sewn into the side-hem would work better than Velcro (which I find puts a lot of strain on the stitching if it isn’t kept taught enough) perhaps a little one for peeking out when you first wake up and a bigger panel for later on. Fastening at the top as a reverse blind would work better, as it would keep in out of the way of bedding. It would be very easy to sew a ‘net’ permanently into the opening for privacy, too.

Electric bed would need something similar, but I’m not sure the mechanism would be as robust and versitile. It would also increase the length of the van a lot, so I‘m coming to the conclusion that a drop down is the best compromise (So long as I don’t have to sleep in it and we can leave it up and still use the lounge. Girlchild has declared it fit for occupation, except for no window and providing she can sit up in it to play and store her stuff up there. She does not have a casting vote, of course, but it it does make it MUCH easier if she is on board with the idea) Although it will mean staying with an A class and no drivers door.

At last, something that I have expertise in, equipment for and skills to do myself instead of having to talk to a man in a garage who thinks I am cuckoo and can’t understand why anyone would want what I‘m asking for!

 

[tonyidle]

You can as you say take the pressure off the knobs by moving the seat back a little first but that's only part of the issue, for those of us with difficulty with gripping etc its the holding and twisting of the knob too which a problem. Having the same issue as Wellie I know exactly where she's coming from.

The info regarding the 'inner' of the knob is interesting and has already given me some ideas, thanks.


Assuming the section that Wellie wants to open up is the windscreen area, and not the sides, the existing material could be detached from the bottom then separated from the 2 side pieces at the corners with the edges hand stitched/hemmed with Velcro attached in a few places so it can be dropped down and secured at night, and rolled up during the day with toggle straps to keep it there, or adapted to a Roman blind which would make opening/closing it easier, it wouldn't be difficult to do. An alternative which may be even better would be to detach the top edge and sides (hemmed as mentioned) and then have an' upside down' Roman blind mechanism to lift it up/down as required, this would give more privacy as it could then just be lowered partly to see over it but not 'expose' the bed itself. A piece of voile could be used to allow some privacy too.

Domestic door handles should fit - plenty of choice of style. But you'd already thought of that .

 

[Compactliner]

its obvious that underneath youre not a good fit with this van......for so many reasons...
so, Change of tack....
have a look at this lovely used Burstner Argos....
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/710-...0001&campid=5338547443&icep_item=233535608696
huge everything, garage, double floor, large rear transverse bad, huge overcab....eithr could be the cave...
cab plays no part in accommodation so car seat can be left in place...
good price..
available at GMC Gailey.....Dave will bite your hand off for the Compactline....
.....do it before you butcher the poor thing....
good luck...

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[Minxy]

its obvious that underneath youre not a good fit with this van......for so many reasons...

That is my concern too from what has been said previously.

Welly ... (hope you don't mind me calling you that) take a breath, sit back and make a list of pros/cons for your existing MH before you do anything ... only when you are sure you can live with it if you get the changes you want made should you attempt to do them, until then keep your mitts of it's knobs and twiddly bits!