Hymer PVC transverse bed step up ladder

[Abgs]

Yet another mod to my Hymer Grand Canyon S…

It’s a pretty compact van at just under 6 metres but it means we have a vehicle that can live on my drive and be ready for the road at a moments notice. This has been such an advantage that we’ve taken off on a number of ‘spur of the moment trips’ and racked up 8000 miles in 6 months.

So … comprises have been made in downsizing from our 7m A Class. The internal space is tight but works really well. Plenty of storage under the bed…. but this means the bed is almost 1m off the floor.

To use the storage under the bed there is a partition board on a sliding rail. So … if you put a normal one stepup next to it it’s not quite high enough to access the bed easily. A two step is fine but means you can’t open the bathroom door without moving the step to the other end of the van. Not an ideal arrangement for a bathroom visit in the small hours of the morning..

I pondered this for a few months and then hit on really simple solution.

A folding two step ladder, a couple of U brackets and a few self adhesive Velcro pads.

Ladder:

Amazon product ASIN B09H326QSY
U Brackets: - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/304234598498

The ladder just slips into the U brackets and the Velcro holds it in place when folded back.

Once you have descended from the bed you can push the ladder back to the folded position with your foot. This enables the bathroom door to fully open.

Before you climb back up you pull the ladder forward to the open position with your foot.

Another advantage is that if you are sleeping furthest away from the ladder it’s easier to reach the top step if you have to climb over your partner.

If you need to access the lower cupboards the folded ladder just lifts out of the U brackets.

A very simple mod which might be useful for other smaller PVC’s with high transverse beds.

 

[Russell's Dad]

I love a good, creative solution!!
I've got to credit my similar solution to Minxygirl.
My vertically challenged better half struggled with the steps up to the, admittedly pretty high, transverse bed in my Compactline Carthago (the steps are at the side of the fridge and, to be fair to the one-who-doesn't-like-change, are a wee bit awkward) .
Minxy, bless her, suggested a ladder for a garden trampoline. Bought (from ebay for £12) and modified said ladder, which hooks over the side of the bed.... problem solved. Russell's Mum no longer hates the van, ergo no longer hates me, and all is well with the universe again!!!!

 

[Abgs]

I did think of a trampoline type ladder idea but it still fouled the bathroom door. Also the step ladder has nice wide treads which don’t hurt bare feet.

I love a good, creative solution!!
I've got to credit my similar solution to Minxygirl.
My vertically challenged better half struggled with the steps up to the, admittedly pretty high, transverse bed in my Compactline Carthago …..

In fairness it was for Mrs Abgs’s benefit, being 6 ft silly myself I couldnt see what the problem was without the ladder!

 

[Russell's Dad]

I'm 6'3. I feel your pain. They're not built for those 'with arses near the ground'.

 

[Coolcats]

Yet another mod to my Hymer Grand Canyon S…

It’s a pretty compact van at just under 6 metres but it means we have a vehicle that can live on my drive and be ready for the road at a moments notice. This has been such an advantage that we’ve taken off on a number of ‘spur of the moment trips’ and racked up 8000 miles in 6 months.

So … comprises have been made in downsizing from our 7m A Class. The internal space is tight but works really well. Plenty of storage under the bed…. but this means the bed is almost 1m off the floor.

To use the storage under the bed there is a partition board on a sliding rail. So … if you put a normal one stepup next to it it’s not quite high enough to access the bed easily. A two step is fine but means you can’t open the bathroom door without moving the step to the other end of the van. Not an ideal arrangement for a bathroom visit in the small hours of the morning..

I pondered this for a few months and then hit on really simple solution.

A folding two step ladder, a couple of U brackets and a few self adhesive Velcro pads.

Ladder:

Amazon product ASIN B09H326QSY
U Brackets: - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/304234598498

The ladder just slips into the U brackets and the Velcro holds it in place when folded back.

Once you have descended from the bed you can push the ladder back to the folded position with your foot. This enables the bathroom door to fully open.

Before you climb back up you pull the ladder forward to the open position with your foot.

Another advantage is that if you are sleeping furthest away from the ladder it’s easier to reach the top step if you have to climb over your partner.

If you need to access the lower cupboards the folded ladder just lifts out of the U brackets.

A very simple mod which might be useful for other smaller PVC’s with high transverse beds.

View attachment 649834

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That’s interesting our Hymer Ayres Rock came with a foldable step. We don’t use it as we are both tall and just jump in. Early hours of the morning have to remember to slide out and it’s a little higher then the bed at home……

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[Abgs]

Whilst sitting in the van posting the OP I’ve just thought of, and upgraded it again!

It now has under-step battery powered motion sensor light.

My creativity knows no bounds today!

 

[Russell's Dad]

Whilst sitting in the van posting the OP I’ve just thought of, and upgraded it again!

It now has under-step battery powered motion sensor light.

My creativity knows no bounds today!

View attachment 649861

I bow down to you. That is well above and beyond good husbandry. Don't tell Russell's mum...please.

 

[Russell's Dad]

Our Globescout had pretty much the same layout and I fitted, with velcro, a nice curtain to fill the gap leading to the garage.....your move!

 

[Abgs]

Sounds like a gauntlet has been thrown down!

 

[Driventemple]

A note of caution - Will that velcro hold if you have bump? That's a lot wood to be flying around.

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[Abgs]

A note of caution - Will that velcro hold if you have bump? That's a lot wood to be flying around.

Have tested it over some pretty rough roads - I have also put some thin rubber strips on the inside of the u clips which together with the Velcro hold it tightly in place when folded.

 

[Figaro]

It now has under-step battery powered motion sensor light.

I bought one of those, they work well.
But you might find that the PIR consumes the battery even when it isn't switching the light on

 

[Russell's Dad]

Have tested it over some pretty rough roads - I have also put some thin rubber strips on the inside of the u clips which together with the Velcro hold it tightly in place when folded.

I am defeated.

 

[Minxy]

I bought one of those, they work well.
But you might find that the PIR consumes the battery even when it isn't switching the light on

They do, we used to use one in the washroom so that on a night we didn't have to scrabble around to find the light switch and/or risk waking t'other half up by putting on the bright washroom light. We found that every time we went away we had to change the battery so stopped using it, newer ones may be better now though for power consumption.

 

[Reallyretired]

I have one at home in the bathroom so our frequent nocturnal trips are illuminated without putting on the lights. The ones in the mh do go flat over time but I use rechargeable batteries so no real problem. They will go a couple of months on a charge.

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[Abgs]

I’m using these - they last about four weeks of occasional use before need to be recharged.

There is one in the bathroom and one under the step.

These are really good lights - two brighness setting, sensor mode or permanently on. They have magnetic bases so sometimes we use them on the outside of the van under the awning for nighttime mood lighting.


Amazon product ASIN B07J9R6H76