Our New Bed Design

[Wissel]

This is an overhead image of how our re-designed camper will look:

The bed at the back includes wardrobes (lay-flat), gas appliances, two boots, a dog bed and a bottle storage area.

Each side lifts on gas struts to access the robes and the head-rests incline for daytime use.

It's been a pig to design, so I thought I'd share it in-case anyone wants anything similar, and to get opinions on anything I may have missed.

This is the base layer:

Firstly, the boiler, gas taps and water pump all sit under one side. I know this fits well as our current van has this setup. The taps will be accessed via a side-door.

Opposite is an area for the dogs bed. At home he has something similar, that he loves (his safe spot). Having a dedicated area should save floor space (I'm sick of tripping over his bed at night )

Accessed from the rear doors. is the main boot. This is the full width of the van, 1m deep and 50cm high. As with the gas area, this is the same on our current van, so we know this works for us.

Above this layer is an internal storage area. Our wardrobes:

The wardrobes are pretty big (dimensions in image). Between them is an area for bottle storage and behind is a second, rear-accessed, boot area. This is smaller than the main boot, but still a very useful size. It will mean we have a "clean" cupboard.

Above the wardrobes is the beds frame:

The frame will be made from 25mm aluminium box section.

This will make it easy to lift, with the mattress, to access the wardrobes.

The frame will be piano hinged to the base like this:

To make the bed easier to lift, and stay up when needed, it will have a gas strut.

The frame will also incline, for day use:

This will work by adding a hinge into the aluminium box, and a flip-down support frame underneath (in the 25mm void) to secure the headrest area in it's upright position. I sound like an air steward

The section in the middle (bottle storage) will lift up from the front for access.

Next is the actual bed base:

This will be in 6 parts, to allow the hinges to work. It will be made out of 15mm furniture ply and sit above and attached to the aluminium frame.

Next, a little comfort:

On top of the bed-base will sit the Froli mattress support system. I'm quite a fan of this system.

Above this, the mattresses:

These will also be in 6 parts. Where each bed has a join (headrest incline), the bed sheets will join at the top. This should mean the join is hardly noticeable.

The mattresses will be 100mm thick, and memory foam (same as we have now).

All of this together leaves 880mm headroom above the bed. If I'm sitting up on the bed, the mattress compresses to increase the headroom to 970mm. This is perfect for us.

Finally, the shelves:

These will sit the length of the bed, giving an area to sit a phone, a cup, etc. They will also give the necessary space for the mattress to lift. The drawing isn't quite accurate here, the shelves are a liitle inset (but you get the idea).

Phew, glad that's over with

Apart from building it all

Is there anything I've missed? Opinions?

Thanks.

 

[Wissel]

I was asked elsewhere if the bed would catch when opened. Figured I'd add a side-section drawing here as well for anyone interested:

The small panel on the front side of the bed is a final fascia board that prevents the mattress from moving. It also houses inset handles to lift the bed.

 

[two]

I’d bring the piano hinges in to allow for the mattress support system, mattress and some bedding and more if the shelves protrude into their ‘raised space’. Will they miss any roof lockers when raised?

Why hinge the centre fill at a different position from the mattresses (perhaps the rear section does not raise)?

Is the bedfoam solid. If there are voids, I’d be careful how it’s cut along the (inside) edge that’s going to get most wear.

Are you sure that it’ll be comfortable with the ceiling so close? Try it under a table, or similar.

Is Froll like Carawinx (fingers) and does your height calculation include the space that it takes?


Edit: I see you've thought about the position of the hinges. Make sure there's enough space.

 

[Wissel]

I’d bring the piano hinges in to allow for the mattress support system, mattress and some bedding and more if the shelves protrude into their ‘raised space’. Will they miss any roof lockers when raised?

Thanks Rogher, yes regarding missing above locker. It opens to about the angle shown in the image (maybe I should have added wall locker to the image).

Why hinge the centre fill at a different position from the mattresses (perhaps the rear section does not raise)?

Correct. The back of that section is part of the boot. Just the front opens to get access.

The beds are designed so when inclined theirs a solid panel below (nowhere for dog to get stuck).

Is the bedfoam solid. If there are voids, I’d be careful how it’s cut along the (inside) edge that’s going to get most wear.

Yes, solid. We have the same made-to-measure mattresses now. Solid foam with memory foam top. Had them on slats and solid boards in our current van - very comfy.

Are you sure that it’ll be comfortable with the ceiling so close? Try it under a table, or similar.

Yep. I used our original mattresses and built a to-scale model with sheets of cardboard

Wanted to be sure

Is Froll like Carawinx (fingers) and does your height calculation include the space that it takes?

It's similar, here's an image:

It's really good (I've tried it) and getting quite popular now in motorhome design.

Thanks again.

 

[Minxy]

The weight of the mattress frame, base, springs, mattress, bedding etc could make it difficult to lift even with a strut, also what happens to the head end of the bed when raised ... what will happen to the pillows etc that are on it especially as it's likely to 'flop' as there'll be no support under it, or is the whole lot going to raise up? If so what will happen to the support for the lifting end piece ... will it just flop down? IMV you need 2 struts on each base, one at either end of the lifting bed section as this will also keep it 'straight'/avoid it twisting!

The other issue is that when you lift the bed up the mattress will naturally want to push out into the centre of the van but with the frame around it won't be able to, so could mean you can't actually lift it very high ...

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[Minxy]

Have you considered instead of having lifting beds that you instead have large pull out drawers? This would totally negate any issues you have with having lifting bases altogether - yes it would mean constructing drawer units of some sort but it would at least mean the items were easier to get out than trying to lift a heavy bed mechanism etc.

 

[Wissel]

Thanks Mel.

Tbh, the lifting mechanism really is no issue. I sell the products to do this

Regarding the mattress pushing into the van, this won't happen. It's the reason why the shelf and fulcrum are where they are.

What I have missed is a support the other side of the mattress, to stop in falling towards the window when lifted

Thanks again.

 

[Minxy]

Thanks Mel.

Tbh, the lifting mechanism really is no issue. I sell the products to do this

Regarding the mattress pushing into the van, this won't happen. It's the reason why the shelf and fulcrum are where they are.

What I have missed is a support the other side of the mattress, to stop in falling towards the window when lifted

Thanks again.

So is the side of the bed nearest the wall in fact going to be a 'channel' with nothing in it?

 

[Wissel]

So is the side of the bed nearest the wall in fact going to be a 'channel' with nothing in it?

Yep

It's a small shelf, useful for chucking a phone, keys etc. Might be able to add something that secures a cup.

 

[Minxy]

Have you considered something like this for the bed head end rather than an 'in-built' support? You could then use them outside too and it would save you having to made a mechanism to do it.

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[Minxy]

Yep

It's a small shelf, useful for chucking a phone, keys etc. Might be able to add something that secures a cup.

Could you not just put a tray on the centre section of the bed that's unused and put cups etc on that? You'll find that your duvets will drop into the channel anyway and cover stuff left in there which could make it difficult to retrieve.

 

[Wissel]

Have you considered something like this for the bed head end rather than an 'in-built' support? You could then use them outside too and it would save you having to made a mechanism to do it.

Funnily enough, that's pretty similar to my original design

And we carry something very similar in the boot for the beach:

Could you not just put a tray on the centre section of the bed that's unused and put cups etc on that? You'll find that your duvets will drop into the channel anyway and cover stuff left in there which could make it difficult to retrieve.

We did think about that Mel. We have a little channel like this at the moment and the duvets do cover it. It's really useful though - kind of gotten used to it.

The cushion in the middle is 1m long. It means we have the option of cuddling up still across the bed

 

[Minxy]

Funnily enough, that's pretty similar to my original design

And we carry something very similar in the boot for the beach:
View attachment 196858


We did think about that Mel. We have a little channel like this at the moment and the duvets do cover it. It's really useful though - kind of gotten used to it.

The cushion in the middle is 1m long. It means we have the option of cuddling up still across the bed

... just move the tray when you feel frisky!

You could just put up little shelf/basket to place stuff in, we have something similar in our camper although ours are fixed whereas the below is movable so you can take it off if you are going to get amorous!

This has just popped up as a 'suggested item' on Ebay ... depends if you've got a lot of puff I suppose!

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/INFLATAB...663113&hash=item3f8b8ab608:g:rfIAAOSwsDxZ4M6v

 

[two]

That type of bed support system is very comfortable and will combat condensation. The modules may need to be spaced according to the weight distribution unless they are adjustable. I wouldn’t bother with the raising headrests, I’d lean against the doors at the back, using pillows instead, and keep everything simple. You could also alternate the end from which you face, that way. Better to have beds for sleeping in and chairs for sitting. An important support area could be compromised by the need to space the Froli supports around the position of the hinges.

Glad to hear that you are making mock-ups, it’s a good way to prove ideas before investing more deeply. I’d spend time to make detailed drawings, also (to show how will the pieces will join together and that moving parts have clearance around their pivots).

I wouldn’t have expected the mattress to compress 90%, though (if I understand your notes correctly), although the Froli system should help a bit also and you may not sit upright anyway.

 

[Stewart]

Thanks Mel.

Tbh, the lifting mechanism really is no issue. I sell the products to do this

Regarding the mattress pushing into the van, this won't happen. It's the reason why the shelf and fulcrum are where they are.

What I have missed is a support the other side of the mattress, to stop in falling towards the window when lifted

Thanks again.

@Wissel I am to understand you sell gas struts?

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[Wissel]

@Wissel I am to understand you sell gas struts?

Sent you a PM @Stewart