Overcab bed modification - possible?

[MaidinDevon]

Hi all

Is it possible to alter the drop down bed mechanism, or replace it, to allow the bed to come down further. There is room underneath, but at the moment it needs a ladder. I find it very claustrophobic and I am sleeping on the sofa, which seems a waste. It is a Pilote Cityvan, and the bed is longitudinal, which is brilliant for not disturbing the other person in the night. If it just dropped another 6 - 12 inches it would be perfect

I think the idea is a bit out of left field, but no harm in asking the question?

TIA

Karern

 

[tacr2man]

Like most things probably, anything is possible , its the cost tho .
Is it pivoted at one end or drops parallel with side supports ?

 

[Lenny HB]

Probably not, there is normally reinforcing in the walls where the arms are mounted and changing to another mechanism such as one from a Hymer which come down quite low the mounting would be in a different place. Also how far is the bed from the screen as to achive a lower bed the way they canterlever down the bed would need to go further forward. When Hymer desgined their vans with a lower bed they completely redesigned the front end of the van.

 

[MaidinDevon]

Thanks for the interesting responses. It drops parallel with side supports. So I might need to go to a dealers and take sneaky measurements. The Burstner IXEO is also longitudinal, but electric, so that would be a different system I am guessing.
I didn't realise that Hymer had to redesign their van. There is more to it than you think.

 

[two]

There must be a reason why the designer decided to only drop the bed as far as they did. If you can determine what the limitation was you will begin to understand the difficulties of dropping it further.

I’m sure it could be dropped lower, but I think that changing the van may be more practical.

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[mitzimad]

its possible you could use a drop plate from the original mountings in much the same way a tow bar is dropped but would you still have clearance when its up?

 

[paddymcc]

Would putting a rooflight over the bed reduce the feeling of claustrophobic?

 

[Gorse Hill]

Thanks for the interesting responses. It drops parallel with side supports. So I might need to go to a dealers and take sneaky measurements. The Burstner IXEO is also longitudinal, but electric, so that would be a different system I am guessing.
I didn't realise that Hymer had to redesign their van. There is more to it than you think.

We have the Ixeo with the longitude bed, it has 2 vertical runners at the front (nearest seats) that are recessed into the wall mainly for guiding the bed down straight (not a structural fixing) with straps and at the end of the bed two straps (seat belt type) driven by a motor onto a spindle nothing complicated and am sure it could be done
If you want any pics let me know

 

[MaidinDevon]

The Ixeo does look lovely. I need a narrow bodied van, because my parking space is narrow, and i like being able to go anywhere, with confidence. Unfortunately, i think the IXEO is out of my budget.

I don't think a rooflight will help, as I go to sleep OK but wake up in a panic.

 

[MaidinDevon]

Update

I rang Hayes, who are the main dealers for Pilote. Unfortunately, the mechanism cannot be altered. It would affect the gas struts, and everything else.

Thanks for all the input.

Karen

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[Southdowners]

What a shame! I suffer from claustrophobia and feel for you. We looked at a couple of vehicles with lovely end lounges but I just wasn't going to risk not being able to sleep up top.

Is it worth contacting the manufacturers direct?

 

[two]

Update

I rang Hayes, who are the main dealers for Pilote. Unfortunately, the mechanism cannot be altered. It would affect the gas struts, and everything else.

Thanks for all the input.

Karen

Whenever someone has said to me, "It cannot be done", I have thought "No, you don't know how..."
In fairness to Hayes, they should've said "Too impractical," ideally with an explanation.

 

[MaidinDevon]

I think that is more or less what they said, I may have paraphrased. But I can understand it, the space is tight, because it has to come down and then extend 6" into the lounge, avoiding the cupboards on it's way.
I bet it could be done, but I need someone with skills, and knowhow,and the ability to make metal parts. The brackets can't be dropped down from the roof, because there would not be enough clearance to drive the van! Maybe it could be suspended on chains, and winched up out of the way. I could have a rocking bed then!!

I would still like a look at the IXEO, to see how they have done it.

 

[two]

I thought that some kind of winch might be the answer but you'd need to stop the bed from swinging about (as you get into it, for example) for the sake of the windows and furniture around. It occurred to me that you could also accommodate slopes by adjusting the corners a bit. It's only when I lie down that I notice if we're not level.

 

[MaidinDevon]

I thought that some kind of winch might be the answer but you'd need to stop the bed from swinging about (as you get into it, for example) for the sake of the windows and furniture around. It occurred to me that you could also accommodate slopes by adjusting the corners a bit. It's only when I lie down that I notice if we're not level.

Well, it is already set up with a seat belt catch to hold up the netting so kids can't fall out, so that would be a start!

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