Looking to add a drop down bed (1 Viewer)

Porscha

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Apr 9, 2013
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Mercedes
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Been lurking for a while but first post :)hardhat:)

Got a Merc Atego motorhome and want to use the space in the cab as another bed for one of the kids. I've seen some nice drop down beds in various motorhomes but wanted to find a supplier of these types of systems that I could fit to my truck. Any ideas welcome......

:thumb:
 

Minxy

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Hi Porscha, welcome to the fun house! ::bigsmile:

It would help if you could give more info on your motorhome (pictures of the area you're talking about would be good) as there seem to be lots of variants!

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Terry

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Dec 27, 2007
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Hi it may not be possible to fit one:Eeek: You need to investigate where hinges etc can be secured to make the bed operating system work -I fear the costs involved may proove too high as to make it practicle, simply because most repair shops etc don't have knowledge/skills of how to do anything other than stright forward jobs ::bigsmile:
Terry
 

kiwicamper

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Been lurking for a while but first post :)hardhat:)

Got a Merc Atego motorhome and want to use the space in the cab as another bed for one of the kids. I've seen some nice drop down beds in various motorhomes but wanted to find a supplier of these types of systems that I could fit to my truck. Any ideas welcome......

:thumb:

I would have thought that dropdown beds were only available in vehicle that are designed for them. As I understand it the captains chairs have to swing around and be in the reclining position and the bed comes down either manualy or electronicaly , to rest on supproting built in stops.
the reason we are buying Hymer is that our son and his wife had an older model and loved the dropdown bed.We will only use it our grandkids are travelling with us.
not sure how many other makes have a dropdown bed but pretty sure the vehicle had to be designed to take it in the first place.
Don't take my word for it though as I am quite often wrong::bigsmile:

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Jun 2, 2010
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Not as daft as it seems but have you considered a hammock above the front seats, easily taken down when not in use and only needs two securing points:thumb:
 
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Porscha

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Many thanks to all who have replied. I am impressed with the forum already!

It is an RS 7.5t motorhome. I can try and get some pictures up but assume most people know what these look like. :RollEyes:

I enjoy doing custom projects and have no problem tackling this myself. Currently doing some other mods and re-fitting. It struck me that I can have a third bedroom area set up (once camped) and not need to dismantle any table beds during the day if I use the cab area of the truck. I did see some simple beds that hang from the ceiling and seat backs that fit VW T5's etc but I would prefer something more substantial. There is a good space between the top of the windscreen and the top of the cab that would fit a pull down bed quite nicely. If I could find some sources for these, I can at least check the sizes, mechanisms etc and see if it is possible.

So, back to my original question.......where can these be found?? :Eeek:
 

JeanLuc

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You could talk to Peter Hambilton. He is an independent specialist who has done modifications to Hymers and hence may know about sourcing for the beds that Hymer use.

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Porscha

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You could talk to Peter Hambilton. He is an independent specialist who has done modifications to Hymers and hence may know about sourcing for the beds that Hymer use.

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Sent him an email. Many thanks. :thumb:
 

Terry

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Hi Porscha, the RS s are based on a 7.5 t wagon with luton if I am visualizing correctly (made about a mile from me ::bigsmile:) if thats right you can easily fix some hinges to the front edge and fix some side supports :thumb:You could then simply let gravity lower the bed and fold out into position. The highered bed could be held up out of the way with seatbelt straps :thumb: I did this on one of my self builds and it worked flawlessly for over 18 mths.
Terry
 
Apr 27, 2008
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If your van has a Luton (I'm afraid I'm not familiar with it) then you may be able to fit a hinged overcab bed quite easily.
This would be much simpler than a proper drop down bed, which is a complicated mechanism that will only really be suitable for an A-Class body. A hinged overcab bed is fitted in many C-Class, and although they don't come down as low as a drop down bed, they are fine for kids or agile adults.

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Porscha

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Some good suggestions - thanks. The RS already has a double bed above the cab roof. I am looking for something that is stored flat just above the drivers head but pulls down to the seat base level when I need it. Not sure a simple hinged base would do it. I can't believe anyone with an Atego based motorhome has not thought of or done this before!?! :thumb:
 

mikempg

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Apr 3, 2013
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This one is pretty out there!

Im not sure of sturdiness, Im sure there would be a way of doing a couple of cross supports

I was in mine the other day, and was thinking of doing an overhead.

These came to mind, I was actually sober ( frightening eh)

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if they were split into 3

2 sections parallel with each other, could span the length, they could lock into recesses similar to table base inserts

these would make a double frame

2 sheets of ply for bases

iv got 2 x 6ft seat bases in the back so adding a sheet of strong ply under both of them would be a doable option. they could come out and make the bedbase

I could lay another pair of cushions on top my seat bases, may get lofty, but comfy! They would come off and go up to make the mattress.

or use an air bed instead.

And , if there was enough spare of the ladder left, it can be the steps to the bunk.


May sound daft, maybe not, and prob not too suitable for heavy weights!! for the odd time now and then , might work!



to the time machine!!
 
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Terry

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Hi again Porscha, I take it then that you need Hymer A class hinges type of thing -- Ask at http://www.olearymotorhomes.co.uk/ and see what they have :thumb:.O'learys also make there own vans so may well have something suitable :winky:I am sure I would not get stuck, but how and what you want Imagining is difficult without actually seeing the cab area in the flesh :Smile:
terry
 
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Porscha

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I have to say a big thank you to Rosie at Hambilton Engineering for sourcing one of these for me. :thumb: And also, thanks to those on here for pointing me in that direction. I didn't pick it up yet but will do so soon. Will let you know if / how it fits......:Eeek:
 
Feb 16, 2013
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I have to say a big thank you to Rosie at Hambilton Engineering for sourcing one of these for me. :thumb: And also, thanks to those on here for pointing me in that direction. I didn't pick it up yet but will do so soon. Will let you know if / how it fits......:Eeek:
Looking at converting a van , does anyone know if this guy or anyone else solved this?

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michndan

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I have seen a few top end horse boxes based on the merc cab with what you're after. Can not remember the make but maybe look on the horse box converter scene.
 

TheBig1

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Looking at converting a van , does anyone know if this guy or anyone else solved this?
it is fairly common for hymer owners to have the drop down bed removed to save weight and free up space for more cupboards. specialists like hambiltons do this and may well save the parts
if you are looking at converting a van wide enough for such a bed, building in supports in the roof area is fairly straight forward
 

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