Drop down beds - user experience?

[Solwaybuggier]

We're thinking of downsizing to a 3500kg van - mainly to avoid C1 renewal hassles, but also to lessen restrictions/costs of using a larger van. Obviously you then come up against the length vs weight issues - and we'd ideally want a face-to-face lounge. One way to achieve this seems to be having a drop down bed in the living area - and the Pilote 696D Evidence looks an appealing option. We'd certainly want one that had low access to the bed, with
no real step up.

But we have no direct experience of drop down beds, and wonder if anyone who has one (or maybe had one and hated it!) could give any feedback?
The kind of issues that concern us are:
- how stable are they? Given that most are lateral (rather than lengthways) we wouldn't want it to sway when the front sleeper clambers over for nocturnal toilet visits!)
-obviously there is the issue of the motor failing or draining the leisure batteries - how easy is it to use manual override systems?
-can you sit up in bed to read?
-do pillows stay put?
-we have seen people complaining about claustrophobia, but tbh I think that must be more on the ones with one drop down suspended over a low level bed.
And I'm sure there are other issues to consider that we've not thought of - any user insights would be very welcome

 

[EricS]

I have a 2021 Chausson 640 with a drop down bed. The answers to your questions are based on that van, the bed controls have been changed by Chausson over the years so may be different. So:
Are they stable, yes they are I do not feel it move at all. I know some owners of Chausson have modified the bed by adding pillow supports that fit over the cab seats allowing people to sleep lenghtways. I have not done this.
Manual override, if the leisure battery is to flat to move the bed starting the van for a few minutes will allow the bed to move. There is a manual winder and the dealer showed me how to use it, it looks like hard work. I am told that a hex bit fitted to a flexible drive in a battery drill makes is much easier.
Can you sit up, yes. The bed can be set to whatever height you want. At the lowest setting the bed is just above the seats below and can be accessed without any aids(I am 5' 7") so plenty of room. If you are using the bed below, then the bed is higher and a ladder is needed. But still enough room to sit up, but not in the bed below!
Do pillows stay put? I always take the pillows off but leave all other bedding on. It is easy to stop the bed at any height so leaving the pillows on would be fine, but the bed would be just that bit lower. The earlier beds went up to a set position so on those pillows would need to be removed.
My only other insight would be, how much does the bed block the door when it is down? The Chausson 640 is Ok and other makes have the corner of the bed cut off to clear the door. Something to check.
Hope this helps

 

[DelMar]

Never get into bed with your knees first on a drop down bed, you will crack the wood slats. Best to get on backside first and swing your legs over. We only need a small step as our bed reaches the lounge seats.

 

[Larrynwin]

Our transverse manual drop down bed works well and when in sleeping position sits on front side supports eliminating any movement. I am 5’9” and have sufficient room to lay flat and also sit upright.
The Hymer mattress and individual supports avoid the use of slats.
When not in use careful placement of bedding/pillows remains in situ without a problem.

 

[EricS]

One other thing to think about, if one person wants to go to bed and the other wants, say a late night whisky, is there anywhere else to sit? May not be important to you but it may be and somthing that is easy to overlook.

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[DelMar]

You can drop our bed to any position, therefore another bed can be made below, or sit with your whisky. My advice would be, not to have too many incase you hit your head.

 

[The Wino]

We've had our drop down bed for 9 years. It's been fine. As others have said there are factors to consider but if didn't have a drop down bed either we would have to have made one up every night and try and stop the dog getting on! or have a much bigger MH with a lower payload and longer length that would be harder to park near attractions etc. There are always compromises

 

[Wombles]

Lots of posts, in the past on this forum, about electric beds (especially Project 2000 brand) failing with manual override being difficult so manual pull down beds may be a less problematic option.
We had a Chausson wind down bed (on safety belt style straps) which did move around unless in the lowest position so not ideal.

 

[teddybear]

We have a Frankia with a longitudinal drop down bed which we enter on our knee ,5 years old and the slats are still fine.
On a previous van had a transverse drop down bed Headroom was a bit tight and trying to straddle O/H to get out in dark could sometimes be a problem