Electric drop down beds

[Wellington]

Can they be fixed at any height for sleeping or transit, or only at preset positions? I am only 5 foot tall, and my ten-agear has yet to reach even theses dizzy heights. This means we don’t need nearly the amount of headroom provided in most MHs. I’m wondering if I can lower the bed to a height that works for her, and I can still walk underneath without farting about with beds every day?!

 

[thebriars]

Yes. Ours can be raised or lowered to any height. Much will depend on the height of the ladder, but certainly there is room underneath for what you suggest. Not every motorhome uses the same mechanism though.

 

[MisterB]

are you looking to be able to walk underneath while she is in bed or when the bed is stowed?

 

[thebriars]

are you looking to be able to walk underneath while she is in bed or when the bed is stowed?

An electric bed is not much use if you cannot walk underneath it when it is stowed.

 

[Campervan_man]

Have a look at your M'home manual. May give you bed info?

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[Wellington]

are you looking to be able to walk underneath while she is in bed or when the bed is stowed?

I am looking to be able to walk under it while she is in it, but also not to stow it completely up during transit so I don’t have to climb up and move all her stuff around every time we set off. It will be her personal space to store books, clothes, toys and so on, as well as laze around in. She won’t mind if it’s a bit cozy (She’s used to a loft bed and is clamouring for an overcab bed, which is plan b) but I will mind if I have to remember to duck, or to fart about with the bedding on a daily basis. I really cannot be doing with it! I am planning on getting either an island bed or more likely a twin for myself. The combination of the drop down bed and the carseat in the 138 rendered the lounge virtually useless to us all last summer.

 

[Wellington]

Yes. Ours can be raised or lowered to any height. Much will depend on the height of the ladder, but certainly there is room underneath for what you suggest. Not every motorhome uses the same mechanism though.

I wondered if there was variation and I will check on anything I plan to buy, I’m just wondering if my Master Plan is a goer. May I ask what MH you have?

 

[andy63]

if its a bed by project 2000 they can be programmed to stop at a couple of intermediate positions.. if the bed is also on a slide it has to be in a position that will allow it to be slid to the sleeping position.. on mine for eg if its not lowered far enough the bed can't slide forward into the cab and into the correct sleeping position. it has to be in that position to prevent accidental operation while you are in it.. and as said the ladder will dictate where it has to be lowered to for use in the higher position..
I can't see an electric drop down bed been suitable for been kept in a intermediate position all the time ,especially while on the move... most are on flexible straps and would only have the guide rails stopping it from moving around...they would get damaged..
Andy

 

[AXO66]

We have chausson 510 (2015 made) with a project 2000 electric bed that drops vertically , on belts,from the roof over the lounge area, just behind the drivers seat.

when up we leave all bedding on , the ladder and single pillows.

i am 6 foot and can stand up underneath when up and stored .

when used it is pre programmed to two heights.

low. Virtually touching the lounge seats.

or high, at about 4foot, so i have to bend to go under, but can sit down when underneath. Ladder is used to get in.

these pre programmed heights can be re programmed by using a hidden button.
i have not done this so can’t advise.

sometines the bed stops when you release the down button. Not sure why , so you can stop it at any height, but it is not designed to do this, so can’t rely on it.

but does make me wonder if there is a means to bypass the pre programmed settings. No doubt others may know.

i have seen on other vans that the switching system is different. I don't know if this affects the operation.

Maybe once you home in on a van,to go and play with the bed functions.

Good luck

 

[Campervan_man]

I've seen an Auto-trail roof lowered push button manual multi-height lowering bed and the bed had 2 X hydraulic pistons with C shaped plastic spacer washers.
When the bed was used at variable heights the C washers 'pinged' off the pistons making the bed operate erratically. I replaced the washers with a drilled piece of nylon instead.
Normally lowering beds have a few positions. Stowed at ceiling height, 1/2 way down or fully down.

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[Minxy]

I don't think it would be safe to drive with an electric roof bed part lowered as they are meant to be stowed in the highest position for transit so they are secured out of the way, I doubt if driving with one in a part-lowered position would be covered under warranty if it failed.

From what you're saying you probably need to go back to your first though and look for a coachbuilt with an overcab 'cave' for the little darling that way she can put her toys etc around where she wants in her own private space. An electric bed would be pratty as her toys would likely fall off as it's lowered/raised and there is the risk that she could also drop off the end as they are more 'open', AFAIK they aren't the easiest things to prop yourself up in to slob, read etc either which is something kids like to do.

There are overcab coachbuilts where part of the bed can be tilted up so you can get in/out of the cab easier which may feel less closed in that those with a permanently fixed overcab bed base.

 

[Minxy]

I've just thought of something else regarding the electric type drop down beds, some of them have the upper wall lockers mounted underneath them so once its lowered you wouldn't be able to sit underneath on the sofa etc, eg:

 

[Dirtyhands]

I’m not a fan of the electric drop down beds, they are often not very well designed and if anything goes out of line it can cause massive damage to the mechanism which can be very expensive.

A good over cab bed really can’t be beaten for practicality

 

[Wellington]

I’m not a fan of the electric drop down beds, they are often not very well designed and if anything goes out of line it can cause massive damage to the mechanism which can be very expensive.

A good over cab bed really can’t be beaten for practicality

In terms of layout, yes. but for changing the sheets, not so much. I‘ve also heard they aren’t amazing to drive and they look clunky. Although that’s not a complete deal breaker (the sexy A class is going because although I love how it looks I don’t like the drive as much my coachbuilt and the layout isn’t really working for us. I would put up with the drive if the layout was ok

 

[Minxy]

Can you just clarify exactly where the child seat is located as I can't decide if it's in the dinette area or the front passenger seat?

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[Wellington]

I've just thought of something else regarding the electric type drop down beds, some of them have the upper wall lockers mounted underneath them so once its lowered you wouldn't be able to sit underneath on the sofa etc, eg

I spotted that last night one or two. I’d still be able to sit in the cab, though. Some of them are longitudinal and would work (and then she could have access to her own lockers, providing we could make the height work)

 

[thebriars]

I wondered if there was variation and I will check on anything I plan to buy, I’m just wondering if my Master Plan is a goer. May I ask what MH you have?

We have a Benimar 486. It does not have lockers underneath the drop down bed. The Project 2000 bed was replaced with a better system in the Benimars, so that you simply drop it as far as you want. You remove the backrest cushions and it will go down to the seat cushions, and even further if you remove those.

 

[Wellington]

I don't think it would be safe to drive with an electric roof bed part lowered as they are meant to be stowed in the highest position for transit so they are secured out of the way, I doubt if driving with one in a part-lowered position would be covered under warranty if it failed.

From what you're saying you probably need to go back to your first though and look for a coachbuilt with an overcab 'cave' for the little darling that way she can put her toys etc around where she wants in her own private space. An electric bed would be pratty as her toys would likely fall off as it's lowered/raised and there is the risk that she could also drop off the end as they are more 'open', AFAIK they aren't the easiest things to prop yourself up in to slob, read etc either which is something kids like to do.

There are overcab coachbuilts where part of the bed can be tilted up so you can get in/out of the cab easier which may feel less closed in that those with a permanently fixed overcab bed base.

It won’t bother her, I don’t think. She has a loft bed at home, and loves it, even though she can’t sit up in it. She has a big moon chair to chill out in and a pop up tent of her own to have space outside when are parked up for a few days. Or she could get out of bed and sit in the lounge, if she wanted! Bed guards and what have you are easy to manage if we need them, so long as they are also fixed for the duration. It’s possible she may not like it as she gets older, which is why I would prefer twin singles as well. That gives us plenty of options.

Ideally, I would like to find a height that is just adequate for her and allows me to walk underneath without ducking and fix the bed at it for the foreseeable future. As I am very short and she is still little, I do think there would be plenty of room. I accept that it won’t suit anyone else, but I’m not taking anyone else on holiday! It seems that installing a custom fixed bed might be a better way to go, as the mechanisms are too delicate to allow us to drive with it down (how do they fix up anyway?!) And we won’t be using them.

Also, other than the bed arrangements, I really like the Carthago. I didn’t really want to start again researching new to me vans. I have to change now, because of a finance shuffle, but I have very little thinking time with her home all day, and can’t really trail round shows and so on as I have limited access to baby sitters.

 

[thebriars]

In terms of layout, yes. but for changing the sheets, not so much. I‘ve also heard they aren’t amazing to drive and they look clunky. Although that’s not a complete deal breaker (the sexy A class is going because although I love how it looks I don’t like the drive as much my coachbuilt and the layout isn’t really working for us. I would put up with the drive if the layout was ok

The drive in ours is superb. 170bhp engine as standard, 5 years warranty on the engine/chassis, auto gearbox, and 30+ mpg.

 

[thebriars]

I don't think it would be safe to drive with an electric roof bed part lowered as they are meant to be stowed in the highest position for transit so they are secured out of the way, I doubt if driving with one in a part-lowered position would be covered under warranty if it failed.

I don't understand why you think you would need to drive with the bed part lowered. Just a single press of a switch is all that is needed to raise or lower them. When not needed it simply stows in the roof.

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[thebriars]

I've seen an Auto-trail roof lowered push button manual multi-height lowering bed and the bed had 2 X hydraulic pistons with C shaped plastic spacer washers.
When the bed was used at variable heights the C washers 'pinged' off the pistons making the bed operate erratically. I replaced the washers with a drilled piece of nylon instead.
Normally lowering beds have a few positions. Stowed at ceiling height, 1/2 way down or fully down.

Not any more, ours can be lowered to any position you like. No hydraulic pistons either.

 

[XxAnthxX]

I’ve just lowered mine so the bottom of the bed was set at 5ft.

This then gave 14” from the top of the mattress to the ceiling.

The net bed guards almost tighten but are a bit loose in this position.

This does leave the ladder about a foot too short to reach the floor tho.

 

[Wellington]

The drive in ours is superb. 170bhp engine as standard, 5 years warranty on the engine/chassis, auto gearbox, and 30+ mpg.

I meant overcab beds with regard to handling. All that weight on your head! Its why I'd prefer the high weight more central and behind me.

I don't understand why you think you would need to drive with the bed part lowered. Just a single press of a switch is all that is needed to raise or lower them. When not needed it simply stows in the roof.

Not with all the crap we travel with on it, it wouldn't! Last year she had an overlay, mattress protector, electric blanket, gel cold mat, all her clothes (in little boxes) various books, and eleventy billion stuffed toys as well as usual bedding. She mayn't need the clothes up there, but I do prefer to keep her selection of companions out of the way. I could of course insist that she doesn't bring them. But then I'd be a raging hypocrite, as I like to take all my home comforts away!

I’ve just lowered mine so the bottom of the bed was set at 5ft.

This then gave 14” from the top of the mattress to the ceiling.

The net bed guards almost tighten but are a bit loose in this position.

This does leave the ladder about a foot too short to reach the floor tho.

Thank you. May I ask what model? I think that would adequate for her. The ladder sounds like a solvable problem (probably!)

Can you just clarify exactly where the child seat is located as I can't decide if it's in the dinette area or the front passenger seat?

.

She normally rides shotgun, in France last year she had to travel in the rear, but now she is ten, it can stay in the cab. She has about 3 inches to go, and I estimate we will need the seat this summer and next.

 

[thebriars]

Not with all the crap we travel with on it, it wouldn't! Last year she had an overlay, mattress protector, electric blanket, gel cold mat, all her clothes (in little boxes) various books, and eleventy billion stuffed toys as well as usual bedding. She mayn't need the clothes up there, but I do prefer to keep her selection of companions out of the way. I could of course insist that she doesn't bring them. But then I'd be a raging hypocrite, as I like to take all my home comforts away!

Overlay, duvet and mattress protector, yes, but you cannot use a drop-down electric bed as basically a store place in that way. We don't need electric blankets, the van is well insulated and the heating can be left on 24/7, toasty warm even in winter. Books and other objects on an electric bed partly lowered would be dangerous whilst driving, brake sharply and they would come flying forward and into the cab area. Also driving with the bed part lowered would almost certainly damage the mechanism.

Anyway we have two huge wardrobes, indeed the whole last metre of the van is storage, garage below and two wardrobes above, the full width of the motorhome. Weight is more of a problem than storage space.

 

[Compactliner]

I am looking to be able to walk under it while she is in it, but also not to stow it completely up during transit so I don’t have to climb up and move all her stuff around every time we set off. It will be her personal space to store books, clothes, toys and so on, as well as laze around in. She won’t mind if it’s a bit cozy (She’s used to a loft bed and is clamouring for an overcab bed, which is plan b) but I will mind if I have to remember to duck, or to fart about with the bedding on a daily basis. I really cannot be doing with it! I am planning on getting either an island bed or more likely a twin for myself. The combination of the drop down bed and the carseat in the 138 rendered the lounge virtually useless to us all last summer.

Hi, ive seen you mention this issue of the 'useless lounge' in the i138 before.
i have one of these and i can assure you its perfectly possible to have 3 adults and a child in a car seat in the lounge together...
i suspect the difference is that you are looking to keep the drop down bed 'down'?
when taking daughter and g'daughter away, OH and i sleep in the drop down (normally its the rear bed for us when on our own) and daughter/g'daughter(age 3) in the rear.
car seat stays in the inside belted position.
come morning, we get up and the drop down is swung up (with bedding in place) and stowed, leaving plenty of room for OH and i in the swivelled cab seats and the two others in the dinette seat....theres even a spare jump seat.
can this arrangement not be used?....how many in your party?
on the face of it you dont need to change the van to sort this....
good luck...

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[Compactliner]

Can you just clarify exactly where the child seat is located as I can't decide if it's in the dinette area or the front passenger seat?

Mel, see my post as im confused as to why a van change seems 'necessary'...

 

[138go]

I’m not a fan of the electric drop down beds, they are often not very well designed and if anything goes out of line it can cause massive damage to the mechanism which can be very expensive.

A good over cab bed really can’t be beaten for practicality

We had a Pilote with an electric bed. The bed got stuck when we were on holiday and we ended up sleeping on the floor. The MH was still under guarantee but we were so upset we part exchanged it. The worry was that it might happen again, perhaps on a long trip abroad.

The over cab pull down beds, are so much better.

 

[Devon Sue]

Hiw about going for the twin single layout to suit in future, but for now fashioning a screen / curtain / tent around one of them to give her a hidey hole? Drop down beds are quite heavy and eat into payload

 

[Compactliner]

ok, getting this a bit more now....
the cave thing is easy....let her have the rear bed....its definitely a bit cave like, and its a huge bed, loads of room for one kiddy and lots of stuff...no raising or lowering required and no walking under...
that leaves you with the drop down...
normally, with the car seat in the dinette, you could raise and lower the bed easily, but your issue is not with the useless lounge but the fact that the car seat is placed in the passenger seat which prevents ypu lowering the bed without removing the seat....
ok, i can see why you would do this but to resolve this there are three situations i can see...
1) move car seat to dinette..
2) remove car seat from passenger seat (store in garage) when arriving on site....a bit of a faff, but just one click of the seat belt...
3) buy new motorhome and hope layout works...
id go for 1) or 2).....
even with option 1) you can flip the passenger seatback forward so that your daughter gets a great view of the road and can see/chat to you easily.
im sure theres a far simpler way to skin this particular carrot....
good luck.

 

[tonyidle]

In terms of layout, yes. but for changing the sheets, not so much. I‘ve also heard they aren’t amazing to drive and they look clunky. Although that’s not a complete deal breaker (the sexy A class is going because although I love how it looks I don’t like the drive as much my coachbuilt and the layout isn’t really working for us. I would put up with the drive if the layout was ok

I have an electric overcab bed .