Removing plastic springs from Hymer bed slats

[peterc10]

Does anybody know how to remove the plastic springs from the slats of a Hymer bed base please? Note these seem to be different to the standard Froli springs that I have seen.

I am thinking of removing the mattress on the front drop down bed and putting hardboard on the slats so that I can use the bed base as a drop down storage area. That way I will be loading the front axle, which has plenty to spare rather than the rear axle which is near its limit.

Photo below shows what I mean. I can easily remove the red bit, but I can't find a way of removing the blue bit from the black base that it sits on (not shown on photo) which is in turn stapled to the slats. And I can't get to the staples to lever them out because the blue bit is in the way. I can easily remove the slats complete with the springs but I need the slats to stay in place in order to support the hardboard.

 

[TheTwoOfUs]

Can you not use a mirror to see if there is anything underneath the slat to prevent the springs coming off, Peter?

 

[Lenny HB]

Not seen that type before but it looks like they just snap over the slat. Need to build up your arm mussels Peter.

 

[Land Yachties]

We removed the mattress on the drop down bed and use soft under bed storage cases placed directly onto the slats which is great for storing light clothing and bedding etc. According to Hymer the maximum permissible weight is 21kg when the bed is folded against the roof of the van. Bought the storage bags from Amazon. Unsurprisingly Hymer wanted the best part of £400 for their tailor made system.

 

[peterc10]

Can you not use a mirror to see if there is anything underneath the slat to prevent the springs coming off, Peter?

Thanks Neil but there is nothing under the slat, had a look by partly taking off the slat (which is easy) and feel.

Not seen that type before but it looks like they just snap over the slat. Need to build up your arm mussels Peter.

Thanks Lenny but they definitely don't snap over the slat. The black base bit (which you can't see in the photo) is wider than the slat. They have been stapled onto the slat through the black bit, but it must have been done before the blue bit was attached because the blue bit sits on top of the two staples (one each side). What I am trying to do is to remove the blue bit from that black base, and then it should be easy to tackle the staples

We removed the mattress on the drop down bed and use soft under bed storage cases placed directly onto the slats which is great for storing light clothing and bedding etc. According to Hymer the maximum permissible weight is 21kg when the bed is folded against the roof of the van. Bought the storage bags from Amazon. Unsurprisingly Hymer wanted the best part of £400 for their tailor made system.

Thanks. I am aware of the Hymer system and its cost. But as I read their blurb if you use that you still have to remove the springs.

Looked at Amazon bags but most are higher than our mattress which is only 100mm. Removing the springs would give me another 50mm or so. Do the ones you use sit OK on the springs and if they do can you give me a link please of the ones you bought?

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[Land Yachties]

Thanks Neil but there is nothing under the slat, had a look by partly taking off the slat (which is easy) and feel.


Thanks Lenny but they definitely don't snap over the slat. The black base bit (which you can't see in the photo) is wider than the slat. They have been stapled onto the slat through the black bit, but it must have been done before the blue bit was attached because the blue bit sits on top of the two staples (one each side). What I am trying to do is to remove the blue bit from that black base, and then it should be easy to tackle the staples


Thanks. I am aware of the Hymer system and its cost. But as I read their blurb if you use that you still have to remove the springs.

Looked at Amazon bags but most are higher than our mattress which is only 100mm. Removing the springs would give me another 50mm or so. Do the ones you use sit OK on the springs and if they do can you give me a link please of the ones you bought?

To be fair we didn't have the Froil system fitted on the drop down bed but did manage to find bags that were 75mm deep. Will try and find the link but it was about 18 months ago that we bought them

 

[sonar]

If it is easy to remove a slat do they just slide on and off.

 

[rb62]

If it is easy to remove a slat do they just slide on and off.

That'll be a no then

So the blue bit must have either been snapped into the black bit or maybe be pushed in and turned through 90 degrees if your lucky

 

[sonar]

View attachment 588658

That'll be a no then

So the blue bit must have either been snapped into the black bit or maybe be pushed in and turned through 90 degrees if your lucky

Remove the slats and replace them with new slats at the same time your be able to add as many as you wish or replace the whole lot with a sheet of thick plywood. With holes drilled for ventilation. As this will be just for additional storage As stated in the first post of the thread.

store the old slats away in case you need to put them back again ..

we have done the same on our Swift Sundance 600 B The B denotes bunk beds one is now storage.

 

[peterc10]

If it is easy to remove a slat do they just slide on and off.

No they are held on by staples, but can't get to them until I have removed the blue bit

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[peterc10]

View attachment 588658

That'll be a no then

So the blue bit must have either been snapped into the black bit or maybe be pushed in and turned through 90 degrees if your lucky

Yep, but I have attacked it from all angles with flat bladed screwdrivers and it does not want to move. I bet there is a knack but I haven't found it yet!!

 

[sonar]

I am still promoting the remove them and replace. With sheet ply or new slats.
if the springs are damaged in anyway there not be able to be refitted.

 

[rb62]

Yep, but I have attacked it from all angles with flat bladed screwdrivers and it does not want to move. I bet there is a knack but I haven't found it yet!!

Hymer special,probably made by Froli

 

[peterc10]

Hymer special,probably made by Froli

View attachment 588682

Yes the tops of those are the same as mine. But the black bottom bits are larger than mine. My Hymer is a 2015 model B678 built in late 2014. If that helps anybody?

 

[peterc10]

I am still promoting the remove them and replace. With sheet ply or new slats.
if the springs are damaged in anyway there not be able to be refitted.

Ply needed will be too heavy without the slats (which are light bendy ones).

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[TheTwoOfUs]

Having looked at YouTube the only way shown of attaching the blue bits to anything under them was to push down and twist through 90 degrees. Admittedly this was attaching to the grey plastic strips. Will they not twist through 90 degrees to release them?

 

[Just smiffy]

What about forcing one off then you can see the mechanics of the item and maybe remove the rest easily..?

 

[peterc10]

Having looked at YouTube the only way shown of attaching the blue bits to anything under them was to push down and twist through 90 degrees. Admittedly this was attaching to the grey plastic strips. Will they not twist through 90 degrees to release them?

Give that man a banana (or a beer when we next meet up)!

Well done Neil. Yes if I twist it hard anti clockwise it forces itself out. Strangely I then have to slide it back in until it clicks to reinstate.

Thank you everybody who offered help. I am now looking for some bags to buy

 

[rb62]

Give that man a banana (or a beer when we next meet up)!

Well done Neil. Yes if I twist it hard anti clockwise it forces itself out. Strangely I then have to slide it back in until it clicks to reinstate.

Thank you everybody who offered help. I am now looking for some bags to buy

Excuse me , post#8

'So the blue bit must have either been snapped into the black bit or maybe be pushed in and turned through 90 degrees if your lucky '

 

[peterc10]

Excuse me , post#8

'So the blue bit must have either been snapped into the black bit or maybe be pushed in and turned through 90 degrees if your lucky '

Oooops sorry about that.

2 beers then.

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