prettywoman0172
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Post by prettywoman0172 on Feb 10, 2016 18:02:14 GMT -8
Umm, how is this thing supposed to work? It slides out, but the pieces of wood over lap when it does and it does not feel solid. Also, the support rail on the street side wall is 42" long while the support rail in the curb side is only 37" long - Why? I have it pulled out and have slipped a few extra boards in for support and to sort of even it out. Pretty sure the cushions that are on it are not the originals because they do not fit flat in any way on the bed when it is pulled out. I have the split one standing up still  The cushions are surprisingly comfortable for 50yo foam. (I am planning to replace) This thing also seems kinda smal - like about the size of a twin bed. Pic here : www.flickr.com/photos/139139784@N04/24830016092/look at the album for pics of it opened up. Going to try setting up the dinette bed tomorrow. |
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Ten
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Post by Ten on Feb 10, 2016 19:50:50 GMT -8
I don't have a lot to compare to, as I didn't get photos like I should have before removing the gaucho in the Airflyte. You are on the right track with it, and it sounds pretty similar to most that I have seen. The support of the framing always seems quite flimsy, but it is really substantial considering that weight is spread out over a greater area when you are lying flat. The sheeting on mine was the same 1/8" birch plywood panel that was used for the wall boards. This is also another example of the engineering that gains strength from the whole of the structure, as the cushions work to spread the pressure out more evenly over a thin plywood. The reason for the overlap is that they have to be able to push back in when you make up the couch arrangement. If they laid side-by-side, then it would be quite difficult to push it back, and especially with the cushions in place. If you replace using a 4 - 5 inch thick foam, the ridge will be unnoticeable.
I can't say for sure that all the cushions were designed to lie flat. They may have been resized, or they may have been replaced at one time, or they were never designed to go completely flat.
Most make out to a "super-twin" or a pretty tight "full". This is because they are designed to maximize a minimal amount of space. I guess that our grandparents and young parents were a lot less demanding for sleeping space then we tend to be....
Be sure to post your findings with the dinette too.
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Post by bigbill on Feb 11, 2016 3:49:58 GMT -8
Years ago most people slept in smaller beds, I guess they believed in togetherness. My wife and I used to sleep in the rear of a station wagon with no problem 50 plus years ago, but now older and fatter we prefer a kingsize bed. Mostly because we are now aware that it is more comfortable, allowing better rest. This is why we each sleep in our own bed in the camper, as a 37 inch bed is too much togetherness. |
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prettywoman0172
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Post by prettywoman0172 on Feb 11, 2016 6:00:09 GMT -8
The bed really is only 37" wide. If pulled farther it would be hanging over the wooden support rail and would be blocking the door. Setting up the bed in the dinette later today.
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prettywoman0172
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Post by prettywoman0172 on Feb 12, 2016 8:49:03 GMT -8
What is the average bed size in a 12-14ft vintage trailer? I have three 'bed' areas - the dinette is about 37x65, the sofa is 37x 78, and the cabover bunk is 42x78 - so each is about the size of a twin bed with the bunk being the largest. Is this the norm?
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Hamlet
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Post by Hamlet on Feb 12, 2016 16:23:04 GMT -8
Pretty much normal, although we thought that the gaucho beds were a bit wider than that. A full mattress is 54" (what we have in our Compact), and a twin runs about 38-39", a single is 30 inches. We thought that most of the gaucho beds were more like a 3/4 size, 48", so learned something new today. Is it possible with your layout to make the rear bed wider?
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prettywoman0172
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Post by prettywoman0172 on Feb 13, 2016 6:47:48 GMT -8
No, the rear bed is in the dinette and is the smallest bed. And the one that is made from the couch has the counter top/stove/fridge on one side and the door on the other so it physically cannot be made larger. The cabover bunk is actually the bigges bed having the measurements of an extra long twin.
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SusieQ
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Post by SusieQ on Feb 13, 2016 10:13:17 GMT -8
Twin gauchos in my Shasta Compact are 74 x 36 each.
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mobiltec
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Post by mobiltec on Feb 13, 2016 12:08:32 GMT -8
Well this question has been asked enough for me to do a video on the subject. I will do this one very soon. The part with the ledge piece on it slides all the way out till it hits a cabinet or something. I can't see from your pictures where it stops at but it should slide out to make for at least a 50 inch there abouts width. I'll measure the one in the Kenskill next time I'm out there and will be doing the video on that one. The 59 Airflyte is 51 inches pulled all the way out. The other piece of plywood sets on top of the ledge piece and should drop in behind the ledge piece and fall down flush. It will be smaller than the ledge piece. When not in use it sets on top under the cushion. The ledge piece has that ledge on it the full length and keeps the mattress from sliding forward. It also has framing runners lying flat and clued to the bottom. These pieces slide in and out with the ledge piece and are in between the matching pieces on the cabinet top that everything sits on. Hard to explain without photos which is why I'll do the video next week. It's the next project on the Kenskill anyhow so good timing.
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Ten
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Post by Ten on Feb 13, 2016 14:00:27 GMT -8
I am believing that this pull-out was kept narrower than usual because it is located in the front end, beneath the loft bunk. If there is anyone using both to sleep at the same time, access to and from the upper bunk would be near impossible over the top of a wider pullout base. If I am not mistaken there was a similar layout used in the early-60's Shasta Astrodome. While many of the Astrodomes were built with a front dinette, and the bunk overhead of it, there were some built with the front gaucho, with the swing-away tables.
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mobiltec
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Post by mobiltec on Feb 13, 2016 14:21:03 GMT -8
I am believing that this pull-out was kept narrower than usual because it is located in the front end, beneath the loft bunk. If there is anyone using both to sleep at the same time, access to and from the upper bunk would be near impossible over the top of a wider pullout base. If I am not mistaken there was a similar layout used in the early-60's Shasta Astrodome. While many of the Astrodomes were built with a front dinette, and the bunk overhead of it, there were some built with the front gaucho, with the swing-away tables. Could be. We need to see photos of it without the cushion both in the open and closed position. |
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prettywoman0172
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Post by prettywoman0172 on Feb 13, 2016 14:23:33 GMT -8
Ten, yes I think that makes a lot of sense! Mobiltec, I'd love to see a video. None of my pieces lay flush. I'll take some pics when I take the bedding off. Thanks everyone!
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cottontailfarm
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Post by cottontailfarm on Jun 14, 2016 19:03:23 GMT -8
Thank you for asking this question because I was confused by mine too! I was hoping to eventually get sheet sets for my couch/bed and dinette/bed. What size does everyone find fits these?
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The cushions are surprisingly comfortable for 50yo foam. (I am planning to replace) This thing also seems kinda smal - like about the size of a twin bed.
