Hi,
I have been looking at some of the older 2berth vans where they have the very large double bed made out of the benches either side of the front of the van. I was wondering if it is possible to convert the front of this to a small double across the front taking out the cupboard and filling in the gap? This bed could then be left made up and we would still have a smaller seating area towards the kitchen part either side of the van.
Has any one done anything similar ? ideas as to how practical and easy it would be to do gratefully received.
thanks
Funny you say that.
I keep thinking it would be better to have a 4ft 6inch rock and roll/ sofa bed type arrangerment across the front and two smaller corner cabs each side or even to one side rather than filling the whole space in, that makes it 'difficult' (almost impossible for older people) to make the bed.
Seems we are in a bit of a rut with this design when it's for only two people.
We have a small, old, 4 berth van, and we leave the bed at the front made up while we are away. That leaves us with a small seating area at the back. This works just fine for us.
Our first 94 Elddis was same layout as you explain, the middle set of drawers are useless once the bed is made up, we used to leave it made up all the time, not even putting it back to seats when travelling. Having now got a 4 berth L shaped lounge the bed when it is made up is right under the window, this gives more lounge space, so I think your idea is a good one, especially for a 2 berth.
Would be great to see before and after photo's.
------------- "Close your eyes and pretend it's all a dream, that's how I get by"
Anything is possible, requires just a bit of carpentry. I did similar with mine & replaced the cushions with a cheap memory foam double mattress from an a ebay mattress seller. Much more comfortable than sleeping on a bed made up from the seat cushions.
Didn't most elddiss about 5 yrs ago have removable central cupboards
or is it just mine ?
it makes a great 7ftx6 ft bed
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Most front sets of draws have been removable in all the caravans we have owned in the past, often its just two small chrome bolts that keep them in place, which are often consealed around the back of the draws or under the pull out table top.
The only consideration you have to have before you go adding things to the front end of the caravan is the extra weight that you may add onto the front hitch. Whilst a simple bit of lightweight joinery may be ok, adding things like a couple of armchairs, or even a 4ft6ins domestic mattress would send the caravans nose weight well over the limit it was designed for, not to mention the maximum weight that your towcar could take onto its hitch.
If your lucky, some older caravans came with infil cushions for the front benches that gave the option of either moving the set of draws to the rear dinette of a caravan, or taking them out altogether. Even if your caravan did not have these, they may be available from caravan breakers yards or on ebay ect.
Julia
------------- Just love to be out amoungst Nature and Wildlife
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You need to remember that it is cupboards and bunks that give a caravan structural integrity and changing this may affect the structure.
Also as the caravan no longer conforms to the orginal spec, there may be an issue if the caravan is involved in a collision.
Lastly unlikely you would get insurance due to modifications unless a Certificate of Conformity is produced.
Good luck with your modifications.
Thanks for all the replies. I think my concerns were really focused on the extra weight etc but having relooked and considered it from photos I really think this would be do-able. My thoughts are to remove the small cupboard and use slats to infill the gap between the two seats up to about the four foot mark. I have a light weight four foot mattress and memory foam topper from a old folding camper which would then give us approx. 2-3feet of sitting space either side of the bed. I am quite handy with needle etc so would cut down original cushions and recover for the two seating areas.
I am definitely going to give it more thought as I would only want a small van but I really don't like the idea of having to make bed every night.
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Topic: is this possible/practical?
