converting caravelle seat to bed

[robobobo]

Hi Has anyone tried to convert a standard caravelle seat to a bed with rock and roll hinges. This is the type with the fold away arm rests and moulded seats, currently the back just folds forward and not quite flat. I want to do this as i love the original seats but would also love to have them as a bed.

I have considered replacing with a westfalia r+r bed but do not like the flat seat as much as the moulded, also my seats are mint and all the interior is colour matched to them. I plan to fit cushions to the moulded seat to make them a bit flatter for the bed.

I'm sure i'll have a go at this anyway but was hoping someone may have some advice if they have attempted it already. I need to change the current seat brackets slightly to fit an lpg tank regardless.

Thanks camper experts

Robin

[Ian Hulley]

I did it by stripping the seat down and fastening it to the boards and frame of a Bluebird RnR bed. The results looks fantastic and were great as a seat, however to sleep on ..... no kin chance. I've kept the seat bottom and use the old bed foam as the back, this kind of kills 2 birds with 2 stones so to speak.




Ian.

[silverbullet]

I am taking out the r'n'r hinges from the SA this morning (better to hurry up and eat this pasty) with the idea of measuring up and copying them to make a conversion kit for German -made Caravelle bench seats. I've got a GL rear bench to experiment with. Thought that I'd make 10 sets and see how they go?
Before anyone gets worried - SA's are the same as German built vans as regards seat fixings and the height of the seat cushion, so will go straight in
I reckon that a 2-seat narrow/adjustable version could be made for 3/4 width; with an adaptor bracket to bolt to the floor, picking up on the seatbelt mounting.

[robobobo]

Very interesting, exactly the same style seats but i'll be using the full width 3 seater. Great pics thanks Ian and a tasty lookin interior, do you mean that you use the original bluebird foam on top of these seats for the bed ?

And Mr silver bullet keep me updated, i may well be in the market for some of those hinges!!

Many thanks

[Ian Hulley]

do you mean that you use the original bluebird foam on top of these seats for the bed ?

No, I take out the upright part (the bit with the arms) and replace it with the original upholstered bed foam (2 minute job) when we're going camping. When used as a daily driver we have both bits in. With 2 growing girls they found themselves sat on the board after a few hours of driving.

and a tasty lookin interior

Cheers, the interior's an I.T.Hulley Over-Engineering Limited special and has been made and adapted over the years to suit our changing needs.

Ian.

[silverbullet]

253885161A Caravelle seat/bed hinges are available from Classic Parts but...
135 Euro, 8 Euro delivery, plus 19% tax = 170 Euro on your doorstep. Yikes.
I must be able to do them cheaper than that.

[poshbuggers]

Any progress on this?

Just got a Caravelle and fancy converting the 3 seater

[tforturton]

When you say a Caravelle, you mean a tin-top?

[silverbullet]

https://club8090.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=38&t=92619" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

It's not straightforward, all bench types are different widths. Don't know if hinge set is still available and you'd still have to get the cushions and covers altered.