Any caravelle bench beds around?

[cshots]

hi all
i have a twin slider '85 caravelle with a full width original bench seat in the back. it's not rock and roll, but the back folds forward.
was wondering if anyone has a similar situation and has made this work for sleeping / any ideas to make this a bed, i just can't afford a decent r&r and i'd like to keep the bench.
would love some pictures if poss
cheers

[B.J]

Hi,
I looked into this and found this product..http://www.camperstuff.co.uk/Site/Micro_bed.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
I emailed the bloke and he said it wouldn't work in t25 without modding but he did say there was t25 version made
by someone else who's name escaped him. I couldn't find any reference to it.
It's not exactly budget though.

There's another old product called Huls camping hinges see about 2/3rds down
http://www.vwtype3and4club.org.uk/forum ... php?t=2360" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
There must be a modern version of that.
You'd be lucky to find some.

Good luck.

[cshots]

thanks very much, those hinges look like a good idea - i'll look into them.
i might have to just settle for some kind of wooden frame with cushions to extend the length of the folded seats, but those look like good options.
cheers

[jim potter]

ive just picked up a orig carvelle gl 2 seat bench , im going to try to use my exsiting rock and roll hinges and graft it onto the seat frame. ill take some pics when i do it, in the next few weekends.

[VAN with a PLAN]

http://www.camperstuff.co.uk/Site/Micro_bed.html

That's cool, I'd love something like that for our Caravelle. Does anybody know if they are out there?

[B.J]

ive just picked up a orig carvelle gl 2 seat bench , im going to try to use my exsiting rock and roll hinges and graft it onto the seat frame. ill take some pics when i do it, in the next few weekends.

I'd be very interested in the results from this

[cshots]

think i will probably heading down the same route as jedthespread - pics here on the wiki
https://club8090.co.uk/wiki/Fi ... e_bed1.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

seems cheaper and simpler than switching everything for r&r or modding the existing stuff.
will post updates when i get round to sorting it out!

[VAN with a PLAN]

think i will probably heading down the same route as jedthespread - pics here on the wiki
https://club8090.co.uk/wiki/Fi ... e_bed1.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

seems cheaper and simpler than switching everything for r&r or modding the existing stuff.
will post updates when i get round to sorting it out!

This is what I've been doing slowly, but the end result is not long enough to be a bed. I am trying to work out how to extend it.
Keep us posted on your efforts!

[cshots]

thought length might be a problem, but maybe some form of fold out table or a unit with extensions that can sit in front of the bench seat and have mattress cushions resting on it?
will let you know when i make progress (might be a while - bodywork comes first )

[Plasticman]

ive lost the rear 24" of my bed as its garaged off for the dog etc and other stuff so i drop the r &r as normal and i have fabricated another section of bedframe with a 6mm mdf top , this is hinged so it sits under the rear seat squab so r & r down then lift cusion and fold out the extra section it also has a build in fold out leg/support and thats it job done .sleeps 2 with no issues for the last 4 odd years, will post a picky or two up ,
mm

[jim potter]

picking up the metal this week, then ill be busy with a grinder and welder.. ill take some pics as i go , fingers crossed it all works.

[Synkraut]

I don't know how rare they are in GB, but over here in Germany, original full width caravelle R&R bench beds pop up occasionally on fleabay. They were a factory option for the caravelles. Here's one being offered right now (seller is offering it as a multivan bench, but it is a caravelle one. He also has the bed extension and other seats in matching fabric).
http://www.ebay.de/itm/VW-Bus-T3-Schlaf ... 2a1b9c30d9" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Only thing that needs to be changed is the position of the pins securing the backrest.

[silverbullet]

Caravelle hinge sets were available via VW Classic parts not so long ago (maybe 18 months) they may even still be on catalogue. When I enquired they were about 130 Euro + tax and only 8 Euro shipping!!! Worked out at around £180 iirc

If you want the part number to enquire it's 253 885 161 A (without the A you'll get the Multivan one and it's about 95mm narrower!)

You will still have to cut off fixed brackets, maybe drill a few holes and fix nuts in the base and backrest (best to remove covers and tack-weld on)

Search for the "The all new Caravelle Z-bed thread" where I did a load of multivan-to-caravelle r'n'r frame mods.