Rock and roll bed problem

[tforturton]

I've been looking for a rock and roll bed to replace the seats in the back of my Caravelle, but none of them seem to 'fit' properly. I couldn't figure out why they were all four or five inches too high, which means that you have to build up a platform (or drawers) on the top of the engine housing, so the bed is the same level from front to back.
But it just struck me - is it that the seat itself has to be a certain height, and that is higher than the engine housing? If the bed was the same level as the top of the housing, would it be too low? Is the answer as simple as that?
It might explain why no-one seems to make them the 'right' height.

[King Kenny]

I think you are right. If the bed was the same height as the platform the seat would be too low. I was dissapointed when I fitted my RR frame from Just Kampers. I fitted 4" higher foam at the back to give a level bed and all is well.

[1664]

The rear section always has to be raised to be level with the folding sections. The folding sections are fixed to the solid base and back of the seat (and sometimes the actual folding mechanism is underneath as well) so it doesn't matter what kind of bed you fit you will always have to either raise the back or fit deeper foam.
So essentially as a minimum you have the seat foam+solid base section, back foam+solid back section and rear foam+nothing so it has to be raised. The Autohomes mechanism is actually under the folding sections so the rear is raised even higher by fitting two sliding drawers on the engine lid.

[tforturton]

So someone could probably do good business, turning out ready-made drawer sections for the area behind the seat?

[1664]

No not really. Different folding beds have different rear height issues so there isn't a 'standard'. Like I said, the Autohomes one is deliberately high so as to house the folding mechanism/hinges underneath and that gives enough room for sliding cupboards in the back under the foam section.

My previous Leisuredrive camper had the rear foam mounted on a wooden framework to raise it to the height of the rest of the bed. The height it raised it was nowhere near enough to fit any drawers in. Only a couple of inches.

[ghop99]

So someone could probably do good business, turning out ready-made drawer sections for the area behind the seat?

Somebody would make good money making a decent R&R bed like the ones being produced for the T4/5's at the moment.

[tforturton]

It does seem strange, considering how many of T25s there are on the road, that no-one has bothered to produce a bed that is a 'perfect fit'.

[Ralf85]

You could swop your van for a westie!

[1664]

You could swap it for any conversion since all conversion companies took it into consideration in their designs.

Don't see why it's such a huge problem - just raise it a bit or fit deeper foam.....

[billybigspud]

Just Build a box and stick stuff in it.

[tforturton]

You could swop your van for a westie!

I could, but mine's a Syncro.

[Wychall]

You all want to think yourselves lucky. My R&R bed is at the same height as the engine cover, which makes for a mighty hard bed!
The reason for the higher engine cover is of course the upright in-line 5 cylinder which is standard in the SA buses. Doesn't make the cover any softer though.

[tforturton]

I emailed ProActive Engineering, and asked them why they didn't have a bed for a T25 that was built to the correct height. Here's the response I had from them....

Dear Andrew,

I have spoken to our design department regarding your enquiry and they have asked me to email the following information.

If the rock and roll bed was made with shorter legs, the actual seat height would be lower. Our beds can be purchased and the legs can be cut down to suit the height required, this would have to be done by the customer unless the bed was fitted here.

We may develop a bed to fit flush with the engine bay in the near future but, this would have to be a different design so that we could maintain the correct seat height, and the design for the rear part of the bed would be manufactured to avoid a box section being made.

If you would like further information regarding cutting the legs down and/or would like to be listed on our mailing list for new product information please let me know.

Thank you for your interest in our products and assuring you of our best attention at all times.

Regards,

Paula Short

T:01543 671614
M:07870408975

PROACTIVE ENGINEERING LIMTED
UNIT 1B METAL PRODUCTS BUSINESS PARK
PROSPECT ROAD
BURNTWOOD
STAFFORDSHIRE
WS7 0AE

So at least someone is looking into it, though it does seem that if the seat was level with the engine bay cover, then the seat would be too low. Okay for a bed, but not too good when you're using it as a seat (especially if you're sat at a table!). Looks like we're all going to have to stick with our rasied platforms....

[billybigspud]

You have far too much time on your hands.

[tforturton]

Not really - I just want to fit a bed, and can't understand why it isn't a simple task.