Fitting a bluebird bed in an autohomes komet - help!

[evilgoat]

Just been out removing the old knackered autohomes bed, as the new bluebird one is on it's way.

Two initial problems I have noticed:

1. The water tank obscures the angled bulkhead and I can't get the water tank out without removing the side units, which I currently don't want to do.

2. The bluebird bed is 6.5ft long. I only have 6 ft between the side of fridge unit and back of the van.

I think by mounting the bed further back I can get round both problems, but the mounting points I have seen on pictures are angled, and the seat base will end up being higher up than intended.

Has anyone successfully fitted a bluebird to an old autohomes? Any pointers? Pics much appreciated!

[Martynor]

Hi Evilgoat
I to removed my old knackered RnR bed I am replacing it with a full width one (http://www.cosyclassics.ie/3-4-Width-Ro ... AT7QH.aspx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;) I'm not sure how similar it is to the bluebird one but there is no way I could mount it and keep the water tank, having said that,I did remove the tank as a matter of course my logic being I would never use that much water (brush teeth make coffee).as I was replacing the kitchen as well I found I had only 90 " left over to build a new unit. I guess what I'm saying is the RnR beds whilst very good are not really made to be retro fitted to old Autohomes layout.i can hear you thinking "this is not helping me" just thought I would letnyounknow what Inhad to do. Also when the bed is in place the the height difference between the engine bay and the bed surface is considerably more than with the old bed so I'm having to build a new deeper platform for over the engine.

[B.A Eauty]

Which bit of the existing bed is knackered? i would save the mechanical parts and seek new boards, i tried to replace a autohomes bed with a bluebird and it is tricky, you end up laid close to the ceiling!!! i bought a 2nd hand autohomes one in the end, good luck...

[lloydy]

My old komets bed was knackered, so easy to fix though. Buy a sheet of marine ply and cut out new panels, mark and drill and fix on all the brackets and put it back together ( I got my local upholstery place to fit new foam and covers) looked great and worked like new

[evilgoat]

I just don't trust the rubbish way the auto homes bed/seat is fixed to the van, especially with kids on it.

The foam and covers are tired and boards worn.

I have the bluebird bed now, considering notching the corner of the seat base to go around the kitchen unit.

Other problem I've noticed is my seat belt tails may be too short as they are further back in the autohomes.

Also The bluebird bed is 5" narrower than the old one.

Any other suggestions gratefully received.

[1664]

The seat is perfectly safe but you're right about the belts being set further back. The autohomes seat is designed to give as much space as possible in the living area with the seat up.

I've seen vans where velcro held the seat to the frame but it's academic if the seat belts are worn, they're what holds the passengers in, not the seat.

Up to you of course, it's your van but it sounds like a lot more trouble than replacing with new wood and foam etc.

[evilgoat]

well I've had a look at the bluebird bed tonight and I think if I just drill the mount points on the fixed lower side pieces 6" further back i'll get it to fit fine.

i'll post back up with pics if it works.