rock n roll beds

[kathyshack]

I'm after a new rock n roll bed for the interior. I currently have a diy copycat thing made with futon hinges, but am thinking this might not be the safest thing to put summers car seat on, so i'm gonna change it. Now here is where I want your advice and comments...
I've been looking at the bluebird ones ( http://www.bluebird-type2.co.uk/interior.htm ) as they have metal frames. this i feel might be safer, esp if we go on to have another baby. (Yes I know I've only just had one i hear you say!!!!!! ) Don't want to have to do this again, and a safer seat would do in the future for car seats etc....
The website say "Although these beds are primarily for splits and bays they will fit T25's" Have any of you fitted these to a T25 and was it easy enough?
The other options are the justkampers ones which are made of MDF (so might get soggy after a bit), or I could buy the rock n roll hinges and make my own. Would this be as safe do you think as a metal framed one?
mmm, interested to hear your thoughts....
thanks,
kathy

[Mocki]

i would buy the hidges and make your own from good quality ply, to your own standard, MDF is really pooh, even worse than the weetabix devon used if there is any chace of wetness getting to it....

[SteveW]

I have a Devon R&R bed in mine with a metal frame and the weetabix boards. I can not fault it as a bed but not certain I would like to have child seats mounted on it. One may be Ok if you have a 3 point belt fitted. As for the MDF

[deeja]

I fitted one of these about 2 months ago into my T25 without any problems. I decided to just buy the frame from Bluebird and bought some good ply from the timber yard. It took me about a day to buy all the wood, fit the seat + build the section for over the engine - most of that time was down at the timberyard!.

Some other people I know have complained that the foam retaining bars on the front of the seat can dig into your legs, but I haven't had any problems. I bought 4" blue foam for the seats and all the back section for about £80 from a small place in Worcester which makes it really comfy.

Hope this helps

[kathyshack]

cheers Deeja,
and welcome to 80-90!
Kathy

[Dave Moorcroft]

Kathy there is only one place to buy a rock & roll bed and that is Bluebird at great harwood, only need to drill 2 holes in the rear bulkhead and 3 screws to the floor. I have just fit a full width one to my van and it's the biz, I also bought the board & foam from Bluebird as well, if you pick the items up your self you save on the P&P. I then had the R&R bed and front seats re-covered by Roy at preston car trim (top job). If you need any help or you wish to view the finished job just drop me a line I am only down the road.

Dave

[kathyshack]

cheers dave,
sounds good. do you need a back bed base with those beds or do they lie flat against the engine bay?
kathy

[Dave Moorcroft]

Kathy yes you need a back bed base on the T25, I made one out of plywood, it give's extra storage space over the engine hatch, I've got the dimentions and cutting list I used for my van somewhere, it depends on the thickness of the ply flooring in your van?

Dave

[kathyshack]

Thanks Dave,
should hopefully be able to use the one i have at the moment. might be able to make it fit if not. Out of interest, did you make yours like the one on JK so that you don't actually have to lift it out of the van to get to the engine bay? Our one has been a real pain having to lift it out of thev an everytime i want to get to engine. this time i might make it like the JK one...

[Dave Moorcroft]

Kathy sorry for the delay replying but just been to Matlock for a few days stopped at lickpenny campsite A1. Now back to the bed raiser I did use the JK design so as to gain access to the engine bay but modified it to suit my needs.

Dave.

[kathyshack]

dave,
check out our funplace2b campsitesite for fellow campervanners to recommend sites. Its got quite a few sites in from fellow 80-90 members and is proving to be a good resource.

Still got some free stickers left for people who have recomended a site!

Kathy