Page 1 of 1

Advice for auto-sleeper top bed and seam rust

Posted: 05 Apr 2010, 23:02
by toyclean
HI everyone, I'm a newbie here, and to the world of VW Vans. Just bought a T25 auto-sleeper high-top. It seems like a good van, clean, tidy, runs well, lots of service history, solid body - apart from the usual seam cosmetics.

Anyway, I've a few questions about a couple of points:

1 - I need to make then cover the bed panel for up top. Anyone know where any specs are for the board, foams etc? Or is it a tape measure job!!

2 - I'm in NE London, anyone know any trusted, decently priced bodywork shops so I can get the seams sorted? I viewed a van at Bullibarns and they seemed nice there but the van was way too expensive. I'd prefer somewhere closer than Colchester though!

3 - Bit like the above but need a recommendation for mechanics. Van needs a new exhaust fitting at some point (new exhaust came with it)

Cheers folks.

Michael

Re: Advice for auto-sleeper top bed and seam rust

Posted: 06 Apr 2010, 06:51
by Doctor Foster
toyclean wrote:HI everyone, I'm a newbie here, and to the world of VW Vans. Just bought a T25 auto-sleeper high-top. It seems like a good van, clean, tidy, runs well, lots of service history, solid body - apart from the usual seam cosmetics.

Anyway, I've a few questions about a couple of points:

1 - I need to make then cover the bed panel for up top. Anyone know where any specs are for the board, foams etc? Or is it a tape measure job!!

2 - I'm in NE London, anyone know any trusted, decently priced bodywork shops so I can get the seams sorted? I viewed a van at Bullibarns and they seemed nice there but the van was way too expensive. I'd prefer somewhere closer than Colchester though!

3 - Bit like the above but need a recommendation for mechanics. Van needs a new exhaust fitting at some point (new exhaust came with it)

Cheers folks.

Michael

Hello and Welcome

Do you need to make the panel that pulls out up in the roof to make the bed extend?? Is yours missing?

Re: Advice for auto-sleeper top bed and seam rust

Posted: 06 Apr 2010, 07:33
by toyclean
Yes, that's right, the bed panel. I think it's just covered wood. I know I can measure it up but would be easier to make form an original spec.

DO you know if the mattress is usually separate from the panel or fitted to it. The previous owner didn't use the top bed so converted the panel into a rear parcel shelf - now it's narrower so can't be re-used.

Thanks.
Michael

Re: Advice for auto-sleeper top bed and seam rust

Posted: 06 Apr 2010, 11:16
by kevtherev
Welcome..
I can measure my panel if no one posts the dimensions by tonight.

re rust
take a look on the Wiki and search this forum for tips
As you can imagine it's been well covered.

I would be yellow paging local commercial van accident repair shops.. the ones that have experience of larger vehicles.
mechanics must be VW old school... not fitters

the exhaust is quite a simple refit once you have the old one off

Re: Advice for auto-sleeper top bed and seam rust

Posted: 06 Apr 2010, 21:20
by Doctor Foster
toyclean wrote:Yes, that's right, the bed panel. I think it's just covered wood. I know I can measure it up but would be easier to make form an original spec.

DO you know if the mattress is usually separate from the panel or fitted to it. The previous owner didn't use the top bed so converted the panel into a rear parcel shelf - now it's narrower so can't be re-used.

Thanks.
Michael

The mattress/foam is fitted to the panel.

Re: Advice for auto-sleeper top bed and seam rust

Posted: 07 Apr 2010, 18:25
by Doctor Foster
The panel is 4 ft x 2 ft
its half an inch thick with 1 inch thick foam on top

Image

Re: Advice for auto-sleeper top bed and seam rust

Posted: 07 Apr 2010, 18:28
by Doctor Foster
the lip piece you can see attached to the panel is 45 inch wide x 1 1/4 inch height x 1 inch thick

Image

Re: Advice for auto-sleeper top bed and seam rust

Posted: 07 Apr 2010, 18:35
by Doctor Foster
Sorry for the old school measurements

Re: Advice for auto-sleeper top bed and seam rust

Posted: 07 Apr 2010, 18:42
by kevtherev
old skool van innit? :D

Re: Advice for auto-sleeper top bed and seam rust

Posted: 07 Apr 2010, 19:21
by Doctor Foster
kevtherev wrote:old skool van innit? :D

:ok

Re: Advice for auto-sleeper top bed and seam rust

Posted: 07 Apr 2010, 20:38
by toyclean
Thanks, much appreciated, nice easy one to get my hand in on the van. Another question, is there a fixing on that panel for the ladder. I can't tell whether the ladder fixes to anything at all when the bed is set up.

Thanks again.

MT

Re: Advice for auto-sleeper top bed and seam rust

Posted: 07 Apr 2010, 20:52
by kevtherev
no there is no fixing for the ladder.. best use the work top for access

Re: Advice for auto-sleeper top bed and seam rust

Posted: 07 Apr 2010, 21:11
by pirate-pete
toyclean wrote:HI everyone, I'm a newbie here, and to the world of VW Vans. Just bought a T25 auto-sleeper high-top. It seems like a good van, clean, tidy, runs well, lots of service history, solid body - apart from the usual seam cosmetics.

Anyway, I've a few questions about a couple of points:

1 - I need to make then cover the bed panel for up top. Anyone know where any specs are for the board, foams etc? Or is it a tape measure job!!

2 - I'm in NE London, anyone know any trusted, decently priced bodywork shops so I can get the seams sorted? I viewed a van at Bullibarns and they seemed nice there but the van was way too expensive. I'd prefer somewhere closer than Colchester though!

3 - Bit like the above but need a recommendation for mechanics. Van needs a new exhaust fitting at some point (new exhaust came with it)

Cheers folks.

Michael

Not a recommendation as I've not had any work done from them but I often see T25s parked outside this place just off the North Circular in Palmers Green.

http://www.palmersgreenshops.com/shops/ ... index.html

Depending on where in NE London you are it may be worth dropping in and asking them for a quote.

Re: Advice for auto-sleeper top bed and seam rust

Posted: 07 Apr 2010, 21:32
by scottbott
there is a vw place always seems pretty busy in woodford just off north circular called westside motors,I think