thewaggonerfamily
SE Michigan
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Joined: 08/15/2005
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We tore out the old jackknife sofa at the front of our camper. (Actually tore out the whole front of the camper. There was also a long narrow table that folded up into the wall that I'd like to replace, so having just a bed there is not what we'd like to do permanently. We have been noodling on how to replace it, since DH is a big guy and we also usually have a nursling in bed with us. We are used to a King at home, but we can make do with smaller as long as its comfy. We considered a futon but looking at many people's pics of their camper re-dos I'm thinking a gaucho (I hope that's the right word, its the thing that is basically a box (sometimes with doors or drawers or a flip up lid under the seat) that expands in someway for night. (I think a piece of plywood that slides out or hinges out and is supported somehow, by legs or cleat on the wall or?) Anyhow, for those of you that have them or have seen them what do you think would be the best way of building one of these? Oh and DH is 6' and just over 300# and I am somewhere over 150# (how's that for vague ) but I figure he could sleep on the permanent side. I'm thinking cleats might be the sturdiest. Thoughts?
Thanks!
Katie
Scott & Katie
Katherine 15, Christian 13, Johannah 10, Nicholas 5, Genevieve 4, Matthew 9/10/07 and Amy the Wonder Lab
Chevy 2500 12 passenger Express
1983 24' Fleetwood Prowler
Pics are here: http://83prowler.blogspot.com/
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Fiverwheel
Southern CA
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Joined: 03/25/2003
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Your pictures are very enlightening to say the least. You have a very challenging project ahead of you.
You list the pictures a "before." Are there any "after" pictures showing the stage of the rebuild you are at now?
The framing for what you are trying to do is fairly straight forward for building a gaucho or a combination dinette and bed. But you do need to frame the front wall carefully so that it will bear the weight adequately.
"Blewbyou"
2002 26.5 MB Lazy Daze
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thewaggonerfamily
SE Michigan
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Joined: 08/15/2005
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Well, my DH almost died and was critical in the ICU last summer so the camper went on the back burner. We had it temporarily fixed up with the new floor in the front and 1/4" plywood walls (planning to wallpaper with a plain neutral wallpaper and cover the ugly wallpaper on the backsplash, too), and new framing under everything. We actually put 3/4" plywood on the floor because the thin stuff that was there is super bouncy, even when its not rotted. (Not too worried about the weight) For now we just have a carpet remnant over the front plywood floor, eventually when we are done we will put something over everything.
Framing out the gaucho box is no problem, what I was looking for ideas on is the best way to support the pullout or flip out part. We just slept on an airmattress on the floor temporarily. I'd like to get the gaucho done and get off the floor.
We need to unscrew a couple of the walls to tweak the framing a little. We also had to tear out the front ceiling panel that we need to fix. I was planning on fixing those before I took more pics. We are planning on camping on Labor day, so I should get more pics up soon. Later we have some soft spots in the back by the bathroom to fix, but we are working on finishing the front right now.
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thewaggonerfamily
SE Michigan
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Nobody has suggestions for how to best support the front of the flip out/slide out part of the gaucho? Please?
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tatest
Oklahoma
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Joined: 05/14/2005
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The gaucho in our 1960 TT was front piece sliding out. It was supported by brackets (actually wooden strips) on the side walls. This was in the era of framed walls, don't know how I would put brackets onto a sandwich wall.
Typical gaucho does not extend much at all. Dimensions closed are typically those of a twin mattress, so it is sort of a long-seat couch. Additional pullout is usually 12 to 14 inches, seldom as much as 18.
Can the two of you fit on something a foot wider than a twin?
Tom Test
Itasca Spirit 29B
2001 Ranger Edge
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