BCM Community

Bus Discussion => Bus Topics ( click here for quick start! ) => Topic started by: hcvdg on August 02, 2018, 08:26:49 PM

Title: Pull-Down Bunk?
Post by: hcvdg on August 02, 2018, 08:26:49 PM
I'm considering buying a conversion that doesn't sleep as may folks as I'd like, but has a 10" roof raise.

I've seen Custom Coaches that have individual pull-down bunks - does anyone know where I could get a couple of these?

The rear parlor of the conversion I'm considering has a queen bed, I'm thinking I could put a couple bunks above the rear queen (no need for headroom anyway).
Title: Re: Pull-Down Bunk?
Post by: buswarrior on August 02, 2018, 08:30:56 PM
Typically custom work, no two are the same.

The entertainer coach converters do that sort of thing a lot.

Nashville is the centre of that world.

Work the phones?

Happy coaching!
Buswarrior
Title: Re: Pull-Down Bunk?
Post by: Oonrahnjay on August 02, 2018, 08:33:33 PM
Quote from: hcvdg on August 02, 2018, 08:26:49 PMI'm considering buying a conversion that doesn't sleep as may folks as I'd like, but has a 10" roof raise.  ... 

        Unless you have family (that you like).  My design concept is comfortable 6 for cocktails/beers, comfortable 4 for dinner, comfortable 2 for sleeping.  If someone wants to go to the mountains for free, they can try running that past the local RV rental place.
Title: Re: Pull-Down Bunk?
Post by: richard5933 on August 03, 2018, 04:27:38 AM
Ours had two bunks in the rear parlor which were installed by Custom Coach. They didn't fold down from the ceiling, rather they folded up. The backs of the two side couches in the rear parlor folded out, and there were custom hinges made by CC that allowed the couch backs to become the upper bunks which suspended from the ceiling on chains. Here are a couple of photos showing the original setup. We've since reconfigured the two side couches to be permanent twin beds. I'd offer the hardware to you, but it's already spoken for.
Title: Re: Pull-Down Bunk?
Post by: hcvdg on August 03, 2018, 12:11:22 PM
Thanks for the hardware offer, glad they won't do to waste. If you have the chance please send some more photos of the construction.

In the rear salon of my old Wakefield 4106, each side could lower making a twin bed (or a king, if both were lowered) I liked that setup. I like the ability for folks to sit in the rear salon while on the road.

In the 4106 I'm how considering I think it would be nice to have a table back there too, so that folks could sit around the "horseshoe".

The bunks that I remember on CC MCIs looked like cocoons growing from the roof (I assumed they pulled down to make bunks)

hcvdg@hotmail.com
Title: Re: Pull-Down Bunk?
Post by: richard5933 on August 03, 2018, 12:39:48 PM
Here's a close-up view of the hardware. (sorry - it's rotated and I can't get it to post normal)
Title: Re: Pull-Down Bunk?
Post by: hcvdg on August 03, 2018, 02:29:43 PM
I found a photo (stowed). I asked the seller for more photos.
Title: Re: Pull-Down Bunk?
Post by: RJ on August 04, 2018, 09:23:48 AM
The GMC Motorhome, built from 1973 to 1978, had a convertible couch on the driver's side that became bunk beds when the back was folded up, similar to what CC did in Richard's GM.

You might check to see if there's a GMC MH group in your area, or maybe a forum like this one, to do some more research.  There's a very loyal following of these rigs.

FWIW & HTH. . .

;)
Title: Re: Pull-Down Bunk?
Post by: luvrbus on August 04, 2018, 09:46:02 AM
Those are kinda ugly why not use something like the Magic Bed Safari used in their RV,push a button bang there is the bed,our Trek has a queen size that drops from the ceiling   
Title: Re: Pull-Down Bunk?
Post by: buswarrior on August 04, 2018, 09:48:31 AM
Thanks for the reminder RJ...

The boat people also did couch/bunk combos.

Late 60's Chris Craft in the 30-40 foot range is one.

It's the trick hinges that are the devil to source...

Happy coaching!
Buswarrior
Title: A Fun Self Fabrication Project? ...
Post by: HB of CJ on August 04, 2018, 10:11:07 AM
A fun self fabrication project?  Do it yourself?  What is your guess ta mated overnight visitor load out?  How many friends and folks will be bunking over?   Are there any ex Navy types here on this Excellent Forum?  Former Sub Mariners?   How tiny are those bunks?  How big are the people all going to be?

Aluminum square tubing just bolted together?  High quality closed foam mattresses?  Re directed ventilation, heating and cooling?  I for one would find the challenges to do it correctly fun.  Remember the overall required reinforcing.  You might have considerable top weight in the coach.  You can do this.
Title: Re: Pull-Down Bunk?
Post by: lvmci on August 04, 2018, 08:32:02 PM
I like the trek magic bed idea too, there was a jamboree C class that had a rear living room, with a magic bed and a rear slide, living room by day two beds by night...
Title: Re: Pull-Down Bunk?
Post by: hcvdg on August 04, 2018, 09:43:28 PM
Thanks, all good ideas. I like the Trek Magic bed idea.

Well, it's never easy (that's what keeps this fun). I'm attaching a diagram of one of the earlier configurations of the coach (it as been changed as shown in the photos). I'd like to be able to sleep four adults, but the Villa sofa doen't look inviting, and the rear area has been changed to a tilt-up queen.

I'm sure if I paid Larry at Peninsula Interiors a busload of money he could fix me up - but it would cost less to get another coach (Newell 37, or a 90's Liberty Prevo, or a CC). Maybe I could sling a couple hammocks (they seem trendy).
Title: Re: Pull-Down Bunk?
Post by: dj on August 06, 2018, 05:37:24 PM
Got an Idea for you...years ago I had an Allegro M33 motor home that had a pull down bunk over the driver and passenger seats worked REALLY well ....Im on the look out for one for my conversion...got grand kids makes a nice bunk for them and they think its cool....Grandpa rocks...LOL
Title: Re: Pull-Down Bunk?
Post by: Tom Y on August 07, 2018, 04:17:36 AM
I built my couch bunk bed hardware. Not nearly as involved as 5933's. If you need pictures let me know. The problem with mine is the foam, hard enough for a couch is to hard for a bed.
Title: Re: Pull-Down Bunk?
Post by: luvrbus on August 07, 2018, 06:10:23 AM
Quote from: dj on August 06, 2018, 05:37:24 PM
Got an Idea for you...years ago I had an Allegro M33 motor home that had a pull down bunk over the driver and passenger seats worked REALLY well ....Im on the look out for one for my conversion...got grand kids makes a nice bunk for them and they think its cool....Grandpa rocks...LOL

All the class A motor homes had the neck breaking bed over the drivers area in 80's
Title: Re: Pull-Down Bunk?
Post by: hcvdg on August 07, 2018, 06:45:30 AM
I?m thinking air mattress.

Our busses have air available, maybe there?s a ?sleep number? type mattress available that would compress for storage, but would still be comfortable.
Title: Re: Pull-Down Bunk?
Post by: chessie4905 on August 07, 2018, 06:46:02 AM
Dad's Chevy Adventureliner (step van) had a double bed over driver that rode in tracks. You could raise for driving or lower for sleeping. Used cables in the tracks and operated by switch. Worked well.
Title: Re: Pull-Down Bunk?
Post by: luvrbus on August 07, 2018, 07:07:03 AM
I have saw wall mounted Murphy beds above the couch in the high dollar executive  coaches used as bunks ,they were kinda of neat , one had a 40 inch TV when folded up
Title: Re: Pull-Down Bunk?
Post by: hcvdg on August 17, 2018, 09:23:06 PM

Here?s a photo of the CC bunks. I also found a YouTube of this coach.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=7aI0uG7QO_8
Title: Re: Pull-Down Bunk?
Post by: KevinHornbuckle on August 18, 2018, 11:18:50 PM
A guy could fabricate a frame out of 1" black pipe. Use webbing and stretch with a rachet strap for a mattress holder. Foam pipe insulation aound the frame perimeter and cover with upholstery. Cover the chains too.
Title: Re: Pull-Down Bunk?
Post by: J_E on September 08, 2018, 11:14:57 PM
It's been a few years and my memory is a bit hazy, but we had a similar concept on the submarine.  The crew's lounge, on a trident, had several couches that could become a pair of bunks.  The bottom part was stationary, and the back rest would fold up.  I believe that each back rest had a couple of rods that would hook into the frame and into the overhead to hold the bunk up and the pivot was just a long piano hinge.  In true military fashion, they were as equally crappy at being a bunk as they were at being a couch.