Hello Bus Enthusiasts,
Hope everyone is doing well! I am currently in Tybee Island with the WildFlower (my 1979 MCI MC9) and this trip I had a large amount of family travel with us. During the trip, I could not help but think of how to make my couch longer. I have looked at entertainer coaches (silver eagle entertainers to be exact.) and I really like the look of a long lounge couch. However, how did they build them like that? I have looked at DIY websites to see if they have any schematics or blueprints for lounge couches in buses but to no avail, I cant find anything. I highly doubt that entertainer coach manufacturers would be willing to share that information. Anyone built something like that? Attached is a picture for reference. the image and bus is not mine just a reference point to help visualize my inquiry. I look forward to your thoughts everyone!
Best Regards,
WildRoutes
Take a look on Facebook market place. There are many long couches on there, many in leather or pleather, and reasonable in price. Upholstery shop could modify one if it is too deep. You could also consider sectional couches. You could easily assemble one 20 to 50 feet long or more. Also check Craigslist and Adhuntr. Another possibility is to post on Facebook bus conversion site. Maybe someone bought an entertainer coach and wants to alter it and wants rid of the couches.
Thank you chessie!
I have considered posting and looking on facebook marketplace and bus conversion groups. I might just go ahead and do that. I'm just wondering if it was actually built in or like you are referring to purchasing and placing a long couch/part sectional to put there.
I have two Eagle Entertainers, the Model 10 has RV style couches that fold down as beds, and the wider Model 15 has (had) custom built dinettes that converted to beds. The 8 1/2' wide coaches allow more leeway for using home style furniture, which is what I will be putting into the Model 15. The custom lounges like the one pictured can cost big bucks. The questions of how cool you want to look, and how comfortable you want to be, determine how much money it's going to cost. 8)
Hey DoubleEagle,
Great point honestly. The couch I have now is just been built by 2x4's so I am certainly going to take it out and place/newly build something back in. I guess if I really want that look I am going to have be willing to put some money into it.
Another importand consideration is the useage percentages,,for instants,, you like the idea now because of the recent use,,but in the real world,,(probably 90%) you won't have that many folks and that much couch will be a waste of space and you may want it for some other use...I have found over the years that my use and needs have changed..
Think hard ,, how many times have you needed room for that many folks???>>>Dan
Here is my setup. $500 worth of Sam's club couches. They make into beds, center folds down for arm rests with cup holders. Dead bolts in place when stowed. Plenty of seating when we go to a concert etc . Couch on other side also converts to bed so each kid gets there own bed with one left over for mother inlaw.
Quote from: bronson on August 24, 2019, 05:09:50 PM
Here is my setup. $500 worth of Sam's club couches. They make into beds, center folds down for arm rests with cup holders. Dead bolts in place when stowed. Plenty of seating when we go to a concert etc . Couch on other side also converts to bed so each kid gets there own bed with one left over for mother inlaw.
These look very affordable and practical. They might not be the most cushy couches out there, but they look very presentable. I did not know Sam's Club had something like this.
Walter, they are serta brand couches and the wife found them on clearance a couple years ago. Had to go another store to get the 2nd one. Havent seen one exactly like mine in there since. I did see a similar serta one recently at Sam's. Unlike my traditional jackknife sofa on other side of the bus, these have to slide out from the wall to fold down to a bed. I bolted 4x4s to the bottom of the couch and another to the floor of the coach. In between are heavy duty ball bearing drawer slides. The couches sit on four small rollers to support weight and take some pressure off drawer slides. When stowed they dead bolt to the floor. We love them . They have storage underneath and built in usb outlets. They are comfortable and way better built than standard motorhome furniture. I was also able to do away with the death trap of a table 4 chairs and a recliner that were not bolted down when I got it. Excuse the dirt, looks like it needs swept inside.
Walter, I see you are only about 60 miles from me and you have 5 buses!!! I'm 30 miles south of Wilmington. I think we need to meet. Presently only have two buses. If I bring my wife maybe that will take some heat off me!
Thank you Utah for the advice! Every time I take the bus it is usually my wife and three kids with my mother in-law but this trip I had my wife's brother and his wife plus their child. I agree it does not happen all the time.
Bronson those are great looking couches! I really like the idea of the usb outlets.
Quote from: bronson on August 24, 2019, 07:09:35 PM
Walter, I see you are only about 60 miles from me and you have 5 buses!!! I'm 30 miles south of Wilmington. I think we need to meet. Presently only have two buses. If I bring my wife maybe that will take some heat off me!
Correction, I only have four Eagles, two of which are for parts now. At some point I will end up with only the Model 15. Yes, we will have to connect at some point. I think the spousal heat decreases when you go over two buses, particularly when she insists that she needs more room. How did your school do with that Channel Lock contest? I voted for you.
We came in third place in the channellock contest and earned $1500 cash and a bunch of free tools. In the end it was a popularity contest for who could get the most likes. We were beat fair and square by one team but the other had pages of what appeared to be bogus "likes" from accounts with no profile picture, no friends and from Mexico. Even one named Jack Doe. I can take being beat but there was obviously something fishy. In the end the kids got a bunch of tools and we got some great national exposure with over 20000 view of our video. Our video was done by a 15 year old kid and he is clearly going places. Sorry for the thread drift.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omfviLYcLY0
Here is how I made mine.
Here is how it turned out https://www.instagram.com/p/BlYirwPnkBj/
Looking to redo the padding and upholstery this fall / spring.
Do you know the model number for those couches?
Quote from: bronson on August 24, 2019, 07:03:47 PM
Walter, they are serta brand couches and the wife found them on clearance a couple years ago. Had to go another store to get the 2nd one. Havent seen one exactly like mine in there since. I did see a similar serta one recently at Sam's. Unlike my traditional jackknife sofa on other side of the bus, these have to slide out from the wall to fold down to a bed. I bolted 4x4s to the bottom of the couch and another to the floor of the coach. In between are heavy duty ball bearing drawer slides. The couches sit on four small rollers to support weight and take some pressure off drawer slides. When stowed they dead bolt to the floor. We love them . They have storage underneath and built in usb outlets. They are comfortable and way better built than standard motorhome furniture. I was also able to do away with the death trap of a table 4 chairs and a recliner that were not bolted down when I got it. Excuse the dirt, looks like it needs swept inside.
I checked the Sam's Club site (look in couch section) to see if they were still available, they are, but they are different in that the fold-out beverage holder seems to be gone, but the end of the couch folds up to act like a chaise-lounge. The regular price is $400. The ones he got were close-outs on sale. The newer version looks the same as the older version otherwise. They seem to be made in China.
Check several furniture stores and wholesale furniture places.. They sell many no name brands in variety. Don't forget places like Boscovs, At Home, Home Goods, Pier One, etc.