I was wondering if anyone knew if some of the rv type sofa/bed combos are better (more comfortable bed) than others. I had a s&s some years ago and the bed was pretty good but do not know if this is typical or not. Thanks in advance!
one word........FLEXSTEEL
Tekebird has the right answer, flexsteel will do a great job for you. The foam is high quality with a solid frame, a lot of the discount brands are just cheaply made and will show wear sooner and the foam has a tendency to powder over time. A new flexsteel couch will cost more but will outlast the cheaper brands by far, if you look around you probably can find used flexsteel furniture at reasonable prices.
My folks put a flexsteel sleeper in our 04 in 1978......last year when I sold it is was still as comfortable as it ever was......and for 5 years it was in charter VIP coach service.
as with alot of things......the more expensive stuff IS really better
http://www.vehiclespecialty.com/section.html
decent prices here for off the shelf stuff
http://www.rvsurplussalvage.com/catalog/display.php?category_id=6
Another possible source of flexsteel furniture is Bontragers in White Pigeon Michigan, they seem to sell overstocks and surplus at less than most of the other places.
I made my own sofa/bed with 6" foam cushions that don't squish down under my 300lb plus weight. The sofa is 80" long, with the seat cushion 30" wide and the back cushion 2 15" cushions attached to each other. I pull out the 30" seat cushion to the edge with its' own legs then unfold the two back cushions, and you have a 80" x 60" queen size bed. I don't know of anyone that makes a queen fold out sofa. Plus it has storage underneath, since I built it around the front wheel well. Good Luck, TomC
Charles, try www.discountvantruck.com they manufacture there own furniture is is top notch used in some high end Rvs or you can also try Villa far superior to Flexsteel
www.villainternational.com
I built the famous futon for the moneypit last fall. I have been told that it is comfortable to sleep on. So far mama hasn't made me sleep there so can't say for certain.
http://www.busconversions.com/bbs/index.php?topic=5627.0 (http://www.busconversions.com/bbs/index.php?topic=5627.0)
I replaced two swivel/ rocker/recliners with a futon that I made from a set of plans off the net. I made it out of red oak to match the trim in my 5th wheel. If you get a good mattress for a futon it sleeps and sits comfortable. My plans were mission style and it was a bunch of work but the finish product was worth it. I have had two campers with the flex steel " jack knife" sofa and when they were let out into a bed they were higher in the middle and sloped toward the sides. Could have been a mater of adjustment but I couldn't get either one right. My futon is as comfortable as a regular bed and is a comfortable couch. One thing that could be a downside is that it has to be moved out 8-10 inches out from the wall to let it out to a bed. Mine is heavy enough that it doesn't move when traveling but if you need to mount it you would need to come up with some sort of releasable mount. Mine was a set of free plans off of the net. I think it was Workbench magazine but there are lots of plans. On most of the plans, the seat slants to the back which may sit a little better but this set of plans had a level seat so I can sleep on it without having to make it into a bed. but if I need to sleep more folks it lets out to sleep two.
I'm with Mandolinplucker. We purchased a new 5th wheel more than a few years ago that came with Flexsteel furniture. While we waited on the predelivery inspection and service I sat on the sofa and the recliner. Before we left, I gave them to the dealership free of charge. We built our own to fit the decor of the trailer and were much happier with the comfort and look. Plus, I was able to custom build in my desk arrangement all in one fell swoop. We're still working on the bus. Like the trailer, we want to get the plan right the first time. It's a lot of work and we don't want do overs. Good luck with what ever you decide in your conversion.
be advised that flexsteel makes a full spectrum of stuff...and alot of flexsteel product that is found in S&S is built to spec ( read cheaper) than what they sell direct. In fact alot of the stuff in S&S is not available to buy direct.
A word of warning! If you purchase a sofa/bed from a surplus supplier or store, most newer sofa's are made for slideouts and the arms are longer. If you use these in 96" coaches the arms will stick out to the center of the coach and mess with your aisle. Measure the arms and see where they will end up. Goodnite!
Ronthebusnut