Bedroom downstairs under the floor?

[pickpaul]

So the more I think about it the more I love the idea. Is it practical? I was looking at this bus...

http://www.evolutioncustomcoach.com/forsale/74-8/

but it's a weekender/tailgater floor plan with no bedroom which is a problem for fulltiming. On another thread where we were discussing the bus, jjrbus made the joke/suggestion of converting a bay to queen size bed with a cool trap door entrance. I love it! But is it practical?

Would it work with reasonable insulation for sound and heating/cooling? Has anyone else ever done it? What are the issues you can think of?

Thanks, Paul.

[HighTechRedneck]

Well, as a full timer myself, I can say, you will miss the storage space.

I have a GMC RTS bus and love it.  But the only part I don't like is the minimal bay space available.  It would be very nice to have more storage space.  (But I love other aspects of my RTS enough, I would still choose it if I were to do it over.)

[pickpaul]

But with the lack of a bedroom means there is a huge amount of storage space in drawers and cupboards upstairs and I wouldn't need to step outside to get things. I understand for big things though. Everything on a bus plan is a compromise I guess.

[ilyafish]

funny you mention that, i was at a truckstop and was talking to a trucker who suggested the same thing to me.....i actually found the idea to be extremely practical, as for me i am converting my bus into an entertainer coach, and the rear lounge is going to turn into a bedroom when the wives of the married guys come out on tour with us.....and personally, for obvious reasons i would prefer them to be in the bay hahahaha

im completely kidding actually, but i was thinking that it would be very practical, because this way when the girls come out, the rest of us still have use of both the lounges and arent restricted to just half the bus.  what are some cool ideas for a trap door?  i would probably be utilizing the front bay

[zubzub]

In mexico the co drivers often sleep in the front bay.  If you like small spaces it will work, but having travelled and slept in vans etc...I can tell you a lack of head room can be a drag.  FWIW there was a guy who made a bedroom for his kids in a bay, they liked it a lot!

[makemineatwostroke]

The owner of this board does that on his Moose Creek Cabin conversions or at least the 1 I saw. the drivers sleeping in the bay is where the Joey bed originated from the Mexicans roll it out with bedding and some even have a cooktop                         Have a great day

[Jriddle]

I would prefere the bedroom in the back of the bus. I lived in a 5Th wheel that had no head room in the sleeping area. It worked but can't say that I would like to do it full time again. My main concern would be safety. Would there be a way out in case of fire upstairs?

John

[JohnEd]

We seal our buses up the best we can and that is usually pretty tight.   The bay would need a fresh air supply no matter if it were occupied by kids or wives.   If you are seriously considering having the wives occupy that space take a moment and conjure up a really talented attorney.

Good luck on this and hold back enuf for postage for updating us on how you are doing.

John

[jjrbus]

Someplace in my adventures I have seen the bay bedroom!! IIRC the bed was on a slideout so they could sleep under the stars. Dont remember the details on it. Jim

[Sean]

Remember that every sleeping area needs two means of egress.  So in addition to the trap door, you will need either a manual inside release for the bay door, or, better yet, put an operable window on each side of the bay, which will also allow for light and fresh air.

A deck-rated boat hatch, available from marine suppliers, is one option for your trap door, although you can make something simple for much less money.

Remember that the hatch must always be operable from in the bay, to meet the egress requirements.  So you will want good exterior locks on the bay, as this will now be a way to enter the whole coach.

-Sean
http://ourodyssey.blogspot.com

[DebDav]

delete

[basil]

I converted the front two luggage bays for my three kids.  They hold all of their luggage and toys and provide lots of room for them to play with friends and sleep.  The kids of course think it is just about the coolest thing going.

It definitely changed the environment of the bus.  I would say they spend more than half of their time down there, and once I install a flatscreen I would not be surprised if they didn't spend all of their time down there.  It definitely makes the bus seem a lot bigger and more open.

It is also a popular place for adults to sleep.  Going to the superbowl last year with 8 guys we had people fighting over the bays.  The ride down there seems to be smoother than even the smooth eagle ride, possibly because you are riding below the axles.

I would highly recommend it if you have a similar family situation.

[jjrbus]

 I have seen a bay bedroom somewhere, with bed on slideout.  I did a google search and this is all that came up.
                     http://www.busconversions.com/bbs/index.php?topic=106.0

[RJ]

Basil & Phil -

Can you guys post some pics of the downstairs bedroom/play area? 

TIA,

[Ednj]

They showed a really nice one on  Motor Mansions II on HGTV.