I need some ideas for rear master bedroom on old coach style.

[Mex-Busnut]

Dear friends:

I know we have readers from Europe and "Down Under", so I include approximate metric measurements, which we also use in Mexico.

1. There is a 8-5/8-inches (22 cm.) high by 16-1/2 inches (42 cm.)wide step up from floor board under which the 10-speed tranny is located. The step has a hatch on it, which I assume is used to service the tranny.

2. Then the engine compartment goes up another 19-5/8 inches (50 cm.) The horizontal shelf above the engine is a whopping 3 feet and 5/8 inches deep (93 cm.) at the center. On the edges, it curves toward the front of the bus. From this shelf to the current ceiling at the bus center is 4 feet 2 inches high.   

3. I am seriously considering raising my entire roof-line at least 10 inches to eliminate the two steps coming down the aisle.

4. I am assuming the space above the engine is enough to put in a linen and shirt closet. What do you think?

5. I am considering placing the bed sideways, with the headboard toward driver's side and snug to the transmission step) between the bed and engine compartment wall?

6. What do you people do to allow servicing the transmission, without greasing up the bedroom? Is your bed removable? The queen who has been my bride for 30 years (as of last August 24th!) is known to be an extreme neat freak: We even have the cleanest garbage in town! 

7. How much insulation do you recommend to keep noise and heat from the engine out of the master bedroom? Will 5/8-inch plywood help?

I would LOVE to see some pictures of rear master bedrooms with sideways beds.

So sorry for so many questions! Hope I didn't bore you with details!

Be blessed!

Dr. Steve, central old Mexico busnut
 

[jordansinthesky]

That's difficult to imagine.  Do you have any photos?  I'm sure some of the guys will have ideas if they could take a look at the situation. 

[happycamperbrat]

I think the scenic cruiser bus conversions could help you. They have the step up aisle too. Let me hunt around for some photos.

[Don4107]

Our first bus has a bed across the back from wall to wall and against the back.  Very, very hard to make the bed (her).  Also a royal pain for the person on the back side (me) to get in and out.

I would consider single beds mounted high enough to go over the engine and tranny humps.  Use the tranny as a step to get in.  Any leftover space can be storage or tankage.  Make everything that goes over the access hatches easily removable for service.

Mock it up in cardboard to get the feel for how it looks and works.

You really need to address the insulation issue.  That is a big hunk of hot cast iron under there that will keep you very warm all night after a day's run, not to mention they make a lot of noise.

Good luck.
Don 4107

[happycamperbrat]

I saw a bedroom recently where they had single beds with an actuator that would slide the beds together with the push of a button. During the day the couple had the beds split but at night the beds would slide together..... kinda cool I thought. Also I found this sight http://www.chachingracing.com/chachingracing1_018.htm where they were also challenged with a step up area.

[Dreamscape]

I saw a bedroom recently where they had single beds with an actuator that would slide the beds together with the push of a button. During the day the couple had the beds split but at night the beds would slide together..... kinda cool I thought.

That would be David Anderson, in his Eagle. I saw it work and it's pretty cool!

Just make sure that you have enough room on both sides for making the bed. I installed our queen bed to one side, and my wife was not happy! I do have one exuse, it was before I met her. I centered the bed about 4 months ago, now Becky is very happy! Whew!

[Len Silva]

All other things considered, having the bed sideways may be uncomfortable if someone is trying to sleep while underway.  Hitting the brakes might put them on the floor.

[TomC]

My bus being a high floor transit (AMGeneral 10240B) has a built in bench seat in the rear and a 30" shelf.  Since the bus has both an intake stack on the right side and an exhaust stack on the left side that intrudes into the bus, I used the in between area in front of the rear window on the shelf (blocked the rear window) for a cedar lined closet that has an upper shelf for my stereo system.  Since a transit has wheel wells, I mounted the bed up high enough so that when you step up onto the wheel wells, you're at the right sitting height for the island queen bed.  Since the bed is mounted up high, under the bed is my water system-130gal water tank, 2-10gal electric water heaters, two water pumps and the ball valve shut off system for the cold and hot water.  Even though the bed head room is just a bit higher then sitting up, it hasn't ever been an issue for bed use (if you know what I mean-LOL).  I would suggest you keep an island bed running fore and aft for ease of both of you to get in and out of bed.  With a sideways bed, one is always having to crawl either to the end of the bed or over the other person to get in and out-and that gets old very quickly.  Good Luck, TomC

[Mex-Busnut]

My bus being a high floor transit (AMGeneral 10240B) has a built in bench seat in the rear and a 30" shelf.  Since the bus has both an intake stack on the right side and an exhaust stack on the left side that intrudes into the bus, I used the in between area in front of the rear window on the shelf (blocked the rear window) for a cedar lined closet that has an upper shelf for my stereo system.  Since a transit has wheel wells, I mounted the bed up high enough so that when you step up onto the wheel wells, you're at the right sitting height for the island queen bed. 

Mr. TomC:

How about some awesome pictures? Thanks in advance!

[robertglines1]

not familiar with your floor situation..but here it goes..have built bed over access then hinged headboard area and used underneath for storage and access to trans?engine doors.just lift up  use prop or cyl to hold up.  even high end coaches use this method..a common practice is to locate the headboard toward rear on step up and hinge there will allow cabinets on each side and overhead..bed run length wise not cross wise will allow about 18 inches each side to get in and out(full size bed)--that said if you want to do cross coach you can hinge bed about 30 inches in and build slide so it works like hospital bed when not in use(gives you more space at bottom).or do like I do and put in bedroom slide.I have 54inch at foot of bed...just some suggestions..will think a little more on it..pic of your present interion would be nice....Bob

[robertglines1]

Insulation--I use real thick carpet pad on carpeted area of bedroom..feels good also..under bed and bottom and back of cabinets (outside exposure) I use 1 1/2 foam board covered with plywood. others will add their experiences and we both will learn..Bob

[TomC]

First is looking down the hallway.  Notice the slits in the base board of the bed-that's so I can see the level of the water in the fresh water tank when I turn on a light above the tank.  And the washer/dryer.

Then the view of the rear bed with speakers on each side of the bed.  Good Luck, TomC

[TomC]

Rear closet open to see the cedar lining and stereo.

Looking forward from the bedroom.  That tiny TV has been replaced with a flat screen TV now.  Good Luck, TomC