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2005 30' TB Sleeping Modifications
I want to convert my twin beds for cooler months using existing mattresses to make a larger bed so I am not sleeping right next to one of the windows.
Has anyone else done this? I would love to see pictures!
Ideas or suggestions! Ideally, I would like to switch back and forth between the two layouts without requiring a significant overhaul.
Ready set go!
Juanita's Thoughts
2005 30' TB
Re: 2005 30' TB Sleeping Modifications
Reply #1 –
Juanita, making a permanent change is easy, a temporary one is harder.
There are not a lot of 31 TBs out there and less people who have done some kind of conversion to a bigger bed, let alone one that is removable.

IMO, the easiest way is to find supports, that when you don't have your extra piece in and they are exposed, won't dig into your legs as you are sitting on the twin bed.
Maybe a 1x2 turned short side up, router the top edge to make a smooth curve, sanded and varnished/painted to be very smooth - fastened long way down the bed making a ledge for plywood to sit on top.  It would only stick out about 1/2-3/4 of an inch.
Or a frame - two upside down U shapes that have detachable long supports between the two upside down U shapes, that can be installed and uninstalled depending how you want the bed that trip.  The frame just supports a piece of plywood.

The cabinet at the head between the two beds has a different height than the bed frames, so you need to figure out how to bring the bed height to the same level and the same stiffness (e.g. sink down further in beds than a small layer of foam over the hard cabinet and you will be uneven). 

Best is having a mattress taking up the entire space, and hard wood underneath at the same level to support that mattress (so same mattress thickness across a flat level hard surface).  But if you have a separate piece of the same mattress material/height that you oversize (so it puts pressure and doesn't sink in where the two pieces meet) that might work.  Note Foam mattresses don't have the edges reinforced like good spring mattresses so the edges sink down a lot if you sit on them.  If you are making a mattress out of several pieces, you want more robustness where they meet (e.g. tightly stuffed together) to help reduce that sinking down at the split when part of you is resting in that area).  And somehow handling the cabinet at the end issue (maybe your feet go there as they would not sink down as much, or you sleep diagonally if there is only one of you).

If you have a carpenter friend who understands the issues maybe they can design something for you.
Jane
Jane & Scott
Currently have a 1989 TK  LD we did a lot of upgrades on.
Bigfoot 25RQ Twin on order with early summer 2024 ETA

Our smartphone autocorrects into very poor English.
 We disclaim the illusion of ignorance this creates as we have enough ignorance we rightly claim.
Re: 2005 30' TB Sleeping Modifications
Reply #2 –
I am going to share your idea with my Dad. He is a fantastic wood craftsman and rebuilt an antique mission rocking chair that I bought just thinking it needed to be tightened up. Wood Rot caused him to build me a new chair essentially! 😳
Juanita's Thoughts
2005 30' TB
Re: 2005 30' TB Sleeping Modifications
Reply #3 –
"...make a larger bed so I am not sleeping right next to one of the windows."

That shortcoming is the very reason my late wife and I opted for the Queen Island Bed on our 30'!

After owning a travel trailer with twin beds she insisted that a future rig must not have that feature. She hated those cold walls!   :o   >:(
Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Cedar
2004 30'IB (Island Bed)
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery
Live for the day!
Re: 2005 30' TB Sleeping Modifications
Reply #4 –
Quote from: Lazy Bones  - 
"...make a larger bed so I am not sleeping right next to one of the windows."

That shortcoming is the very reason my late wife and I opted for the Queen Island Bed on our 30'!

After owning a travel trailer with twin beds she insisted that a future rig must not have that feature. She hated those cold walls!   :o   >:(

My 2001 30' travel trailer was a 4 season and it had essentially an IB. So I didn't have to sleep next to a wall. However hands down my LD is far better insulated than it!
I woke up to snow last Easter while parked in my parents yard.
I do d myself sleeping on the edge of my bed away from the window. 😜
Juanita's Thoughts
2005 30' TB
Re: 2005 30' TB Sleeping Modifications
Reply #5 –
Twin bed=cold walls sometimes, island bed= knees in the back all the time.  Pick your poison. ;)

Randy
2018 31' TB
Re: 2005 30' TB Sleeping Modifications
Reply #6 –
I have a 30IB and dislike making up the head of the bed because of the cabinets.  Please it is slightly claustrophobic due to the cabinets at the outside.  I am thinking about making a headboard to slide under the foot of the bed and sleep "backwards", but would need some type of nightstand as well.  I do remember sleeping in my uncle's TK and it was cold up against the wall/window.  Plus bed was too short on drivers side, had to fold legs to fit.
Re: 2005 30' TB Sleeping Modifications
Reply #7 –
"...knees in the back ..."

I've always advocated for the 'spoon' position... but that can lead to other issues!   ::)    ;)
Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Cedar
2004 30'IB (Island Bed)
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery
Live for the day!
Re: 2005 30' TB Sleeping Modifications
Reply #8 –
Quote from: parussky  - 
I have a 30IB and dislike making up the head of the bed because of the cabinets.  Please it is slightly claustrophobic due to the cabinets at the outside.  I am thinking about making a headboard to slide under the foot of the bed and sleep "backwards", but would need some type of nightstand as well.  I do remember sleeping in my uncle's TK and it was cold up against the wall/window.  Plus bed was too short on drivers side, had to fold legs to fit.
Rich, I have the same problem and now use 3 top queen sheets when making the bed. First one goes crossways at the top, tucked in at the top and sides without lifting the mattress, i.e., just reaching a bit and pushing the sheet down below the headboard and the side closets and then tuck under the mattress south of the closets. The second sheet goes crossways across the bottom, slightly overlapping the top sheet, and it is tucked in normally under the mattress. Third sheet goes on normal N-S way and is tucked in the usual way. Surprisingly, it stays together and only requires a little retucking in the mornings.

Chris
Formerly: 2002 30' IB
Re: 2005 30' TB Sleeping Modifications
Reply #9 –
Wondering what your ancestors of 200 years ago would make of all your bedding issues? Geeze!

When we joined the cult in 2007, it was popular to use sleeping bags. The Mothership even sold them. Dorothy made ours from summer-weight bags and put sheets in with velcro. We still use it. Store it in the overhead bin in the rear of our MB. It's out, unrolled and we are in it in a minute. Bed disappears in a minute in the morning.

No toppers or water filters either.

Maybe a bear skin?
Don & Dorothy
Sold our LD in June of 2023

Our boring always non-PC travel blog
Traveling Dorothy
Re: 2005 30' TB Sleeping Modifications
Reply #10 –
A simple and cheap solution that I use is a long fluffy pillow that extends the length of the window.  I use it on the colder nights.  I can't remember where I purchased it but I am sure you can Google a solution.

Best,

Gary & Karen
2007 30' TB
 
Re: 2005 30' TB Sleeping Modifications
Reply #11 –
Quote from: Don Malpas  - 
Wondering what your ancestors of 200 years ago would make of all your bedding issues? Geeze!

When we joined the cult in 2007, it was popular to use sleeping bags. The Mothership even sold them. Dorothy made ours from summer-weight bags and put sheets in with velcro. We still use it. Store it in the overhead bin in the rear of our MB. It's out, unrolled and we are in it in a minute. Bed disappears in a minute in the morning.

No toppers or water filters either.

That is exactly our solution, one still needs to maintain that element of camping.

Jon



1994 MB