Thinking about beds.

[agesilaus]

OK for years I have been mighty irritated by the fact that my feet stick way out on an RV bed. I finally looked into the problem only to discover to my Horror that rv mattresses are six inches shorter than standard mattresses. Thus leaving my feet about 8 inches out in the open.

So cogitating on this situation I first thought that maybe I would put a plywood extension under the mattress and dump the rv abomination, buying a standard queen sized mattress. Then the whole end of the bed would stick out another six inches into the bedroom. I could live with that.

But further thought came up with this plan. I'll build a 6 inch wide plywood box the width of the mattress. I'll install that at the head of the mattress, sliding the mattress down six inches. Add plywood underneath at the end as a support. Then add a standard length topper over this covering the box and mattress. Indeed the box at the top could be a secret hiding place.

We have a topper but it's too soft and I want something a little firmer.

What do you guys think of this idea?

[opnspaces]

Here's how I dealt with my short queen.
Link

[SoundGuy]

agesilaus wrote:
OK for years I have been mighty irritated by the fact that my feet stick way out on an RV bed. I finally looked into the problem only to discover to my Horror that rv mattresses are six inches shorter than standard mattresses.

You just discovered now that your rig has a short queen?! :h I fixed that in our Freedom Express by extending the bed platform 6", pulling the existing short queen forward, then placing a full length (80") queen gel/memory foam topper on the mattress and stuffing the extra length in the gap between the headboard & mattress. Worked like a charm! :B



A series of pics starts here ... click on "i" at the top right of any pic for a text description.

[drsteve]

The short queen mattress that came with our Coachmen was more like a torture device than a bed, so I extended the platform and bought a full length queen innerspring and foam mattress. Best upgrade ever.

[agesilaus]

valhalla360 wrote:
As long as there is space for the extra 6", it should work fine.

If you have some spare 2x6s around, you might dummy it up quick and dirty, before building the box to make sure you find it comfortable.

That's a good idea

[valhalla360]

As long as there is space for the extra 6", it should work fine.

If you have some spare 2x6s around, you might dummy it up quick and dirty, before building the box to make sure you find it comfortable.

[Trackrig]

dieseltruckdriver wrote:
On our last 5er, we put a full size mattress in it, and then put a 5" piece of foam between the "headboard" and the mattress. My thinking was that all it has to do is hold the pillows up.

Yes, go the simple route. We slid the mattress down 6" then folded up an extra blanket and put it in the hole under the pillows.

Bill

[toedtoes]

With the box at the head of the bed, you could "notch out" the memory foam on the outsides and create a cubby for eyeglasses, etc. Maybe add a cupholder on either side.

[Busdriver]

Did the same in a sunnybrook I owned , worked well, just remember you can’t set on the foot of the bed

[mobeewan]

The platform and mattress in my trailer was a RV short queen. The "mattress" is really a 4 in thick cushion. I left the cushion in place and bought a full size queen mattress. I laid the full size queen mattress right on top of the existing cushion. There is still enough room between the mattress and the wall at the foot of the bed to shimmy around to get to the other side. With or without the cushion in place there was never really enough room to sit at the foot of the bed while putting on shoes and socks. The full size mattress does hang over the foot of the bed, but has never been a problem, since there's not enough room to sit on the end of the bed anyway. I have never done any mod to the platform although it does need some gas Pistons added to help lift the mattress and platform.

[happy2rv]

We replaced the RV queen in ours with a standard queen memory foam. Never even took the plastic off the original mattress, replaced it before we ever slept in it. The head of our bed sits over the outside storage compartment and the foot lifts up for storage inside. We just pulled the plywood support and replaced it with a larger piece, no extra supports or anything else. I'm not sure how thick your topper is, but I'd be worried about the transition from mattress to wooden box right where your head lays being uncomfortable.

Pluses:
* obviously longer mattress
* easier to get a standard size replacement
* easier to get standard sheets that fit correctly
* new mattress is 1000% more comfortable

Minuses:
* Less room to walk between our dresser and the foot of the bed
* The gas struts will not support the heavier mattress. We could replace them, but so far we're just using a length of 1x2 to hold the platform when we need it held open.
* New mattress is significantly taller than old mattress. Extra thickness makes it more comfortable but harder to get into.
* New mattress is heavier than old one.

If we ever replace it, I think I will go back to a slightly thinner mattress. I think the wife ordered a 10" thick and I believe 8" is standard. Other than that, we couldn't be happier. We will never sleep on a standard RV mattress again if there is any way to avoid it.

[dieseltruckdriv]

On our last 5er, we put a full size mattress in it, and then put a 5" piece of foam between the "headboard" and the mattress. My thinking was that all it has to do is hold the pillows up.

[doxiemom11]

Wouldn't work in our RV as the bed is in a slide and pushes up against the closets when closed. Longer mattress and plywood box would keep it from closing. Maybe it's time to buy a new rv -- some of them do have regular queen size beds - some even king size.

[agesilaus]

DutchmenSport wrote:
Sounds like it would work. Make it with a locking device and you could have a secret hiding place for money, guns, valuables.

Don't know your layout, just make sure if you go with a longer bed that slide-outs aren't affected.

Not a problem our only slide is for the dinette. I plan on some cabinet making anyway for slides in the pantry and under the sink. So this will go right along with those plus I'll have some hardwood plywood on hand then. Now you gave me the idea I have a box those basement door locks I could stick one on the box.

[Lwiddis]

Another discovery horror!