Rock and Roll beds - review?

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by Dicky, Jan 6, 2014.

  1. Dear All
    I’m looking to rehash my tired interior (the bus that is - I’m beyond all hope), anyway, It’s likely I will construct a timber framed affair utilising rock and roll hinges. I did wonder however what peoples experiences were with the various metal framed beds as in a moment of weakness my thoughts pondered upon the ease of just bolting something straight in.
    I’m particularly interested in ease of operation and the methodology of fixing it to the van. As I’ve always had timber framed beds I’m also interested in whether the types with either the mesh (volkswares)or the perforated steel (bluebird) really require further boarding for comfort and also what they loook like when fitted. I’m guessing that they aren’t fantastically aesthetically pleasing from the rear. Also did they fit straight from the box?
    All info gratefully recieved but at the moment I’m aware of Bluebird/Volkswares/JK(which look like the volkswares one. Who else does them?
    Many thanks.
     
  2. Your going full width on this aren't you?

    My experiences are;
    Volkswares we have used since the start, well built, easy to fit good, good securing points 6x 8mm bolts. Easy I find to operate, had them in 2 of my vans no problems.
    Downside if you don't custom order a no mesh bed, they have the mesh so securing foam is a bit harder. We order without mesh and tabs on to screw boards too. Our upholsterer says the design of bed is wrong back too high no take on base.

    Rusty lee's beds.
    Our upholsterer uses these, says the design is right, back height right, rake on seat no swinging bar when in bed position.
    Bolts though wheel arch and either screws or bolts though floor. Ready to take boards.
    3/4 beds need fuel tank out to bolt in securely.
    Paint I thought wasn't the best although makes easy to paint any colour.

    Bluebird is the same as rusty lee although they have them big metal sheets on which they won't do without so I'd imagine heavy!!

    Jk no experience off.
     
  3. Yep - want full width. But other rate them it seems. If Bluebird did their old style on then I would prbably go for that. Not sure what hes thinking tbh. I like upholstered fixed boards rather than loose cusions really. I know most people like the loose cusions! I note Hertage do one that looks like Rusty -lee's too.

    EDITED - @Rusty Lee - sounded like I was dissing your wares which wasnt intended and was unfair!
     
    Last edited: Jan 6, 2014
  4. @sjhjoinery - note your developing Westy furniature. Guess I could mimick a Westy using some NLA hinges as would work out lot cheaper. Im just getting lazy I suppose and cant face battling the elements working outside doing stuff!
     
  5. Yep we're working on it at the moment, yes when we get the furniture we could make a bed the same around that design. Just sourcing hinges to suit design or getting some fabricated.
     
  6. I've experienced 5 types of bed;

    My own wooden home brew with fold down panels and a futon mattress. Ok as I never had rear seat passengers. It was in a 2slider and basically filled the back of the van

    Metal framed, full width, same kind of style as bluebird et al. Creaky when sat on, creaky when sleeping on, not particularly comfy, and in my opinion not particularly safe for passengers. Not good for storage underneath

    Riviera with floor mounted z hinges reasonably comfy, I've tried both 3/4 and full width. Not a fan of the floor mounting as in my opinion the mounting option isn't safe for rear seat passengers. Poor storage under the 3/4, not great under the full width.

    Westfalia Berlin? Full width and 3/4 width. Reasonably comfy in both widths. I also think safer than the others due to the strength of the box unit allied with floor mountings into the factory key holes along with wheel arch and rear shelf additional mounting points. Reasonable safety against submarining due to hard fixed cushions. Good for storage.

    Westy continental. In my opinion very comfy due to the thickness and density of the foam. Equal safety to the other westy options.

    I am biased, obviously, as I own the continental, so my comments are likely to be misconstrued by others...
    :D
     
  7. There are some pretty handy steel fabricators on here....maybe look into that option?
     
  8. Lazy Andy

    Lazy Andy Supporter

    I have the Volkswares and would echo SJH on the quality being good. I din't know you could have the option of tabs instead of mesh, which I would have gone for. In the end I cut some ply to fit in the space within the frame and fixed through to some ply over the seat base to create a sandwich effect, which works well and give you a face to upholster on the rear facing side :)

    The only niggles are that it's a little rattly when driving (although I do not have any cushions on at the moment) and that the seat section sags slightly when in the bed position (by about 1 degree or so)... both problems are easily solved with some rubber strips when I can get my arse into gear!
     
  9. Hi mate just to let everyone know my beds are all powder coated now they used to be wet sprayed but for the last 7 months ish I've been having them powder coated. I'm sad to here someone wasn't that impressed with my bed could I ask why?

    Happy new year to everyone

    Lee
     
    sjhjoinery likes this.
  10. Thats me talking out of school. I will ask him and let you know. (feedback always good - I know!)
     
  11. I'm planning to fit (my first) r & r bed this year. I've been wondering about the seats and fixing them.

    When you say upholstered fixed boards, you mean that the vinyl (or fabric) goes over both the foam and the board, I assume? How is it then fixed to the bed frame?
     
  12. The ones that I have built in the past have had tee nuts (6nn) inserted in the opposite side to the hinge you then bolt through hinge using 6mm bolts or machine screws.
     
    Lazy Andy and AdyF like this.
  13. Whilst your here - where do your beds fix on the wheel arch - seatbelt mounts?
     
  14. Yes they
    fit to the wheel arch mate I've had some customers who say they mount to the belt mounts and some say they haven't! I'm not sure if the mounts vary in position on some vans? The bed comes with the boards ready for trimming. I supply many trimmers and restoration companies with lots of good feedback.

    Cheers lee
     
  15. Thanks.
     
  16. Edited my post above regarding rustylees beds as I gave the impression there were issues, there arent. Im stuck between one of these and going down the westy route just now! RL for cost, ease and speed - Westy - as thats what I want ideally.
     
    Rusty Lee likes this.
  17. No disrespect Lee...I'm not trying to run down your products.....I was looking to replace a 3/4 Devon with a full width, and this one came up for the right money....new but never fitted. I didn't really have a chance to check it out as it was shrink wrapped....The guy was genuine so I bought it in good faith....
    There's nothing whatsoever wrong with the frame....it fits where it should, it's easy to revert from seat to bed and back and it's very sturdy. In short, it does everything I need it to. My only gripe was the paint finish, which you've pointed out has now been attended to...plus the fact that the bed supports don't fold up as they did on the Devon. For the money, I'd go as far as to say they are the best value for this style of pull out. If you were to change the supports so they can be folded out of the way in seat mode, I wouldn't hesitate to buy another in the future...
     
  18. +1 for a Rusty Lee bed, we collected and fitted a full width. Just waiting for the weather to improve so we can sleep out on the drive o_O They are also now doing fold down Buddy seats, singles and doubles. Not seen them yet but have mine on order :)
     

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