So I posted a Wanted Ad in the classifieds as I am in the market for a 'new' bed in the van, but after some sound advice and info from @Bertie the Bus , I think I should probably do a bit more research before rushing into things. My bus currently has a 3/4 width Rock & Roll bed (non original) made with hinges, rather than a full metal frame style. The hinges are bent, the springs don't work or click into place, and the company that did the refit for the PO back in 2003 made a nice thick seat base which I'm sure is very comfortable to sit on but means that the bed is not level. All in all, I want a new bed. I've looked at Rusty Lee ones on the internet, and they look pretty nice, and seem to be a good price... but obviously if I can get a 2nd hand one cheaper, then that's preferable. So my question is really about the fitting and fixing of a frame style 3/4 width one... are they 'handed'? (My bus is RHD), and whilst one side of the frame bolts through the seat belt mounting holes, where does the other side fix being as how with 3/4 it is kind of 'floating' in the middle rather than at one side? Does this mean dropping the engine / fuel tank etc or anything complicated like that? Any advice and words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated
I got a rusty Lee bed full width, and it is good , but if id researched a bit more I'd of ghone for the hinge type. I think its zed that pointed out moving a rusty Lee from bed to seat our vice versa is lkiuterally a pain.....its hardx work. The hingey joibbys flipl up with one hand I berlieve
Why not look one up on fleabay that way you will get an idea of what you are looking at, what they cost & how they work?
I have a Rusty Lee 3/4.....from memory I just drilled a hole ( carefully ) near the units. I never thought I would disagree with anything Zed says, but I got rid of the clickerty hinges that you fasten to bits of plywood to form the bed.........what a transformation, my wife no longer disappears to the shower block at bed making time.....putting up a Rusty Lee bed is a 2 second job and even a 60+ 7 stone weakling ( well 7 stone as a teenager ) ...is a doddle !
It's not so much the cost - although obviously cheaper is more agreeable - more the idea that I might have to drop the engine to fix the offside part of the frame. I was wondering how others had gone about the installation phase as engine removal wasn't in my initial (inadequately reasearched) plans!
Ah it can't be any harder than my hingey jobbies at the mo! Two hands ain't enough.... although in fairness it is probably the excessively thick foam catching and jamming against the upright back bit. Which may account for the bent hinges too.
This sounds promising My other bugbear is the bits of ply that the hinges fix to - or more precisely the small gaps left between them and the unit / the side panel. ......Having to remove the front of the underseat storage to hoover out spiders or retrieve dropped biros is a pain in the proverbial!
Without having seen your bent hinges, I'd still say it would be easier, quicker, cheaper and best result to fix them.
Sarah I have just found this thread on prototype bay..... It might be worth dropping @Rusty Lee a pm or giving him a call.
have full width metal framed its quick and easy will take some pics if helps fink from jk but not sure
I meant just to give yourself an idea of what they look like in a bare pic, how they are constructed & what if any fixings are involved.
You're welcome to have a look at my bent hinges at techenders in April if you are there, as any bed related tinkering will most likely be a summer job. Edit: reading that back, it sounds a little more dodgy than I intended, my apologies Zed!
I got a full width Rusty Lee bed, fitted it in less than half an hour. Had to pack the front end up because I don't have a proper floor base in there but the packing will go in when I sort the floor out (when ?) .I have to disagree with some of you as mine is a one handed affair and is simply hand under the middle at the front, lift a little, maybe six to ten inches, pull forward and that's it,,, instant bed. I used to wrestle with an old Westy bed and needed two hands for that one. Those that struggle,, maybe not fitted quite right ? Or maybe not working it right ? I've had it three years or maybe more and it's one of the few things that I don't struggle with no matter how many Stella's have evaporated that night. I have collapsed on it several times and it takes the strain. Ozziedog',,,,,,,,,,, works and dint cost the earth
