I just built a basement model 5.0TA!

**Donna D.** · 08-02-2018, 07:03 PM

Seriously, I've been thinking about this for a while. It's a twin bed frame with slats. The mattress is only 3-1/2 thick, so that's good. And I've been sleeping on the mattress for more than a year now, it's comfortable.

What I wanted was a way to store my chairs inside the trailer, permanently. The zero gravity and two aluminum web chairs. I hate laying them in the aisle. Always in the way. I can carry them in the truck bed, but if it rains...

Had I thought ahead (D'oh) I would have measured the tallest 'need.' It's the arms on the Lafuma. That's only 7", the legs on the bed frame are 13". IF I had time before the trip, I'd cut them down. But I'm going to try it. IF the bed is comfortable, I can cut the legs down by nearly half. IF it's not comfortable, I'll find a charity where I can donate it, and I'm back to where I started.

Hilola · 08-02-2018, 07:12 PM

Interesting! Are you able to anchor the bed somehow for travel, or is that not an issue?

**Donna D.** · 08-02-2018, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hilola

Interesting! Are you able to anchor the bed somehow for travel, or is that not an issue?

I don't think it's going to be an issue. But I have a couple of these, I'm going to put the legs in, closest to the stairs.

Jim Bennett · 08-02-2018, 07:26 PM

If you want, at the boler 50th I can put a zip disk in my angle grinder and cut them down in no time.

Chotch · 08-02-2018, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donna D.

Seriously, I've been thinking about this for a while. It's a twin bed frame with slats. The mattress is only 3-1/2 thick, so that's good. And I've been sleeping on the mattress for more than a year now, it's comfortable.

What I wanted was a way to store my chairs inside the trailer, permanently. The zero gravity and two aluminum web chairs. I hate laying them in the aisle. Always in the way. I can carry them in the truck bed, but if it rains...

Had I thought ahead (D'oh) I would have measured the tallest 'need.' It's the arms on the Lafuma. That's only 7", the legs on the bed frame are 13". IF I had time before the trip, I'd cut them down. But I'm going to try it. IF the bed is comfortable, I can cut the legs down by nearly half. IF it's not comfortable, I'll find a charity where I can donate it, and I'm back to where I was.

🤔 Now if you built a platform 1/2 the height all the way across you’d have twice the space. You could put slats on the mattress side for ventilation and solid on the side to scoot in and out of bed.

**Donna D.** · 08-02-2018, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Bennett

If you want, at the boler 50th I can put a zip disk in my angle grinder and cut them down in no time.

Hummm, guys and power tools!

We'll see, I appreciate the offer!! Fortunately I can take the legs off without tearing the rest of the bed apart. I DID think ahead about that.

cpaharley2008 · 08-02-2018, 08:04 PM

Great idea, Donna, multiuse space is always a winner.

Marry · 08-02-2018, 08:09 PM

The creation of a true bunk bed!!!
Very smart thinking, Donna!

h2owmn · 08-02-2018, 10:10 PM

Donna, that’s genius! You could use that special drill bit that grinds out a circular “divot” (I can’t think of the name) to make a holder spot for the legs in a 2 by 4 anchored to the “floor”across at the top and bottom of the bed. That would also keep the chairs from sliding out the bottom. In fact a slightly gathered bed skirt at the bottom and the side that matches your fabric would be easy as well.

**Donna D.** · 08-02-2018, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by h2owmn

Donna, that’s genius! You could use that special drill bit that grinds out a circular “divot” (I can’t think of the name) to make a holder spot for the legs in a 2 by 4 anchored to the “floor”across at the top and bottom of the bed. That would also keep the chairs from sliding out the bottom. In fact a slightly gathered bed skirt at the bottom and the side that matches your fabric would be easy as well.

Yeah, this is all a work in progress. I hope it's comfortable. I can almost sit up... almost. So gaining those 6+ inches back would be helpful.

In the meantime, I'm running a bungy cord across the 'stair' legs to keep the chairs in place. Don't want them flying out as I go down the road.

Ron in BC · 08-02-2018, 11:28 PM

That's thinking outside the box.

One of the few original solutions to a problem. Most are variations of something that someone else has already done.

Ah, let Jim hack them off. If one ends up a little short he can cut the others to match.

Ron

Steve Clark · 08-03-2018, 12:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron in BC

That's thinking outside the box.

One of the few original solutions to a problem. Most are variations of something that someone else has already done.

Ah, let Jim hack them off. If one ends up a little short he can cut the others to match.

Ron

.........and so on, and so on, and so on, until the bed frame is back flat on the floor

Jim Bennett · 08-03-2018, 07:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron in BC

Ah, let Jim hack them off. If one ends up a little short he can cut the others to match.

Ron

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Clark

.........and so on, and so on, and so on, until the bed frame is back flat on the floor

Thanks for the vote of confidence, guys! As long as I use the same thumb for measuring each time, I can be quite accurate.

Steve Clark · 08-03-2018, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Bennett

Thanks for the vote of confidence, guys! As long as I use the same thumb for measuring each time, I can be quite accurate.

No Doubt!

StillCampin · 08-03-2018, 12:41 PM

Great idea. When I get mine I'll also go with a narrower mattress since my dog doesn't need much room beside me. The air bed mattress I already have to start with and maybe moving to a conventional. I have a Lafuma & a folding rocker that the hitch in the truck bed will be in the way for hauling there. Out of the aisle will be good since I don't always use the rocker.

Eggscape · 08-03-2018, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Bennett

If you want, at the boler 50th I can put a zip disk in my angle grinder and cut them down in no time.

I have generator

if you need power!

peter · 08-03-2018, 01:03 PM

I have the band-aids......here....hold my beer.

Jim Bennett · 08-03-2018, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eggscape

I have generator

if you need power!

I was willing to give up a few minutes of battery / inverter power. But, the genset would work too.

Jim Bennett · 08-03-2018, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peter

I have the band-aids......here....hold my beer.

I have duct tape, electricians tape or masking tape, to hold on a wad of paper towel. It's my go-to kit.

LaurieB · 08-06-2018, 07:28 AM

We put an Ikea bed frame in our old 5er. It sits on a carpeted floor, just like yours, with no anchors whatsoever.

We have traveled over some long and bumpy roads over the years and the bed has never moved ... More than likely due to the friction of the bed legs on the carpet combined with the weight of the bed frame and mattress.

We also store our lawn chairs under the bed along with a rolling under bed storage bin (I do keep it in place by blocking the opening with something without wheels). Everything under the bed stays in place too.

Enjoy your basement storage. It's a great idea that may just become a new trend with 5.0 owners!

You may also like: