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Old 09-25-2014, 07:32 PM   #1
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Inclined bed?

A primary reason I bought a 21 was to be able to modify a permanent bed with an inclined platform for wifeys GIRD issues. It's the final solution we wound up at home after trying everything else. Just curious if anyone else has done this (and how of course) before I start construction.
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Old 09-25-2014, 07:51 PM   #2
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What is GIRD, Charlie. I am not familiar with this.

Are you looking to permanently incline the bed, or to be able to raise it and lower it easily? If the latter, would you like it to be an easy assisted lift?
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Old 09-25-2014, 07:53 PM   #3
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GERD - gastroesophageal reflux disease. Elevating the head of the bed can help.
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Old 09-25-2014, 08:00 PM   #4
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Jim, inclined platform plan is 2 pieces, not truly permanent and no assist lift. I do need to have access to underbed systems someday, but plan on alternate storage access so had extra door installed in the 21. Settled in on a 2-piece frame design so I can remove the foot part (30 inches by 53) easily. We have a custom mattress with no framing, so I can bend it up to get at the ETI hatch if needed.

Primary design factor is minimum weight.
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Old 09-25-2014, 08:02 PM   #5
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My Dad had GERD for about 20 years (undianosed for most of that time) But when he raised the head of his bed... permanently... he slept well and was comfortable.

Maybe that's why Craftmatic beds are so popular for couples?
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Old 09-25-2014, 08:03 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Donna D. View Post
My Dad had GERD for about 20 years (undianosed for most of that time) But when he raised the head of his bed... permanently... he slept well and was comfortable.

Maybe that's why Craftmatic beds are so popular for couples?
I still miss "Magic Fingers" at Motel 6...........
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Old 09-25-2014, 08:05 PM   #7
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Charlie... hahahaha need to have EXACT change.. quarters for five minutes!
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Old 09-25-2014, 08:47 PM   #8
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A member of my family has slept on a big foam wedge for years. It's lightweight, works on any bed and flipped around makes a nice backrest for reading. It elevates the head and torso only. They find that comfortable and it also takes less space.
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Old 09-25-2014, 09:40 PM   #9
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The foam wedge works great!
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Old 09-25-2014, 10:30 PM   #10
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Quote:
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A member of my family has slept on a big foam wedge for years. It's lightweight, works on any bed and flipped around makes a nice backrest for reading. It elevates the head and torso only. They find that comfortable and it also takes less space.
Tried 3 different densities of wedges, none worked for her. Like I said, we tried everything else already.
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Old 09-26-2014, 08:47 AM   #11
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I had problems with the foam wedge since I often end up sleeping on my stomach. I purchased a tapered topper from Pennys (I believe this is the same one available at Walmart). I built my own mattress from a folding gym mat, the tapered version & a standard 2" topper and used it for 2 years. The 2" topper started getting a bit soft, so this year I put two tapered toppers together; lighter, more comfortable, and provides plenty of slope. I purchased the full size version & used an electric carving knife to trim it to fit the Escape 17 bed.
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Old 09-26-2014, 08:59 AM   #12
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Jon, we tried the full wedgie too, but didn't work for her. Actually worked better as a shim UNDER the mattress! Many experiments with the home bed led to a 4" raise working well. I had ETI put me in contact with their mattress supplier, who built the most firm version they could for us (the 21 has one corner clipped at 45 degrees) and I'm building an intermediate platform to sit on top of the standard ETI frame. Will put some pics up today. She also added an "egg crate" 2 inch topper we cut to fit. ETI credited me $150 for not using their mattress.
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Old 09-26-2014, 06:32 PM   #13
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Here's a two-piece inclined platform I came up with. The head end is 4 feet from the front wall and stops just before the storage access opening in the bed of a 21. A 30 inch lower section can be removed easy to get in there without having to lift the whole mattress. Pics are upside down on the workbench.

Head corner cutouts are for the padding on the drivers side and for a small corner stand I will put at the head on the shower side.

Just have to add the mattress, fit a perimeter restraint rail, and cut back the 45 degree corner once it all fits together the way I want. Total rise is 4 inches top to bottom.
Attached Thumbnails
PICT0216.jpg   PICT0220.jpg   PICT0218.jpg   PICT0223.jpg  
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Old 09-29-2014, 12:45 AM   #14
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Finished up the platform for an inclined bed. Big forward section is screwed down to the ETI platform, smaller rear section and mattress are contained by a perimeter rail. Sized to allow opening the underbed access in a 21.

Interesting note: the center of the ETI platform is almost 1/4 inch below the glassed-in edge supports. Not very precise framing. Just in case owners thought the center of the mattress felt "low" - it very well may be!
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photo 1.jpg   photo 2.jpg  
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