I just built a basement model 5.0TA!

[soaring360]

How much clearance is there from the default queen mattress to the roof? If one wanted to do a similar customization does anything thing ETI could accommodate such a request?

[Kuipo]

Originally Posted by Marry

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

As long as I don't get bottom bunk.

[Fox hunt]

Cool idea

[Donna D.]

Originally Posted by soaring360

How much clearance is there from the default queen mattress to the roof? If one wanted to do a similar customization does anything thing ETI could accommodate such a request?

I didn't get the ETI mattress, so someone else would need to answer the height question. But as far as I know, there's two options for the loft. Mattress or no mattress. Any customization you want for a bed frame, etc. it will be an owner mod.

[Chotch]

Originally Posted by soaring360

How much clearance is there from the default queen mattress to the roof? If one wanted to do a similar customization does anything thing ETI could accommodate such a request?

Height goes from about 37” to maybe 32 with the ETI mattress. It’s highest at foot of bed tapering at head of bed. 🤔 I just sat up there and think I’d get a little claustrophobic if I raised our mattress up more than a couple of inches. I’m 5’10” so if your shorter, maybe. If you slept with head at stairs that too would help though not so easy to get in and out.

[Lorraine Pittsburgh]

Hi Folks,

I'm planning to full-time in a 5.0 (coming in 2022), so these threads with storage mods (even old ones like this) are my current obsession. This raised bed with storage looks so interesting. How did it work out? Anyone else try it? At 5'4", the height shouldn't be a practical issue for me, though claustrophobia might be.

The creativity found on this forum continues to amaze me!

Thanks for any updates or related experience anyone might share,
Lorraine

[Donna D.]

Originally Posted by Lorraine Pittsburgh

Hi Folks,

I'm planning to full-time in a 5.0 (coming in 2022), so these threads with storage mods (even old ones like this) are my current obsession. This raised bed with storage looks so interesting. How did it work out? Anyone else try it? At 5'4", the height shouldn't be a practical issue for me, though claustrophobia might be.

The creativity found on this forum continues to amaze me!

Thanks for any updates or related experience anyone might share,
Lorraine

It's mine and it's working just fine. I cut the legs off the cot, and can sit up without hitting my head. BUT, I only sleep on a 3" mattress. Love the fact I can store a Lafuma, small folding side table and two web chairs under the bed.

The whole idea was to keep these items off the floor, out of the bed of the truck (due to rain) or from inside the truck cab. Works well for that

[Ron in BC]

The only negative that I can think of is the reduced headroom makes for hotter nights in hot climates. Reduced headroom means reduced air circulation. This is a problem in boats with berths under the cockpit when in hot climates.

Another way to get extra storage room is to have a rear storage box like Jim B's on his 5.0 TA. He carries his bike on top of it. It held up well in Baja.

I was never a fan of rear storage boxes but I changed my mine and made one. So efficient at storing items and easy access. Wish I'd made one sooner.

Ron

[Chasing Trials]

Originally Posted by Ron in BC

Another way to get extra storage room is to have a rear storage box like Jim B's on his 5.0 TA. He carries his bike on top of it. It held up well in Baja.

I was never a fan of rear storage boxes but I changed my mine and made one. So efficient at storing items and easy access. Wish I'd made one sooner.

Ron

Yes, I had a steel heavy one(with extra pair of brake lights) on the Rialta. I'll be traveling with 3 big dogs. So I picked up an Alum. one on sale at Northern tool 60% off(so, 2nd step towards the E19, 1st was 2014 PreRunner), & I'll use the Stanley Plastic Storage box I had on the Rialta, was about 99% water tight. I need a place for some bulk dogfood, light weight chairs & stuff. So the Alum & Plastic shouldn't add to much weight. I'd like to take my bike. How did he have it vs the back window?

[Ron in BC]

I have some close up photos of Jim's rear box but I can't find them. Maybe Jim will post some detail photos. He carried his bike on a rack on top of box. So from the dinette he'd be looking through his bikes. The plus is that I think the bikes would be a little more secure up there when parked in some areas.

You have the option of mounting the spare tire under the front frame under the front box. This moves a fair amount of weight forward, lets the rear box be closer to the rear of the trailer, less overall length and balances the weight in the rear box.

Ron

[Chasing Trials]

Originally Posted by Ron in BC

I have some close up photos of Jim's rear box but I can't find them. Maybe Jim will post some detail photos. He carried his bike on a rack on top of box. So from the dinette he'd be looking through his bikes. The plus is that I think the bikes would be a little more secure up there when parked in some areas.

You have the option of mounting the spare tire under the front frame under the front box. This moves a fair amount of weight forward, lets the rear box be closer to the rear of the trailer, less overall length and balances the weight in the rear box.

Ron

OK, after blowing up the photo, I see it. It does look pretty tight against the trailer body, or fairly tight from that angle. AH, putting the tire UNDER the tongue like a pickup's is in the rear! ETI wouldn't do this right? Rig something up. I wonder if a bike would slip in between trailer & box in the spare's space? Take off a petal? I don't think I could lift my bike all the way on top of my box. My body is a little banged up now.

OH1, just followed to Jim Bennett's page on fb & saw Baja photos close up of his rear end. 5.0 spare is kept up front somewhere, I thought I saw once?

[rubicon327]

Originally Posted by Chasing Trials

How did he have it vs the back window?

Originally Posted by Ron in BC

I have some close up photos of Jim's rear box but I can't find them. Maybe Jim will post some detail photos.

Here is Jim’s thread on his box…
https://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f...box-12420.html

[Chasing Trials]

Originally Posted by rubicon327

Here is Jim’s thread on his box…
https://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f...box-12420.html

Wow, Nice, but way over my price range! But moving the spare I can maybe do.

[Jim Bennett]

A few shots of my cargo box. I really like it.

[Chasing Trials]

Originally Posted by Jim Bennett

A few shots of my cargo box. I really like it. Attachment 60149Attachment 60150Attachment 60151

Nice, Nice! Set up. Way over my budget. I'll have a hard time buying my E19 in the first place. But, moving the spare................

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by Chasing Trials

But, moving the spare................

I did that to keep the cargo box weight closer to the axles, and used an undermount winch at the front of the trailer.

[Ron in BC]

Originally Posted by Chasing Trials

Nice, Nice! Set up. Way over my budget. I'll have a hard time buying my E19 in the first place. But, moving the spare................

There's probably a way to carry bikes on top without a complete dead lift up. Maybe a tilting bracket that allows the bike to lay on its' side, wheels put in a bracket and then tilted up. I do something similar with my spare solar panel.

My spare tire move cost about ten bucks. That was for the small winch. The rest was made from junk I had laying around. There are also commercial ones available.

I've used the box at the rear a bunch of times. Never had to lower the spare but it's there, out of the way, if I need it.

Ron

[George Johnson]

Ron's solution for the spare looks really neat for some travelers, but as I am inclined to boondock, I would be concerned about ground clearance issues. That location of the spare might cause a problem when going through a dip or over a sharp hump.


For a non-boondocker (is there such a person?), this might be a perfect solution.

[Lorraine Pittsburgh]

Originally Posted by Donna D.

It's mine and it's working just fine. I cut the legs off the cot, and can sit up without hitting my head. BUT, I only sleep on a 3" mattress. Love the fact I can store a Lafuma, small folding side table and two web chairs under the bed.

The whole idea was to keep these items off the floor, out of the bed of the truck (due to rain) or from inside the truck cab. Works well for that

Thanks so much for posting the original idea & for the update. Glad that this is working well for you. Still noodling with various approaches, so good to know that this one can work.

Happy camping, Donna.

[Ron in BC]

Originally Posted by George Johnson

Ron's solution for the spare looks really neat for some travelers, but as I am inclined to boondock, I would be concerned about ground clearance issues. That location of the spare might cause a problem when going through a dip or over a sharp hump.


For a non-boondocker (is there such a person?), this might be a perfect solution.

Well, never thought of myself as a non-boondocker. Quite the opposite. Between Alaska and Baja, across the country and extensive travel on BC's Forest Service Roads and I've never had an issue.

There's probably twice as much road clearance there as there is under the axle.
And, tongue goes up, spare goes up. Not an issue at all. The bottom of the tongue jack is closer to the road.

Frees up valuable real estate at the rear, well worth doing.

Ron