Raising the bed off the floor of the 5.0 TA ??

[LaurieB]

We're still $$saving$$ and researching for our dream purchase of a 5.0 TA ... Or perhaps a much anticipated 25 foot fifth wheel from Escape ... A definite game changer in our household!

We currently own an older stick built fifth wheel, with a low loft bedroom.
It can 'just' accommodate a double bed on an Ikea bed frame. To say the least, making up this bed is an 'interesting process' in the confined space. On some of our muggier summer days, I compare it to doing hot yoga!

With that in mind, the only concern I really have about the 5.0 is the mattress lying on the loft floor. My husband doesn't actually worry about this because he never makes the bed: A scenario that will not likely change in the 5.0!

I've read in at least one forum about the difficulty of lifting the bed onto a frame, due to the height and slope of the ceiling, but wondered if this low profile (5" high) bed frame might work?

https://www.wayfair.ca/furniture/pdp...001309312.html

We're considering a double bed instead of a queen, which would give us some wiggle room to move it away from the front of the trailer. The weight of the double frame is approximately 25.5 lbs.

I would appreciate any comments or advice from current 5.0 owners.

[LaurieB]

Sorry, here's the complete link address:

https://www.wayfair.ca/furniture/pdp...001309312.html

[Nigel]

We also have another brand currently and have to kneel on the bed to make it. We will not have another trailer that you have to kneel on the bed to make it. Our previous 5th wheel had twin beds that you knelt on the floor in the middle and reached across to make, that worked well. When we were at the factory last summer Escape said they have done quite a few 5.0 TA with twin beds. Just check the clearance for the overhead cabinets if you went to twin beds.
If we buy an Escape that is how we would probably go.

Nigel

[padlin]

Probably the hardest thing to do in the 5.0TA for me is to make the bed, I have no idea how Deb does it. Being 100+ lbs lighter and 10" shorter may help. When she's not along it does not get made.

[Bluesky]

https://nickleatlantic.com/ Froli Sleep System

Check out Runaway Roses on You Tube. They have a video on installing the Froli sleep system on their truck camper and seem very happy.

[LaurieB]

Originally Posted by Nigel

We also have another brand currently and have to kneel on the bed to make it. We will not have another trailer that you have to kneel on the bed to make it. Our previous 5th wheel had twin beds that you knelt on the floor in the middle and reached across to make, that worked well. When we were at the factory last summer Escape said they have done quite a few 5.0 TA with twin beds. Just check the clearance for the overhead cabinets if you went to twin beds.
If we buy an Escape that is how we would probably go.

Nigel

I never even considered using twin beds. That's definitely one good option for us. Thanks!

[LaurieB]

Originally Posted by Bluesky

https://nickleatlantic.com/ Froli Sleep System

Check out Runaway Roses on You Tube. They have a video on installing the Froli sleep system on their truck camper and seem very happy.

Funny you should mention the Froli System, since we just bought one for our current trailer. We purchased it to add a little more cushioning under our mattress that sits on an unforgiving wooden base. With Covid19 slowing our camping start-up, we haven't had a chance to try it out yet.

For the Escape application, I do like the fact that it raises the mattress off the floor to provide some air flow underneath. I don't imagine there are too many issues with mould and mildew (like a boat birth) in the case of the 5.0 TA, but it doesn't hurt to have some separation from the floor. Maybe it could also help a bit while making the bed.

I actually recall one post, on this forum, where the Froli system was used over the entire floor of the 5.0 loft. I think, for us anyway, under the bed should be enough.
I'll check out Runaway Roses' review. Thanks!

[LaurieB]

Originally Posted by padlin

Probably the hardest thing to do in the 5.0TA for me is to make the bed, I have no idea how Deb does it. Being 100+ lbs lighter and 10" shorter may help. When she's not along it does not get made.

Where there's a will there's a way!
We women will go to great lengths to feather our nests!

[Ronn]

Originally Posted by LaurieB

Where there's a will there's a way!
We women will go to great lengths to feather our nests!

FOR SURE!! Colleen seems to have found a way to do ours, I haven't even tried.

[Ronn]

Originally Posted by Nigel

We also have another brand currently and have to kneel on the bed to make it. We will not have another trailer that you have to kneel on the bed to make it. Our previous 5th wheel had twin beds that you knelt on the floor in the middle and reached across to make, that worked well. When we were at the factory last summer Escape said they have done quite a few 5.0 TA with twin beds. Just check the clearance for the overhead cabinets if you went to twin beds.
If we buy an Escape that is how we would probably go.

Nigel

Be aware of the overhead cabinets if considering this. For the purpose of making the beds, I like the idea of the split beds, but I think for us it would involve removing the overhead cabinets and I wouldn't want to give up that space. Just this last trip I found myself bumping it when I awoke and looked out the window.

I think someone posting on the forum has the twin beds, I hope they weigh in.

[ritacasita]

Been on the road a month now with new 5.0. Bed is fine for us. May try to raise mattress a bit in future. Best way for us to make bed is in it. Bed made and tucked in well to start. One person lay in middle and pull/smooth. Fold top back neatly. Crawl out over folds and push back over pillows. Done. Has worked fine for us. Another few weeks on the road before heading home but so far so good. Results may vary for you. Cheers from Escape”d”

[LaurieB]

Originally Posted by Ronn

Be aware of the overhead cabinets if considering this. For the purpose of making the beds, I like the idea of the split beds, but I think for us it would involve removing the overhead cabinets and I wouldn't want to give up that space. Just this last trip I found myself bumping it when I awoke and looked out the window.

I think someone posting on the forum has the twin beds, I hope they weigh in.

I currently don't have a cabinet over a window to bump my head on. But I do have a sloping wall on my side of the bed that I sometimes slam my hand against while turning in the bed through the night. I actually got tired of looking at the blank wall every morning and added a stencil that my hand can now aim for!

The one thing that the Escape 5.0 has that our trailer lacks is plenty of room at the end of the bed. It's no fun crawling over hubby when you need to get out of bed to use the bathroom through the night. Plus, we often have one of our dogs lying at the stair side of the bed to trip over in the dark!

[Ronn]

Originally Posted by LaurieB

I currently don't have a cabinet over a window to bump my head on. But I do have a sloping wall on my side of the bed that I sometimes slam my hand against while turning in the bed through the night. I actually got tired of looking at the blank wall every morning and added a stencil that my hand can now aim for!

The one thing that the Escape 5.0 has that our trailer lacks is plenty of room at the end of the bed. It's no fun crawling over hubby when you need to get out of bed to use the bathroom through the night. Plus, we often have one of our dogs lying at the stair side of the bed to trip over in the dark!

Getting up without disturbing each other is great, we wouldn't like doing the crawling over.

Nice stencil work.

[LaurieB]

Originally Posted by ritacasita

Been on the road a month now with new 5.0. Bed is fine for us. May try to raise mattress a bit in future. Best way for us to make bed is in it. Bed made and tucked in well to start. One person lay in middle and pull/smooth. Fold top back neatly. Crawl out over folds and push back over pillows. Done. Has worked fine for us. Another few weeks on the road before heading home but so far so good. Results may vary for you. Cheers from Escape”d”

That's exactly how I make mine!

I do find that it's a lot more work putting on the sheets before we head out than it is making the bed each morning while we're camping ... But ... Some good 'hospital corner' folds and a comforter, instead of a blanket, keep things from getting too tangled up on the road.

I hope you post something if you do end up raising your bed. Thanks!

Enjoy your travels in your new 5.0!

[Jim Bennett]

While not the easiest thing to do, making the bed in our 5.0TA is not all that bad. We do tuck in at the bottom, then sit/kneel on one side to make the other side, then switch sides to do finish the job.

I see no advantage to having it raised, other than maybe a wee bit for when you change out the mattress cover. You also then put your head closer to the ceiling which would be a disadvantage.

A small price to pay for a nice sleek and light fifth wheel.

[LaurieB]

Originally Posted by Jim Bennett

While not the easiest thing to do, making the bed in our 5.0TA is not all that bad. We do tuck in at the bottom, then sit/kneel on one side to make the other side, then switch sides to do finish the job.

I see no advantage to having it raised, other than maybe a wee bit for when you change out the mattress cover. You also then put your head closer to the ceiling which would be a disadvantage.

A small price to pay for a nice sleek and light fifth wheel.

I have to say that I'm starting to realize that there really isn't any advantage to raising the bed. Besides, for us the overall appeal of the 5.0 outweighs any shortcomings in the loft.

So, I have to agree with you Jim ... But ... Speaking from my stick-built 5er experience, I would like to add "watertight" to your last comment.

Thanks!

[Ronn]

Originally Posted by Jim Bennett

I see no advantage to having it raised, other than maybe a wee bit for when you change out the mattress cover. You also then put your head closer to the ceiling which would be a disadvantage.

We have a similar technique for making our bed as well.

We bought two different size sheets (I think the fitted queen for the bottom sheet and double size for the top sheet). This way the sheets, blanket and duvet get tucked in the bottom and the sides just hang down about 8".

We also bought only a duvet for on top (probably the regular, not queen). Colleen then can just tuck the bottom in and the sides hang neatly over but no need to tuck in.

We did not put a comforter in the duvet, this winter with below freezing we just added another blanket. (if you don't know "duvet", don't ask me, I was not aware of it, but I did not want a comforter, this was a good compromise).

Sorry, we bought in store, not online so I don't have easy access to those receipts for sizes, but a quick search seems to bear out my recall of the sizes.

[Carmel Clown]

Originally Posted by LaurieB

I never even considered using twin beds. That's definitely one good option for us. Thanks!

The beds are not twin size beds. They “cut” the queen bed in half. There is 24 inches between if you have them against the outer walls. We didn’t like that so we moved them closer so there is 8 inches between and on the sides. If we were a couple instead of sisters I would prefer the queen.

[LaurieB]

Originally Posted by Ronn

We have a similar technique for making our bed as well.

We bought two different size sheets (I think the fitted queen for the bottom sheet and double size for the top sheet). This way the sheets, blanket and duvet get tucked in the bottom and the sides just hang down about 8".

We also bought only a duvet for on top (probably the regular, not queen). Colleen then can just tuck the bottom in and the sides hang neatly over but no need to tuck in.

We did not put a comforter in the duvet, this winter with below freezing we just added another blanket. (if you don't know "duvet", don't ask me, I was not aware of it, but I did not want a comforter, this was a good compromise).

Sorry, we bought in store, not online so I don't have easy access to those receipts for sizes, but a quick search seems to bear out my recall of the sizes.

Using a double flat sheet and comforter/duvet over the queen mattress makes perfect sense. We really only need enough to hang down the sides of the mattress instead of having it pillowing on the floor.
As long as the foot of the bed is tucked in, we would be golden.
Good solution.
Thanks again Ronn

[LaurieB]

Originally Posted by Carmel Clown

The beds are not twin size beds. They “cut” the queen bed in half. There is 24 inches between if you have them against the outer walls. We didn’t like that so we moved them closer so there is 8 inches between and on the sides. If we were a couple instead of sisters I would prefer the queen.

Oh my, that is a deal breaker for us ... I guess I'll have to deal with hubby hogging the sheets on the queen.