RE: What s with these bed layouts?

Trlrboy · Sep 28, 2003, 07:05 PM

Did you ever wonder why most popups that have a king sized bed and a smaller double bed always seem to have the king bed in the front of the camper? Why not put the king bed in the back so if you are only using one bed at least you are on the woods end of the campsite rather than down in the road.

wiininkwe · May 16, 2003, 10:41 AM

TrlrboyI ve wondered about that myself. There have been times when I wished we could just pull into a campground or rest area, popup part way (pulling out only the back bunk) and then get on the road easily again in the morning. I m thinking tho that, if the back were the King bed, and it was the only one pulled out, maybe there would be an issue with the stabilizers. Or maybe I m not getting what you meant? haha, anyway, it does seem like there should be a way.
T
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Ab Diver · May 16, 2003, 10:45 AM

TrlrboyHmmmmm... (thinking out loud here) What *if* you took the bunks and canvas, and switched them to the other end? You d probably have to make new support poles for under the bunks, since the contact points on the bumper and the A-frame wouldn t match the pole length. But if the canvas zippers, shepard s poles, and bunk tracks match up....

It *might* be possible. Ok, who s gunna try it first? [

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slowpez · May 16, 2003, 11:07 AM

TrlrboyI m with you Trlrboy but just figured a man designed it that way and that s the way it will stay. [

] We just sleep on the smaller bed if the view is worth it.

wssfetch · May 16, 2003, 11:41 AM

TrlrboySimple answer:

1) tongue weight
(2) greater stabilization from tongue (three-point contact with ground as opposed to two points)

AustinBoston · May 16, 2003, 11:43 AM

slowpez

QuoteORIGINAL: slowpez
...just figured a man designed it that way and that s the way it will stay. []

Yes, a man designed it that way. He was thinking about " IT" and decided IT was more likely if the large bed (with the adults) was over the tongue, where both the stabilizers and the tongue wheel could support certain types of IT movement.

Austin (not wanting to start another " IT" thread)

Trlrboy · May 16, 2003, 12:04 PM

TrlrboyI don t think it has anything to do with support under a kingsized bunk end. Popups that have king bunks on both ends don t have a balance problem.

tlhdoc · May 16, 2003, 05:18 PM

TrlrboyIf the king bed was in the back and the smaller bed was in the front, the trailer would be longer and you would need a bigger site. I also could not open the trailer up in my friends garage if the big bed was in the back. I am glad it isn t.

On the old board someone did swap the beds around. I have no idea who it was.[&:]

wssfetch · May 16, 2003, 06:42 PM

TrlrboyWhen you have a king on both ends the trailer is balanced. But if you put the king on the back and a double in the front it wouldn t be.

Ab Diver · May 16, 2003, 10:41 PM

wssfetchActually, the whole tongue weight, stabilization, and balance thingy doesn t come into play. The stabilizing jacks keep the trailer from tipping over. Even my Bayside, with a king bed on both ends, will tip backwards if the rear stabilizers are not engaged and two people climbed onto the rear bunk. (even the new Coleman Monterey, with " a recorded hitch weight of 200 pounds" <<Camping Life magazine, May/June, 2003>>, could easily become tilted if the rear jacks were not in place. )

Tracy does bring up a good point. If the trailer came originally equipped with a double bed in back, and a king bed was installed in it s place, the trailer would have a longer " footprint" at the campsite. On the other hand... with a double bunk in front, you could leave the trailer hitched to the TV for a quick overnight stay, provided the trailer was level. On some campsites where you park inline with the trailer, this could actually shorten your overall length.

wahoonc · May 17, 2003, 01:51 PM

Ab Diver

QuoteIt *might* be possible. Ok, who s gunna try it first?

_____________________________

Dave Morris

Don t hold your breath, but I have been considering the option[8D] I want a smaller single bed popup, but to get some of the features I want I may have to buy an older used unit and assemble my own. If it comes to it I will be sure to post the trials and tribulations here[

]

Aaron[

]

Starryart · May 17, 2003, 09:14 PM

TrlrboyOur first PU was an 86 Jayco, it had a Double bed in front and a Queen on the back. My husband loved to wake up in the morn and see the lake or watch the sun rise, there was no problem with stability.
The Rockwood PU we have now has the queen up front and the double in back and DH hates that. He hates looking at the road and hearing the traffic pass.
If stability wasn t a problem in the Jayco why change the plan?
Any PU manufacturers out there listening? Give us a choice!

Gamecock Camper · May 17, 2003, 11:05 PM

TrlrboyActually the Jayco that we had (our first PU) did have the King in the front and a double in the back, but the Rockwood has a King in the front and back......We (DW and I) still end up sleeping in the front bunk.... is it because of habit?

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