Modify to add slideout bed extensions to 2014 320-S Basic

EBastow

I want to make slideout bed extensions for my 2014 320-S Basic.  I'd like them to be like the new units in this picture:


Can you purchase these, or has anyone made them and have a pattern available?

californication

@EBastow I can't answer the question about where to buy it.

But I'll give you a counter argument to not do it.

We own Tab320 2022, with said slideouts. They sound like a good thing, however we had several issues with them:

1. it requires a bit of trickery to slide them back, usually moving it back and forth for few seconds.

2. they're too heavy to stay up on themselves, because of the window, they don't stay up. When I reworked wires under the driver's seat, I had to add bungie cords to keep the seat upside (I get it, it's not very often done)

3. The quality of this slideout is.. at best questionable. Several times when I put my knee on top of cushions, I heard underneath boards cracking. On one of slideouts I clearly see one of boards detached from the frame.

I personally started considering changes to this setup. I'm not sure what to do yet.

EBastow

Thanks for the insight.  I may consider just designing something on my own, maybe using heavy-duty drawer sliders.  Just need to figure out about the two levels not being even (under the cushion and then on the slideout.)

rfuss928

FWIW - I hated the slide out set-up.  They were always in the way. They make it very difficult to get in the compartments and keep them up while you utilize the storage.  They only open one way so it is impossible to access storage with the bed made (as ours always is).  The legs are constantly in the way if you try to sneak something in or out or store anything under the bed. 
After season one in the UT a revision was required.  I removed the hinges at the wall and legs from each assembly and added a few screws to prevent the tops from extending.  They are now completely removable lift off tops. Then I made support pieces for the corners of the base cabinets to keep the tops in place and hold up a piece of 3/4" plywood for the bed.  I added some finger handles like the rear covers and now can open the tops from any side even with the mattress in place by just reaching under and lifting the side I want to access.
We're are very happy with the results and improved usability.

BTW - Although we don't anticipate resale, legs and hinges are stored with the original cushions and everything is completely reversible with only a couple extra unused screw holes as scars.

EBastow

Thank you!  Very nice quality work!

WayneW

My wife and I like the slide outs. They were sticky and stubborn at first but I took them off and used furniture paste wax on all surfaces and they slide quite nicely now. We have a short curtain rod that we stick under the slide out if we need to tip it up to access the storage underneath. The rod stays under the slide out so it’s always there. 

We sleep in the two single bed configuration and it’s pretty easy to set up/take down each day. Then we have full use of the dining area. I can even snooze for a bit when my wife gets up to make coffee!

EBastow

Thank you!  That is what we are looking at doing is using a two twin bed size

WayneW

@EBastow, I can send you pics and dimensions but I’m guessing you’d need to customize it for your trailer. 

Basil48192

I agree with @WayneW.  I really like the slide out feature.  No need for storing extra pieces and a little paste wax allows them to slide easily.  

EBastow

I've decided to use some folding shelf brackets (support 3300 lbs) that are 12" - Use 2 on each side of the area. ( https://amzn.to/3EqIUbX )  



We want to be able to extend them on either side to have the bed expanded on one side only.  I'll have extra heavy-duty Zelcro on the top of the bracket and then on the bottom of a 14-15"" wide board that will allow the seat cushions to expand on top of it.  If we want to use the entire bed, we will extend the shelf brackets and have 2 14-15" boards.  I'll add some photos as I get it done.

EBastow

Got it done and it works perfect

californication

@EBastow would you care to post picures? Thank you

EBastow

Here's the only picture that I have right now. It's with the shelf brackets up and my 5/8 Baltic birch plywood on top with Gorilla anti-slip pads on it. There is the same setup for the other side also so it can be either half of the bad deployed or all of it. 

EBastow

Photo of folding shelf brackets,  folded. I put the double-sided finished Baltic Birch plywood under the cushions 



This is 1/2 opened

hammerstone

Hi Evan @EBastow .  

I am also thinking of the shelf supports but have been considering 6" instead of 12"  Do you find that the pathway between the two beds when both are set up is too narrow to be of use?  I assume your setup would leave about 7" of space, is that about right?

also, it looks like you had some new cushions made.  Can you tell me about those and their sizes, and how you use them for sleeping vs sitting?

any additional photos/comments/discussion

 appreciated.

EBastow

Mine opens to the full bed without an aisle between.  You can open 1/2 at a time and then have access, but if the entire bed is open you have to crawl in.

The cushions are the ones that came with the camper stock.  I just modified the back ones so that I could have the Lagun table support added.

FYI - I just sold the camper.  My wife needs a larger bathroom, so it wouldn't work for us.  I loved it (easy to tow with my Ford Bronco Sport).