Twin bed conversion in an older T@B

hammerstone · June 16

Hi All, i have a 2007 Dutchman L layout T@B. I've seen some posts where people have "converted" their sleeping arrangement so instead of making up a full queen bed, there are two twin beds, with a space between, and a common space between at the head of the bed, or even a narrow table. That would sure be nice to have to walk in and leave the Lagun table set up rather than having to roll out of the sleeping space every morning. and i'm usually solo in mine, so i could leave one side set up as a bed, and one side for seating at the table, and have minimal work to get ready to go in the morning or set up at night. all that said, it isn't clear to me how the two (or one) twin bed would use the existing cushions. one picture i found makes it look like the beds are ON TOP of the cushions. Others show the beds made up but not much detail on the extensions for supporting them, or how they are made up. Is there a small cushion that adds the needed 6 or so inches in addition to support boards underneath? Any pictures/discussion would be appreciated. I listed this as "modification and upgrade" even though it might be standard issue on some models, and i can just buy what is needed. if not, i'm happy to make the necessary brackets but sewing cushions might be a bit beyone my skill set.

hammerstone · July 25

actually, i have the Q layout not the L.

no one has done this kind of mod?

Basil48192 · July 25

I've seen a lot of posts for this. In 2021, they used the sliding bench...so you could pull it out as much or as little as you wanted. Prior to that, people have used various methods of adding a small extension off of one or both sides. With this approach, you probably need to fabricate or purchase a narrow cushion.

When I'm alone, I typically sleep 'wheel-to-wheel', as seen in the video (second link below).

I just searched 'twin bed setup' and found a bunch of references. I added some below.

Twin bed setup

Nomadic Dream Team: Trailer Tour of a TAB Trailer and Jeep with a Solo Woman Nomad! See the bed at 7:08.

More Twin Bed & Seating Convenience

hammerstone · July 27

thanks Basil! All 3 were informative. I guess my search skills need some improvement, i didn't find any of those things but think it was the "twin bed" that will do it.

Bayliss · July 27

@hammerstone, here are a few more discussions to add to what @Basil48192 already provided (hopefully, no duplicates of those):

https://tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com/discussion/7260/twin-bed-configuration-easy-5-5-wider-bed-extensions-mod/p1

https://tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com/discussion/14316/from-queen-to-two-single-beds#latest

https://tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com/discussion/19259/modify-to-add-slideout-bed-extensions-to-2014-320-s-basic#latest

pthomas745 · July 28

There are so many different ways to do this type of mod.

https://tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com/discussion/comment/153576#Comment_153576

"Photomom" in that thread above had one of the first, using simple PVC. I still have mine, but I've decided I fit better "wheel to wheel". Or, maybe I'm shrinking!

https://tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com/discussion/3070/twin-bed-setup/p1

hammerstone · July 28

@pthomas745

@pthomas745 and @Bayliss and @Basil48192. Lots of good ideas! Wheel to wheel would be the easiest, but I'm 6'9" and that only leaves 3" to spare!. It would also be a bit tricky rolling out with the table set up, which i would like to do.

I'm going to summarize everyone's different efforts in a word document while i am making a decission, and would like to thank them for their postings. here are the ones i have so far:

@Photomom - early mod starting with PVC supports under extensions, upgraded to the piano hinge mode, then add'l 5" slat behind.

@ebastow - 12" shelf brackets on each side, new cushions. sent comment with add'l questions especially about cushions.

@teztab - reconfigured cushions. nice writeup with good pictures.

@Bill@ndRox- 5" extension using piano hinge, used slats to raise everything to same height. posted comment with questions about DIY rear back split.

@Basil48192 - sent links, sleeps "wheel to wheel"

@game - piano hinge extension, but cut off 1" lip instead of using slats. sent comment with add'l questions. @fstop32 also did a rebuild but didn't use the piano hinge.

There are probably others, but thanks to those that have posted and if anyone knows of others let me know.

fstop32 · July 31

@hammerstone, We didn't like the hassle of the queen bed setup and the difficult access to the toilet in the middle of the night. Once we decided the "2 twins" was the configuration that worked best for us I purchased a queen topper, cut it to be slightly wider than the benches on the sides and sewed the topper cover back. We use these on top of the existing bench cushions. Next I built new side bench wood covers for the cabinet areas over the wheels. I inset a 3/4" peg in the under side of the covers so when I slid them out at night they would stop at the appropriate width of the topper. I didn't try changing the cushion size as I didn't want to get into making new cushions, I just pulled the cushion out with the slide and dropped a 3" diameter pool noodle in the gap at the side of the camper, it works fine to fill the gap with the topper laying over it. Next I bought a Lagun table mount and made a custom table top. In the "awake" position the table opened up for fine dining, puzzle working or laptop table. In the "sleep" position I fold the wings up on the table and spin the mount around to provide a bedside configuration for whatever you want close at hand. the way we use our T@b we almost never pull the bench back vertical so when we get up in the morning we just roll the topper up toward the back and we're ready for the day.
The twin bed setup makes it easy for the early riser (me) to get up with our GSD and go outside without bothering the better half.
The pics below mostly show the table but if you need any more detail I can easily provide more photos and descriptions.
(due to some technical snafu I was not able to get my pic selection to upload to the document) I'll work on that and post the pic later.

hammerstone · August 3

Hi Dave. That's a helpful explanation! There was no picture, it seems like you were having difficulty and will attach some later?

i was just looking at the cost of buying cushions, and while i might go that route, your use of the existing ones and a pool noodle sounds like my kind of solution, at least to get started. i assume you cut the straps that join the seat back cushion to the seat bottom cushion over the wheel-well cutout? Do you leave the seatback cushions (both those above the wheelwell and the angled cushions behind that) at home?

You say "Next I built new side bench wood covers for the cabinet areas over the wheels. I inset a 3/4" peg in the under side of the covers so when I slid them out at night they would stop at the appropriate width of the topper." Lots of questions there, but a picture would probably answer most. I'll wait for a picture before asking more.

I also made a custom table top that doubles as my queen bed support with the addition of one slat. A pic of mine is attached, and i suppose if i'm getting rid of the queen bed setup i would probably re-make a table top that can act both as a nightstand and a table. Any pics/dimensions/discussion of your table top would also be appreciated.

Do you sleep head forward or head back? Any thoughts on the headbanger cabinets in the back? I'm thinking of removing them, or maybe just removing the two side cabinets and leaving the one in the middle. The other option is to sleep head forward, which is mostly how i do it now even with the queen setup.

I do most of my camping solo but plan to add another dog here soon. Leaving a twin bed setup on the drivers side all the time (with room for a dog), and the other side set up for seating all the time, is my goal. The "optional" setup would be to convert the seating on the passenger side to a 2nd twin when the wife does agree to go camping.

Thanks in advance for your advice.

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