Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 12-02-2014, 11:31 AM   #1
4 Rivet Member
 
tinbender's Avatar
 
2001 16' Bambi
2013 23' International
Piedmont Region , North Carolina
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 408
Bambi L-Sofa Transformation

Yes, placing wide body parts in a non wide is possible, but it will take some work… For quite sometime I wanted to make a change to the sleeping arrangement in my ’01 Bambi. It came from the factory with a front pullout bed/sofa assembly, no permanent bed as the newer ones have. The new style of pullouts, that are incorporated in the “L” sofas, are easier to use than what was in it and seemed to hold the answer to the quest for an update. The trend of replacing the L sofa with recliners presented an opportunity to buy the parts to make the change. The only problem, these parts were in a wide body. After much thought and some trial and error, a way was found to make it work without losing any sleeping or seating area from the main bed/pullout platform.
The height and width dimensions of the original streetside part of the “L” drove the project as they had to be maintained due to the water heater being under there. The curbside armrest width was reduced by almost half to allow the bedbox to be modified, on the rear bottom corner, so it would slide all the way to the curbside wall. The armrest basically serves to fill in the wall curve as the bedbox/pullout, has a straight edge and butts up against it. This leaves a fairly big, empty space next to the curbside wall.

I wasn’t able to get all the cushions with the parts from the donor trailer and had no luck in matching the ultraleather that was on them so I had to have all new foam and cushion covers. This part of the changeover was certainly not cheap but the quality of the replacement is way above what was there before. Also, I removed the International dark laminate and put on the lighter laminate to match the rest of the interior. Finishing touches will include new window coverings, to come soon.
I had some help with many phases of the project and would like to thank those forum members who were quick to answer my PMs with requests for photos and measurements of the layout of their L sofas. All this info really helped make the finished product work out well. It has taken awhile from start to finish but I think my Swee’ Pea is good to go for many more years of travel. Love my shortie…….
Before and after:
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	Bambi Bed 001.JPG
Views:	277
Size:	155.7 KB
ID:	227915   Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_2727.jpg
Views:	269
Size:	245.2 KB
ID:	227916  

Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_2728.jpg
Views:	255
Size:	261.7 KB
ID:	227917   Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_2744.jpg
Views:	273
Size:	253.4 KB
ID:	227918  

__________________
'01 16' Bambi --- Swee' Pea
'13 23D International --- Trixy
'18 F150 Lariat maxtow --- Liz
tinbender is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-10-2014, 05:26 PM   #2
Rivet Master
 
mutcth's Avatar
 
2007 23' Safari SE
Central , Connecticut
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,652
Very, very nicely done. I remember that back when we looked at a 2001 16' Bambi, the couch arrangement wasn't the best. (To be fair, that was the least of that particular trailer's problems.)

Looks like a fabulous upgrade. Glad the dimensions helped.

Tom
__________________
Now: 2007 Safari SE 23' "Anne" towed by 2011 Dodge Durango "Herman"
Before: Argosy Minuet and T@B, towed by various Honda Odysseys
mutcth is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-10-2014, 05:32 PM   #3
BAB
Rivet Master
 
BAB's Avatar
 
2015 30' Classic
2012 28' International
Greensboro , North Carolina
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,708
...and it feels really good to look at what Pam did and to see that she was able to recycle the "hated" L seat from my 2012 28' Intl CCD and make it work a LOT better in her Bambi than it ever worked for me. Totally professional redo with those gorgeous light mocha cushions...into which she (oh so) wisely had some high quality foam.
__________________
_________________
"SilverLeaf II" 2015 30' Classic
2019 RAM 2500 Limited 4x4 CC w/6.7L Cummins
ProPride 3P
AIR# 58452
WBCCI # 3430-Unit 21
BAB is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-10-2014, 06:15 PM   #4
3 Rivet Member
 
2008 27' Safari FB SE
Pfafftown , North Carolina
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 155
Looks Fabulous

Pam,

The remodel looks fabulous. The cushions are gorgeous. We are looking for a resource in the Winston-Salem area to re-upholster the cushions in our trailer. Did you use someone local? I would really appreciate any information you have on the foam you chose. We are planning on replacing the foam and it seems there are many choices. I sure don't want to use the same grade foam Airstream uses -- ugh!

Thanks for your help.

Susan
sunnygirl is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-10-2014, 06:20 PM   #5
Rivet Master
 
Rollster's Avatar
 
2006 25' Safari FB SE
Saint Augustine , Florida
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 569
Looks gorgeous!


Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums
__________________
Carol, Aboard "Aggie the DreamStream"
WBCCI# 5248
Rollster is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-10-2014, 06:42 PM   #6
4 Rivet Member
 
2006 19' Safari SE
Hayes , Virginia
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 345
Front 2006 19' Bambi

Great job...looks much more comfortable than ours. Our Bambi came with a leather couch that is anything but comfortable; sitting or laying. I would really like to replace with a couple recliners if they would fit--that's a good idea.
mocus is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-10-2014, 08:58 PM   #7
4 Rivet Member
 
tinbender's Avatar
 
2001 16' Bambi
2013 23' International
Piedmont Region , North Carolina
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 408
Thanks all for the nice comments.

Sunnygirl, there are a multitude of foam choices out there. I had no idea really until I started shopping. Yes, I used a local upholestry shop to do the work.


Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums
__________________
'01 16' Bambi --- Swee' Pea
'13 23D International --- Trixy
'18 F150 Lariat maxtow --- Liz
tinbender is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-10-2014, 09:03 PM   #8
4 Rivet Member
 
tinbender's Avatar
 
2001 16' Bambi
2013 23' International
Piedmont Region , North Carolina
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 408
Hit send too quickly.... It looks like a different trailer now. Should be around for a long time. I always wanted a "vintage" Bambi. She's halfway there.



Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums
__________________
'01 16' Bambi --- Swee' Pea
'13 23D International --- Trixy
'18 F150 Lariat maxtow --- Liz
tinbender is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-10-2014, 09:15 PM   #9
Rivet Master
 
rodsterinfl's Avatar

 
2006 25' Safari
St. Augustine , Florida
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 2,670
Images: 10
That is REALLY nice.
__________________
WBCCI 8653/AIR 60240
2022 Ford F150 PowerBoost Platinum w/7.2KW
rodsterinfl is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-10-2014, 10:07 PM   #10
Rivet Master
 
ROBERTSUNRUS's Avatar

 
2005 25' Safari
Salem , Oregon
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 8,369
Images: 18
Blog Entries: 55
Hi, what a fantastic job; I like the pillow too.
__________________
Bob 2005 Safari 25-B
"Le Petit Chateau Argent" Small Silver Castle
2000 Navigator / 2014 F-150 Eco-Boost / Equal-i-zer / P-3
YAMAHA 2400 / AIR #12144
ROBERTSUNRUS is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-13-2014, 10:25 AM   #11
Rivet Master
 
SilverGate's Avatar
 
2007 23' Safari SE
San Diego , California
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,495
Quote:
Originally Posted by tinbender View Post
...
I had some help with many phases of the project and would like to thank those forum members who were quick to answer my PMs with requests for photos and measurements of the layout of their L sofas. All this info really helped make the finished product work out well. It has taken awhile from start to finish but I think my Swee’ Pea is good to go for many more years of travel. Love my shortie…….
Before and after:
Beautiful! Nice job and glad I could help with the measurements.

Bill
SilverGate is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-21-2015, 11:50 AM   #12
1 Rivet Member
 
2001 16' Bambi
North Vancouver , British Columbia
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 9
just curious, what is the difference between the two pullout styles? I have the original in mine and sure think it could use some improvement......
mattwils77 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-18-2017, 05:59 AM   #13
2 Rivet Member
 
saintp's Avatar
 
2001 16' Bambi
New Bremen , Ohio
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 28
Quote:
Originally Posted by mutcth View Post
Very, very nicely done. I remember that back when we looked at a 2001 16' Bambi, the couch arrangement wasn't the best. (To be fair, that was the least of that particular trailer's problems.)

Looks like a fabulous upgrade. Glad the dimensions helped.

Tom
Just purchased a 2001 16C Bambi and curious to learn of the problems you encountered with it. "(To be fair, that was the least of that particular trailer's problems.)"

If there is anything you can share. Thanks
saintp is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
We are painting...What a transformation! Eaglemate Exterior Restoration Forum 12 01-18-2012 08:22 PM
Bambi- dinette or sofa option? The Duck 2005 and newer - Bambi all models 4 07-09-2005 05:20 PM
Sofa Replacement jcanavera General Interior Topics 4 07-16-2003 06:04 AM
Cushion Dimensions, Front Sofa Alan and Julie General Interior Topics 2 08-05-2002 02:14 PM


Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Airstream, Inc. or any of its affiliates. Airstream is a registered trademark of Airstream Inc. All rights reserved. Airstream trademark used under license to Social Knowledge LLC.



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 03:49 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.