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Old 04-24-2017, 10:09 PM   #1
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2014 Interstate Ext. Coach
Boulder , Colorado
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Where does the kid sleep?

We have a 2014 AI EXT Lounge. It has, of course, the large bed in the back for 2 adults and four seats up front.

The question becomes where does our son sleep? He's about 4 feet, 6 inches tall. We've read about aftermarket beds that can sit across two of the front seats but haven't seen one yet.

Does anyone have ideas on how to rig a sleeping space for a kid up front or buy an aftermarket option? I think we also need to investigate the space with a tape measure and consider various options and scenarios.

Thanks for any ideas or suggestions!
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Old 04-24-2017, 10:40 PM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by valleyview View Post
We have a 2014 AI EXT Lounge. It has, of course, the large bed in the back for 2 adults and four seats up front.

The question becomes where does our son sleep? He's about 4 feet, 6 inches tall. We've read about aftermarket beds that can sit across two of the front seats but haven't seen one yet.

Does anyone have ideas on how to rig a sleeping space for a kid up front or buy an aftermarket option? I think we also need to investigate the space with a tape measure and consider various options and scenarios.

Thanks for any ideas or suggestions!
Several options.

One is to spin the driver's seat around and place a bit of plywood across the seat bottoms of the two road-side seats, roll out a 4" thick slab of memory foam across it, and viola, instant kid bed.

What we do is use a twin size inflatable mattress and stuff it between the front seat backs and the dash. I use the dining table top to bridge the gap between the seats (it's a perfect fit!). The mattress is a tight enough fit that my 80lb daughter doesn't move it even with her usual night time thrashing around.

There are also several designs for a PVC-framed "cot" in the cab area.

Last but not least, you can purchase a ready-made bed from a Roadtrek dealer that mimics the fist option above.

Do a Google search on "front beds for vans" and you'll see pictures of all of the ideas above plus others.

Enjoy!
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Old 04-24-2017, 11:21 PM   #3
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This probably wont work for yours but here is what I did in mine.
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Old 04-25-2017, 05:35 AM   #4
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Reminds me of sleeper cars on a train.

Very clever!


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Old 04-25-2017, 06:00 AM   #5
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^^ Yet another reason to love jack knife couches.
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Old 04-25-2017, 06:19 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by itsmeok View Post
This probably wont work for yours but here is what I did in mine.

Neat! That could work in many vans.
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Old 04-26-2017, 12:32 AM   #7
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I'm kinda wondering why you didn't get an Airstream with a bed for the kid in the first place. I'm sure he wasn't just born at 4.5 feet.
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Old 04-26-2017, 01:38 PM   #8
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valleyview: Welcome to the Airforums.



Quote:
Originally Posted by PammieSue View Post
I'm kinda wondering why you didn't get an Airstream with a bed for the kid in the first place. I'm sure he wasn't just born at 4.5 feet.
Maybe, just maybe, valleyview got what was available and/or what he could afford. Plus not sure that there's a version of AIs w/ sleeping provisions for more than two people.
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Old 04-26-2017, 01:52 PM   #9
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Neat! That could work in many vans.
Used to be an optional extra in the older motorhomes and trailers.

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Old 04-26-2017, 06:59 PM   #10
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Everything is fully removable too. Telescoping poles that support the weight on the sides that slide in a welded in sleeve behind the couch, the straps and those poles go into the cot get rolled up and the cot poles telescope down enough to get under the couch. We have 4 travasacks that we put in 4 vacuum bags and suck out the air with a ryobi 18 air mattress pump and they fit under there too. Sleeping pillows get stuffed into vlecro'ed pillow cases and used as couch pillows and can hit the floor, etc.
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Old 04-27-2017, 06:58 AM   #11
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Coincidentally, Roadtrek Life published this new post on the kid bed question yesterday, building on their earlier front seat bed solution.

For those who are not familiar, Roadtrek Life is pretty much the undisputed Sprinter-based Class B DIY mod-meister.
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Old 04-29-2017, 03:58 PM   #12
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Anyone that tries something like this just be aware that a cot on 4 legs without any side braces will have the legs twist as in won't stay straight up and down and collapse.
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Old 05-08-2017, 11:50 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PammieSue View Post
I'm kinda wondering why you didn't get an Airstream with a bed for the kid in the first place. I'm sure he wasn't just born at 4.5 feet.
Thanks, everyone for your thoughts -- it's very helpful.

PammieSue, we didn't see an AI that had an extra kid bed and thought it would be easy to work out, which it seems like it is. Just considering various options.

FlyFishinRVr, thanks for all the great advice! We have since visited a Roadtrek dealer and tried out their ready-made bed, as you suggested. It worked OK, but I think we're considering other options.

73shark -- thanks! :-)

InterBlog, thanks for the link.

We haven't reached a final decision but appreciate all the input!
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Old 05-08-2017, 11:58 AM   #14
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Let us know what you work out.
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Old 05-16-2017, 04:23 PM   #15
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OK, here's what we worked out.

We'll be using a 20"x72" backpacking air mattress called "Air Core Ultra" made by Big Agnes.

We will either use it sideways on the floor between the sets of seats or vertically down the aisle -- see pictures.

It's light, folds down very small, easy to inflate and seems to fit perfectly.

We'll put a sleeping bag or comforter on top.
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