Replacement for Gaucho: Any and ALL ideas appreciated

[JLD1942]

Hello All.

We have a rebuilt Gaucho in our 31', 1976 Soverign that makes into a mountain rather than a bed and needs replacing. We also have a HUGE FIELD-LABRADOR RETRIEVER and need room. Please bare with me. I have a number of ideas to bounce off of you.

1. Would something from a regular used furniture store or the GoodWill work, fit through the door and give us room on the ends for small cabinets for art supplies? If anyone out there has done this, I would appreciate finding out if you found anything you could get through the door, and whether you are happy with it now that it is in.

2. I am sort-of handy with tools and could do a simple bench with cushions. I thought about building a bench with a hinged back that is also hinged in the middle and folds up to the wall. Is that hard to build?

3. Has anyone tried a single wide futon bed in the space since they're already hinged? .

4. Finally, we are hobby people on the road and (remember the dog ) could use a LOT more space. I would love to hear from those of you who have replaced with chairs. How has it worked out? I thought we could provide sleeping with an inflatable mattress.

Thanks to any and all who take the time to write with your ideas. I am hauling that couch out no matter what, come spring and I expect the living area to look absolutely palatial in the true Wally style.

Joan

[bilby05]

Hi,
I became so disgusted with the gaucho in our Sovereign that we replaced it with a double recliner from Lazy-boy. The gaucho was uncomfortable as a couch and really uncomfortable as a bed. The Lazy-boy cost more than a whole cow should, but it's leather, smells really nice and sits the two of us very comfortably. It fit through the door because the backs of the recliners is removable. Leather is more dog friendly than most other things.
good luck,
bill b.

[Fyrzowt]

I know Doorgunner has done something...I helped remove his from his trailer. Not sure what he put back in.

Here are a couple of things others did. These are more along the lines of building a dinette. Others have put upholstered chairs, etc in.
Fitting through the door will be the main problem if you go that route.

Good luck,
Dave

Gaucho

Here is one that Pizzachop did.
http://www.airforums.com/photos/show...imageuser=4331

[overlander63]

There are a couple ways you could go. First, you can get a slightly newer version of your gaucho, say from a mid to late 1980's model. We did this with our '63, and it worked well for us. The new couch had a walkover back, with no mountains in sight.
Another option is to get a pair of rv swivel rockers, and put one on either side, with a small table between. This will give you more room up front, but it will reduce your guest sleeping quarters.
There is a couch similar to what we used currently in the classifieds, and Camping World has the swivel rockers (they were on sale a couple months ago).

[Darol Ingalls]

Friends replaced their couch in a 27' Overlander with two very comfortable, high-backed office chairs with arms. They had to be laid down for travel to prevent rolling around. Made for a very comfortable, flexible "front room." Big-box office stores often have sales on year-old models which makes high quality chairs quite affordable. Darol

[rmpray]

Have seen some great concepts in the forum. PIZZA CHOP had sharp build out ideas that also watched out for added weight. Lightweight framing is a consideration. I've been aboard a rig with a futon that seemd to work pretty well without adding much weight. Now I have thought, if one has deep pockets, some of the modular furniture systems sold in a number of marine catalogs could be fit nicely with a real custome look. Meanwhile I reckon I'll stick with my old gaucho until budhet permits

[JLD1942]

Thanks to you all. There are a number of good ideas. i hadn't thought of going to a Big-Box store to look at what they have. I also hadn't considered the need to keep weight down. That made me wonder about weights in general. Does anyone know if AirStream originally weighed the furniture they installed to balance the rig. Given how meticulous they were with other thing, I would think they did. Does it make a difference if the front is lighter than it would be with the original furnishings? I think the added wood in Pizzachops design might make it all heavier...are you there Pizzachop?...is that the case. On the other side of things the rolling chairs would be lighter. Does anyone know what Pizzachop did with the 12 volt panel that is in the front of the Sovereign? Thanks again. I am cooking with ideas. BTW, we have a very similar set up to Pizzachops design in the front of our 12' Coleman Tent Trailer. It is very compact, but not very comfortable and a heavier person can't get around the table. It works great as a sleeping area however. Joan

[PizzaChop]

The wrap around dinette has worked well for us (obviously our needs are different from others') and makes a wonderful bed.

Construction isn't that difficult and modifications are possible.

Where everything was framed with plywood and 1/4", it is very light and any weight gain should be minimal.

Pictures

Rough Plans

[overlander63]

Originally Posted by PizzaChop

The wrap around dinette has worked well for us (obviously our needs are different from others') and makes a wonderful bed.

Construction isn't that difficult and modifications are possible.

Where everything was framed with plywood and 1/4", it is very light and any weight gain should be minimal.

I've seen Ron's wraparound dinette/couch/bed, and it is very well done. You can adapt his design for a smaller family without too much trouble.

[cameront120]

What about one of those convertible sofa beds that are made for RVs? The name of the company escapes me right now. I've seen people post about them here though.

ETA: Flexsteel!

Flexsteel - RV/Marine Furniture

[Silver Threads]

This is pretty cool. It is a Sofa, Bed or Lounge. Hope the link comes through!
Lounger Sofa Bed from Seventh Avenue®

[rmpray]

Wow! cameront120 flexsteel site had a great selection for RVs. Full range from complete lightweight to rather custom looking layouts. Quite cool!

[Jim in Pima]

I hope my solution works, have a small twin futon on order from Wal-Mart. Gauncho was missing. I would like the option of a 3rd bed as we often have mother in law along.
My problem was 77 inches max to fit it in, and 32 inches width to the folding table. Should be here next week!!!

[lizfrog]

We want to take out the gaucho in our 2007 International and put in two reclining home theater seats with console. Has anyone done this? Any advice? We also found armless sectional sofa sections that would work. Sitting on the gaucho for more than a half hour is torture!!!