Can anyone tell me if they have removed this shelf and if so, How did you support the back of the Gaucho? The problem is, when it is made into a bed, this shelf takes up about 6 inches of bed space. I thought about somehow making it to fold down when it is a bed, then flip it back up when it is a couch. Maybe use some small braces that would fold to the side and cut a few inches off of each end. Does this shelf annoy anyone else but us?
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John and Tammy Adams
AIR # 15902
Can anyone tell me if they have removed this shelf and if so, How did you support the back of the Gaucho? The problem is, when it is made into a bed, this shelf takes up about 6 inches of bed space. I thought about somehow making it to fold down when it is a bed, then flip it back up when it is a couch. Maybe use some small braces that would fold to the side and cut a few inches off of each end. Does this shelf annoy anyone else but us?
By a strange coincidence, I was looking at the same shelf in our new trailer. You could put hinges on the wall side, with two hinged braces to hold it up, and fold back to allow the shelf to drop flat against the front wall.
That is what I am thinking also. it very annoying when you are trying to sleep. My grandaughter kept rolling up under it and hitting her head in her sleep! I think I will try it. i will post some pictures when it is done in case any one else wants to try it!
Tammy
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John and Tammy Adams
AIR # 15902
Can anyone tell me if they have removed this shelf and if so, How did you support the back of the Gaucho? The problem is, when it is made into a bed, this shelf takes up about 6 inches of bed space. I thought about somehow making it to fold down when it is a bed, then flip it back up when it is a couch. Maybe use some small braces that would fold to the side and cut a few inches off of each end. Does this shelf annoy anyone else but us?
I have a similiar "shelf" in my Bambi II but it is only 4" wide so it hasn't been a bother for us. My 2002 Bambi doesn't have the shelf behind it -- just an open space for storing blankets.
I can see how it would be an issue with a small child (my husband and I are not at risk of rolling under it, that's for sure). IMHO, the hinged shelf idea is a good one. Let us know what you end up doing.
I have had the same problem with the shelf in my 1070 trailer. I don't think hinges will work, however, dueto the curved front surface. I think putting the shelf on rmoveable brackets will work. Haven't had time to locate such a thing yet though.
Greg
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Greg, Ashley, Olivia, and Jane Ashley
AIR # 13681
Our side gaucho in our GT has a folding shelf. Its a piano hinge riveted to the wall and screwed to the wood. It's held in the "up" position with sliding latches (underneath) that slide into the wood panels on either end. It's square so it's different than what you are talking about. However, if you cut the rounded portions of yours off and permanently mounted them to the walls, then you could probably do something similar with the majority of the shelf - hinge it down and use the corners to attach a fastener to to hold it up.
Shari
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Vintage Airstream Club - Past President 2007/2008
WBCCI #1824 - DenCO Unit Past President (2005)
AIR #30 - Join Date: 2-25-2002
I have seen shelf brackets that have slots, and the shelf sits down into the slots. When you don't want the shelf up, just lift it out of the slots, and store it away.
I have a 78 Argosy with this same shelf in the front and on the back bed also. I have the double bed in the back on one side and I just took the shelf off. To tell you the truth when the bed is put back into a couch, I don't notice that shelf is not there. The little extra cushion that fits in under that shelf is just left standing up and the back of the couch rests on it. I haven't taken the front shelf out, but I've sure thought about it. The dogs like to stand on it, so it's stayed for now.
When I went to the hardware store yesterday to get the piano hinges to fix the shelf, the little old man that was helping me ask me what I was going to do with it. I told him about my Airstream. He said, "I have an Airstream also. It is a 78 Sovereign. I have been trying to sell it. It is fully restored. I had the curtains clean and couldnt put them back up.". He ask me if I would care to come over and put them up for him. I told him to give me a call and I would be glad too. I told him about the forums but he doesnt have a computer. So I told him I would tell everyone about his camper. If anyone is interested, I have his phone number and name, he turned out to be the owner of the Hardware Store . I told him I would take some pictures for him and help him sell it. I havent seen it yet but plan on going over this weekend sometime and put the curtains up. He says it is 40 ft, but I wonder if that is right. He only wants 6500.00 for it. I plan on putting it on ebay if no-one is interested. you can PM me and I will give you his name and number.
Also, My husband has come up with a clever idea for the shelf, i will post pictures as soon as we get started!
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John and Tammy Adams
AIR # 15902
... If anyone is interested, I have his phone number and name, he turned out to be the owner of the Hardware Store . I told him I would take some pictures for him and help him sell it. I havent seen it yet but plan on going over this weekend sometime and put the curtains up. He says it is 40 ft, but I wonder if that is right. He only wants 6500.00 for it. I plan on putting it on ebay if no-one is interested. you can PM me and I will give you his name and number.
hi- you might be able to find some "lockable" hinges, or shelf brackets, like the ones that formerly held up the fold-down shelf next to the cooktop in my '72 Overlander. When I remodeled the trailer, I used those hinges for the gaucho shelf, so it now folds down out of the way as you have described. You have to cut the shelf off where it starts to curve around, as mentioned, but otherwise this works very nicely. Good luck- tim
We decided to cut the ends where it starts to curve, leaving the curves intact and adding a piano hinge to the center part of the shelf. My husband came up with the idea of placing to slide lock bolts (best I can describe them, normally used as a small lock on a door), right uderneath each end to hold it back up when we need it for the Gaucho. But I do like th idea of the folding latches also.
Also had another question, has anyone addded a small collapsable tabe to the small wall inside the door, a miniture of the dinette? I have found that when I sit on that end of the couch I have nowhere to put my drinks, etc. I thought it would be nice to have something to sit things on when needed but would fold out of the way when we are not using it. Thanks for all the previous input. A lot of great ideas!!
Tammy
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John and Tammy Adams
AIR # 15902
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. I told him I would take some pictures for him and help him sell it. I havent seen it yet but plan on going over this weekend sometime and put the curtains up. He says it is 40 ft, but I wonder if that is right. He only wants 6500.00 for it. I plan on putting it on ebay if no-one is interested. you can PM me and I will give you his name and number.
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