Rear Twin Beds Question

[Navigator]

Am building twins from scratch.
Could someone please tell me the thickness of the plywood base under the mattress, and the distance between the slats that support that plywood.
The purpose of the question is that we are trying to keep weight to a minimum, and use the thinnest plywood and least # of 5/4 oak slats.
Presently we have 1/2" plywood, and 7 slats.
Would like to reduce that to 3/8" or better yet, 1/4" thick plywood, and keep the slats to 7 @ 16" centers.
Thanks,
Dick

[thenewkid64]

Dick,

The under bed plywood from the factory is 3/8ths or less luan. The stringers seem to be spaced on 16-18 inch centers. Be sure to have full edge support on both long edges and some support on the ends. In My experience having an extra slat in the middle of the mattress (where you would sit down prior to stretching out) adds some nice strength. Attach the plywood to the edges and let the wood float on the stringers. This reduces the chance of snapping a stringer from flex of the ply or weaken it with holes.

Edge screws are normally every 12 inches. Look in the flat steel bin at Lowe's or HD they have 1/2 inch up to 2 inch L shaped Aluminum that can be cut to brackets or works to run on the wall as a edge for the inside of the framing. The factory uses a box aluminum channel that may be available locally from a screen room co, eliminating the wood and the weight.

Remember, you don't need to design it to hold 100% of your weight in one spot. The mattress will spread it over the frame.

[smily]

I had posted photos of the two twins being assembled into a full. you can get a good visual there. There is a thread somewhere on it.

Here it is

http://www.airforums.com/forum...+success+story

Smily

[Navigator]

Bret, Smily,
Thanks for the info. 2-4" Aluminum clips, that is a GREAT idea, dident think that they were easily available. Will have to hit H.D. & Lowes tomorrow.
Smily, do you still have those Sealey Mattresses?
Dick

[smily]

Sorry, sold them to WBCCI unit member for 100 dollars.

See, membership has its priviledges.

Smily

[RivetED]

Twins first came into our lives 2 weeks ago when we picked up our Safari. That's what the dealer had. We had seen a couple of the 'queen' floor plans in person, but none had the accoutrements that meet both of our desires. Besides, the storage in the twin layout seemed more generous, including the external rear-door space. Time will tell ...