Replacing the sofa

[iairstreamKS]

Where do you go to replace the sofa to a beautiful updated and comfortable full size bed in the front? We have a 72 Sovereign (31 ft) and it has the old sofa, which we could rebuild and recover, but we want something upgraded. Would need storage underneath. Any ideas?

[Aviator]

You may want to check out the classified section of the Forums. There are often people selling various interior components from their projects or even entire interiors. You may be able to find an Airstream bed with the lifts and everything. Short of that, I think building your own might be best.

[Alumaholic]

There is a nice selection of generic travel trailer furniture out there with which to modernize your vintage Airstream.
The front, jack-knife sofa in my 2007 Classic Limited is widely available. It is not a uniquely Airstream product, though the arm cushions and trim are custom made.
It is a beautiful sofa, but no fun to sleep on. So, try before you buy.
The original gaucho that came with your Airstream remains unsurpassed for sleeping comfort as far as I know. Others will confirm or contest this opinion.

[fmr.capt.evi]

The "jack-knife" sofas have not held up very well for us; we've had much better luck with the "lounge" concept.

[iairstreamKS]

so do you mean to create the booth area with the table that drops down is better than a sofa/goucho (lounge) that drops down like a futon? I want to make sure I'm clear.

Our goal is to put bunk beds in the middle twin bed area (it has a rear bath), for the kids. This front bed will be our bed so we want it to be easy to drop down after a day of travel and of course comfortable. Trick is that we want a generous area to sleep, so we were thinking the u shaped booth (to sit 6) could be a good way to create the big bed area for us at night.

Any thoughts.

Sheryl

[Alumaholic]

Gaucho: A big, futon style mattress, on a futon style frame that folds in the middle long-ways to make a couch. A very comfortable sleeping arrangement for one; slightly crowded for two since it is slightly smaller than a full-size mattress but larger than a twin.

Jack-Knife: A comfortable sofa that makes into an uncomfortable bed.

Horse-shoe Dinette: Provides U-shaped seating for two adults and four kids, plus one more seated on a folding chair if need be. Table surface drops down at night to make a sleeping surface with seat cushions making the mattress. The largest of any sleeping arrangement we have experienced in any Airstream, this makes a very large, comfortable sleeping platform for two adults. We enjoyed this arrangement in an old '60's AIrstream 26' of my wife's parents who traveled with six kids.

[barts]

Webspinner (Barbie) made a new dinette to replace the front gaucho on our 1971 Trade Wind; with 5" foam high density and 2" memory foam topper, it is an amazingly comfortable place to sleep. With care in fitting the dinette, there is plenty of room for two.

- Bart