Turning the Lounge into a Bed

[EpicExplrs]

We just bought a 2021 Interstate GL. I understand how to operate the ottomans and the lounge but there are two separate cushions that look like they sit on the cubbies on the side and fit perfectly on on the extender bar that pulls out. The old model they used to be on a hinge. The problem is that there is nothing designed to keep them in place while you sleep and they just fall back into the luggage area. Any idea what we are doing wrong?

[Pez Vela]

Are you sure you pulled the aluminum extender bar all the way towards the rear of the van?:

[Titus]

The aluminum extender may be slid back under the lounge seat back and you may have to raise the seat back a bit from the flat-bed position in order to pull it out.

Also, the hinges on the bottom of the wings are screwed into the end of the plywood frame' of the wing. This is a terrible design and the screws are guaranteed to pull out. You'll need to get an offset hinge that you can screw into the surface of the plywood - 90 degrees from the way they were first attached.

[EpicExplrs]

I checked the aluminum extender bar. It was pulled out ll the way to the little rubber stop that prohibits it from coming out any further. There are no hinges, these are two free piece cushions that are not attached to anything.

[Titus]

Hmm The cushions you are talking about are about 1/2 the width of the van by about 8" - correct? Maybe they forgot the hinges? If so I'd fix it myself as the dealers factory fix won't last anyway.

[EpicExplrs]

Titus you are correct about the size of the cushions. I don’t think they use the hinges but maybe I need to contact the dealer again the first time did not bear fruit. Thanks for the help

[PJLeck]

So I'm a recent 2021 Interstate owner also -- I could not figure out how those two cross pieces were supposed to securely sit on the aluminum extender bar. I purchased my GL from halfway across the country so did not get an orientation. Anyway, I ended up cutting two 4x4 plastic hollow fence posts (Lowes) the width of the van, and putting them over the extender bar, resting on the wood pieces in the van sides. That made a very solid base to then velcro the two upholstered cross pieces to. Now I have a very solid headboard section of the bed.

[EpicExplrs]

I finally got ahold of someone at the dealer this morning that had an answer. They said it is not ideal but you doing it correctly. They have been telling Airstream about the complaints. Maybe they will do something. Until then, I like your fix with the fence post!

[camlivy]

Or just call tech support at Ohio factory.

[EpicExplrs]

Originally Posted by camlivy

Or just call tech support at Ohio factory.

Thanks!

[Rocinante]

Originally Posted by PJLeck

So I'm a recent 2021 Interstate owner also -- I could not figure out how those two cross pieces were supposed to securely sit on the aluminum extender bar. I purchased my GL from halfway across the country so did not get an orientation. Anyway, I ended up cutting two 4x4 plastic hollow fence posts (Lowes) the width of the van, and putting them over the extender bar, resting on the wood pieces in the van sides. That made a very solid base to then velcro the two upholstered cross pieces to. Now I have a very solid headboard section of the bed.

Sounds interesting, but I would love to see a few pictures of this when you get a chance, as I am unable to visualize it. Hoping this idea can also be applied to our 2016. Thank you!

[PJLeck]

Let's see if I can get these photos to upload...

[PJLeck]

Sorry, not sure why they are sideways. Here's a close up of the fence posts after cutting and notching:

[Rocinante]

Thanks for the pictures, they show exactly how you did it. Great idea! We'll keep using ours with the built-in fold-down until those hinges break, which folks here say they assuredly will, and then we will look at adopting your solution.

As for photos sideways, that is a curse of the Air Forums' software. You can prevent it by editing the photo on your computer - all you need to do is bring it into whatever program you want to use, rotate the photo until it's right side up (if needed), resize the picture just a little bit, and then save it. Upload those saved photos and Air Forums will, for whatever reason, be happy.

[Ilguy]

I’ve got a ‘21 GL with this same issue. There has to be a factory fix for this by now right?

[Titus]

I understand how the wings with the hinge works until the hinge fails, but don't understand how the hinge-less ones are supposed to work. The pull out bar in the pictures is pulled out a bit too far for our hinged wings. The wings rest on the top of that black upside-down U.

[Sawmiller]

My 2021 Lounge has the same issue, but since I am only 5-8", and the tallest one in the family, I just leave the headrests on and never use the extender cushions. Plenty of room with the plain sofa bed.

[Rocinante]

Originally Posted by Sawmiller

My 2021 Lounge has the same issue, but since I am only 5-8", and the tallest one in the family, I just leave the headrests on and never use the extender cushions. Plenty of room with the plain sofa bed.

This is an excellent option for those who can make it work for them. [emoji106][emoji106]

[Scanditaly]

Originally Posted by PJLeck

So I'm a recent 2021 Interstate owner also -- I could not figure out how those two cross pieces were supposed to securely sit on the aluminum extender bar. I purchased my GL from halfway across the country so did not get an orientation. Anyway, I ended up cutting two 4x4 plastic hollow fence posts (Lowes) the width of the van, and putting them over the extender bar, resting on the wood pieces in the van sides. That made a very solid base to then velcro the two upholstered cross pieces to. Now I have a very solid headboard section of the bed.

Hello new Air lovers. Well….just took delivery of the 2022 GL24, and it seems the previous issues have not been satisfactorily addressed. Yes the hinge is gone and a little shelf holds the cushions, and the aluminum pull-out rack would appear bespoken for these cushions, but I cannot get it to pull out far enough.

I look forward to going through this forum.
Lisa

[Scanditaly]

Originally Posted by Ilguy

I’ve got a ‘21 GL with this same issue. There has to be a factory fix for this by now right?

Hi
As I mentioned in the previous post, still wonky. I do like the fence post idea with Velcro. Have you made any improvements or progress.

Lisa