Hi, I'm new to this and would love some advice from seasoned nomads. Hubby n I are purchasing a new van and we are at the design stage. I want gas struts to lift 2 single bed, but was talked out of it. Instead there is a flap to access under bed inside the van and an access door outside. What is best struts instead or flap? I like the outside door but am worried that access is limited in van. Your advice much appreciated.
Possum3 said
11:17 AM Nov 8, 2018
We put large drawers in the side of our beds in the bottom half of the bed - electrics and water heater in the other two halves. Still can lift bed if needed but it's a much better way to do it.
Katnat said
12:05 PM Nov 8, 2018
Thanks for your input.
Aus-Kiwi said
12:07 PM Nov 8, 2018
Our bed has two gas struts either side . Make sure the anchor points are strong . Steel brackets etc . Imo struts a little more powerful than you need .
Cupie said
12:43 PM Nov 8, 2018
Our situation is somewhat different in that we have a double east-west (Crossways) bed.
It is an excellent place to store the annexe walls and a variety of camp chairs, collapsible tables and clothesline et al.
These are rather heavy and bulky items.
Using the under bed storage importantly places the heavy weight over the axels.
The lift up bed base with gas struts gives easy access to bulky items.
For us, it's a no-brainer. The obvious storage option. Though I do have a broom handle as a back up for the gas struts which just do the job.
-- Edited by Cupie on Thursday 8th of November 2018 12:45:07 PM
Tony Bev said
01:26 PM Nov 8, 2018
Welcome to the forum Katnat
I also have an east west double bed, (same as Cupie),with both gas struts, and an outside access door
Previous owner, had exchanged the original lightweight foam type mattress, to a normal innerspring heavier type mattress
It took a bit of an effort to lift the bed, and hold it up with one hand, so I fitted stronger gas struts
In my opinion, (so I could be wrong), it would be easier to have gas struts, than an inside flap, to access the storage areas, of the two single beds
Rip and Rosie said
09:04 AM Nov 10, 2018
We have single beds in our current van.....hate lifting the mattresses to get access. With doonas and pillows the are against the windows and curtains, nowhere near as easy as without the mattress and without the sheets, doonas etc. and i hated it so much the space was poorly used and almost empty.
We had hatches installed so we can get external access to the underbed storage, and it fits the chairs, tables, privacy screen, annex floor etc. Made it accessible, useful and made me so happy.
Out new van, again with single beds is currently being built, and they would not install external access to the spaces, so we have opted for drawers inside.
Our situation is somewhat different in that we have a double east-west (Crossways) bed.
It is an excellent place to store the annexe walls and a variety of camp chairs, collapsible tables and clothesline et al.
These are rather heavy and bulky items.
Using the under bed storage importantly places the heavy weight over the axels.
The lift up bed base with gas struts gives easy access to bulky items.
For us, it's a no-brainer. The obvious storage option. Though I do have a broom handle as a back up for the gas struts which just do the job.
-- Edited by Cupie on Thursday 8th of November 2018 12:45:07 PM
I also have an east west double bed, (same as Cupie),with both gas struts, and an outside access door
Previous owner, had exchanged the original lightweight foam type mattress, to a normal innerspring heavier type mattress
It took a bit of an effort to lift the bed, and hold it up with one hand, so I fitted stronger gas struts
In my opinion, (so I could be wrong), it would be easier to have gas struts, than an inside flap, to access the storage areas, of the two single beds
We had hatches installed so we can get external access to the underbed storage, and it fits the chairs, tables, privacy screen, annex floor etc. Made it accessible, useful and made me so happy.
Out new van, again with single beds is currently being built, and they would not install external access to the spaces, so we have opted for drawers inside.