T7 beach upgraded lower bed with new board

[Californication69]

Massive thanks to @Chriskend for the idea and pointers.
Found the beach lower bed to be not the best solution.
It is too hard and needs a self inflating mattress on the top.
It’s too long and if you’re away and need the 5 seats, the 5th middle seat is pushed right up to the swivel seats.
Got 3x 1330x 60cm boards made from 12mm ply from B&Q and cut for free. (Had to have 2 boards at £30 a board, but loads of board left for ramps for grandkids for cars and bikes )
Cut the end one so it’s more shaped to fit up against the boot.
Used the tools reccomended by Chris, and made it up this afternoon.
Sanded the sides of all boards, so no rough edges.
Also made it fold the same as the original board, so had to do the straps along on board 1 & 2, then from 3 to 2, did the webbing along the whole edge.

Really happy with the result, and got a stack of room now ontop of the boards for stuff.

Pics below. View attachment IMG_1750.jpegView attachment IMG_1834.jpegView attachment IMG_1833.jpegView attachment IMG_1841.jpegView attachment IMG_1840.jpegView attachment IMG_1839.jpegView attachment IMG_1843.jpeg

 

[Chriskend]

Cracking job dude, well neater than mine, what’s the bucket for.

 

[Californication69]

Thanks dude !

The buckets for washing the blood off my hands, if I ever catch up with the middle lane hoggers

Real reason, I have two with grit catchers in the bottom for washing the motors when I have a minute once every 6 months !
Needed something close to hand to show how much wasted space there is when using the original lower bed from VW.

The spray glue confused me for a minute until I re-read the instructions. Rtfm, and it says to spray both sides.
So I lift half the cloth off and sprayed it.
Played it down and it stuck rapidly !
Only had 30 seconds to get the ripples out.
So did the bottom half first to practise, then spent more time on the top half.
You can chop the cloth right to the edge, then use some more glue and squirt and push it so it covers the wood.
Really pleased with how much more space there is !

 

[Chriskend]

Just a thought, i used the off cuts, stuck two together with pva (24mm thick)and covered with some leftover felt..hey presto a free Poptop step

 

[Chriskend]

That’s now made the ladder redundant so even more space (not that i have ever used it) might as well sell it on here.

 

[Beach Nut]

I like this idea and might copy. Those headrest posts can cope with average adult weight, right ?

 

[Chriskend]

Yup they seem OK, or you could just waste £30 and buy one, all the ones i have seen are just bare wood, the rope i used (free from work) is scraper rope but you can use anything that is strong enough.

 

[Californication69]

Just a thought, i used the off cuts, stuck two together with pva (24mm thick)and covered with some leftover felt..hey presto a free Poptop step

View attachment 149536

View attachment 149537

It’s in my list of things to do lol.
I had the exact same thought !

You’ve made it the exact same width as the upper seat bit, which is brilliant.

Love the rope

 

[Californication69]

I like this idea and might copy. Those headrest posts can cope with average adult weight, right ?

I used the same on my 6.1 and worked a treat.

 

[Californication69]

Yup they seem OK, or you could just waste £30 and buy one, all the ones i have seen are just bare wood, the rope i used (free from work) is scraper rope but you can use anything that is strong enough.

I reckon there’s enough ply to do this project as well

 

[Chriskend]

View attachment 149542

I reckon there’s enough ply to do this project as well

Hahahhaaa, the wife already shoved a pic of one under my nose with the instruction….MAKE ONE

 

[Celia Vanchez]

View attachment 149542

I reckon there’s enough ply to do this project as well

Are you pleased with the cooker? We are thinking of getting one. What brand have you got?

 

[Californication69]

Are you pleased with the cooker? We are thinking of getting one. What brand have you got?

The cadac is excellent for cooking on, but, if you want a spag bol or curry or chilli type meal, get the new cobb, it’s fantastic.

 

[Celia Vanchez]

The cadac is excellent for cooking on, but, if you want a spag bol or curry or chilli type meal, get the new cobb, it’s fantastic.
View attachment 149657

Thank you. Never heard of the Cobb brand. Will need to research the matter