Bed Extension

crozetsam · Joined: 14 Feb 2008 Posts: 2 Location: Crozet, Va.

I bought a year-old 35-foot Zeppelin by Keystone trailer last year. I love it
except that the "queen-sized" bed is quite short. I am 6' 3'' and my feet hang over the end by approximately 12 inches. Has anyone heard of any kind of bed extension available anywhere?
_________________
Sam McKelvey
sammckelvey@embarqmail.com

retired and happy · Joined: 06 Nov 2005 Posts: 303 Location: Stone Mountain GA

I don't know of one, but I have considered a mattress and platform extension the would make the bed wider (to king size). The frame would be foldable so it would retreat under the platform overhang when not needed. I plan to contact the Original Mattress Factory here in the Atlanta area to inquire about availability of the special size mattress piece I would need to fit the platform extension. They claim to be able to fit a bed of any dimensions, but I'm not sure they have considered one about 8 inches wide and 6 ft+ long. I've debated with myself as to how to hinge and support the platform so it would hide under the platform and support bed at night. Maybe some sort of pins rather than hinges. The tricky part might be that there is a cross hinge in the main platform for accessing under the bed. It would probably be simpler to ignore the cross hinge and just not raise the bed while the extension is in place.

An "end-of-bed" extension sounds simpler. But if lack of space in your bedroom is anything like mine, you would want the ability to stow the extension out of the way when not needed.

Any thoughts from you craftsmen out there?
_________________
Ken
Judy and our Special Angels
1996 37' Itasca Suncruiser
6x12 cargo trailer
2003 EZGO golf Cart

crozetsam · Joined: 14 Feb 2008 Posts: 2 Location: Crozet, Va.

Ken, I wasn't considering a DIY project, but your thoughts have presented
a simple and doable solution. A 12'' x the bed width sheet of plywood that
could be attached with hinge pins. The panel supported by three PVC legs
that slide into couplers on the panel. The panel cold easily be stored under
the mattress when traveling. A little cosmetic touch on the support legs and
I will again be a happy camper. Thanks for your help.
_________________
Sam McKelvey
sammckelvey@embarqmail.com

jerryriverguy · Joined: 04 Nov 2005 Posts: 57 Location: Could be anywhere

My 2004 Colorado came with a "short queen" too. I'm under 6', but still too short for me. Had the dealer extend the platform and replaced the mattress with a full-size queen. My mattress platform raises up to allow for storage beneath, so the 12" extension had to be inserted in the center of the platform. That worked well and no supports are needed for the overhang.

Happy trails.
_________________
Author: The Fifth Wheel Bible
2004 Colorado 27RL
2006 Dodge 2500 CDT, 4x4, longbed, auto

web site http://www.jerryriverguy.com

viclively · Joined: 01 Mar 2008 Posts: 1

We found it easy to pull the bed away from the headboard and put a couple of pillows in the space. Then put your personal pillow on top of those and enjoy a longer bed. It might not work for a VERY tall person, but it certainly extends the bed a foot or so.

Hope this helps. You can do it each night and enjoy the bed small during the day when you have to get around it.

JHarrelson · Posted: Sun Mar 02, 2008 1:11 pm Post subject:

VicLively has the same idea as I do ....

You can buy or make a "bumper" or "bolster" ..(?).. or whatever the darn thing is called..

(Ask a woman, she'll know the name of it.. Smile

)

Basically it is a cushion similar to the "back rest" cushion on the dining booth seats.. except it is thicker and longer, so as to match the same height and width of the mattress..

When needed to extend bed, simply slide the mattress down and insert the bolster cushion between the headboard and the head of the mattress like VicLively says..

When not needed, like in daytime, simply remove the bolster ... slide the mattress back in place and lay the bolster cushion on top of the mattress.

Works great..

John
_________________
John

mr phil · Joined: 04 Feb 2007 Posts: 2 Location: michigan

I too have the same problem, because I'm 6'5".

I solved it by simply putting a 2' X 3' piece of plywood between the mattress and the bed frame. At bed time I slide the plywood out and put a piece of foam, the same thickness as the mattress and as wide as the plywood, at the foot. The weight of the mattress holds the plywood in place and when slid back under, it stays put during travel.

sumaps2 · Joined: 07 Oct 2006 Posts: 3

Our queen-size bed was the standard SHORT queen for RVs. The bed was over our fresh water tank covered by two pieces of wafer board. I inserted a piece of 1"X12" pine into the middle of the two wafer boards and placed "L" brackets (4) at the base of the bed, and covered them with a canvas shoe carrier (storage). We used a regular queen matress for a couple years but now have replaced it with a Select-Comfort mattress (air mattress)with dual controls. It works great and has reduced our weight by pounds. Note: make sure you use screws that will not rust. I chose stainless steel and they are not too long, which can hurt the mattress or you when cleaning.

Good luck.