Thoughts on potential mod - pedestal table between the two twin beds

[stu1965]

Even before we bought David's 16tbs, I was thinking of ways to make this into a king bed. I've changed my thought a bit since we do not want to remove cabinets....considering installing a height adjustable pedestal between the two beds (with a nice table), which would

1) allow us to have a table between the two beds, and
2) I can lower, and put a custom size mattress between them

thus making what we're calling the 'dog bridge' (our two small dogs sleep in bed with my wife). I'm aware scootching down to get out of bed will be more difficult. I would have to install the pedestal base in the floor, drilling holes for bolts. I think there's room there, not piercing anything like a water tank

Thoughts?

[DavidM]

Hi Stu:

I only have a structural comment to your bed/table idea. The floor is made up of aluminum extrusions, about 6" wide (may be wrong about this) by a dozen feet long mounted lengthwise to the trailer. If you were to bolt the base through one of these sections, it might twist when side forces are applied to the table, rock a little and maybe loosen it up enough to leak from underneath.

Better to put an aluminum plate about 12" square between the floor and the table's base to distribute the load among three sections. Bolt the table base to the plate and then bolt the plate to the floor. If you do it this way, you could probably just use self tapping screws into the aluminum extrusion which eliminates any work from below. But first check what is below. You don't want to screw into a propane line, cable or a tank. Through bolting would be better but the odd shape of the bottom of the extrusion would make it tricky. Take a look at the aluminum floor from below to see what I am talking about.

Otherwise, it looks quite doable.

David

[Pinstriper]

Easy way to settle any structural question is to see how the existing beds are secured to the floor and repeat that.

Also consider your design - a pedestal won't allow you to tie into the bed structure or walls. An aluminum box made of 1" square tubing is probably how the bed structures are, so just extend it so your twin beds become a "U" that can either be a table, a doggo bridge, or (presumably doggo) bed with the aforementioned custom mattress.

[stu1965]

Thank you guys. I do like the idea of adding a plate to bolt the base into.
I also like the idea of building a box, except for it would be a fixed height.

Im figuring if I do the pedestal, i no longer need a table for the couch. two birds, one pedestal.

Much to think about. No real rush, since the dogs dont sleep on my side of the bed. hahahah!

[Merlin]

My 16 TBS came with well made removable insert that fits the space at the foot of the beds. When in place, it makes the bed into a king size. We don't use it because we really like the 2 bed option. I then made the insert into a table and added removable table pedestals both in front of the couch and in the space at the foot of the beds. The photos I posted long again and now in the forum archives no longer show up in the posts so I'll go out and take some more in the next few days.

[stu1965]

My 16 TBS came with well made removable insert that fits the space at the foot of the beds. When in place, it makes the bed into a king size. We don't use it because we really like the 2 bed option. I then made the insert into a table and added removable table pedestals both in front of the couch and in the space at the foot of the beds. The photos I posted long again and now in the forum archives no longer show up in the posts so I'll go out and take some more in the next few days.

As you know, I dont have the inserts. I would LOVE LOVE to see pics.

[Chappy133]

Not the best picture but in the upper left is the tube bracket that supports the insert.  Our insert is stowed with the added clasps.   I will try & grab a better picture this weekend.

[stu1965]

Not the best picture but in the upper left is the tube bracket that supports the insert.  Our insert is stowed with the added clasps.   I will try & grab a better picture this weekend.

Right (and thank you), the 2013 did not come with those tube inserts. I bought alum angle brackets last night and will install those along with a piece of oak (my short term solution) to join the two beds, followed by my wife making a custom size mattress to fit between the narrow twin mattresses.  I'm unsure what I will do long term, although the cheapest option will just be a standard non-adjustable pedestal install much like all the dinettes are, and make a nice removable table. 

[Merlin]

I took some photos today of the table I made out of the insert using a Garellck pedestal system from the boating world. It works really well in the 2 positions I installed the support bases. When removed, the covers for the support bases make a level floor so there is no issue with tripping. When installed with the clamped base, the table works as a dinette table in front of the couch or as a card/computer table between the beds. It may not look like it in the photo, but you can sit on the bed an have your knees under the table, even with our 8 inch memory foam mattresses. The table rotates 360 and is reasonably stable. The aluminum tube between the table and the base is completely removable from both so storage is easy. For a more permanent installation I would use 2 pedestals. We don't use the insert between the beds to make a king size bed as originally intended, but making this table did not affect that possibility. I should note that I used my usual measure once, drill twice but managed to not hit anything vital in the floor.

https://www.westmarine.com/buy/garelick--complete-quick-release-table-pedestal-system--7880891?recordNum=8

[Chappy133]

Couple pictures

[Chappy133]

More pictures.

[Chappy133]

Not the best picture but in the upper left is the tube bracket that supports the insert.  Our insert is stowed with the added clasps.   I will try & grab a better picture this weekend.

Right (and thank you), the 2013 did not come with those tube inserts. I bought alum angle brackets last night and will install those along with a piece of oak (my short term solution) to join the two beds, followed by my wife making a custom size mattress to fit between the narrow twin mattresses.  I'm unsure what I will do long term, although the cheapest option will just be a standard non-adjustable pedestal install much like all the dinettes are, and make a nice removable table.

Used a plywood solution on our LL 6.0 to make a larger dog bed.

[stu1965]

Thank you both for the info, pics etc. Super appreciated and very helpful.

Short term (since this seems to be a high priority for my wife), I just put some aluminum angles up, and will use an oak insert.

Long term, with the help of the facebook livin lite owners group, I was pointed to an affordable adjustable height pedestal that will work (https://www.marineteak.co.uk/all-pedestals/telescopic-fixed-table-pedestal-25) , and either get a custom teak table, or cheap out and laminate the oak I have now. Will post pics when short term and long term solutions are done.

We've made a lot of little changes in the 2 weeks she's been home....that post coming soon.