I want to sit up in bed! Ideas?

StevenP · May 29, 2022

Hi all, I can’t be the only California owner (ours is a T4 so maybe not an issue on later vans?) who wishes there was an option to be able to sit up in bed and drink tea/read a book or lounge in the day without having to lie down? Ideally a fold down ‘headboard’ where the overhead cabinet is, would be ideal. This would allow you to sit up facing forwards before reclining fully to sleep. Has anyone done this kind of mod? Description/photos of possible solutions would be much appreciated. Steve

kurienp · May 29, 2022

StevenP said:
Hi all, I can’t be the only California owner (ours is a T4 so maybe not an issue on later vans?) who wishes there was an option to be able to sit up in bed and drink tea/read a book or lounge in the day without having to lie down? Ideally a fold down ‘headboard’ where the overhead cabinet is, would be ideal. This would allow you to sit up facing forwards before reclining fully to sleep. Has anyone done this kind of mod? Description/photos of possible solutions would be much appreciated. Steve

No need for any complex mods. Cannot get any simpler, effective and cheaper than this. I have two in the van.

Jay586 · May 29, 2022

Costco occasionally do a fab large wedge cushion.

Kiwi Ocean · May 29, 2022

StevenP said:
Hi all, I can’t be the only California owner (ours is a T4 so maybe not an issue on later vans?) who wishes there was an option to be able to sit up in bed and drink tea/read a book or lounge in the day without having to lie down? Ideally a fold down ‘headboard’ where the overhead cabinet is, would be ideal. This would allow you to sit up facing forwards before reclining fully to sleep. Has anyone done this kind of mod? Description/photos of possible solutions would be much appreciated. Steve

How about something like this? Just googled "bed backrest".

Tim Hook · May 30, 2022

I have a T6 for which I made a couple of struts from aluminium that support each side of the frame in the boot. No mods. are required to the van and they are secured with bolts that are pulled via a wing nut through a rubber tube that expands in the existing frame locking holes.
The only negative issue is taking them out before lowering the frame to sleep, I've not managed that from inside the van! For day use, they work well.

Jim2007 · May 30, 2022

Tim Hook said:
I have a T6 for which I made a couple of struts from aluminium that support each side of the frame in the boot. No mods. are required to the van and they are secured with bolts that are pulled via a wing nut through a rubber tube that expands in the existing frame locking holes.
The only negative issue is taking them out before lowering the frame to sleep, I've not managed that from inside the van! For day use, they work well.

View attachment 93713

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That, sir, is why given enough time and off cuts there is no problem that can’t be solved by men in sheds.

I salute you and am off down the garden to shamelessly copy.

Hans Vulink · May 30, 2022

I have a T4 as well and made a lounge function in my California.
The story is in dutch, but the photo,s will tell you what to https://www.weetjewel.nl/phpbb3/viewtopic.php?t=67498

StevenP · May 30, 2022

kurienp said:
View attachment 93699

No need for any complex mods. Cannot get any simpler, effective and cheaper than this. I have two in the van.

Yes we’ve looked at similar and so thanks for the recommendation- good solution

StevenP · May 30, 2022

Kiwi Ocean said:
How about something like this? Just googled "bed backrest".

View attachment 93701

These look good but most are too wide for two side by side

StevenP · May 30, 2022

Tim Hook said:
I have a T6 for which I made a couple of struts from aluminium that support each side of the frame in the boot. No mods. are required to the van and they are secured with bolts that are pulled via a wing nut through a rubber tube that expands in the existing frame locking holes.
The only negative issue is taking them out before lowering the frame to sleep, I've not managed that from inside the van! For day use, they work well.

View attachment 93713

View attachment 93714

View attachment 93715

Excellent !

StevenP · May 30, 2022

Hans Vulink said:
I have a T4 as well and made a lounge function in my California.
The story is in dutch, but the photo,s will tell you what to https://www.weetjewel.nl/phpbb3/viewtopic.php?t=67498

Very good modification - it’s a shame VW didn’t offer a solution as it’s definite gap in the otherwise fabulous design of a Campervan

Dill Tart · May 31, 2022

Tim Hook said:
I have a T6 for which I made a couple of struts from aluminium that support each side of the frame in the boot. No mods. are required to the van and they are secured with bolts that are pulled via a wing nut through a rubber tube that expands in the existing frame locking holes.
The only negative issue is taking them out before lowering the frame to sleep, I've not managed that from inside the van! For day use, they work well.

View attachment 93713

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Love this! Very clever!

GrahamB · May 31, 2022

Another (expensive) option would be to trade up to a T6.1 for lounge seating

soulstyledevon · May 31, 2022

GrahamB said:
Another (expensive) option would be to trade up to a T6.1 for lounge seating

That would be mad. A T4 is far more reliable…

Pitstop Penny · Jun 3, 2022

Such a good thread! Thanks for raising this. I’d love a daybed too! Watching this thread with interest

Kayleigh · Jun 4, 2022

Tim Hook said:
I have a T6 for which I made a couple of struts from aluminium that support each side of the frame in the boot. No mods. are required to the van and they are secured with bolts that are pulled via a wing nut through a rubber tube that expands in the existing frame locking holes.
The only negative issue is taking them out before lowering the frame to sleep, I've not managed that from inside the van! For day use, they work well.

View attachment 93713

View attachment 93714

View attachment 93715

Hey Tim, that’s a really simple ‘no mods’ daybed solution. Perhaps you could enhance with some ratchet hinges designed for sofas to give different recline positions. You would need to cut the supports somewhere and bolt them on. Something like these might do the trick

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09K599NHT/?tag=eliteelect-21

Jay586 · Jun 4, 2022

My able assistant knew I'd want the 6.1 as soon as I saw the loungey bed option on YT....

soulstyledevon · Jun 4, 2022

How is the daybed done in the T6.1…?
Could you retro fit the parts required?

Gina-B · Jun 4, 2022

Jim2007 said:
That, sir, is why given enough time and off cuts there is no problem that can’t be solved by men in sheds.

I salute you and am off down the garden to shamelessly copy.

Pl;ease remember - that ladies have sheds and skills too.

laurentfox · Jun 4, 2022

I always sleep downstairs so i have the same predicament. What i do is flip my mattress (including my ikea topper) in half backwards (with the sheets and blanket inside the fold). I then take all my pillows and prop them against the fold. Works great for me

Cali kids dog bike · Jun 5, 2022

Jim2007 said:
That, sir, is why given enough time and off cuts there is no problem that can’t be solved by men in sheds.

I salute you and am off down the garden to shamelessly copy.

Or women in sheds

ejmoore · Jun 5, 2022

Sit sideways with a pillow behind you - works whether the bed is down or in the seat position

ejmoore · Jun 5, 2022

ejmoore said:
Sit sideways with a pillow behind you - works whether the bed is down or in the seat position

Incidentally this also works upstairs - I like a cup of tea first thing in the morning - lean (lightly) back against the side roof strut

Anthony1 · Jun 9, 2022

Tim Hook said:
I have a T6 for which I made a couple of struts from aluminium that support each side of the frame in the boot. No mods. are required to the van and they are secured with bolts that are pulled via a wing nut through a rubber tube that expands in the existing frame locking holes.
The only negative issue is taking them out before lowering the frame to sleep, I've not managed that from inside the van! For day use, they work well.

View attachment 93713

View attachment 93714

View attachment 93715

Clever.

Pitstop Penny · Jun 9, 2022

Tim Hook said:
I have a T6 for which I made a couple of struts from aluminium that support each side of the frame in the boot. No mods. are required to the van and they are secured with bolts that are pulled via a wing nut through a rubber tube that expands in the existing frame locking holes.
The only negative issue is taking them out before lowering the frame to sleep, I've not managed that from inside the van! For day use, they work well.

View attachment 93713

View attachment 93714

View attachment 93715

Hi Tim

May I ask if you could provide dimensions and the material you used? I’m going to attempt to make this myself! Thank you.

I want to sit up in bed! Ideas?

StevenP

kurienp

Jay586

Kiwi Ocean

Tim Hook

Jim2007

Hans Vulink

StevenP

StevenP

StevenP

StevenP

Dill Tart

Dilltart

GrahamB

soulstyledevon

Kennycalifornia

Pitstop Penny

Kayleigh

Back in the ‘non-leaking’ T6 Beach

Jay586

soulstyledevon

Kennycalifornia

Gina-B

laurentfox

Cali kids dog bike

ejmoore

2016 California Ocean 2.0 TDI

ejmoore

2016 California Ocean 2.0 TDI

Anthony1

Too young to be old

Pitstop Penny

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