One common downside of RV sofa beds has always been comfort. There is some kind of engineering limitation there that just cannot accommodate a comfortable setup. When we were presented this neat RV sofa bed idea from a couple named Ian and Mad Mumsie (don’t you like them already?) from the UK who have quite an interesting story. They are part of a group called the SBMCC Self Build Motor Caravanners Club. I think the name says it all but they purchase caravans or what folks from the US call Class B motorhomes or conversion vans. They then custom build and add to the entire interior to their liking.
DIY RV Sofa Bed Designed by Ian and Mad Mumsie Photos:
It turns out Ian is a handy fellow and came up with this RV sofa bed design which is quite unique. The bottom of the sofa seat pulls out using a slats system so the sofa cushions can then be reorganized for a bed surface. When the bed is deployed back into sofa orientation the front can be lifted up to access the storage area underneath it. As you will notice from the photos it is considerably more storage area than most RV owners have now under their RV sofa bed.
Part of the allure of this design is that it is modular. The RV sofa bed can be setup in single or double bed configuration. It also was built to mimic the traditional feel and height of furniture in a home.
The upholstery and cushions which are the primary contributors to the comfort factor were made with piped edging and 7” of high quality foam to make the RV sofa bed comfortable to sleep and sit on. The covers on the cushions are also removable to accommodate washing.
With so many folks tearing out their RV sofa bed, dinettes, bunk beds, etc. this may be a viable option for improving the functionality inside your RV. This design is straight forward and highly customizable to its dimensions. We don’t think it will be long before we see owners having this type of addition installed in lieu of some of the more expensive alternatives.
See more photos and detailed instructions.
Thank you, very well designed.
perfect for what I need! Thanks for the instructions.