King-sized Bed-slide for Cabover Bed?

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Durango1

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Mar 29, 2012
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We've always made do with the east-west sleeping in our previous and current FWC Hawks. But far from ideal since we both get up during the night and seldom on the same schedule.

So I'm thinking about ordering a new FWC Flatbed Grandby. Is anyone using the slide-out bed option from the factory. Does it work well? (Especially with the underbed storage?) Is it worth the $495.00 price tag or (since I've virtually changed everything anyway in my previous Hawks) should I hack something together myself?

Photos of the option in use would be a bonus.

Thanks in advance and BTW we had a great four nights on the White Rim Trail last week. many thanks for the suggestions.

Steve
 
Our Fleet flatbed has the king bed slide out (it wasn't a removable option last year), but we have never used it. One of the great things about the flatbed models is that you don't need to pull the bed out, so you get full use of the interior and you can leave the bed made. On the fleet anyway, the slide out covers the sink, so you can't make coffee with the bed deployed - which is a non starter in my opinion ;). The board and cushions also add up to about 30lb or so.
 
Steve, we have the regular pull-out in our front dinette Grandby. I'm 5'-9" and my wife is 5'2". We sleep N/S. My feet dangle a little, but not a big deal. We also get up periodically. If I had it to do over again I'm not sure I would have included the king slide.Things work for us. jd
 
I've never had a flatbed, but I've had a king bed in a camper and it was the best thing ever. Wife liked not having to climb over me to get out of the bed. She made us sleep north/south in our non-king bed which I hung off of. I'm 6'2". So I guess it just really depends on how tall you are. I would order a king in my next camper in a heartbeat.
 
$495 seems a bit steep for a few extra feet of cabinet grade wood, foam, upholstery fabric and slider material. But, if you are not a DIYer, $495 is probably a deal for a King upgrade.

I've been contemplating remaking our slide-out, adding about 6" will allow us to sleep N-S. Adding 6" will completely cover the front dinette; not a big deal as it is the dog bed at night. The stove on the front dinette Hawk is in the left rear corner so no issue making coffee...just sitting down to enjoy the Cup-a-Joe if not wanting to go outside. Unless the weather is just plain nasty, I generally have my Partner Steel stove/kitchen setup outside and enjoy the sunrise while drinking coffee.

Hindsight being 20/20, I thought long and hard about the flatbed Hawk version but ended up ordering the slide-in Hawk. If you can budget a flatbed and do not need a pickup bed, I would strongly encourage the flatbed route. Sure wished I had gone the flatbed route. It would have a King bed in a flatbed even though wasn't an option back in '15.
 
Thanks, everyone. So don't you just use two seat cushions from your dinette to put on top of the slideout? (I hate extra bulk in the camper.)

BTW, for those of you making coffee in the morning we bought a really good stainless steel thermos from REI and make up our coffee the night before. It is still steaming hot for me when I wake up early and I don't need to clatter around making it and wake up Sioux.

Just a thought...
 
The extended bed cushions are different from the dinette cushions - so you also have to store those somewhere. The other reason we couldn't do the extended bed is that we have the froli sleep system, not sure how that would work with the extended bed.
 
I would definitely do the king bed upgrade. Mine isn't factory but we love the N/S sleeping and the extra room up top.
 
rando said:
The extended bed cushions are different from the dinette cushions - so you also have to store those somewhere. The other reason we couldn't do the extended bed is that we have the froli sleep system, not sure how that would work with the extended bed.
Click to expand...
We have the 1 3/4" Froli too. Sounds like I'll need to hack together my own version if I do anything. (I love a challenge!)
 
Although we don't have a FWC Camper I can tell you that the NS arrangement in our Hallmark is one of the must have options that my wife insisted on for precisely the reason that many here have mentioned.

Since ours is a queen bed (king is also optional) we get a pair of nightstands as well which allows us to each store a weeks worth of clothes which is a very good thing as well.

As for the cost? I think it is now a $3000 option on Hallmarks so the FWC up-charge sounds like quite a bargain...although the construction details are quite different.
 
Interested in this also. Curious, looking at pics the FB front wall cabinetry, if climbing up into would be harder with the king extended ?

On the cushions, I wonder if only one set be used for both the dinette back rest and the bed infill. Anyone have the depth of the dinette handy, Hawk or Granby ?
 
It will definitely be more difficult climbing up into an extended bed, if one has the front dinette since the dinette seating, your step up into bed, will now be completely under the bed extension.

I dislike buying and toting more stuff, but, I may need to get another Rubbermaid step stool at WalMart. We keep one outside all the time. I don't want to have to move the single stool in the middle of the night to the outside, then back inside, before and after my 2AM AARP break. About the only reason I haven't extended our bed to date.
 
Advmoto18 said:
It will definitely be more difficult climbing up into an extended bed...
Click to expand...
Thanks, I think so also, even for the FB.

I was also fishing for the FB dinette bed size, for the life of me can't find it online. Nor can I get interest from my local dealer.
 
Getting into the pulled out bed on the flatbed is not such a big deal as you can still step on the storage/portapotty box next to the door. On the Fleet FB the dinette is 31" wide. The cushions also feel quite different to the mattress.
 
rando said:
On the Fleet FB the dinette is 31" wide.
Click to expand...
rando, thank you very much ! Then the Granby size would work dynamite for a couple in cold, top-down weather. :)

FWIW, my thought for the king option would be to skip the infill cushions and only use the queen portion of the "mattress" but turned NS. Maybe then open up the exposed under bed storage or at least be able to use that surface as a bedside counter or for bumper pillows.
 
Using the dinette as cozy bunk would definitely work on the Granby, it is a little too small on the Fleet, but would work in a pinch if the weather was really bad.

If you are not planning on using the cushions, I would probably save $500 and just buy a piece of 12mm plywood to use for the pullout.
 
Even on the Hawk, the dinette converted to a twin bed is quite suitable and comfortable for < 6' person. My son slept on the twin many times, until he grew a bit more.

The twin can be a bit tight for two black labs, but, they always seemed to manage until one decided it was time to stretch out on the floor.

Then it became a true obstacle course at 2AM! :D
 
FYI- Front Dinette Measurements are

Front Dinette Size Hawk- 32x78

Front Dinette Size Grandby- 48x78

The king bed is a no brainer in my opinion. You can use as a queen or pull all the way out. It comes with the queen matteress and then 4 little cushions to be used as needed wanted.

You couldn't use the below back rest cushions as they are slightly angled and hard on the back
 
PaulT said:
One of these could be a blessing in that situation. http://www.cabelas.com/product/Little-John-Portable-Urinal/746951.uts?slotId=3
One in the camper, another in the boat.
Although, mine are olive drab rather than fire engine red. ;)

Paul
Click to expand...
Got one Paul!
Just seems easier to walk outside unless the weather is really nasty.
I had to use piddle packs while flying and it was never fun or easy with a torso harness and G-suit on. Fying Diamond 42s made using one a little easier, but, not much. I tended to only use them seconds before pipe failure. :oops:
Bill
 
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