Substituting a 1968~73 VW Type 2, Westfalia Continental style, 2-berth elevating-roof bed
I was interested to note, the following recent FOR SALE posting, regarding redesigned, after-market, plywood-based, two-berth, elevating-roof beds (very similar to that of my 1973 VW Type 2 Westfalia Continental), for the 1968~72 VW Type 2 Westfalia campervans, with front-hinged, wedge-shaped elevating roofs, that lack this type of bed, but which instead, have a single-berth, folding cot.
Board index » For Sale & Wanted section » Early Bay Parts for Sale & Wanted » Westfalia / Westy Continental Roof Double Bed 68 to 72
http://forum.earlybay.com/viewtopic.php?f=27&t=28066
The Late Bay » Marketplace » Parts For Sale, post '72 » Westfalia / Westy Continental Roof Double Bed 68 to 72 and 73 to 74
http://thelatebay.com/index.php?topic=8403.0
Classifieds Index > Parts > Type 2/Bus - Bay Window - 1968-79 > Westfalia Continental Roof Double Bed
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1060790
Another similar, retro-fit elevating-roof bed, for the 1968~73/74 VW Type 2 Westfalia campervans, with front-hinged elevating roof, is also available from Volkswagen Evolution, who offer four levels of product completeness. To access the relevant information, click on Westfalia Roof Bed, in the vertical menu listing, on the left-hand side of the webpage.
http://www.vwevolution.com/
As a consequence of a recurring discussion topic on The Samba forum, I have discovered that this elevating-roof bed, appears to be unique to the British specification, 1972~73 VW Type 2 Westfalia Continental campervan. with front-hinged elevating roof. Instead, most if not all, non-British specification (certainly those in Canada, Denmark, France & USA), 1968~73 VW Type 2 Westfalia campervans, of various conversions, which feature an identical front-hinged elevating roof, are fitted with some form of single-berth, folding canvas cot. The first of the following Internet links, also includes details of an elevating-roof bed, retro-fit kit, fabricated in North America, of a similar style to that of the Westfalia Continental.
Bay Window Bus > Continental upper bed
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=275900
Bay Window Bus > I saw a 71 Westfalia Helsinki with a Continental bed today
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=284100
Bay Window Bus > '72 Westy: Converting from Cot to Full Bed?
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=237224
Bay Window Bus > Will 74' westy upper bed fit in 73' westy replacing cot?
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=240739
I have never slept in a folding cot, but if it is anything like the cab bunk, akin to an old-style casualty stretcher, with canvas and two longitudinal poles, then I imagine it would be most uncomfortable; having 'slept' in a similar stretcher bunk, in a Commer "Highwayman", coachbuilt motorcaravan, borrowed by my father, back in the late-1960s or early-1970s. As a consequence of impacting against the hard metal poles, during the night, the experience resulted in bruised knees, if not elbows as well, if I recall correctly!
If my supposition is correct, then I can appreciate why many owners of non-British specification, pre-1974 VW Type 2, Westfalia campervans, with front-hinged elevating roofs, would wish to replace the single-berth folding cot, with a two-berth, upholstered plywood, elevating-roof bed, as factory-fitted to our 1973 VW Type 2, Westfalia Continental campervan. Hence, I posted detailed information with illustrations, on The Samba forum, which should enable members to fabricate a similar bed.
The following illustration, is an excerpt, from the British specification, 1973 VW Type 2 Westfalia Continental, campervan handbook, showing the upholstered, plywood-based, elevating-roof bed (in raised & lowered positions)
My own hand-drawn, annotated illustration (worm's eye view), of the steel-roof aperture and standard, factory-fitted, elevating-roof bed (fitted at the Westfalia Werke, in Wiedenbruck, Germany, in September 1972), showing the shape, disposition & dimensions, of the various components, based upon measurements of my own British specification, 1973 model-year, VW Type 2, Westfalia Continental campervan.
The elevating-roof bed's main baseboard is 1300 mm long x 970 mm wide x 15~16 mm thick
The elevating-roof bed's pillow-section baseboard is 280 mm long x 890 mm wide x 15~16 mm thick
It might be possible to lengthen the elevating-roof bed's main baseboard, at the front end (i.e. where sleeping occupants place their feet), but for my factory-fitted elevating-roof bed, there is a separate, specially shaped, cloth-covered, foam cushion, which extends the effective length of the bed, by about 75 mm, as far as the elevating-roof's, front-section, vertical tent cloth. I suspect, it would be best to retain the factory-standard bed length, with the hinges at the front end, so that when one raises the bed during the daytime, to increase headroom for cooking & dining, the bed's plywood baseboard is almost parallel with the raised elevating roof.
It might be practical, to increase the width of both the elevating-roof bed's plywood baseboards, so that the main baseboard, has a total width of less than 1020 mm, whilst the pillow-section has a total width of less than 1000 mm, but there are a few measurements which one would need to check, to ensure the baseboards do not interfere with the elevating-roof's GRP top, elevating-roof's hinged support struts, elevating-roof's hold-down rubber toggles or any other fixtures & fittings. Consider also, how much space is needed, to fold-in the elevating roof's cloth tent material, when the elevating roof is lowered for travelling.
One would also need to take measurements, to find out the largest size of elevating-roof bed's main baseboard (< 1020 mm wide x 1300 mm long), which can be put inside the elavating roof, given that the elevating roof is already fitted to the campervan's steel roof. Note, that at the Westfalia factory, in 1972/73, the elevating-roof bed, might have been fitted first, before the elevating roof was fitted to the campervan's steel roof!
The elevating-roof bed, with a 15~16 mm thick multi-ply, plywood baseboard and 30 mm thick upholstery (cloth-covered, high-density foam polymer), has a maximum rated load capacity of 80 kilograms (i.e. 176 lbs or 12½ stone).
As an adult, of 1•79 metres tall, I have commonly slept alone, on this elevating-roof bed, but I weigh much less than 80 kilograms! It might be practical to increase the thickness of the plywood baseboard, to make a bed of greater maximum load capacity, but one might be limited, by the maximum load capacity of the campervan's steel roof, which supports the elevating-roof bed.
It might also be practical, to slightly increase the thickness of the cloth & foam upholstery (normally 30 mm thick), but one would need to check how much clearance would be available, between the upper, flat surface of the elevating-roof bed's main baseboard and the underside, of the right-hand & left-hand limits, of the curved elevating roof, when the elevating roof is fastened down with the rubber toggles.
The front hinges, which support the front of the elevating-roof bed and attach it to the campervan's steel roof, are of a special type, but I think it should be possible to create a slightly different hinge system, using two or more conventional hinges and shaped wooden blocks. Unless one resorted to using self-tapping screws, one would need to temporarily remove the steel roof's, 3 mm thick plywood headlining, to gain access to the underside of the steel roof, to fix in place, the elevating-roof bed's front hinges, using machine screws and reinforcement backing plates, with captive nuts.
Regards.
Nigel A. Skeet
Transporter Talk Technical Editor
Volkswagen Type 2 Owners' Club
http://www.vwt2oc.com
I was interested to note, the following recent FOR SALE posting, regarding redesigned, after-market, plywood-based, two-berth, elevating-roof beds (very similar to that of my 1973 VW Type 2 Westfalia Continental), for the 1968~72 VW Type 2 Westfalia campervans, with front-hinged, wedge-shaped elevating roofs, that lack this type of bed, but which instead, have a single-berth, folding cot.
Board index » For Sale & Wanted section » Early Bay Parts for Sale & Wanted » Westfalia / Westy Continental Roof Double Bed 68 to 72
http://forum.earlybay.com/viewtopic.php?f=27&t=28066
The Late Bay » Marketplace » Parts For Sale, post '72 » Westfalia / Westy Continental Roof Double Bed 68 to 72 and 73 to 74
http://thelatebay.com/index.php?topic=8403.0
Classifieds Index > Parts > Type 2/Bus - Bay Window - 1968-79 > Westfalia Continental Roof Double Bed
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1060790
Another similar, retro-fit elevating-roof bed, for the 1968~73/74 VW Type 2 Westfalia campervans, with front-hinged elevating roof, is also available from Volkswagen Evolution, who offer four levels of product completeness. To access the relevant information, click on Westfalia Roof Bed, in the vertical menu listing, on the left-hand side of the webpage.
http://www.vwevolution.com/
As a consequence of a recurring discussion topic on The Samba forum, I have discovered that this elevating-roof bed, appears to be unique to the British specification, 1972~73 VW Type 2 Westfalia Continental campervan. with front-hinged elevating roof. Instead, most if not all, non-British specification (certainly those in Canada, Denmark, France & USA), 1968~73 VW Type 2 Westfalia campervans, of various conversions, which feature an identical front-hinged elevating roof, are fitted with some form of single-berth, folding canvas cot. The first of the following Internet links, also includes details of an elevating-roof bed, retro-fit kit, fabricated in North America, of a similar style to that of the Westfalia Continental.
Bay Window Bus > Continental upper bed
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=275900
Bay Window Bus > I saw a 71 Westfalia Helsinki with a Continental bed today
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=284100
Bay Window Bus > '72 Westy: Converting from Cot to Full Bed?
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=237224
Bay Window Bus > Will 74' westy upper bed fit in 73' westy replacing cot?
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=240739
I have never slept in a folding cot, but if it is anything like the cab bunk, akin to an old-style casualty stretcher, with canvas and two longitudinal poles, then I imagine it would be most uncomfortable; having 'slept' in a similar stretcher bunk, in a Commer "Highwayman", coachbuilt motorcaravan, borrowed by my father, back in the late-1960s or early-1970s. As a consequence of impacting against the hard metal poles, during the night, the experience resulted in bruised knees, if not elbows as well, if I recall correctly!
If my supposition is correct, then I can appreciate why many owners of non-British specification, pre-1974 VW Type 2, Westfalia campervans, with front-hinged elevating roofs, would wish to replace the single-berth folding cot, with a two-berth, upholstered plywood, elevating-roof bed, as factory-fitted to our 1973 VW Type 2, Westfalia Continental campervan. Hence, I posted detailed information with illustrations, on The Samba forum, which should enable members to fabricate a similar bed.
The following illustration, is an excerpt, from the British specification, 1973 VW Type 2 Westfalia Continental, campervan handbook, showing the upholstered, plywood-based, elevating-roof bed (in raised & lowered positions)
My own hand-drawn, annotated illustration (worm's eye view), of the steel-roof aperture and standard, factory-fitted, elevating-roof bed (fitted at the Westfalia Werke, in Wiedenbruck, Germany, in September 1972), showing the shape, disposition & dimensions, of the various components, based upon measurements of my own British specification, 1973 model-year, VW Type 2, Westfalia Continental campervan.
The elevating-roof bed's main baseboard is 1300 mm long x 970 mm wide x 15~16 mm thick
The elevating-roof bed's pillow-section baseboard is 280 mm long x 890 mm wide x 15~16 mm thick
It might be possible to lengthen the elevating-roof bed's main baseboard, at the front end (i.e. where sleeping occupants place their feet), but for my factory-fitted elevating-roof bed, there is a separate, specially shaped, cloth-covered, foam cushion, which extends the effective length of the bed, by about 75 mm, as far as the elevating-roof's, front-section, vertical tent cloth. I suspect, it would be best to retain the factory-standard bed length, with the hinges at the front end, so that when one raises the bed during the daytime, to increase headroom for cooking & dining, the bed's plywood baseboard is almost parallel with the raised elevating roof.
It might be practical, to increase the width of both the elevating-roof bed's plywood baseboards, so that the main baseboard, has a total width of less than 1020 mm, whilst the pillow-section has a total width of less than 1000 mm, but there are a few measurements which one would need to check, to ensure the baseboards do not interfere with the elevating-roof's GRP top, elevating-roof's hinged support struts, elevating-roof's hold-down rubber toggles or any other fixtures & fittings. Consider also, how much space is needed, to fold-in the elevating roof's cloth tent material, when the elevating roof is lowered for travelling.
One would also need to take measurements, to find out the largest size of elevating-roof bed's main baseboard (< 1020 mm wide x 1300 mm long), which can be put inside the elavating roof, given that the elevating roof is already fitted to the campervan's steel roof. Note, that at the Westfalia factory, in 1972/73, the elevating-roof bed, might have been fitted first, before the elevating roof was fitted to the campervan's steel roof!
The elevating-roof bed, with a 15~16 mm thick multi-ply, plywood baseboard and 30 mm thick upholstery (cloth-covered, high-density foam polymer), has a maximum rated load capacity of 80 kilograms (i.e. 176 lbs or 12½ stone).
As an adult, of 1•79 metres tall, I have commonly slept alone, on this elevating-roof bed, but I weigh much less than 80 kilograms! It might be practical to increase the thickness of the plywood baseboard, to make a bed of greater maximum load capacity, but one might be limited, by the maximum load capacity of the campervan's steel roof, which supports the elevating-roof bed.
It might also be practical, to slightly increase the thickness of the cloth & foam upholstery (normally 30 mm thick), but one would need to check how much clearance would be available, between the upper, flat surface of the elevating-roof bed's main baseboard and the underside, of the right-hand & left-hand limits, of the curved elevating roof, when the elevating roof is fastened down with the rubber toggles.
The front hinges, which support the front of the elevating-roof bed and attach it to the campervan's steel roof, are of a special type, but I think it should be possible to create a slightly different hinge system, using two or more conventional hinges and shaped wooden blocks. Unless one resorted to using self-tapping screws, one would need to temporarily remove the steel roof's, 3 mm thick plywood headlining, to gain access to the underside of the steel roof, to fix in place, the elevating-roof bed's front hinges, using machine screws and reinforcement backing plates, with captive nuts.
Regards.
Nigel A. Skeet
Transporter Talk Technical Editor
Volkswagen Type 2 Owners' Club
http://www.vwt2oc.com