Bed Risers for 172 Lower Bunk
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Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
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URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3129
Printed Date: 03 May 2024 at 6:50am
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Topic: Bed Risers for 172 Lower Bunk
Posted By: CharlieM
Subject: Bed Risers for 172 Lower Bunk
Date Posted: 29 Nov 2012 at 7:57pm
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I’ve installed bed lifts to help lift and hold open the storage area under the lower bunk in the RP-172. They easily support the factory mattress, a 2.5 inch thick memory foam topper, pillows, and two lightweight sleeping bags.  A web loop has been added to aid in raising the bed. The following drawing shows the attachment points for the props.    Note the stiffener bar mounted to the plywood top near the opening edge. This is necessary to prevent extreme twisting of the thin plywood. I used a 2x4 ripped to 2x2.5 (nominal 2x3), but a stock 2x2 would probably work. Without it you’re asking for problems.  Note that the brackets are mounted with machine screws to the top plywood. There are significant forces on these brackets. Wood screws in the thin plywood will not hold.  The two gas props are RV Designer 20 inch, 40 pound devices available from Camping World, along with the required brackets: http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/gas-prop-20in-40lbs/4980 - http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/gas-prop-20in-40lbs/4980 ------------- Charlie Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD |
Replies:
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 30 Nov 2012 at 11:26pm
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Nice. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual 
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Posted By: coopercdrkey
Date Posted: 01 Dec 2012 at 6:00am
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What a great idea! Why didn't I think of that? I see a couple of light duty struts in our 177's future to hold up the under-dinette-bench storage area covers. Good show! (edit)- On order!
------------- Bob and Joyce Jennifer and Baxter, the Campin' Cocker Spaniels RP 177 "Key Pod" Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LT / Z71 |
Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 01 Dec 2012 at 7:48am
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Coopercdrkey, I've also dealt with the dinette seat in the 172. I used a singe 12 inch, 30 pound force prop which works quite well. The width of the seat is short enough that on side is sufficient. It holds the seat open with or without the cushions. However, I had to clip an inch or so off the rear (right) side edge of the plywood and add a 1x2 stringer to the box along the side to support the shortened cover plywood. This was necessary to allow the cover to clear the stationary cushion as it opens. Small oversight on the part of FR. The hardware is available from Camping World. Here's a diagram to start you off:  ------------- Charlie Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD |
Posted By: coopercdrkey
Date Posted: 01 Dec 2012 at 8:04am
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Thanks for the diagram. The 177 dinette does not have the "wrap around" seating as does your 'Pod, so I think my installation will be pretty straightforward. The struts I found come with mounting flanges, so I won't need to adapt automotive style ball mounts. Thanks again.
------------- Bob and Joyce Jennifer and Baxter, the Campin' Cocker Spaniels RP 177 "Key Pod" Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LT / Z71 |
Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 01 Dec 2012 at 9:48am
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Coopercdrkey, I checked after I replied and realized the 177 didn't have the seat cushion problem of the 172. Good for you. But your seats look a bit wider than mine so you might consider two props, of a lesser force rating, per seat. Sounds like you have it well in hand. Press on. ------------- Charlie Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD |
Posted By: Jay L
Date Posted: 19 Jul 2015 at 12:07pm
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This is great. A buddy and I discussed doing something like this to our new 172 and a quick search and someone has done it =) Question, Campingworld no longer carries the 20in 40 lb prop. (that I could find on the website). Is there any concern with putting in a 20in 80lb? Does that just mean it will support 80 lbs or does that mean it will pop up on it's own? Never done anything like this before so I'm going to confirm the measurements today to determine next steps. Thanks!
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Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 19 Jul 2015 at 2:20pm
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Overkill will cause it to pop up and/or be very hard to close. In addition the extra force may split the wood. The 20" 40# prop is still available: http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/gas-prop-20in-40lbs/49805 - http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/gas-prop-20in-40lbs/49805 ------------- Charlie Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD |
Posted By: Jay L
Date Posted: 25 Jul 2015 at 4:23pm
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Thanks for the response. I was concerned about overkill so thanks for the confirmation. I will check these out, thanks!!
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Posted By: Jay L
Date Posted: 01 Aug 2015 at 9:38pm
| Completed the project today. I went with the 2x2 and seems to be doing the job. Thanks again for this great diagram. |
Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 02 Aug 2015 at 7:47am
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Glad you were successful. What props did you go with and how does it feel??
------------- Charlie Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD |
Posted By: Jay L
Date Posted: 02 Aug 2015 at 11:44am
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Got the 20/40's and they were pretty stiff at first but the 2x2 helped build trust in it. I would have had no issue putting in a full 2x4 with how flimsy and thin the board is. We don't keep much on top of it because we double-mattressed the top bunk for the little one. We have a foam mattress for the dinette conversion that sits nicely on top or our duffel bags when actually on our way to a camp site. I will check the nuts and bolts periodically to make sure it holds. Wife is super happy =)
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Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 02 Aug 2015 at 1:46pm
That's what really counts. Camp on! ------------- Charlie Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD |
Posted By: The Doop
Date Posted: 07 Aug 2015 at 10:55am
| So I'm attempting to do this mod on my 176T bottom bunk and I went with the same size/weight gas prop. (20in/40lb) I've only installed one side thus far and it works, but the bed will not stay fully closed even with moving the bottom connection back and forth to different spots. I'm thinking the 40lb might be too much for the weight, but curious of your guys' thoughts. All it is lifting is the plywood top and the stock mattress. The lid is a bit shorter on the 176T compared to what you have in your diagram. It's ~24" as opposed to 32". |
Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 07 Aug 2015 at 11:25am
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If the bed feels like it closes all the way and if the gas prop is essentially horizontal when closed you may have too much prop for the job. The prop should slope slightly downward when closed. Here it becomes experimental.Does it stay open OK? I used two 40# props, but the bed was wider and I piled on a foam topper and bedding. It's important to use two props so you might try two at 20#. You need some reserve if you ever contemplate upgrading or supplementing the OEM mattress. If all else fails you can add a small luggage latch to keep it closed. Better to need the latch than have not enough force to keep it open.
------------- Charlie Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 07 Aug 2015 at 11:30am
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If it is too light, I would just add some weight to the bottom of the lid. The closer to the opening the better, since it will apply more leverage on the cylinders. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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Posted By: The Doop
Date Posted: 07 Aug 2015 at 12:39pm
| Great advice guys and I really appreciate the quick response. I haven't added the 2x4 or 2x2 yet so maybe that extra weight will help things along. It stays open with no issues with just one, I just was testing before adding the other side. Worst case, I can just swap the 40lb props for 20lbs to see if that helps. Luckily they aren't very expensive. :) |
Posted By: The Doop
Date Posted: 11 Aug 2015 at 8:42pm
| Just letting you guys know that after installing the other sides prop along with the 2 X 4 brace it's staying closed just fine now with the 20in 40lb props. Love it and more importantly the wife especially loves it. Thanks so much for the excellent plans and advice!! |
Posted By: goombah
Date Posted: 27 May 2016 at 11:21am
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Resurrection time! The 40lb props are just too much. The platform won't stay flush when closed on the hinged side- too much pressure in that area from the prop and it is fighting the hinge. They are very stiff to close and open almost vertical, so I'm going to try to order two 20lb props to see how they work (they aren't very common, I'm discovering). As Doop said, there is only about 24" to work with.
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