| Author |
Message |
R. TERRY (205.188.192.174)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, May 08, 2001 - 8:34 am: | |
When I began the process of refurbishing the old, worn out 4104, gutting the whole interior and rebuilding it from scratch would have made the most sense. It all but begged to be junked. Instead, I began at the back of the bus and worked my way forward. This process is still ongoing.
The previous owner equipped the bedroom in the usual fashion: Queen bed in the middle, overhead cabinets on each side and a large ceiling cabinet spanning the width of the bus above the rear window and overhanging the bed. Next to the bed on both sides were the usual two-drawer night stands that sat, along with the front of the bed, on the rear bench created by the engine compartment. About sixteen inches past the end of the bed on the passenger side was the chest of drawers, and on the driver's side was the bathroom wall, and down the middle, the hallway. You've seen it a million times.
It occurred to me that this arrangement only had one thing going for it: SEX! A big bed with plenty of room to romp around in the sack. Or, as in my case, getting some sleep with plenty of acreage all around. What I particularly did not like were the knots that welled up on my bald head after I bashed my skull on the overhanging cabinets every time I went to bed. I also didn't like falling down and skinning up my shins on the bed frame when my foot slipped off the wheel well while ducking under the cabinets. This lead to a new approach to getting in bed: walk down the hallway to the end of the bed, step up onto the bed and walk the rest of the way down the bed. Not good!
It is safe to say that a 4104 never looked very spacious inside unless it was an empty shell. By the time you put in a queen-size bed, three sets of overhanging cabinets, a six-drawer chest and two night tables, the only space left is that which is above you when you are lying on the bed looking at the ceiling. For all practical purposes, that space is useless. In an RV, motorhome, or bus conversion, one simply cannot afford to have any useless space. But that doesn't mean every square inch should be filled to capacity, either. Elbow room is a kind of space that is filled with nothing, yet can be one of the most valuable commodities in a rather cramped environment. It is empty space that is usable, or usable space that is empty. In a 4104, the size of the space isn't going to change, but your perception of how much usable space you have can.
Part of the answer to that problem is letting the eye trick the brain. In my next installment, I will tell you how I turned a sardine can into the wide open spaces (so to speak). Are you ahead of me here? Did you say throw everything out?
RT |
Scott Whitney (63.151.64.84)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, May 09, 2001 - 1:53 am: | |
Well, I have a transit with nice headroom. . . BUT . . . those danged wheel wells in the back are a nuisance in desiging the bedroom. Yes, I want the queen bed in the middle, but how to get into the bed without clamering over a wheel well or crawling hands an knees down the middle of the bed? I don't have the answer. Haven't built the bedroom yet. . . |
Sleepy (24.130.101.25)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, May 09, 2001 - 2:39 am: | |
Two simple solutions:
*1 - Twin beds
*2 - A highway coach
JK!! JK!! JK!!
Sleepy |
FAST FRED (63.215.229.150)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, May 09, 2001 - 6:47 am: | |
WE found a standard doubble bed 54 in wide enough , and leaves some room to walk.
The bed frame of springs is raised so as to have huge storage under.
Springs are more comfortable than a mattress support , and inly 1/2 inch thick vs 8 or 10 in.
The wheelwells are covered and since the beside the bed floor hight starts from the center isle , there is no unexpected transition.
Under the floor bedside holds a floor safe , on one side and the long guns on the other.
WE have almost 20 ft of counter space , with storage in drawers under , so have no need for head knockers over the bed.
Besides it would RUIN the view out the rear , and we go camping to SEE the sights.
How folks can live with rear caps , and blocked out side windows in a subway ,sewer pipe configuration still still amazes me.
I still think folks should get to a boat show , preferably a wooden boat show , to really see how cabinetry can be used to create huge storage volume , and leave enough room for the needed activities.
FAST FRED |
Kirby (12.94.1.81)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, May 09, 2001 - 11:18 pm: | |
We've seen one or more 4104 conversions that built a simple raised platform (4" to 6" approx. interior height of the wheel wells) in the bedroom area. Twin beds will do the trick too, and you don't hit your head on the side cabinets. Disadvantage is being right next to the windows in cold weather, even if they don't leak, the cold radiates right thru the glass. In our conversion, all across the back above the engine are two shirt closets (one on each side) and a dresser-drawer unit in the middle with 4 drawers and countertop above the drawers and mirror where the rear window was. |
Scott Whitney (63.151.64.84)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, May 09, 2001 - 11:22 pm: | |
Twin beds? Nah. . . Highway coach? Then I'd have to raise the roof! Nah. . . (but I would if I had the bucks. . .)
Might try a double instead of queen. Kinda like the space in a queen but. . . Using a double, if I still can't get around those wells, might as well do the queen. Hafta measure out my space.
Did the safe thing. That puppy ain't coming out - ever. Got no long guns - but can always use storage. I have a spare water tank on the other side under the floor. Will provide radiator spray and aux water for bus washing etc. If it turns out I don't need the water to keep cool on hills, I'll cut the top off the tank and make a sub-floor dirty clothes hamper out of it.
Haven't decided on whether to install head banger cabinets or not. I have tons of books and they need to go somewhere.
Fred's right. Look at a captain's stateroom on a yacht to see good use of space. I notice boats often have the bed tucked right into a spot with no space on the sides. However, I kind of like having the comforter hanging in free space rather then wedged in tight. |
George Myers (12.85.14.154)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, May 10, 2001 - 10:57 am: | |
We had a full king size bed in our first coach. Wall to wall. Getting in was easy. We simply crawled on our hands and knees. We only had to crawl about a foot until our feet were on the bed. We then pulled the covers back, and ploped down right were we wanted. Our knees were much younger then. |
RoadsScholar (24.69.205.228)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, May 11, 2001 - 1:07 pm: | |
2 more cents worth. We put our double size in crossways, sitting higher then normal with gas lifters to help access the large amount of storage underneath. My wife has to roll over me to get out of bed but that doesn't bother me any as she is pretty small. Overhead cabinets wrap right around the bedroom, full length closet by the foot of the bed and large bed high cabinet at head of bed. Works good for us. No head or knee banging and no crawling. fwiw
Brian |
|