Platform for additional sleeping area between twin beds

[Foy_Mirna]

A new Oliver owner asked if I could craft a platform providing additional sleeping area between their two twin bed configuration. The project got my curiosity going and would require a fair level of planning to do right so just the kind of thing I love.  I had seen other owners do similar things by adding a board across the two bed risers that hold the mattresses in place but, I discovered from talking to Oliver that, these risers are not designed to take a great deal of downward pressure.

 

 

The design I came to is strong yet, light weigh while transferred the weight load to the flood and not on to the raisers. Two legs pieces interlock into a thick center strut, provide weight distribution and “horns” on the top of the legs lock the top board and legs in place.

 

 

 

 

This is a large platform - 50” in length by 18” in width and 18" in height, it needed to fold-down for storage, stainless steel hinges allow the center strut and top board to fold to a compact package - 25” x 18” x 6”. Spring loaded latches secure it together when in use.

 

 

 

 

Space is always a premium in our trailers and leveraging the dinette seat cushions which, fit perfectly, meant an additional cushion was not a requirement. Note: depending the height of your mattresses the level of the platform can be made taller or shorter.  We have 10" mattresses and the customer has 7".

 

 

Complimenting the Oliver interior lead me to select cabinet grade oak plywood with a white mike paint finish to show off the wood grain and match the interior. Also a nod to Frank Lloyd Wright for overall design esthetics never hurts.

 

If you're interested in more sleeping room for your twin bed configuration or have a pet that likes to sleep with you but just not enough room for Fido at your feet, message me, I’d be happy to craft you one too.

[Overland]

Great work, as usual.   I wonder if the center beam could be made of plywood to make it thinner and the whole thing storable under the mattress?

[Foy_Mirna]

Great work, as usual. I wonder if the center beam could be made of plywood to make it thinner and the whole thing storable under the mattress?

 

Thanks Overland!

 

I was shooting for 3/4" on the center strut in my original prototype but, it was not sturdy enough for my liking.  I ended up laminating two 3/4" pieces together to get the rigidity I wanted.  Last thing I wanted was it to collapse on someone sleeping or getting in & out on the bed.

[Windwalker]

Alaaa

 

Although`pretty and very strong looking we use a piece of 1/2 “ plywood and let it rest on the mattress tray this works well for us, I have wood stops on the bottom side to keep it centered and it folds in the middle with a piano hinge