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IdahoDoug Samba Member
Joined: June 12, 2010 Posts: 10251 Location: N. Idaho
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Posted: Fri Mar 04, 2011 10:50 am Post subject: Sleep which way on lower bed? |
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Still finalizing a plan to sleep 4 in our tintop and wondered if there's a reason to sleep with head toward front, or rear? Seems like to the front makes sense as you can more easily crawl forward to get out of bed without disturbing your spouse. On the other hand, if someone has to leave the van at night for a call of nature, having the slider and cold air right by the sleeper's face might be a disadvantage. Experienced sleeper input?
Have people noted that one end of the Z bed setup is higher than the other? Knowing the latter may allow me to add spacers to level it out when I am fabricating the mounts to replace my folding rear seats to the Z bed. Thanks!
DougM _________________ 1987 2WD Wolfsburg Vanagon Weekender "Mango", two fully locked 80 Series LandCruisers. 2017 Subaru Outback boxer. 1990 Audi 90 Quattro 20V with rear locking differential, 1990 burgundy parts Vanagon. 1984 Porsche 944, 1988 Toyota Supra 5 speed targa, 2002 BMW 325iX, 1982 Toyota Sunrader |
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dobryan Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2006 Posts: 16505 Location: Brookeville, MD
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kamzcab86 Samba Moderator
Joined: July 26, 2008 Posts: 7925 Location: Arizona
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Posted: Fri Mar 04, 2011 10:55 am Post subject: |
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I (5'9") now sleep downstairs quite a bit, and sleep with my head towards the hatch. _________________ ~Kamz
1986 Cabriolet: www.Cabby-Info.com
1990 Vanagon Westfalia: Old Blue's Blog
2016 Golf GTI S
"Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance." - 孔子
Last edited by kamzcab86 on Sun Jun 12, 2016 6:57 pm; edited 2 times in total |
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ZimZam Samba Member
Joined: July 21, 2005 Posts: 562 Location: Talkeetna, AK
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Posted: Fri Mar 04, 2011 10:56 am Post subject: |
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If you lay w/ head your towards the front the pillows have a tendency to slide onto the deck. The upper bunk same thing unless I lay diagonally. I'm 6'3. _________________ '85 Cabriolet (Margo)
'87 Westy (Heidi)
'75 Porsche 911S Targa
"Nobody trusts anyone, or why did they put tilt on a pinball machine.”
- Steve McQueen
"It's just metal, when rusted and dented , anything you will do will be better. Stop being afraid. What they (VW) did many year ago is not better then what you will do now." -Ben |
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madspaniard Samba Member
Joined: August 18, 2008 Posts: 3795 Location: Alameda, CA
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Posted: Fri Mar 04, 2011 10:58 am Post subject: |
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dobryan wrote: |
How tall are you? I am 6' 4" and have to sleep with my head at the back so my feet can hang off the bed (but I am used to that with a lot of beds).
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x2 6'1" here _________________ 1991 Westy auto w/ Peloquin TBD
"The only difference between me and a madman is that I'm not mad” - Salvador Dali |
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boulderdrop Samba Member
Joined: February 06, 2008 Posts: 481 Location: Seattle, WA
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Posted: Fri Mar 04, 2011 11:00 am Post subject: |
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The upper-bunk is kind of useless to me, sleeping with my head pointing towards the back of the van is a little claustrophobic, smelly and wet when I touch the canvas. Gotta sleep with my head towards the front, but my pillow falls off and it's chilly.
The lower, I like sleeping with my head pointing towards the back; but it's harder to get in and under the covers with two people. In cold-weather camping, even though I have the propex, it's in the default install location and requires me to put my head towards the front to feel the heat.. but then my pillow always falls to the ground. grrr.
All in all, I like having my head at the back; but there's always a reason we end up reversed. Not perfect. _________________ == My Rides ==
1984 Westy, Bostig, 3rd:1.14, Locker-LSD, Newly Painted
1980 24' J-Boat
1979 Sears Freespirit Moped
1996 Chev S10 4x4 ZR2
2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid (Wife's)
== How I Pay the Bills ==
Windows FTP Server at http://www.bpftpserver.com (PM for a FREE one) |
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PDXWesty Samba Member
Joined: April 11, 2006 Posts: 6247 Location: Portland OR
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Posted: Fri Mar 04, 2011 11:03 am Post subject: |
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We sleep with our heads at the back. I can't tell you how many times I've banged my friggin head though sitting up too quickly. Be careful of that.
Because there's only two of us and a dog, I've rigged it so I can take down the fold out leaf from the upper bunk and extend the lower bunk to make it a longer bed. Now the dog (95 lb lab) is happy sleeping at the foot of the bed rather than trying to squeeze inbetween us. Makes for a much nicer nights sleep. _________________ 89 Westy 2.1 Auto |
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boulderdrop Samba Member
Joined: February 06, 2008 Posts: 481 Location: Seattle, WA
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Posted: Fri Mar 04, 2011 11:08 am Post subject: |
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PDXWesty wrote: |
I've rigged it so I can take down the fold out leaf from the upper bunk and extend the lower bunk to make it a longer bed. |
WHOA! Pic? I'd like to see that.
We don't have kids (yet) and I really hate sleeping on the top. It's made for little people. I love the idea of extending the bed. _________________ == My Rides ==
1984 Westy, Bostig, 3rd:1.14, Locker-LSD, Newly Painted
1980 24' J-Boat
1979 Sears Freespirit Moped
1996 Chev S10 4x4 ZR2
2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid (Wife's)
== How I Pay the Bills ==
Windows FTP Server at http://www.bpftpserver.com (PM for a FREE one) |
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pioneer1 Samba Member
Joined: February 11, 2008 Posts: 2069 Location: Ontario Canada
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Posted: Fri Mar 04, 2011 11:13 am Post subject: which |
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Gee I would not have thought that such a topic would command any replies but I guess it's a slow day for Samba...that said it would depend how level you park.Try sleeping with your head on a downward slope and it will become evident _________________ "Always waiting for tomorrow ruined everything"
'85 Porsche 911 Targa
'76 Westfalia project |
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IdahoDoug Samba Member
Joined: June 12, 2010 Posts: 10251 Location: N. Idaho
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Posted: Fri Mar 04, 2011 11:13 am Post subject: |
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Had not thought about the pillow drop thing. Seems like I read something here a year ago about a little fabric/netting wall to keep pillows from falling out of a Westy's top bunk. Would be a good idea to fit that on lower bunks to prevent middle of the night pillow drops..
I'm 5' 10" so should be fine, fit wise. Keep the thoughts coming. The comment about getting back into bed with heads to the rear being difficult makes sense - you have to pull the sheets/blankets back while you're kinda kneeling on them. A formula for waking your spouse.
As for parking level, I'd intentionally park with whatever end my head's at slightly up. A handy rock or small chunk of 2X4 would do it, I"m sure.
DougM _________________ 1987 2WD Wolfsburg Vanagon Weekender "Mango", two fully locked 80 Series LandCruisers. 2017 Subaru Outback boxer. 1990 Audi 90 Quattro 20V with rear locking differential, 1990 burgundy parts Vanagon. 1984 Porsche 944, 1988 Toyota Supra 5 speed targa, 2002 BMW 325iX, 1982 Toyota Sunrader |
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chimivee Samba Member
Joined: September 23, 2009 Posts: 741 Location: Orange, CA
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Posted: Fri Mar 04, 2011 11:17 am Post subject: |
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Head rear: In cold weather, it can get a little cold if you're head's right up against the hatch. That said, the "confinement" feels a little more cozy, for better or worse. If you have a propex under the bench and you're sensitive to the noise, it's quieter in this position. If you read before bed, you can prop up against the hatch, before sinking down to sleep.
Head front: Pillow can slide off onto the floor if you're a rowdy sleeper. Head feels a little warmer to me when it's cold out and top is down. Can sit up with out bonking your head. Can use the stowed table as a night stand.
I change it up to add variety to my life. _________________ -James
86 Syncro Westy, etc |
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DAIZEE Samba Member
Joined: January 26, 2010 Posts: 7552 Location: Greater Toronto Area Ontario West Side
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Posted: Fri Mar 04, 2011 11:22 am Post subject: |
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I sleep alone, oops little 9 lber ShihTzu too, 5'7" and I like my head in centre of van. I'd not consider sleeping with head at back. You could rig a net that you put across at night to prevent pillows falling. hmmm I sleep with 2 pillows and neither fall out and I do get up during the night. Interesting topic. Slept same way in Westy.
I have a zed bed, I dislike it but I put all new foam in that matches. I wear a head lite to read. _________________ '09 2.5L Jetta 5 cylinder, 5 spd, super turbo, see thread in H2O Cooled Jetta, etc...
83.5 Vanagon L Riviera Model with 98 1.9L TD AAZ 4 speed Daily Driver 3 out of 4 seasons (sold)
84 Vanagon GL Wolfsburg Westy WBX 4 speed (sold) |
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Home Team Van Samba Member
Joined: January 02, 2008 Posts: 465 Location: wilmington, nc
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Posted: Fri Mar 04, 2011 11:31 am Post subject: |
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boulderdrop wrote: |
PDXWesty wrote: |
I've rigged it so I can take down the fold out leaf from the upper bunk and extend the lower bunk to make it a longer bed. |
WHOA! Pic? I'd like to see that.
We don't have kids (yet) and I really hate sleeping on the top. It's made for little people. I love the idea of extending the bed. |
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=131000&highlight=bunk+upper+extension _________________ _________________________________
82 Diesel Westy |
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madspaniard Samba Member
Joined: August 18, 2008 Posts: 3795 Location: Alameda, CA
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Posted: Fri Mar 04, 2011 11:32 am Post subject: |
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here is what I did too for the upper bed, bed extension and pillow at the same time so I don't have to worry about the pillow falling down
madspaniard wrote: |
I finally finished my upper bed extension/pillow. A must if you are tall and don't fit in the upper bed. Materials: marine quality plywood, mattress foam, gray vinyl, contact cement, gray fabric, HD Velcro, staple gun, needle and thread. Pics below
almost finished sewing Velcro
adding HD felt pads to board points of contact with van upper siderails
this is how the bed extension travels in the van
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_________________ 1991 Westy auto w/ Peloquin TBD
"The only difference between me and a madman is that I'm not mad” - Salvador Dali |
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PDXWesty Samba Member
Joined: April 11, 2006 Posts: 6247 Location: Portland OR
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Posted: Fri Mar 04, 2011 11:50 am Post subject: |
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I'm talking LOWER bed extension. I'll have to get some pics going soon. _________________ 89 Westy 2.1 Auto |
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BlackDogVan Samba Member
Joined: December 21, 2007 Posts: 855 Location: Vancouver Island
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Posted: Fri Mar 04, 2011 12:00 pm Post subject: |
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Not the first time i've been asked how I sleep at night.
O well, the life of a sociopath I suppose... _________________ Gone but not forgotten - 1991 Carat - AAZ transmogriffied to mTDi.
Still addicted, looking for Doka... |
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j8 Samba Member
Joined: August 13, 2003 Posts: 575 Location: Minneapolis, MN
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Posted: Fri Mar 04, 2011 12:30 pm Post subject: |
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Hey DougM.
When we sleep downstairs in the westy we'll sleep either way. It's cozy with the pillows against the back hatch and kinda heartwarming to see the van like a landscape in front of us. But we don't have the height issue, and sometimes it's easier on the back to sleep with the head towards the middle of the van. The way the seat foam works it sorta supports and cradles my old spine.
I dunno what will work best for you. Experiment _________________ Julia
'89 2WD Westy (No end to names...) |
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Williamtaylor33 Samba Member
Joined: September 07, 2007 Posts: 1545 Location: Arkansas
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Posted: Fri Mar 04, 2011 12:40 pm Post subject: |
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Head towards the hatch so I can see the stars out the rear window. _________________ 89 Bostig powered syncro westy |
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PDXWesty Samba Member
Joined: April 11, 2006 Posts: 6247 Location: Portland OR
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Posted: Fri Mar 04, 2011 12:42 pm Post subject: |
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j8 wrote: |
Hey DougM.
sometimes it's easier on the back to sleep with the head towards the middle of the van. The way the seat foam works it sorta supports and cradles my old spine. |
Try a foam mattress topper. 1-1/2" or 2". It works wonders! _________________ 89 Westy 2.1 Auto |
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bjrogers86auto Samba Member
Joined: March 26, 2009 Posts: 1375 Location: Halifax, N.S.
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Posted: Fri Mar 04, 2011 12:45 pm Post subject: net |
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That might have been me that mentioned the net. We have two girls sleeping upstairs with a variety of pillows, stuffed animals and special blankies. hehe.
I took the Gowesty net for the head banger cabinet and unsnapped the upper mattress and hooked the hooks on the pop top hinge. This eliminated the "Dada can you get me my tootoo?" (stuffed animal)
Also, since we sleep with heads in the back the net was a pain in the forehead! Literally.
Brian. _________________ 86 Vanagon GL Westfalia 2.1
18 Nissan Frontier Pro 4X
19 Honda Civic Hatchback
A little rudeness and disrespect can elevate a meaningless interaction to a battle of wills and add drama to an otherwise dull day. Calvin and Hobbes. |
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