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TravisPike
Samba Member
Joined: March 11, 2019
Posts: 8
Location: WA
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 Posted: Sun Jul 07, 2019 7:11 pm Post subject: Re: Rock N Roll bed measurements / how to (z bed) |
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I'm almost done with my Rock N Roll bed install in my Country Homes Camper Vanagon. I have a question about the spring latch mechanism, which seems to operate similar to futon couches.
In bed mode, I can lift the bench seat up until the latch catches, and then pushing down, the bench angle is locked and the bench can be set in place. If I over shoot the latch catch, the bench seat can be lowered back down and then lift again to try and catch the latch. This all seems normal.
In bench mode, the bench seat can be lifted up to access the storage underneath. When I do this, the seat overshoots the latch, and then when I lower the seat back down, the seat jams against the spring latch before it can lower all the way down. I have to lift the seat and reach to both sides to pull up the spring latches and get them engaged.
Since this is a vanagon install, I used different dimensions and angles for my hinge install, as compared to a bus. I'm wondering if the geometry of my install is incompatible with how these hinges work. I'm thinking of making up some kind of string/pulley mechanism to pull up both spring latches when trying to reset the seat in bench mode, after having accessed the storage.
A picture would probably help here. It's dark now, but I'll try to post one tomorrow. Has anyone else had issues with the spring latch mechanism with the seat in bench mode?
Thanks,
Travis |
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EDragnDean
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Joined: July 13, 2005
Posts: 1151
Location: Vancouver, WA
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TravisPike
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Joined: March 11, 2019
Posts: 8
Location: WA
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| Posted: Tue Jul 09, 2019 11:21 am Post subject: Re: Rock N Roll bed measurements / how to (z bed) |
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Thanks for the reply. My hinges seem well aligned and parallel with no toe in or toe out. Even if I was to change the mounting angle on the side panels for more or less rearward tilt, I don't think this latch behavior would change.
Photo #1: In Bench configuration with seat down, firmly seated in the spring latch after having pushed the bed into a bench.
Photo #2: Seat raised to access storage underneath. When the peg clears the latch, the spring pulls the latch above the height of the peg.
Photo #3: Seat lowered back down, and peg rests below the spring latch. Would not want to sit on the bench like this as the latch may break or jam past the upper peg.
Edit: Here are overall photos of my installation:
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EDragnDean
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Joined: July 13, 2005
Posts: 1151
Location: Vancouver, WA
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TravisPike
Samba Member
Joined: March 11, 2019
Posts: 8
Location: WA
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| Posted: Tue Jul 09, 2019 11:46 am Post subject: Re: Rock N Roll bed measurements / how to (z bed) |
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| EDragnDean wrote: |
| Looking at your photos, try raising the front most bolt on the hinge (both sides) just bring the angle up. Just going by the photos, but trying to see where it might be different |
Thanks, I think you are on the right track. I just did an experiment... I pulled the seat forward a bit so that the hinge wasn't retracted so far rear ward (this raised the front of the seat a bit and leaned the back rest a little further back. Then, when I raise the seat to allow the spring latch to release upwards, bringing the seat back down allows the peg to rest under the spring latch, without jamming the top part of the latch up against the upper peg.
So what I need to do is add a brace lip underneath the seat which will rest against the front panel, limiting how far back I retract the hinges when pushing back into bench mode. I think one of the photos from the original poster showed something like this.
I think the spring latch is only intended to help push the bed back into a bench, but the final angle and weight distribution is managed by the height of the front panel. That way, it doesn't matter if the peg remains set in the spring latch or not when seated.
Once I get this install finalized, I'll post dimensions in case that helps anyone else doing a Type 3 Vanagon install.
Edit: And in fact, the first page of the instructions show a notch in the side panel into which the seat base slots into to limit its rearward travel. I'll either do a notch, a rear stopping block or a front lip catch. |
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EDragnDean
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Joined: July 13, 2005
Posts: 1151
Location: Vancouver, WA
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farnhamassoc
Samba Member
Joined: February 16, 2010
Posts: 129
Location: Riverside ca
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| Posted: Tue Oct 11, 2022 9:06 am Post subject: Re: Rock N Roll bed measurements / how to (z bed) |
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Here is a video of how I did mine. Got the furnature from OC Westy
Link
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Owned Countless VWs over the last 35 years.
Restored near 100 vws.
80 Rabbit diesel 1.9 TDI turbo 45mpg
06 Jetta TDI 45mpg
Restored several 11 window kombi and standard
Current inventory 66 delux hard top, so23
60 ragtop and 61 hard top bugs 54 hardtop bug
67 tin top so42 62 SO10 ruthmann bucket truck |
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