Shasta Couch/Bed Dimensions...

[Atomic Addiction]

Here is the dimensions from my original 1964 Shasta 16 SC rear seat/couch/bed. The seat is full foam and 3 piece construction. More information will be added when it becomes available.

Brian

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[dwstucke]

Here's another solution to the rear gaucho. This works well as there is only one seam in the main bed and it's almost in the middle.

We also have a custom bunk that sits on the hammock supports and built a cushion for it that can be used to make the backrest dimension match the original, but we typically just leave the 3" mattress in place on the folded bunk.

Also note on our '63 the original 3 section gaucho mattress (match to Brian's drawing) was cotton like a futon, not foam.

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[yogifarmgirl]

This was very helpful. Has anyone used a twin size foam mattress as the foam needed and cut it down to size?? I have two twin foam mattresses that I was hoping to use to avoid the cost involved in buying new foam but am unsure how to cut it in order to create a clean line. Any suggestions?

[joek]

I believe you can cut foam with an electric turkey carving knife. You can also glue foam to foam with spary adhesive

Anybody have dimensions for the gaucho bed of a non SC?

[dwstucke]

I took a closer look at Brian's drawing from his SC compared to to the original mattress in my '63 Airflyte. See the dimensions in red in this attachment for the differences.

My mattress was definitely original and was made of cotton inside, no foam, just like a futon. I also think that it had some simple wire frame elements in at least the main panel but possibly the 2 sections. If folded exactly as Brian shows.

The alternate configuration that I posted earlier in this thread works really well, but does have a deep seat dimension when used as a couch.

Also I can confirm that foam cuts well with an electric knife like you might use at thanksgiving.

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[joek]

Thanks, this will be very helpful shortly.

[girlscamp]

has anyone made 2 singles, curb side is long enough but , what did you do with the shorter driver's side?

[marian65]

Does anyone have the dimensions and cuts for the lumber part of the couch? I need to rebuild my couch and am not sure how to go about doing it. Thanks!

[bagpipeswest]

its great to find this link to help me make my cushions for my trailer, but..

My trailer is a 1955 rainbow. It's built the same way but the dimensions may be a bit different. on the 16SC the width of the bed is 72"

What is the width of the space? or what kind of tolerances did you leave? 1" smaller than the inside width of the trailer?

Thanks BM

[lovnvintage]

I am getting ready to have the rear bed/couch made for my 60 airflyte. It was totally missing when purchased so I am wondering if someone could post pics/diagram of theirs so we have a good idea of how to build the base and pull out part? It would help my "builder" greatly. I have the foam cushions figured out from above and he thought he could figure out how to build from the cushion dimensions but actual wood pics would really help. thanks in advance to anybody that can help.

[hoosierpoet]

I see there's no answer to the last question (posted in June). Was hoping someone might have replied, because I have the same problem - '61 Airflyte with no rear gaucho and the wooden pull-out part is gone. Someone just threw a piece of particle board on top of the base! Photos or a diagram of how the wooden pull-out part is constructed would be a big help, thanks!

[Gone Kayaking]

There are actually a bunch of solutions on some of owner restoration threads. Look at the airflyte rebuilds especially schweetcruisers rebuild thread for ideas.

[3mullins]

Hi,

this is my first post as we are very new to vintage trailers. We wanted a Shasta but I got impatient and we bought a 1969 Aristocrat. We are still not sure what model, but it is 17'. Anyway, it has a very heavy futon mattress on the sofa/bed area. I want to redo it but WOW foam is expensive! I did find some z cushions (Brand New Natural Twin Size Shikibuton Trifold Foam Beds 6" Thick x 39"W x 75"L Long, 1.8 lbs high density resilient white foam, Floor Foam Folding Mats) for not a bad price and they are covered. I thought I could use two of them to cover the sofa/bed area. Does anyone have any thoughts?

I will post pictures later.

Thanks,

Tami

[schweetcruisers]

If you are going to do foam don't buy it at Joanne's, it's a complete ripoff! Where do you live?

[Hamlet]

1.8 lb foam is NOT dense enough for sleeping. At 6" it will probably be dense enough for sitting for an hour or two. If you get 5" foam in a 2.8 - 3.2 weight and wrap it with polyester upholstery batting, it will be firm and comfortable. If you like a really, really soft mattress, you could go with a 2.5 lb foam, but if you are over 40 or have a bad back, you'll be sorry.

And schweet is correct - don't get it at Joanne's. Good foam is NOT cheap. We used 6" (could have done 5, but you live and learn), 3.4 lb foam. Two were 12x54, two were 24x54, and it cost a little over $300, the batting was another $20, the fabric was, well, a lot, as we used a Route 66 tapestry. Zippers, thread, and the fabric for a muslin inner cover came to another $20. Total came to somewhere north of $500, and I did the sewing myself.

[boneneck]

Also foam is a petroleum product so the price can vary greatly depending on oil prices. When fuel was at $4 a gallon I know foam prices were also VERY high. Darn fossil fuels.

[3mullins]

Thanks for your thoughts. Also thanks for the great advise on the foam density and weight. It is very difficult to sift through the bull _ _ _ _ when it come to foam :)

I had a feeling JoAnns was not the place to buy foam. I have found a couple of sites on line who sell foam at reasonable prices and of course the dacron wrap. I can sew so I can take care of that part myself.

Question, do you suggest wrapping the cushions over a plywood back? 2nd, what do you think about a futon for a short term solution?

Having fun!!

Tami

[3mullins]

oh, forgot to tell you we are in the Bay Area. Any good foam here???

Tami

[Hamlet]

Try Bob's. Not sure if it's Fremont or Oakland. They should be able to advise you and they will cut it exactly for your needs.

[Deleted]

I'm also looking into foam for the rear bed. I thought about just buying a full size foam mattress off overstock or Amazon and then cutting it down to the size panels I need. Here's an example of whats out there for as little as $134, www.amazon.com/6inch-memory-foam-mattress-mattress-/dp/B00395QTBC/ref=sr_1_2?s=furniture&ie=UTF8&qid=1365886616&sr=1-2&keywords=6%22+foam+mattress. I read the reviews and it appears the three layers are glued together. All you would have to do to cut it is compress the foam along the cut line and use a long razor to give you a clean cut.

[schweetcruisers]

When I worked at a mattress factory all we ever used is a electric carving knife to cut foam. Works really well!

[Deleted]

Funny, I was thinking electric turkey knife would work well. you can get the long razor blades they use for some scrapers or even a hack saw blade...not good for production, but would work for a couple cuts.

[3mullins]

Great ideas. I will check out Bob's and also look at the amazon link. I also need foam for the bunk. I have the original mattress but I don't think my daughter will be comfortable on it. It's about 2" thick and does not feel comfortable to sleep on. I did find a 2" memory foam topper that got great reviews for a camp mattress. Any thoughts on the bunk mattress???
P.S. I have also heard that an electric turkey knife works great for cutting foam!

[3mullins]

Hi again,

I looked at the Amazon memory foam link you sent. It looks great. I also checked out craigslist and they have some good options for mattress's. Your price seems to be the best though at $135.00.

My question is this, if my first idea for the Z foam was not dense enough for a sofa/bed then a memory foam would also not be dense enough right?

Thoughts???

Thanks!

This is really fun!!!

Tami

[Deleted]

Check out the amazon reviews. Seems like most of the people who bought it as their mattress are happy with it's comfort. I think it had one layer that was dense foam.

[Gone Kayaking]

3mullins Foamorder.com is in San Francisco. They have decent prices and are very knowledgeable. There's also a guy on Solano in Berkeley that is pretty good. Can't remember what it's called.

We bought the 5 inch DuraFlex™ D34 from them and then cut it myself to the size I needed. Buy a 1" or 2" memory foam topper to go on top from overstock. and you'll be sleeping like a baby. If you are going to use it as a couch (two pieces) I'd go iwth the 1" memory foam. You can try that out.

I am in Oakland...if you are nearby, give a shout I'd be happy to come over for a consult.

[3mullins]

Gone Kayaking,

We are in Livermore

thanks for the info I will check out both Bob's and the one in S.F. I do want to make the bed a sofa also. You said do two pieces of memory foam?? I was thinking I would do two pieces of 5" H.D. foam as the sofa and then use a one piece memory foam topper. What do you think about that?
I looked at your pic's of the Shasta, great job! My husband and I are just now taking the paint off the outside. Wow, what a pain in the _ _ _! I am cleaning and painting the inside but it has a good deal of water damage so my husband wants to gut the inside this winter. It will be cute for camping this summer though...
I need to make an awning also, so you know were to get the metal piece that goes inside the awining rail?

Talk to ya later,

Tami

[Gone Kayaking]

No not 2 pieces of memory foam. No 5" HD foam plus a memory foam topper when you use as a bed....exactly what I was thinking.

The stuff for the awining that I used is keder awning tape...from sailrite.com

If you want to come over and take a look at mine feel free to send me a pm.

[3mullins]

Hey Gone Kayaking,

You have given me great food for thought, thanks! We will be sure to come see your trailer, you did a great job. Our trailer is a long way off... Anyway I am over and out for now, back to work, you know the day job. Back in touch soon.

Tami

[dudley84]

FYI Sometimes when you are putting foam into a fabric cushion you will feel some resistence as it is going in. Kind of like stuffing a large pillow into a small pillowcase.. If you run into this buy a spray can of silicone..3M makes a product specifically for foam. Lightly spray the foam both sides and watch it slide right in. Trick of the Trade!