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Old 01-05-2012, 02:22 AM   #1
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Who uses a futon in their bus?

I'm considering a futon... It's really similar to a jack knife RV sofa... I figure I can beef up there frame as needed and upgrade the mattress later... I'm mostly interested in the functioning portion of it for now...

So, those that have one, what is your take on them???

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Old 01-05-2012, 05:10 AM   #2
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Re: Who uses a futon in their bus?

they take up a lot of space unfolded.. course, even the couch that i am not using takes up 32 inches when in the normal position.
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Old 01-05-2012, 12:26 PM   #3
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Re: Who uses a futon in their bus?

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Old 01-05-2012, 02:33 PM   #4
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Re: Who uses a futon in their bus?

Thanks for the link Lorna... That gives me some more ideas...

I'm thinking about building to sofas in the back facing each other that will slide out into beds or one big bed... Still have the army cot bunk option above each one...

I'm now leaning toward a pair of captain chairs across from the bathroom... They would function perfectly passenger seating while in route, then swivel for a nice seating area when parked... I'm tossing the dinette out the window, we don't even have a kitchen table in our house...

All of this comes up because we had 12-14 people hanging out in the bus on New Years Eve... I like it really open, but need more seating...
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Old 01-05-2012, 03:11 PM   #5
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Re: Who uses a futon in their bus?

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Old 01-05-2012, 03:25 PM   #6
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Re: Who uses a futon in their bus?

Yeah, the last time we had a kitchen table it became a catch all... I threw out our coffee table for the same reason...


I'm gonna hit up some wrecking yards and look at vans with four captains chairs, would like two up front and two back by the sleeping/bathroom area...

I'm liking the idea of the goucho sofas facing each other... They will be the main beds, but we only use our bus for recreational stuff... I'm considering building them so they touch when folded out into beds, so it makes one big bed across the back... A lot of the time it will be just me and one of the boys and I like having room to move around... Only need enough room for a sleeping bag for some shut eye...
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Old 01-05-2012, 03:56 PM   #7
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Re: Who uses a futon in their bus?

I have one and I love it. After I took the picture I moved it closer to the wall.
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Old 01-05-2012, 03:58 PM   #8
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Old 01-07-2012, 01:11 PM   #9
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Re: Who uses a futon in their bus?

yea i waqs thinkin about the same idea gonna need a futon that can accept some lap belts maybe!
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Old 01-07-2012, 02:42 PM   #10
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Re: Who uses a futon in their bus?

I'm heading over to a buddies place today that owns a toy-hauler... I'm gonna make patterns of his fold down couch and build one... I have all the materials, tools and skill, so why not???
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Old 01-23-2012, 12:52 PM   #11
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Re: Who uses a futon in their bus?

Futons are ok, but I find them to be very heavy to move around. If you do go the futon route you might try Big Lots. They have many at a fair price and you can buy them with a bunk bed top section.
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Old 01-26-2012, 03:22 PM   #12
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Re: Who uses a futon in their bus?

I have a futon in my bus and I love it. It's a lot bigger than those rv fold out couches which may not be what you want. I like it because it's a bigger, more comfortable place to sit and sleep more friends. There is still plenty of room in the isle. I built a wood box with a big wide storage drawer for the futon to sit on. The back board sits in a notch on the box and leans against the wall for a comfy back rest angle. When sleepy time comes, I pull the drawer out and lift the back board out of the notch and into it's designated slot covering the open drawer then slide the futon down and presto! I've got a full sized bed filling my center isle. It's a little awkward to do this transformation alone (you need one person on each side to pull the futon back and lift the back board) but I only need it when I'm hosting more than one guest, so there's always help. A lot of store bought futon frames need to be set out some from the wall to allow space for the back to swing down, giving you even less isle room. Hope this helps.
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Old 01-27-2012, 11:26 AM   #13
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Re: Who uses a futon in their bus?

Quote:
Originally Posted by lornaschinske
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Old 01-27-2012, 08:44 PM   #14
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Re: Who uses a futon in their bus?

I believe lorna has left the site, and has taken some of her posts with her. Sad because she had a lot of knowledge and experience. A stickler about spelling, and opinionated, and she would let you know about it too. Reminds of that that other famous ex-member of Skoolies.
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Old 01-30-2012, 06:06 PM   #15
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Re: Who uses a futon in their bus?

Quote:
Originally Posted by bus-bro
I believe lorna has left the site, and has taken some of her posts with her. Sad because she had a lot of knowledge and experience. A stickler about spelling, and opinionated, and she would let you know about it too. Reminds of that that other famous ex-member of Skoolies.
WTF? Another one bites the dust? Damn. When the Skunky Bus finally becomes reality, it will benefit from suggestions from Lorna. Also, she pointed out the consequences of a bad idea I posted. That helped me realize, What the hell was I thinking? I let her know that I appreciated the feedback with this response. Some people (not on Skoolie.net) have called me "oversensitive" because of how I expect people to talk (or not talk) to me. However, I'd rather have someone's candor squelch an idea of mine, than have that idea become a reality that bites me in the ass later.

Back to the subject of this thread...
When it became evident that the bank would eventually chase me out of my house, I considered installing my living-room futon in a secondhand RV, in which I'd live. The real intent was to emulate my late home-sweet-home. Since I'd mount the futon to the floor structure, I wouldn't have been able to unfold it into a bed because the whole sofa has to be moved away from the wall for that. I don't know if that is true of all futons, though. Mine is an expensive model and its cushion is more comfortable than many regular home sofas.
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Old 09-26-2012, 01:22 PM   #16
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Re: Who uses a futon in their bus?

We use a Futon or out Cordaroy bag...

http://cordaroys.com/shop/cart.html


We prefer the bag to the futon it's much more comfortable, because our layout is open it's not a big deal that it takes up space...
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Old 09-27-2012, 07:37 PM   #17
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Re: Who uses a futon in their bus?

Hey,

Thanks for the link. The bean bag chair that converts to a mattress is a very interesting idea. However, from the videos on the site it did not look like the mattress provided very much support. From your experience is the mattress comfortable and would it be appropriate for older people with back problems?

Thanks,
John
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Old 09-28-2012, 04:48 PM   #18
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Re: Who uses a futon in their bus?

i have a futon to. just two mattress on it.
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