Kemerton single beds modification?

Hi....
I'm sure that somewhere on this forum I have seen a way of using two 'made up' cushions wedged under the front seats so that a non XL Kemerton can be used as single beds...... but frustratingly I can't find it now despite a number of searches!!

Can anyone help please??


Thanks. Bev

Hi Bev Will this help
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That is brilliant- thanks so much! The photos of the bed boards aren't showing on my phone but I guess they may do when I get some wifi. We are currently on a site near Southampton in our Duetto. Stopped off to look at a couple of kemertons on the way here.
Once again ... thanks for your time and trouble.
Bev

Its a pleasure Bev. I also never saw Charliefarlie's bed boards. Also never thought of making any. We prefer the double bed. But I have in the past experimented with making singes, just out of curiosity. If I remember, I first lowered the steering wheel to its lowest position. With both front seats reversed fully & back rests lowered downwards toward the seat I pushed both seats back, as far as possible, towards the dashboard/windscreen. Pulled out/extended the third rear seat, near the sliding door, to make the single bed. Placed a small foldable stool under the unsupported part of the bed [that I keep under the passenger seat above the tool box]. Added a few cushions on both beds in strategic spots for leveling & comfort. This worked fine for me.
I'm sure with a little ingenuity you will be able to improve on my simple set-up.
MelB

Hi Bev , I made the 2 infill cushions from foam I matched at an upholsterers to be similar in feel to the original. This was backed in 9mm ply and then covered in material. To fit , slide both seats forward and drop into the gaps between front seats and sofa on Offside and single seat on nearside. They rest on the exposed front seat runners and make the beds flat without steps or humps. 
     Stored behind the single seat from memory one  is slightly larger than the other but both can also be used as a backrest against the sliding door giving 2 long parallel sofas All in cost around  £15 to make and turn an already  great layout into an extremely versatile layout . I moved the large table in the overcab area onto the outsde wall of the shower between rear door and shower. This gives a large overcab shelf for bedding etc I also made a bespoke bag that hangs above the table lined with waterproof material that stores levelling wedges. I honestly prefer the standard van to the xl as it loses the dedicated tv cabinet and large worktop above fridge that is much higher in the longer van making it less practical.  

Hi Bev,

I recall you mentioning you'd looked inside the Kemerton at Nick Whale that we ended up buying.  We haven't looked at the single bed option but it's good to know it can be done with a bit of innovation.  Regarding the other points that Kaspian makes above, we completely agree and the 6m Kemerton is an excellent layout.  We've just spent our first week away in the van and it's fully lived up to our expectations.  We previously had a Symbol and it's surprising what a difference just an extra 40cm makes to the length of the van inside.   Hope you find one you like!

Tim

Thanks Tim and Kaspian for your words of advice and encouragement.

Best wishes Bev

What lengths are the two single beds with suggested modifications to the 5.99m Kemerton? I currently  have a 2005 Nuevo ES  in which we configure single beds using the front seats. This works well for us and when changing  the Nuevo we would want single beds with access to the loo down the gap between!

If it's any help Bev, we used to use the single beds which included the front seat, and at 6' 3" I found an extra pillow across the seat base was all I needed. It just kept my ankles from drooping uncomfortably, and was a lot easier to carry and use than anything sophisticated like boards.

It was also useful for lounging during the day, with the inevitable book and glass of grape juice! 

Hi Gromit
Sadly, on the Kemerton we were looking at, the front seats when rotated are far too high to use as the end of a bed.

Bev

We bought a 2014 Kemerton 2 months ago because of the front lounge and rear bathroom layout. We finally got away last weekend for our first trip. Liked the power as I'd come from a 85bhp VW T5 conversion, the kemerton seemed much better up hills and I'm not a speed merchant I like to see a few cars stacked up behind me as I know my 60mph cruising means I'm relaxing into my getaway. I like the fact I have both the whale filler and the normal hose filler both easy to use. The double bed layout worked well and was comfortable and all packs away nicely without lots of effort. We are not yet sure about the big table, and the fact that its in the over cab storage but its ok for now. The idea about single beds is ok but we are both about 5'10 so the sofa and pull out bed would probably ok at a push, although we have not tried this yet. I think we would need a step for getting in and out of the back doors. I can see the previous owner had used the end panel that attaches to the loo to assist themselves up  - I can see the panel/sealant has come away a bit, its soon becomes clear that the panel is not strong enough to use as a step up aid. I love the layout it feels very airy. When we were looking we also looked at the Murvi Morrello which give a front lounge layout and the extra "belted" seats by moving the sofa around. But the finish in the Kemerton was better in our view. Yep the front seats in their lowest position are too raised to be used as an extension to the sofa or door bed but as with all the MoHo layouts there is some compromise. I also thought I was going to have to change out the flying saucer antenna as I couldnt pick up any TV stations on the 16in Cello tv( bought to replace the Avtec one that was removed by previous owners or the dealer) but on our weekend trip it worked really well. I also have a Avtec antenna too in case I need a bit more gain but this is not permantly fixed.   Good luck with your purchase, we are not disappionted in ours. Let us know if you get it. Terry

Terry,

We’ve had our 2015 Kemerton about as long as you’ve had yours and are delighted with it.  This weekend is the first time we’ve been able to try everything out, including the awning.  You mentioned the large table stowed above the cab ... ours is on rear of the shower and can be accessed comfortably from inside the vehicle with the rear doors closed.  It leaves the above-cab stowage for bedding in our van.

You’re right about not using the shower panel for assistance in getting in and out via the rear doors.  We procured a stand-alone folding step which makes all the difference.  When folded it stows between the loo and the near-side rear door.  I also fixed a grab handle to the inside of each rear door, more to help in closing them when in the van but they can double as a handhold when accessing through the rear.   Hope the picture helps to make sense of the above.

Enjoy your Kemerton, it’s a brilliant layout for us.

Tim & Ruth[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]