Good replacement for the bunk bed fabric

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Ian
Posts: 147
Joined: Wed May 23, 2012 10:15 pm
Info: 1962 Dormobile "Zuma"
Location: Malibu, USA

Re: Good replacement for the bunk bed fabric

Post by Ian » Mon Mar 17, 2014 12:55 am

I had similar tartan material on my bunk beds when I first acquired the Dormobile. Quite took me back to deck chairs on the beach and summer holidays in Blackpool. But the material was torn so had to go. I did do one trip with the original bunk covers. Talk about living dangerously! But I survived that trip although the rear spring hanger didn't. :thud:

I spent the big bucks and bought the replacement bunk covers from Jim at Dormobile Ltd. I feel a lot safer at night now...... :tiphat:

Ian
Calum
Posts: 163
Joined: Wed Feb 22, 2012 8:44 pm

Re: Good replacement for the bunk bed fabric

Post by Calum » Tue Mar 18, 2014 10:12 pm

Very novel! I am going to look closely at my bunks before re-fitting. They might get a similar treatment! :cheers:
lightweightles
Posts: 73
Joined: Mon May 14, 2012 12:59 pm
Info: 72 carawagon six pot,67 dormobile tdi
Location: North east England

Re: Good replacement for the bunk bed fabric

Post by lightweightles » Thu Mar 20, 2014 2:50 pm

Great idea will definately give this a go as mine have a couple of rips in them :cheers:
AlexB
Posts: 466
Joined: Fri Feb 24, 2012 8:01 am

Re: Good replacement for the bunk bed fabric

Post by AlexB » Thu Mar 24, 2016 11:12 am

Brilliant Michiel

Thanks for sharing
AlexB
Posts: 466
Joined: Fri Feb 24, 2012 8:01 am

Re: Good replacement for the bunk bed fabric

Post by AlexB » Mon Mar 28, 2016 9:12 pm

Now for the te3chnical bit
How did you fit them?

Did you take the end of the frame or unpick the stitching and resew ?
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DrivingDutchman
Posts: 392
Joined: Mon Feb 10, 2014 11:44 am
Location: Raunds, Northants

Re: Good replacement for the bunk bed fabric

Post by DrivingDutchman » Tue Mar 29, 2016 11:09 am

Hi Alex,

I suppose you got the vango beds then?

You need to unpick the ends of the tunnels and resew the side so they are going from end to end. Obviously both ends of the tunnel have to be open.
You have to take the ends of the dormobile bunks to slide the fabric over the poles. I just took the complete beds out and did it all inside the house, much easier. Once the beds are reassembled, just bolt them back in place.
The fabric is probably 1 to 2 cm too long over the length of the dormobile bunk, but I didn't alter that. Over time it just sits perfect. I have used this now for a few seasons and they are still great, no sagging, ripping.

Michiel :tiphat:
1969 109 sw dormobile Dora
1996 overland defender sw 110 Nellie
1962 109 sw safari diesel Hannie (sold)
1973 88 series 3 soft top in various bits on the drive...
AlexB
Posts: 466
Joined: Fri Feb 24, 2012 8:01 am

Re: Good replacement for the bunk bed fabric

Post by AlexB » Tue Mar 29, 2016 11:44 am

Thanks Michiel
I have some on order - they didn't seem that many about when I looked.

How easy to take the end off the bunk ?

I have managed to get one unsiezed and now moves (folds and unfolds) but have not looked at taking apart yet. DOes it just tap off ?
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DrivingDutchman
Posts: 392
Joined: Mon Feb 10, 2014 11:44 am
Location: Raunds, Northants

Re: Good replacement for the bunk bed fabric

Post by DrivingDutchman » Tue Mar 29, 2016 4:36 pm

It is fairly easy.
There are plastic plates that hold the fabric in place at each end of the bunk pole. They are fixed with pop rivets. You will need to drill them out or cut them off with a chisel. Once these are undone, the ends come off very easy. Maybe you might need to tap them off. When I refitted mine I used flat headed screws to secure the ends to the poles. You won't see them afterwards as the fabric slides over them.
I think these plastic plates were there to prevent the fabric from sliding to wards the centre of the poles when pressure is applied. I believe also that these rivets through the fabric promote tearing and ripping the fabric. So that is why I use screws under the new fabric rather than putting them through the fabric creating weak-spots.
Hope this helps a bit?

I will try and upload some pictures when I get home tonight or tomorrow morning as I'm working till 11 pm today.

Cheers,

Michiel
1969 109 sw dormobile Dora
1996 overland defender sw 110 Nellie
1962 109 sw safari diesel Hannie (sold)
1973 88 series 3 soft top in various bits on the drive...
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DrivingDutchman
Posts: 392
Joined: Mon Feb 10, 2014 11:44 am
Location: Raunds, Northants

Re: Good replacement for the bunk bed fabric

Post by DrivingDutchman » Wed Mar 30, 2016 5:50 pm

Upon looking for pictures, I found that I posted them already in my original post. I havo no other pictures unfortunately.

Michiel
1969 109 sw dormobile Dora
1996 overland defender sw 110 Nellie
1962 109 sw safari diesel Hannie (sold)
1973 88 series 3 soft top in various bits on the drive...
AlexB
Posts: 466
Joined: Fri Feb 24, 2012 8:01 am

Re: Good replacement for the bunk bed fabric

Post by AlexB » Thu Mar 31, 2016 6:42 pm

Sorted Michiel

Once the rivets are off that hold the fabric on, the ends tap out.

One bunk needs just sanding and painting, the other needs repair to the ends, so won't be done very quickly, but now I have the knowledge and material. Thanks again
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