Community Forums

purduepete2 · 12-09-2013, 10:45 AM

Is anyone aware of any RV manufacturer that is willing to put a Murphy bed in a Class-A RV?

I've seen them in a few of the Class-C RV's and they look really slick and would provide a lot of additional room in the bedroom while dressing. I believe it could change the bedroom into a great TV room with lounge chairs when the bed is stored. It could also be a lot of extra room when using the RV for tail gate parties when traveling with a group of guests.

Anybody have any thoughts on Murphy beds in RV's?

Pete

nforus · 12-09-2013, 11:08 AM

Newell Coach does a Murphy bed but they are North of $1.5 million new. Newmar has a semi Murphy bed option in that the master bed converts into a couch. There may be others that I'm not aware of.

gruelens · 12-09-2013, 12:24 PM

Hi Pete,

I was just speaking with a guy the other week that builds Murphy Beds. I don't understand why manufacturers don't offer this versatile option. A queen bed takes up a lot of area in an RV where square feet are a precious commodity. I imagine you could have an RV built with a void on a bedroom wall. You could then have one installed there. Or take a used RV and remove cabinets, drawers etc. to have a blank wall large enough for a Murphy Bed. Height is an issue to allow for length of bed + mechanism. The units this guy custom built were very nice. They were cantilevered with multiple springs so you could raise and lower it with one hand.

Dr4Film · 12-09-2013, 12:50 PM

Actually I fell in love with the concept of a Murphy Bed in a RV when I took a tour through the brand new 2007/2008 Gulfstream Tour Constellation RV at the California Pomona RV Show.

Tourmaster- Constellation Luxury Class A Motorhome

Here is a 2010 model that has been sold but the ad has lots of photos.

New Gulf Stream Tour Master for sale in Alvarado TX | 2010 Gulf Stream Tour Master Constellation W/Media Room New RV for Sale Diesel Pusher For Sale from Motor Home Specialist in Alvarado Texas

I was told that the chassis it was built on was a disaster and they ended up with lots of problems. They only built them a few years and quit.

I still love the idea but I think that the only ones who know how to build it correctly would be the very high end custom coaches, Newell, Prevost, Marathon, etc.

Dr4Film ----- Richard

MarkofSJC · 12-09-2013, 12:51 PM

Newell does, indeed offer them! Some things to be aware of ~ both positives and negatives.

Negatives
- Slides MUST be extended or the bed can't be pulled from the wall. And it MUST be put back in the vertical before retracting slides. (Bed can't be used while in motion).
- If a queen or king sized bed is desired, the height of the mattress will be much lower than a standard bed. We're talking below knee height in instances I saw.
- Raising & lowering the bed is a bit of a challenge, in that they aren't light (but not super heavy). See notes below that affect that.
- Complicates TV issues. (see below)
- No option of ceiling fan (bed would hit it)

Positives
- Creates a second living area. Perfect for an office or media room.
- Provides easy loading of rear closet or bathroom access, even with slides in!
- Underside of bed can be fitted with large TV for OTR viewing if opposite wall has a couch (added weight can have negative effect - see above)
- Have also seen a hinged table and TV set up, allowing a nice desk or media room option.
- With a jack-knife couch on one wall and a Murphy bed on the opposite, I've seen a large TV mounted on the Murphy bed "wall", but then, when the bed is down a TV on a televator rise behind the couch for "in-bed" viewing. Have also seen a projection screen drop down when bed is up for a true media room experience, but it wouldn't work while coach is in motion very well, as screen would move/vibrate as would projector.
- Provides a totally separate place for the kids to be while underway!

To me the positives FAR outweigh the negatives.

MarkofSJC · 12-09-2013, 01:06 PM

DR4Film,

Great post ~ I didn't realize others had offered it!

One thing to note is that Newell originally offered a power operated option, but quickly discontinued it because it 1) was very slow to operate in either direction, 2) it had a lot of reliability issues and 3) when it failed in either up or down mode it created major headaches as the bed wasn't able to be used...or the coach couldn't be moved due to the slide being unable to be retracted.

purduepete2 · 12-09-2013, 01:22 PM

Mark,

If you check out the Leisure van site, these guys put an electric operated Murphy bed in a Sprinter chassis B+. It folds down onto two leisure chairs that have a cocktail table in the middle when the bed is in the wall. If they could put one of these systems in the back bedroom of a 32-34 foot Class-A it would be a great optional floor plan.

Pete

MarkofSJC · 12-09-2013, 01:30 PM

Thanks, Pete!

I'll check it out.

BFlinn181 · 12-09-2013, 01:53 PM

Diesels have the engine under the bed and many gassers put the water tank under there, so a lot of shifting of systems would be needed for a murphy bed. Also, it sounded cool at first, but one of the reasons we have a Class A is because the bed is always made and available. If I need more room, I can always step outside!

tropical36 · 12-09-2013, 02:43 PM

The Thor/Damon Outlaw has a Murphy Bed option in the garage. My neighbors have one and prefer it over sleeping in the upstairs bed. Naturally is cuts down on garage space considerably.

Scarab0088 · 12-10-2013, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tropical36

The Thor/Damon Outlaw has a Murphy Bed option in the garage. My neighbors have one and prefer it over sleeping in the upstairs bed. Naturally is cuts down on garage space considerably.

That was the Outlaw "3612" that is no longer in the model line-up...but they are available on the used market.

Instead, like many mfgt's, they have gone to a sleeper sofa in the 37MD.
2014 Outlaw Class A Toy Haulers: Class C Motorhomes by Thor Motor Coach
Makes the room a dual purpose lounge/bedroom.

In the garage, like many Toy Hauler mfgt's, they have gone with folding bench/bunks.

A Murphy Bed is nice, but heavy and doesn't lend to a dual purpose room like a sleeper sofa. And, with newer air-select matresses, the old "bar in your back" sleeper/sofa is a thing of the past.

Best luck

wblynch · 12-11-2013, 11:38 PM

The Europeans use beds that come down from the ceiling, sort of like toy hauler trailers. I want such a feature in my next RV.

Scarab0088 · 12-12-2013, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wblynch

The Europeans use beds that come down from the ceiling, sort of like toy hauler trailers. I want such a feature in my next RV.

That can be added to any RV you wish...with a HappiJac.
See: BedLifts

Thor is putting a similar product over the front seats of new Class A's.

Safe travels