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Scott6601 · 05-18-2022, 12:38 PM

I have a new to me (2 weeks) 2005 Fleetwood Bounder 32W with a Workhorse engine.

I want to replace (well, the wife wants me to replace) the hide abed couch. I have not found the answers for these questions yet.

1. How do I secure the couch to the slide? Is there a way to access under the sub-floor that I assume I bolt the bed to?
2. Do the couches come with seat belts that are already attached or do I somehow remove the seat belts from the current couch and bolt them to the bed or floor?

Finally, in the next 6 months I want to replace the carpet. Would you recommend pulling the dinnet at the same time to replace the carpet right away since I am already removing the couch or is the process pretty simply to remove the couch?

Thanks!
BTW, I am a newbe when it comes to the Class A lifestyle!

Scot

Skip426 · 05-19-2022, 09:50 AM

Welcome to iRV2.

A " Honey Do List " such fun .

I believe you'll find the hid-a-bed is lag bolted to the slide floor and the seat belts are separate ( bolted through the slide frame ).
DO NOT USE longer lag bolts to secure the new couch .

If your replacing carpet ( as I'm doing shortly ) plan way ahead , and do all the interior projects that require furniture moving; to work on the floor; at the same time .
You don't want to be hauling furniture around more than once.

Skip426 · 05-19-2022, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott6601

I have a new to me (2 weeks) 2005 Fleetwood Bounder 32W with a Workhorse engine.
Scot

Scot ; just a slight correction .
Your Bounder 32W ; is on a Workhorse chassis ; Workhorse didn't build their own engines .
I'll assume the chassis is a W-22 ( 22,000 lbs. GVWR )
Then engine is manufactured by GM ( 8.1L )and the transmission is an Allison 1000 series .

Jim_HiTek · 05-19-2022, 10:20 AM

RV couches have metal frames that are bolted to the floor. Depends on manufacturer how they attach it to the slide out or to the non-slide out floor. Most often it's a 1/2" bolt from underneath up into the room, giant washers here and there, a jam nut to hold it (or it's welded to stop it from spinning or loosening up and dropping down into the slide mechanism) and the couch sits over the bolts and the bolts pass through the frame of the couch and receive more washers and nuts to hold it in place.

Or the bolts pass from the frame of the couch into the floor where welded bolts are waiting in perfect alignment. Sort of. Really depends. This is how mine was installed, the bolts are welded to the frame under the slide, and the couch is positioned over them and the bolts dropped down through the frame of the couch into the floor. So when I removed them, and removed the electric couch/bed/lounger can't see the holes for the carpet. Couch is for sale BTW.

The reason the frames are metal, and things like couches and chairs are bolted to the floor is because in an accident and roll over, you don't want heavy items rolling around the inside of the RV injuring people.

As far as the dinette goes, I'd just leave it in place and cut the carpet from around it. Just to make the job easier and less complicated.

I have left the seat belts that attach to the slide under and behind the couch in place for now. Those bolts come up from underneath. If I get around to it, I'll hacksaw them off flush with the floor...after the carpet around them is removed. So I won't have to mess with the bolt head's weldments.

computerguy · 05-20-2022, 06:35 AM

Just a heads up, there is a whole thread on mods and upgrades at the top of this forum. It’s long but has a ton of info that might help you

Scott6601 · 05-20-2022, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skip426

Scot ; just a slight correction .
Your Bounder 32W ; is on a Workhorse chassis ; Workhorse didn't build their own engines .
I'll assume the chassis is a W-22 ( 22,000 lbs. GVWR )
Then engine is manufactured by GM ( 8.1L )and the transmission is an Allison 1000 series .

You are correct. I am learning so much! It is an 8.1L engine on the W22 Workhorse chassis.

Thank you!

Scott6601 · 05-20-2022, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim_HiTek

RV couches have metal frames that are bolted to the floor. Depends on manufacturer how they attach it to the slide out or to the non-slide out floor. Most often it's a 1/2" bolt from underneath up into the room, giant washers here and there, a jam nut to hold it (or it's welded to stop it from spinning or loosening up and dropping down into the slide mechanism) and the couch sits over the bolts and the bolts pass through the frame of the couch and receive more washers and nuts to hold it in place.

Or the bolts pass from the frame of the couch into the floor where welded bolts are waiting in perfect alignment. Sort of. Really depends. This is how mine was installed, the bolts are welded to the frame under the slide, and the couch is positioned over them and the bolts dropped down through the frame of the couch into the floor. So when I removed them, and removed the electric couch/bed/lounger can't see the holes for the carpet. Couch is for sale BTW.

The reason the frames are metal, and things like couches and chairs are bolted to the floor is because in an accident and roll over, you don't want heavy items rolling around the inside of the RV injuring people.

As far as the dinette goes, I'd just leave it in place and cut the carpet from around it. Just to make the job easier and less complicated.

I have left the seat belts that attach to the slide under and behind the couch in place for now. Those bolts come up from underneath. If I get around to it, I'll hacksaw them off flush with the floor...after the carpet around them is removed. So I won't have to mess with the bolt head's weldments.

Thanks Jim. I didn't even think about the bolts being welded on to the frame. That makes perfect sense. I was fearful of losing the bolt when removing the couch.
Scott

134451 · 05-20-2022, 07:55 PM

Scott, to get that hide-a-bed out you will need to dissemble it. It probably won't go through your door or window. Ours didn't! I don't know how to get a new one in since ours didn't go out without dissembling it. If you want to keep a hide-a-bed how about getting yours re-upholstered? The new one will have the same type mechanisms that yours has now; just different upholstery. Our solution was 2 La-Z-Boy's. If you need sleeping arrangements buy an air mattress. The hide-a-bed we had was the most uncomfortable seat that I ever sat on.

Frankmerrill · 05-24-2022, 01:34 PM

We are also intending to replace the assembly of steel, foam, and cloth embarrassingly called a "hide-a-bed" which is only a little more comfortable than sleeping on an anthill while curling up with scorpions. I tried to find the group to which computerguy referred about modifications and upgrades but did not find such header among the lists above.

I did find, and highly recommend Ickes RV Surplus Supplies, Inc. in Montpelier Indiana, about halfway between Indianapolis and Fort Wayne. They have entire warehouses of mostly new pieces and parts for rebuilding and upgrading RVs of any kind but, sadly, they did not have a replacement hide-a-bed on the day we enjoyed wandering though their inventories, but they'll give me a call when something come in. Visit their website online and plan to spend a few hours wandering if you visit them!

Best Regards,
Frank

GunnerAZ · 05-24-2022, 09:51 PM

2003 Southwind 36R, Workhorse chassis. I replaced the factory fabric hide-a-bed (torture chamber with a 2 in mattress) with a Flexsteel jackknife sofa covered in leather matching our captains chairs. Both were/are bolted to the floor, and I was able to take everything in/out the side entry door. Flexsteel stopped making RV furniture but you can look at RecPro, BraddandHall, Thomas Payne, and I am sure there are others. Much nicer, more comfortable to sleep on, and more room in the coach when open. Good luck.