Hammocks

[oldbernie]

My 8 year old Grandson is getting too big to share a bed in our SMB. I was considering hanging a lightweight hammock across the front seats. I was going to secure it by attaching it to some hard rubber balls and just hanging them out the door. Same as those exercise cords that you close in your bedroom door. Would I do damage to my doors and/or perhaps break a window from the door flexing?

[Ford_6L_E350]

When the door is closed, you won't be able to flex it (assuming the cord goes over the door).

You may tend to 'dent' the weatherstrip and maybe cause an air leak and some wind noise.

I would suggest 4 corner cords and the bed will be stable.

Old Westy's had a small cot that fit up there. I would think you could do something similar with wood or metal bars in the outer edges of the door windowsills. A spreader bar on each end could keep the bars spread so the bed couldn't move until the bar was pulled out.

Mike

[larrie]

My Westy had a similar setup to what Mike described. There were four built in brackets similar to the clips that hold closet rods in place. There were two on each side and the cot rods fit right in. Never had any complaints from my daughter.


Larrie
89 Ford 2WD penthouse

[oldbernie]

Thanks for the replies. Was the Westy thing a canvas cot stretched between the two poles? Interesting idea.

[Viejo]

If you go with the door idea, you could use flat nylon webbing to go through the door. That would stress the door frame and weather stripping less.

[Ford_6L_E350]

Originally Posted by oldbernie

Thanks for the replies. Was the Westy thing a canvas cot stretched between the two poles? Interesting idea.

Yes.

As I recall, it was two square pieces of hardwood, about 1" square.

Mike

[Jahoolie]

Many moons ago I slept in the hammock of my grandparent's Westphalia. I loved it and would suggest going that route for safety.

[larrie]

Originally Posted by Ford_6L_E350

Yes.

As I recall, it was two square pieces of hardwood, about 1" square.

Mike

The support poles were round and either aluminum tubing or hardwood on mine. Been to long to remember. They sat in screwed in metal holders.


Larrie
89 Ford 2WD penthouse

[jage]

Type "westy front cot" into google
Hit Go
Hit Images

[oldbernie]

Jage,
Thanks for the images. That wasn't what I was envisioning, not even close. As I recall the Westy had a flat steering wheel sort of like my old 66 Dodge van. I'll have to check and see how far down mine adjusts. Another alternative though. Now to figure out what works best for me. Thanks everyone.