Calling all EB50 owners! (from a RB50 owner)

[geoffff]

I recently changed vans from an RB50 to an EB50. My new EB50 has taken some getting used to -- Moving around in it is almost completely the same muscle memory for me, but some aspects are slightly different.

So -- I have some questions for you EB50 owners out there!

1) How do you get down from the upstairs penthouse bed? In my old RB50, I would hop down on the rotated passenger seat, but in my EB50 the passenger seat is a foot farther away from the bed. I can't reach it! Any tricks for getting down?

2) The rear reading light on my EB50 is positioned in the very same place as it was on my RB50. The problem is the EB50 rear seat is 1 foot farther back -- so this reading light is exactly in the spot where the rightmost bench seat passenger's head is supposed to be! (This is the only rear seating position with a shoulder belt.) Is this also how the rear reading light placed for all you EB50 owners? Why didn't Sportsmobile build EB50s with the rear reading light behind the seat?!? (I think am going to have to move my light, and then I will have an ugly cover plate where the light is currently .)



-- Geoff

 

[daveb-SMB]

I've whack that thing more than once. Seems so clunky, but I still got it. It does light up your lap, but also throws some weird shadows. I tend to sit in the middle of the bench away from it.





Unfortunately I've had to use a folding step to hit the sac. It gets me to the counter top, and from the countertop to the bed. The step is tall enough that I can slide directly from the bed and down to the floor, so exiting the bed is easy with the correct height step...kind of a leap of faith, cause once I'm sliding I hope I make contact with the step or I'm hitting the floor. YMMV

 

[86Scotty]

That is indeed awful light placement. I would move it by simply extending the wire behind it. It will leave 3 holes and most likely an outline/pressed spot where the light was but you can get more creative than a cover plate. Put something decorative there maybe. Less than perfect but so is that light placement!

Maybe this? I love these things. Infinite uses.....

https://www.amazon.com/Cocoon-CPG5B...728650791&sprefix=grid+it,aps,124&sr=8-4&th=1

 

[KTMRIDER-SMB]

Thinking that panel was made on a Monday or Friday for your van. Mine is back a bit just behind the top of the bench. They might have done it for reading though if someone is sitting there..crouched over of course .

 

[geoffff]

For comparison, here is that reading light and my rear bench seat on my old RB50 van:

 

[1der]

1: Light is in the same place relative to the window.

You need to move the bench seat forward to solve the problem. :a2:

 

[geoffff]

Haha! And I wouldn't have a hole in the wall I need to cover

 

[Mikerson]

It is relatively easy to relocate these light fixtures. Probably 4 screws to take it off, extend the wires a foot, and remount over a new hole at your desired location. The fabric will show the old location (like when you move your couch) for a while, but it will fade and eventually the old screw holes won’t be as noticeable.

We step in the countertop to get down. Just watch the flip up extension.

 

[N147JK]

Don't worry. As you get older you'll shrink and eventually your head will clear the light. :d8:

 

[Twoxentrix]

Couple ideas from a thread couple years back - same question...
https://www.sportsmobileforum.com/forums/f21/penthouse-ladder-22609.html

 

[geoffff]

It is relatively easy to relocate these light fixtures. Probably 4 screws to take it off, extend the wires a foot, and remount over a new hole at your desired location. The fabric will show the old location (like when you move your couch) for a while, but it will fade and eventually the old screw holes won’t be as noticeable.

Didn't turn out to be too bad. Just a small hole.



I am guessing this is the first time anyone other than a very small child been sitting here in its 19 years of life.

 

[Mikerson]

Didn't turn out to be too bad. Just a small hole.

Sweet! Enjoy your newfound headroom!

 

[porschedpm]

In regards to getting up into the penthouse, I use an ice chest as a step up to the counter. More specifically I use a Yeti Roadie 24. It fits nicely between the two front seats although the transfer case levers limit how far forward you can place it. It’s sturdy enough to stand on. Can also be used as an extra seat.



https://yeti-web.imgix.net/3c58f2fe...4_hard-_cooler_white_exterior.png?auto=format

 

[ss4010]

Why not install a surface-mount USB charging port over the hole since you already have power at the location where the light was?

https://www.amazon.com/Outlet-Charg...3+ports+12v+usb+outlet,electronics,133&sr=1-1

 

[Twoxentrix]

So -- I have some questions for you EB50 owners out there!

1) How do you get down from the upstairs penthouse bed? In my old RB50, I would hop down on the rotated passenger seat, but in my EB50 the passenger seat is a foot farther away from the bed. I can't reach it! Any tricks for getting down?
-- Geoff

I have seen a rope ladder used - was an E-350 with penthouse top, but a DIY interior, and that couple also attached a grab handle (for stability) to the outer edge (side that faces the drivers seat) of the bed platform. They didn't remove the ladder when stowing away the bed, they just slung it across the bed making sure the steps just lay flat. Lot of variations on Amazon, and can't imagine it would be too difficult to make one yourself if you were compelled.
.https://www.amazon.com/Boat-Ladder-...8-4-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&th=1

I have a gaucho bench just behind my drivers seat, so I just step on the end to get to the top bunk, but you have the 50 layout. I had toyed with the idea of a retractable ladder (had one on my boat and it was stout) to make it easier to get up...same concept might work for you. You may be better served if the top of the ladder rests against the bed track above your fridge and extended to reach the floor in front of the fridge (would just have to come out far enough to clear that cabinet top). I'm guessing You'd need a ladder which extends to 54 - 57" to accomplish this (and come up with a way to attach the top of the ladder to the upper bunk track for safety - but a creative individual such as yourself would have no problem coming up with a simple solution to that). You could change out the mounting bracket on the top of this ladder to accommodate something that would attach to that track:
https://www.amazon.com/MARINE-CITY-...sprefix=5ft+boat+bunk+ladder,aps,145&sr=8-200
I had been looking at a smaller version, but then I figured the top of the ladder would just attached to the right edge of my upper platform and then extend down to rest on the top of the gaucho bench (so I wasn't going to need anything too long).
Then again, nothing says the bottom of the ladder needs to hit the floor as long as its well secured to the bed platform...and a grab handle to help sturdy yourself.
https://www.amazon.com/Amarine-Made...-2-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1

Storing a retractable ladder isn't too difficult since they collapse down quite well, but it would require some space.
Lot of options if you google "retractable ladder" or "boat ladder".
Just throwing out some ideas. :d8: