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Parts Wanted Continental Roof Bed wanted

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If he is referring to what I described as the pair of 10 mm long & deep studs & spring-loaded sockets, which keep the elevating-roof bed's pillow section in place when folded away, then it is nothing like a conventional press-stud!

Mine were factory-fitted to the bed & pillow sections in late-1972 at the Westfalia Werke in Germany and I have never needed to replace them. One would probably need to contact either the Westfalia Werke in Germany or a specialist manufacturer / supplier of fasteners, retainers & latching devices.

E-mail: [email protected]

https://www.westfalia.de/
https://www.westfalia.de/static/aktionen/eisenwaren.html

https://www.westfalia.de/static/aktionen/fuer_caravan_wohnmobil_2023.html

These are not what one seeks, but the principles are probably similar:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Retainer-Aluminum-Suction-Caravan-Motorhome/dp/B08P1S33DT/ref=sr_1_4_sspa?adgrpid=1181975899348793&hvadid=73873694414793&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=69091&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=e&hvtargid=kwd-73873634521015:loc-188&hydadcr=6603_1854186&keywords=door+retainer+catch&qid=1685129948&sr=8-4-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0B2P91...6c0a&s=diy&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9kZXRhaWw
 
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They sell the black plastic inserts that hold the pillow up from NLAVW, nor sure about the metal sockets but you can definitely buy the inserts. I had to replace them on mine as the plastic had failed over time and it kept falling down.

Mines an early 68 Westfalia that's had the bunk converted to a (genuine) continental bed, very worthwhile mod imho, much more comfortable for my son.

I also have the little extra loose pillow bit, never been sure what the point of that is.

20210815_152703.jpg
 
Thanks chaps, I think I'll use some magnets as the can be easily set into the wood.

Next problem is the dimensions of the pillow holder thing. I have everything else (bar the wood).
 
Thanks chaps, I think I'll use some magnets as the can be easily set into the wood.

Next problem is the dimensions of the pillow holder thing. I have everything else (bar the wood).

Make sure that they are very-strong magnets, correctly orientated relative to each other (i.e. North to South poles) and firmly retained within the wood, otherwise the pillow-section could come unfastened when you negotiate a pothole, speed-hump or raised cattle-grid.

If you want to contact Westfalia-Mobile who manufactured the 1968~79 VW Type 2 Westfalia motor-caravans, here are their present contact details:

https://www.westfalia-mobil.com/en/dialog/kontaktformular.php

https://www.westfalia-mobil.com/en/dialog/anfahrt.php

Westfalia Mobil GmbH
Gleichenstraße 20
D-99867 Gotha
Germany

Telefon: +49 (0) 3621 51251-00
Fax: +49 (0) 3621 51251-99

Note that in German the "ß" symbol represents a double-S "ss"
 
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They sell the black plastic inserts that hold the pillow up from NLAVW, nor sure about the metal sockets but you can definitely buy the inserts. I had to replace them on mine as the plastic had failed over time and it kept falling down.

Mines an early 68 Westfalia that's had the bunk converted to a (genuine) continental bed, very worthwhile mod imho, much more comfortable for my son.

I also have the little extra loose pillow bit, never been sure what the point of that is.

View attachment 5491

To what loose pillow bit do you refer? Are you referring to the side seat's triangular cross-section back-rest cushion, which could be used as a pillow?

There is a narrow, profiled cushion, which sits on the steel roof at the feet's end of the bed, so that one's feet do not overhang the end of the bed and touch the cold steel roof.

What is that white oval device on the underside of the elevating-roof bed, close to left-hand side bed support?
 
Make sure that they are very-strong magnets, correctly orientated relative to each other (i.e. North to South poles) and firmly retained within the wood, otherwise the pillow-section could come unfastened when you negotiate a pothole, speed-hump or raised cattle-grid.
The ones I have have a 10kg breaking weight EACH! Too much I think. It is going to take some experimenting with gaps and how far to counter sink the magnets.
 
To what loose pillow bit do you refer? Are you referring to the side seat's triangular cross-section back-rest cushion, which could be used as a pillow?

There is a narrow, profiled cushion, which sits on the steel roof at the feet's end of the bed, so that one's feet do not overhang the end of the bed and touch the cold steel roof.

What is that white oval device on the underside of the elevating-roof bed, close to left-hand side bed support?
White thing looks to be a carbon monoxide alarm.
 
Opening this old thread… I have built a bed but I think my choice of ply is too thin and feels unsafe (it does look rather good at the moment). What thickness ply do people use? I don’t want it too heavy but I want it secure? 12mm or 18mm? 18 is double what I have now which seems like a real lump.

Also, I have a handle in the roof that I think will fowl on the foam when fitted. What do people do to get round this?

**** edit —- I looked in the linked samba posts and can see that 18mm is the best thickness.
 
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Opening this old thread… I have built a bed but I think my choice of ply is too thin and feels unsafe (it does look rather good at the moment). What thickness ply do people use? I don’t want it too heavy but I want it secure? 12mm or 18mm? 18 is double what I have now which seems like a real lump.

Also, I have a handle in the roof that I think will fowl on the foam when fitted. What do people do to get round this?

**** edit —- I looked in the linked samba posts and can see that 18mm is the best thickness.
I made it more like a slatted base, to save some weight. Will see if a took some pictures while building it. The handle will fowl indeed, i just took it off. Placed the bolts back, so it will not leak inside. Not sure what the original solution is for the handle.
 
Found this one, the foil was to figure out the max height of the foam. Of course in the end all the notches where filled with crossbars. But is lighter than a full plate. Topped it with a 3mm plastic sheet so you don't feel the crossbars trough the foam.
IMG-20210512-WA0001.jpg
 
Nice idea! I’m trying to build mine so it looks stock so full weighted bed is in order! 18mm just seems so heafty!
If you’re using 18mm ply, you could use a hinge cutter or similar to take out some of the ply. If you spaced it evenly so that the majority of it would be 18mm and a quarter of it or more could be 9 or 10mm . Hinge hole cutters are available for about a tenner from Screwfix direct. You’d obviously have to draw it all out first to make it nice and even. Might even be worth making a test piece to see if cutting almost all the way through and just leaving the last skin for appearances underneath. I’d leave an inch and a half minimum between the holes. That’ll lighten it up no end.

Ozziedog,,,,,,,,,, be fun to do too :) :unsure::)
 
If you’re using 18mm ply, you could use a hinge cutter or similar to take out some of the ply. If you spaced it evenly so that the majority of it would be 18mm and a quarter of it or more could be 9 or 10mm . Hinge hole cutters are available for about a tenner from Screwfix direct. You’d obviously have to draw it all out first to make it nice and even. Might even be worth making a test piece to see if cutting almost all the way through and just leaving the last skin for appearances underneath. I’d leave an inch and a half minimum between the holes. That’ll lighten it up no end.

Ozziedog,,,,,,,,,, be fun to do too :) :unsure::)
Wouldn't a router be easier?
 
Wouldn't a router be easier?
Yes probably, that was the first thing that came to mind off the cuff. I’ve never used a router so maybe that’s why I never thought of it. Can you tell I’ve never used one :ROFLMAO:

Ozziedog ,,,,,,,,,,,, excellent idea Wig, you coming to Tuckers ?

P.S. I heard they might have some cider there.:rolleyes:
 
To what loose pillow bit do you refer? Are you referring to the side seat's triangular cross-section back-rest cushion, which could be used as a pillow?

There is a narrow, profiled cushion, which sits on the steel roof at the feet's end of the bed, so that one's feet do not overhang the end of the bed and touch the cold steel roof.

What is that white oval device on the underside of the elevating-roof bed, close to left-hand side bed support?
No there's a thin strip cushion that's loose, no idea what it's for.
 
If you’re using 18mm ply, you could use a hinge cutter or similar to take out some of the ply. If you spaced it evenly so that the majority of it would be 18mm and a quarter of it or more could be 9 or 10mm . Hinge hole cutters are available for about a tenner from Screwfix direct. You’d obviously have to draw it all out first to make it nice and even. Might even be worth making a test piece to see if cutting almost all the way through and just leaving the last skin for appearances underneath. I’d leave an inch and a half minimum between the holes. That’ll lighten it up no end.

Ozziedog,,,,,,,,,, be fun to do too :) :unsure::)
Nice idea, I guess you’d feel the ribs through the foam.
 
Nice idea, I guess you’d feel the ribs through the foam.
Don’t know for sure but I don’t think it’ll be like the princess and the pea story . If you only had a sheet over it then maybe, then as you get thicker, like a 10mm piece of foam may still have a feel through factor but I doubt it, and 25mm to 50mm I don’t think you d feel it. It’s not exactly gonna be the bed of nails thing even though that is totally doable in real life. Im pretty sure that anything over 10mm would be enough to spread the weight. Saying that, even a Kellogg’s cornflakes box type of cardboard would spread the load over such small distances or more substantially and still with minimal weight gain, a sheet of 2 or 3mm foamex.

Ozziedog,,,,,,,,,,,The Westy stuff was quite primitive engineering :)
 

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