Newer Seneca bed platform lifts

[Robbbyr]

As many of us newer Seneca owners know (with the exception of the FS model) the rear bed is part of the slideout making the installation of traditional bed platform lift struts impossible. This is due to the bed base remaining "fixed in place" while the platform slides over top of it when the slideout moves. With the bedding in place it can be a two-person job to lift the bed to access items stored under the bed. This issue has bugged me since I bought my Seneca and I announced on this forum long ago I would try to come up with a solution. Now I have! Here is how it came about:

The DW and I decided we would rather have a traditional Queen bed (versus the factory RV King) thereby allowing me to install a shelf on her side, and also to gain more room for walking around the bed. So I rebuilt and shrank the bed base and mattress platform to allow for this. While working in the area I had an epiphany on how I could add lifts! I realized that the slideout had what I will call a "trolley" that is under the bed and moves with it. It is a very heavy steel structure that incorporates a gear track moved by the slideout motor.

Traditional bed lift kits attach to the fixed bed base and the platform, but our rigs don't have that. But I thought "what if I attach the struts to the trolley, which moves with the bed platform?". To do this I would need to fabricate an adapter that would allow for the attachment of the struts to the trolley. I came up with an adapter that bolts to the trolley without modifying the trolley whatsoever. Then the struts attach to the adapter and are affixed to the bed platform. The adapter uses an existing slot in the trolley to allow the two to be bolted together. This adapter is the key, and after finishing the job I can't believe Jayco hasn't thought of this before!

I designed and fabricated the bracket in an afternoon, it is from metal I had in my shop. I bought (at my local Camping World) a bed lift kit which included the upper and lower mounts and the lift cylinders themselves. I TIG welded the lower strut mounts (from the kit) to my adapter. The adapter includes welded-on mounting and locating tabs to hold it in place and allow it to bolt to the trolley. My adapter is seriously overbuilt, but I wanted to make sure it will never be the weak point in this modification.

I am pleased to report it works fabulously! Waiting on my new Queen mattress so I can install the bedding and make sure the cylinders hold it up properly. I think I will be fine, unloaded it takes quite a bit of force to push it down. Here are some pictures of the adapter and the finished installation:

[Robbbyr]

I made a slight modification to the adapter moving the pivot points about 3" rearward. This was done so that the platform attachment points are still under the bed when the slideout is completely closed. The original design had the upper attachment points out past the end of the bed when closed. Not a big deal, but I thought tucking everything under the bed would be a "cleaner" installation.

[Dananu]

Is there a reason bracket isn't centered on trolley? I have been trying to figure out how to install lifts and this looks good.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

[Robbbyr]

Originally Posted by Dananu

Is there a reason bracket isn't centered on trolley? I have been trying to figure out how to install lifts and this looks good.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

I fabricated the bracket to line up with 2 x 2 bed platform support members (stiffeners) and also, if I recall correctly, I did have to "miss" something on the right side of the trolley. I think it would work just fine if the spacing was even, as long as you get the cylinders to line up with the bed platform stiffeners. I thought it was best to have the lift cylinders push in a straight line and not on an angle.

I am pleased to report we are very happy with the lifts, and also with reducing the bed size to a residential queen. Gives us more "walk-around" room and a much more comfortable mattress that takes standard queen sheets. You just have to be careful about mattress height, my new one is 8" and it slides under the wardrobe just fine.

Happy to answer any questions if it would help!

Here is a link to a photo album that may have an extra photo or two:
http://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/me...cture7121.html

[jasum]

Awesome install Robbbyr........ looks great!

[jasum]

Awesome install Robbbyr..........looks great!

I would like to downsize from king size in our Pinnacle, buy DW likes the king.

[Robbbyr]

Thanks!

I sometimes think RV manufacturers, and not just Jayco, install a king size bed so they can say they have one, even if navigating around it really isn't all that practical. I am a big guy whose years are advancing quicker than I would like, and it is so much easier now with the queen bed.

We have a king here in the "sticks and bricks" house, the DW is a snuggler so we seldom occupy even half! So we really lost nothing in the Seneca but gained maneuvering room and a much more comfortable mattress.

[Dananu]

Got lifts installed. Stayed with king bed for now.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

[Robbbyr]

Originally Posted by Dananu

Got lifts installed. Stayed with king bed for now.Attachment 30260

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

Nice job! Makes you wonder why Jayco doesn't offer it themselves.

[Howard1]

Hi,

I have a 2015 Seneca RB. Was also trying to figure out how to put struts under the king size bed. You seem to have come up with the solution. Unfortunately I live out in boonies and gave no one to fabricate the adapter. Would you be willing to fabricate one for me and of course I would be happy to pay you for you time, material and shipping costs. Please let me know. Again, I am not looking to downsize the bed, just want to install the struts for the king size bed that is already there. Thanks, Howard

[temp_fraGmNHI]

Originally Posted by Robbbyr

As many of us newer Seneca owners know (with the exception of the FS model) the rear bed is part of the slideout making the installation of traditional bed platform lift struts impossible. This is due to the bed base remaining "fixed in place" while the platform slides over top of it when the slideout moves. With the bedding in place it can be a two-person job to lift the bed to access items stored under the bed. This issue has bugged me since I bought my Seneca and I announced on this forum long ago I would try to come up with a solution. Now I have! Here is how it came about:

The DW and I decided we would rather have a traditional Queen bed (versus the factory RV King) thereby allowing me to install a shelf on her side, and also to gain more room for walking around the bed. So I rebuilt and shrank the bed base and mattress platform to allow for this. While working in the area I had an epiphany on how I could add lifts! I realized that the slideout had what I will call a "trolley" that is under the bed and moves with it. It is a very heavy steel structure that incorporates a gear track moved by the slideout motor.

Traditional bed lift kits attach to the fixed bed base and the platform, but our rigs don't have that. But I thought "what if I attach the struts to the trolley, which moves with the bed platform?". To do this I would need to fabricate an adapter that would allow for the attachment of the struts to the trolley. I came up with an adapter that bolts to the trolley without modifying the trolley whatsoever. Then the struts attach to the adapter and are affixed to the bed platform. The adapter uses an existing slot in the trolley to allow the two to be bolted together. This adapter is the key, and after finishing the job I can't believe Jayco hasn't thought of this before!

I designed and fabricated the bracket in an afternoon, it is from metal I had in my shop. I bought (at my local Camping World) a bed lift kit which included the upper and lower mounts and the lift cylinders themselves. I TIG welded the lower strut mounts (from the kit) to my adapter. The adapter includes welded-on mounting and locating tabs to hold it in place and allow it to bolt to the trolley. My adapter is seriously overbuilt, but I wanted to make sure it will never be the weak point in this modification.

I am pleased to report it works fabulously! Waiting on my new Queen mattress so I can install the bedding and make sure the cylinders hold it up properly. I think I will be fine, unloaded it takes quite a bit of force to push it down. Here are some pictures of the adapter and the finished installation:

Robbbyr,
I own 2016 37TS - king bed. would you be will to make me that adapter? Will pay you what you think is fair!
garyh37
Parker, Co.


Sent from my SM-G928V using Tapatalk

[Robbbyr]

Originally Posted by temp_fraGmNHI

Robbbyr,
I own 2016 37TS - king bed. would you be will to make me that adapter? Will pay you what you think is fair!
garyh37
Parker, Co.


Sent from my SM-G928V using Tapatalk

I sent you a PM, let me know. I do have a unit ready to go.

[temp_fraGmNHI]

Originally Posted by Robbbyr

I sent you a PM, let me know. I do have a unit ready to go.

can you email me at gary@apcedg.com?

Sent from my SM-G928V using Tapatalk

[temp_fraGmNHI]

Originally Posted by Robbbyr

I sent you a PM, let me know. I do have a unit ready to go.

yes appears it will fit. does your available unit have the 3" setback? if so, will take it. please email me. cannot get to your "PM"
Gary

Sent from my SM-G928V using Tapatalk

[ronsimmmons41]

I would like to purchase the custom adapter for king bed lift. Please let me know if available. ron simmons...ron@ronsimmons.net...817.480.0369

[Crossingover]

Great ingenuity! But for us, the 'platform lift' is an exercise station for our workout routine. Exercise/fitness opportunities are a big challenge with the RV lifestyle.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[jlfall]

I'm very interested in your bed lift adapter, also. If you can make another one, please let me know the cost!
Thanks,
Jaimie

[FandMinMO]

We read your post with great interest. We have thought of many ways to try to install lifts for our bed. Your solution makes perfect sense. I don't have the means to fabricate the bracket. I could take measurements and try to find a local shop. But... are you interested in selling one to us? Fred and Marjatta Lapcheska in Yuma AZ.

[FandMinMO]

Thanks for your quick reply. We will send off the pics from under our bed and measurements in the next few days. It's a 2013 Seneca. We've waited 5 years so a few more days or weeks won't matter. Thanks Fred and Marjatta

[Pmcmath]

Originally Posted by Robbbyr

As many of us newer Seneca owners know (with the exception of the FS model) the rear bed is part of the slideout making the installation of traditional bed platform lift struts impossible. This is due to the bed base remaining "fixed in place" while the platform slides over top of it when the slideout moves. With the bedding in place it can be a two-person job to lift the bed to access items stored under the bed. This issue has bugged me since I bought my Seneca and I announced on this forum long ago I would try to come up with a solution. Now I have! Here is how it came about:

The DW and I decided we would rather have a traditional Queen bed (versus the factory RV King) thereby allowing me to install a shelf on her side, and also to gain more room for walking around the bed. So I rebuilt and shrank the bed base and mattress platform to allow for this. While working in the area I had an epiphany on how I could add lifts! I realized that the slideout had what I will call a "trolley" that is under the bed and moves with it. It is a very heavy steel structure that incorporates a gear track moved by the slideout motor.

Traditional bed lift kits attach to the fixed bed base and the platform, but our rigs don't have that. But I thought "what if I attach the struts to the trolley, which moves with the bed platform?". To do this I would need to fabricate an adapter that would allow for the attachment of the struts to the trolley. I came up with an adapter that bolts to the trolley without modifying the trolley whatsoever. Then the struts attach to the adapter and are affixed to the bed platform. The adapter uses an existing slot in the trolley to allow the two to be bolted together. This adapter is the key, and after finishing the job I can't believe Jayco hasn't thought of this before!

I designed and fabricated the bracket in an afternoon, it is from metal I had in my shop. I bought (at my local Camping World) a bed lift kit which included the upper and lower mounts and the lift cylinders themselves. I TIG welded the lower strut mounts (from the kit) to my adapter. The adapter includes welded-on mounting and locating tabs to hold it in place and allow it to bolt to the trolley. My adapter is seriously overbuilt, but I wanted to make sure it will never be the weak point in this modification.

I am pleased to report it works fabulously! Waiting on my new Queen mattress so I can install the bedding and make sure the cylinders hold it up properly. I think I will be fine, unloaded it takes quite a bit of force to push it down. Here are some pictures of the adapter and the finished installation:

That's nice....wife is constantly asking me to open and close lol