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Topic: Joey Bed Removal (Read 1004 times) previous topic - next topic

Joey Bed Removal

I am trying to decide if I want to remove at least one of the joey's. As a newbie, these things seem very heavy, reduce storage space significantly, and are always in the way when I need to work on systems located in the bay i.e. The beds/frame would need to come out to get to the house batteries. In a 36 footer you really only have the one full bay therefore any reduction in storage space is significant.
I know they help with getting to stuff but is that enough of a positive to overshadow these issues?
Opinions?
Rick & Deborah Webster
2002 3610 U320 #5964
2014 Jeep Wrangler Sahara JKU- 'Copperhead'
Richland Chambers Lake, East Texas

Re: Joey Bed Removal

Reply #1 –
I removed mine (I have 2 that meet in the middle) when I used my coach to do a lot of moving things from Oregon to Arizona in 2009.  It gave me a tremendous increase in capacity.  I did put them back in, but only because the extra space was no longer needed and the Joey beds were actually in the way in the garage! 

You are right.  VERY heavy and they do take a lot of storage away.
The selected media item is not currently available.Brad & Christine Slaughter
Was:  1990 U280 36'
Was:  2002 U270 36' (With a bathroom door) Build #5981
Is:  2021 Leisure Travel Van Wonder 24RL
2015 Jeep JKU, 2003 S10 QC 4x4 or 2017 C-Max
Lake Havasu City, AZ (or Gillette, WY)

Re: Joey Bed Removal

Reply #2 –
Our 40' coach has a full-length joey bed in the big bay and none in the small bay. In recent weeks I've changed the battery chargers (big bay) and inverter (small bay). When I changed the chargers I simply ran the joey bed out far enough to give me room to work. Wasn't in the way at all. We're starting to load the coach with the stuff that will go with us on the road, and it sure is nice to be able to pull that joey bed out, rearrange the containers, and slide it back in. The small bay, without a joey bed, requires me to put stuff in and then move it around for best fit. The heaviest stuff and the stuff that we will want most often will go in the joey bed. The small bay will be for the things that we will need only once in a great while.

Re: Joey Bed Removal

Reply #3 –
We have 2 Joey beds in that bay and I have often thought about taking them out for the above reasons.  I haven't removed them though as I kinda like the sides of the tray because they hold stuff in place.
Scott & Carol Seibert
2001 42' double slide U320 - Sold
Previous - 2002 36' U320

Re: Joey Bed Removal

Reply #4 –
We have two Joey's in the big bay.  I would never consider removing them, mainly because of the weight they can effortlessly handle.  One side carries the basement refrigerator/freezer, my tool box, and other maintenance items.  The other side carries my guns and ammo, plus hoses, electrical cables, etc.  The front bag without Joey's is full of plastic boxes of stuff.  We are forever removing and replacing boxes to reach stuff, but at least they aren't too heavy.
Regards,
Brett

'99 42' Foretravel Xtreme
'14 Brown Motorsports Stacker
'05 Chevy SSR
'02 BMW R1150R

Re: Joey Bed Removal

Reply #5 –
Anyone that wants to get rid of a 30x72 - I will pick it up for FREE  :P
  Yes I will pay for a used one 500 miles away from St Louis.
The selected media item is not currently available.
My advice and experiences are Free, you decide if they are worth anything .

John - driving Old Faithful
1994 U280 GV
C8.3, Banks, Pacbrake, 900 watts, Resonator, XLHD tow dolly
Retired Army Warrant Officer

Life is what you make of it - if it is lemons, make lemonade!
Former Coaches:
1988 GV 40' ORED 300HP CAT - 9 years
1990 Winnebago LeSharo - 3 years
2000 Newmar London Aire - 3 years (#18 of 23 produced)

Re: Joey Bed Removal

Reply #6 –
We would be hard pressed to take the single basement joey bed.  Ours slides out towards the curb side and gives us easy access to maybe 2/3 of the stuff.  Everything at the far end is usually pretty easy to get at from the other side with the bed closed.  With it open, i can crawl into the basement to service the Aquahot, the 12 v compressor and other parts at that end.  Mind you it is tight squeeze for a tall person, joey bed or not.  We have most everything in the basement in tubs to keep it organized and easier to get at.  Works well for us. 

You could always take it out and try it without it and put it back in if it doesn't work out.

Roger
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Joey Bed Removal

Reply #7 –
On my 3610 we have two joey's that meet in the middle of the bay. Aux. compressor, bay exhaust fan, all of the HWH control boxes, awning controls, house batteries, inverter, big electrical panel, slide hydraulics, etc. are in that bay and are a pain to get to. The cover to the house batteries had to be cut off to install the frames making their access extremely hard. I was thinking of removing the passenger side joey just for easier access to those systems. As Roger said, I may do a trial removal.
Rick & Deborah Webster
2002 3610 U320 #5964
2014 Jeep Wrangler Sahara JKU- 'Copperhead'
Richland Chambers Lake, East Texas

Re: Joey Bed Removal

Reply #8 –
It sounds to me like those of us who have a full-length joey bed like it, while those with two half-length joey beds are less impressed with them. Part of that may have something to do with the items that are mounted on the walls of the compartment.

Re: Joey Bed Removal

Reply #9 –
Quote from: kb0zke –
It sounds to me like those of us who have a full-length joey bed like it, while those with two half-length joey beds are less impressed with them. Part of that may have something to do with the items that are mounted on the walls of the compartment.
All the slide stuff we have causes most of my pain...(pump on one side, synchronizing cylinder, electronic boxes, etc...and the inverter hanging on the wall).  We have to be careful how high we pile the Joey bed so it doesn't hit anything.  They would have been fine in my 1990 which was a lot more space-efficient in the bay where the compressor and inverter were safely tucked under/behind the step instead of the main bay.
The selected media item is not currently available.Brad & Christine Slaughter
Was:  1990 U280 36'
Was:  2002 U270 36' (With a bathroom door) Build #5981
Is:  2021 Leisure Travel Van Wonder 24RL
2015 Jeep JKU, 2003 S10 QC 4x4 or 2017 C-Max
Lake Havasu City, AZ (or Gillette, WY)

Re: Joey Bed Removal

Reply #10 –
Those with the two 1/2 bay Joey Beds may not realize that the single big slide can completely get out of the way when fully open, allowing access as if there was no Joey Bed.

We store lots of flat stuff under the Joey Bed and lots of bigger stuff, even 6 thick wooden tire boards on both sides.

Can't do without it. One of the problems is that Joey Bed is no longer manufactured and parts are not available. It went the way of our beloved Kool-o-Matic ceiling fan.

Joey Bed can hold a lot of weight, but if real heavy stuff is on the slide out end, when the bed is way out the first bearing takes a beating from being leveraged.

Re: Joey Bed Removal

Reply #11 –
We have the 2 sliding beds ... and when we had our house batteries tested before buying the coach, the guys at MOT had to remove one slide to access the batteries.  They cut the access panel into sections, to make removal and access to the batteries easier, and then the sliding tray went back in.  When we replaced the batteries a year or so later, the sliding bed came in very handy!  We slid the skinny guy at the battery place into the bay, he muscled the old batteries onto the bed and we slid him out again.  Same procedure with the new batteries.  I like the sliders and it saves my back.  It is too easy to just start shoving stuff into a big, empty bay and eventually it all has to come out and be reorganized and sorted. 
Carol & Jeff Savournin
Usta have a '93 U225 36', Usta have a '95 U320 40', Usta have a '02 U320 40'
Usta have a 2006 Born Free, Usta have a 2011 Phoenix Cruiser
Usta have a 2012 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 4dr
"Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life."  Steve Jobs