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Topic: Building Murphy Bed. Where are Structural Members on Side Wall? (Read 987 times) previous topic - next topic

Building Murphy Bed. Where are Structural Members on Side Wall?

A few questions:

1. Where are the structural members in my 1997 U270 right side wall behind the copilot seat?
2. Would a stud finder be able to find the steel or wood studs?
3. If the studs are metal, are they steel or aluminum and how thick?

I need to build a single murphy bed behind the copilot seat with the following features:

- Single adult up to 300 pounds.
- Pivots into wall. Only takes 10 inches of floor space.
- Retains mattress and bedding. No need to make bed every night.

See the photos for a sample of the right side wall and current mini-desk configuration. The mini-desk will be removed.

The murphy bed will be supported by the floor, but the wall may have up to 20 lb of pull force applied to it.
1997 U270 34FT Build 5140 Cummins 8.3 Allison 3060R
Solar 1920Watts, 14KWH lithium. Orion BMS.

Re: Building Murphy Bed. Where are Structural Members on Side Wall?

Reply #1 –
Tim,
I can only help you with location of structure. If you go out on a day when there is a heavy dew, you will be able to see exactly where that structure is.

You may want to think about a thinner plywood on a steel structure. You could then hang a folding table from it, so that area would not be just a blank wall while the bed is in the up position.

Neat project, keep us posted on what you come up with.

Len
Len and Deb Speiser
1999 U270 36'
2017 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited
You're either on the bus, or you're off the bus!--Ken Kesey
If you're lucky enough to live in a bus, you're lucky enough!

Re: Building Murphy Bed. Where are Structural Members on Side Wall?

Reply #2 –
Tim, sidewall structure is steel tubing, about 1.5" square. Best way to find structure is with a strong magnet.

I have magnent hooks.  1" base. 26 lbs each.  That I use, work well.

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

Re: Building Murphy Bed. Where are Structural Members on Side Wall?

Reply #3 –
Quote from: Tim –
1. Where are the structural members in my 1997 U270 right side wall behind the copilot seat?
2. Would a stud finder be able to find the steel or wood studs?
3. If the studs are metal, are they steel or aluminum and how thick?
1.  I don't know.
2.  Yes.  The studs are steel.  You can probably detect them through the inside OR the outside walls.
3.  Steel.  Other members will pipe up with the exact size and wall thickness.

I use a cheap magnetic stud finder (see photo).  Works great on our coach.
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Building Murphy Bed. Where are Structural Members on Side Wall?

Reply #4 –
We also use an electronic stud finder to find roof supports that would probably also work for side wall.

Re: Building Murphy Bed. Where are Structural Members on Side Wall?

Reply #5 –
Your floor hinge will have to deal with a covered cable run on the floor, that sticks out about 5 inches from the wall.  If you have carpet, pull up the carpet to locate it.
Also since you are not putting any weight bearing on the wall, you will find that there is probably enough wall thickness to hold bed closed without requiring to be in a metal stud.

Re: Building Murphy Bed. Where are Structural Members on Side Wall?

Reply #6 –
Quote from: Barry & Cindy –
Also since you are not putting any weight bearing on the wall, you will find that there is probably enough wall thickness to hold bed closed without requiring to be in a metal stud.
Studs are your friends.

Roland
1993 U280 4341
2010 Jeep Liberty
The Pied Pipers

Re: Building Murphy Bed. Where are Structural Members on Side Wall?

Reply #7 –
Here are some photos of the finished bed. It is "Cot sized", or about 30 by 78 inches. The features are:

- Removed the desk. May be able to attach another desk to the 3/4 inch red oak plywood bed in the future.
- No side structural members required.
- Two Brass pins hold the bed upright.
- Floor takes the weight.
- Moved 115VAC wire from desk to the magazine rack beside the copilot.
- Only uses 9 inches of side space.
- Holds bedding in place. No re-making bed every night.
- Can be expanded to be a coffin when I die.
1997 U270 34FT Build 5140 Cummins 8.3 Allison 3060R
Solar 1920Watts, 14KWH lithium. Orion BMS.