Honey I Broke the Bed

TheTonyD
TheTonyD Forum Participant Posts: 5
edited March 2018 in Caravans #1

Hi everyone. This is a cry for help. We have an Elddis Avante 462 which has the standard pull out slats to allow the lounge benches to be converted into a double bed. I was getting into bed by kneeling on the first slat (the big one) when I heard a loud crack. I'm no lightweight and I proved it by splitting the slat by focusing all my weight on an area the size of my kneecap.

Here's the cry for help part. Is there a way to rebuild the slat and make it stronger? We are relatively new to caravanning but I can't imagine I am the first and only person who has had this experience.  And it's your experience to which I am appealing! All advice gratefully received.

Comments

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,149 ✭✭✭
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    edited March 2018 #2

    You can make your own if you have a few carpentry skills, or know a man who has.

    It's what most of us do.

    Tip - don’t kneel.wink

  • Takethedogalong
    Takethedogalong Forum Participant Posts: 17,064 ✭✭✭
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    edited March 2018 #3

    It's a common problem. Vans are thrown together using less than robust fittings. Easy enough to make something similar yourself.

    We have an old van, we did away with the stupid slats years ago, we now have three panels that fit into the same space but are much more robust. Might not be an option for you, depends on extra weight over slats option, and of course if you have room to store them. Had no problems since we did this with ours, but no warranty or resale value to consider. Hope you get sorted, just don't get ripped off at a dealers!

  • AJB
    AJB Forum Participant Posts: 120
    edited March 2018 #4

    There are usually a couple of slats that remain 'hidden' when the rest are pulled out..... exchange the broken one for one of those.  Then you can sort out a replacement one, or repair the broken one, in slow time..

  • KjellNN
    KjellNN Club Member Posts: 8,671 ✭✭✭
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    edited March 2018 #5

    Swapping is not an option as the leading slat is different from the rest.

    You will need to make a new piece, easy enough to get some timber and attach any special facing bits of the old one to keep the correct look.

    Easy if you are handy of  course!    If not, do you know someone who is?

  • ForestR
    ForestR Forum Participant Posts: 326
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    edited March 2018 #6

    If you measure the length, width and thickness of the individual slats you can buy them on eBay either individually or as a pack (cheaper). Just search for bed slats and lot will come up.

  • Oneputt
    Oneputt Club Member Posts: 9,145 ✭✭✭
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    edited March 2018 #7

    I replaced a couple of mine with hard wood

  • lornalou1
    lornalou1 Forum Participant Posts: 2,169
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    edited March 2018 #8

    can it be repaired and strengthened with a piece of aluminium angle as strong but light.

  • KjellNN
    KjellNN Club Member Posts: 8,671 ✭✭✭
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    edited March 2018 #9

    I am actually struggling to see where the damage is.  Is that the underside we are looking at, and are the 2 odd bits of wood a temporary repair?

  • KjellNN
    KjellNN Club Member Posts: 8,671 ✭✭✭
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    edited March 2018 #10

    If it is a split straight across, the first thing you could try is to open up the crack, apply a good wood glue and clamp it together till set.

  • TheTonyD
    TheTonyD Forum Participant Posts: 5
    edited March 2018 #11

    Dear all,

    Thanks so much for all the good advice. Just to be clear, the photo shows the unbroken first slat from another Elddis. The clear majority is for a DIY solution. I'm up for that - and thanks again everyone. 

  • TheTonyD
    TheTonyD Forum Participant Posts: 5
    edited March 2018 #12

    And the 'aluminium angle' for strength is genius! That's definitely happening.

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