RV Bed with underbed storage

Most RV’s have a master RV Bed. Sometimes it is a KING and sometimes it is a QUEEN. If its a very small camper maybe not but for the vast majority of RV’s this is true.

RV beds do not have box springs or a frame that is conventional. What the beds have is a frame that is designed to be “under bed” storage. On top of that frame there is a plywood sheet that your mattress sits on top. That plywood sheet is mounted on hinges. This way you can lift up the bed and mattress to get to the things you have in storage underneath the bed.

Sheri and I replaced our mattress with a pillow top mattress as soon as we could. We then sold the mattress that came with the RV on craigslist. We did pretty well on selling it since we could list it as brand new never been used.

Then we found out that the new mattress weighed enough that it was too much for the special gas lifts that help lift and support the bed so you have access to the under-bed storage.

It turns out, or at least I THINK it turns out that the extra weight from the bed wore out the gas lifts.

What we learned is that you can get replacement gas lifts pretty easily from an auto parts store. You actually buy them based on the weight needed to “overcome” to depress the gas lift and how LONG the gas lift has to be.

Once you see those representative gas lifts, you’ll be able to start to figure out which replacement you need. For heaven’s sake don’t call an RV repair person for this task – way too easy.

Important Notes on RV Storage

• Storage=stuff.
• Stuff=weight.
• Weight=Overweight+Illegal+Dangerous.
• So when it comes to storage BE CAREFUL. BE THOUGHTFUL.
• Try not to put HEAVY things into storage. If you own a heavy IBM selectric typewriter – please do not put it in your RV anywhere!
• Do you own gold? Put it in a safe deposit box or somewhere better than a weight sensitive RV. Think about how many Spanish Galleons went to the bottom of the sea! That was probably because they had too much heavy gold in their cargo holds.
• AVOID books and other heavy, easily digitizable media. This can get out of hand very fast.
• DO use your storage to de-clutter your RV. Put things like stationery, envelopes, greeting cards, and some other small bric-a-brac of life in the storage.
• DO use your storage to hold some of your needed (in my opinion) electronics equipment like your Internet modem, or your wireless router. You might have a small basket for holding AA, AAA, and 9V batteries and miscellaneous cables.
• DO use your storage for some fun things that you might bring out on special occasions, like a candle or two, or perhaps a small table standing decoration. Don’t go overboard on this – but a little can go a long way.