No thanks.
Sometimes manufacturers make design changes more to set themselves apart than to improve the product. This appears to be one such case. Functionally, this adds stress to the lift system by having most of the weight of the bunks hanging from the roof. Not a good idea. Additionally, the natural tendency of the bunks is to slide back in as they're being pulled by the cables; hence the latch to hold them out. It's far better to have them trying to push back out from the force of the poles underneath such that all you need is a hard stop to limit their travel; no latches or anything required.
When you have a great system like poles that works, why try to fix something that's not broken?
I'll pass.....
[quote author=camphappy link=topic=2157.msg19385#msg19385 date=1357163520]
I'm not sure about the roof supporting the 1000lbs that end bunk is rated to hold? I'm also not use to the cross cables in the windows.
Another concern I have is the effect of one bed on the other (rolling around or kids jumping! :chief:). Normal beds have enough movement without having cables connect them like a suspension bridge! :sotired:
[quote author=camp dad link=topic=2157.msg19412#msg19412 date=1357187227]
:thumbdown: on the cables! What advantage does/will this play as opposed to the support poles underneath? As the saying goes "If it ain't broke don't fix it".
The advantage is that it's easier to set up the bunks: simply pull out and lock into place, versus pull out, bend under, lift the bunk, and fit the poles into place.
My new Viking Epic 2107 has the cables, and my back appreciates them! However, the extra stress on the lift system is a concern.
[move][font=comic sans ms][size=14pt]Caution! There is A LOT of information in this thread! Read it carefully, as it will self destruct five seconds after you finish reading it![/size][/font][/move]
We have a 2012 Coachmen Clipper that we chose especially for this feature because of my back.
[img width=640 height=480]http://i1065.photobucket.com/albums/u384/BaronDugger/Our%20new%20Clipper%20Sport%20126/Coachmen%20Clipper%20126%20open%20for%20the%20first%20time/20121103_123323.jpg[/img]
Raise the roof...
[img width=640 height=480]http://i1065.photobucket.com/albums/u384/BaronDugger/Our%20new%20Clipper%20Sport%20126/Coachmen%20Clipper%20126%20open%20for%20the%20first%20time/20121103_114223.jpg[/img]
Grab the strap and pull...
[img width=640 height=480]http://i1065.photobucket.com/albums/u384/BaronDugger/Our%20new%20Clipper%20Sport%20126/Coachmen%20Clipper%20126%20open%20for%20the%20first%20time/20121103_114647.jpg[/img]
Then just lift a little and "click"...
[img width=640 height=480]http://i1065.photobucket.com/albums/u384/BaronDugger/Our%20new%20Clipper%20Sport%20126/Coachmen%20Clipper%20126%20open%20for%20the%20first%20time/20121103_114653.jpg[/img]
The beds work very well for everything 😉 but;
1. the distance between the cable mounts on the bunk is AT MOST 75", so I have to sleep with my head in the space between the edge of the bed and the cable. (I smell a mod here somewhere!)
[img width=640 height=480]http://i1065.photobucket.com/albums/u384/BaronDugger/Our%20new%20Clipper%20Sport%20126/Coachmen%20Clipper%20126%20open%20for%20the%20first%20time/cablebedmounts002.jpg[/img]
[img width=480 height=640]http://i1065.photobucket.com/albums/u384/BaronDugger/Our%20new%20Clipper%20Sport%20126/Coachmen%20Clipper%20126%20open%20for%20the%20first%20time/20121103_122257.jpg[/img]
2. the "king-size" mattresses are only 70" x 73"! >:(
[img width=640 height=480]http://i1065.photobucket.com/albums/u384/BaronDugger/Our%20new%20Clipper%20Sport%20126/Coachmen%20Clipper%20126%20open%20for%20the%20first%20time/20121103_122047.jpg[/img]
[img width=640 height=480]http://i1065.photobucket.com/albums/u384/BaronDugger/New%20Year%202012/122812trip010_zpsdeb00356.jpg[/img]
[img width=480 height=640]http://i1065.photobucket.com/albums/u384/BaronDugger/New%20Year%202012/122812trip009_zpsc5a58863.jpg[/img]
3. They are VERY difficult to unlatch to put back in. I'm 6'2" and 220 lbs. and as strong as an ox. It takes everything I've got sometimes to get the latches to release. One person on another forum got bigger knobs. I'm thinking a strap...
[img width=640 height=480]http://i1065.photobucket.com/albums/u384/BaronDugger/Our%20new%20Clipper%20Sport%20126/Coachmen%20Clipper%20126%20open%20for%20the%20first%20time/cablebedmounts004.jpg[/img]
Advice: If you're my size or taller, lay down in the trailer first. I couldn't. I had to believe the brochure when it said the sleeping "area" was 70" x 80". Also try opening and closing the beds yourself.
Other than the above, they work very well.
I have five bad disks and am continuously shrinking, so in another year or so I'll fit just fine! ;D
Great photos! I like the idea of sliding the bunks out and not needing to climb on the bunk to reach the canvas since it's attached to the bed end. (not on my camper) Also not climbing under the bed for bars. If you can make the bed size work, it's definitely an option in the industry.
It sounds like there is a lot of pressure on the knobs and a better way to grab them like the straps you mentioned sound like they should help. It would be nice if there was a way to release some of the tension?
as a former owner of two popups for 17 years and now a hybrid owner for 6 years, i know both the pole system and cable system very well.
remember, early hybrids had the pole system also for a number of years.
but hybrids with cables, have been around for at least 7-8 years and cable failure is extremely rare. in fact, i've been on hybrid forums for over 7 years and have only read about one such of an incident.
remember, the system is similar to that on truck tailgates.
when's the last time you heard of a cable support failure on a tailgate?
now, as far as cable supports on a popup, i'm not sure i'd want one. hybrids have way more structualy support for such a system and i'm not sure a popup has the same kind of ability.
I VERY CAREFULLY examined the construction of the bed system because I'm so petite (lol). It's not going anywhere. I believe it's an LCI product, so I'm not concerned about quality control. 🙂
It seems the majority of our trailer was made by LCI, and Viking just put the parts together. 😮
The cables dramatically reduce the size of the sleeping area. I don't recommend them unless you are less than 6' tall. 🙁
[quote author=rabird link=topic=2157.msg19492#msg19492 date=1357324917]
They doubled up on the lift arms/springs, and have X cable bracing in the body of the PU, is that not enough?
i think i need to examine one up close to understand exactly where and how the support system is designed.
telling me doesn't work as well as seeing it for myself.
[quote author=TKnecht link=topic=2157.msg19416#msg19416 date=1357217896]
My new Viking Epic 2107 has the cables, and my back appreciates them! However, the extra stress on the lift system is a concern.
TK, since you had yours awhile...what, or how bad, is the transfer of movement from one bed through the cabling to the other side? :-
[quote author=bikendan link=topic=2157.msg1#msg1 date=1357344938]
i think i need to examine one up close to understand exactly where and how the support system is designed.
telling me doesn't work as well as seeing it for myself.
It's good, but the cables and the rails for the slide REALLY cut into trailer/bed space. 🙁
I'm BIG, and an engineer by edumacation. 😉
It's a solid system. Lippert (LCI) makes good stuff. Most everything on our trailer is from them!
BB,
Considering that your bunk is relatively square as it is, would it give you any opportunity for a mod to sleep parallel to the axis of the trailer? We do and it's fine for us (we sleep with our heads toward the window and our feet toward the kitchen.
If you needed to, you could build a 10 or 12" extension that sticks out into the living area and lies under the mattress so that your own body weight holds it down, then cover it with some memory foam so it's padded and matches the height of the existing mattress. I'm having a hard time verbalizing the idea, but I could build it in no time.
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