2005 Jay Feather 23-B bunk ends

[ejprien]

  I am in the process of purchasing a 2005 Jay Feather 23-B. I have owned a 2000 Coleman Bayside Elite for the past 6 years and now due to severe back problems just cannot do the set-up and tear down any more. I made quite a few mods on my coleman to make things easier on me including a new latex foam mattress which matches the firmness of my home bed minus the springs as it could only be 5 inches thick (even at that we had a hard time getting the lid to close). Enough with that... My questions are--- #1--- I will be putting my custom made mattress into my new Jayco which I believe I will have to bring back to the shop where I had it made and have it cut down and have it made to fold as the hybrid mattresses do. This mattress is quite a bit heavier than any normal pop up mattress which leads me to my next question....2--- Has anyone ever installed Hatchback type struts on the fold out bunk ends on this style of camper??? I am worried that once we install the new mattress it will be too heavy to lift back into place for myself with the back problems or my wife who is quite tiny. I do not pick the camper up until monday so I have not yet had a chance to look it over for an install like this so I guess I am just looking for some opinions on the subject or info from someone who might of had this done... THANKS FOR THE HELP

[Chuck S]

Lifting the bed doors is much harder than pulling out the beds in your Bayside and putting cumbersome, heavy mattresses on them will make it even harder.  I've no idea why you're fitting the mattresses.  Have you tried the existing mattresses?

No one has noted fitting gas struts to a hybrid that I've noticed and I've been reading these forums for several years.  The rear hatch struts on my Expedition keep the door up and make closing harder not easier.

-- Chuck

[bdhoun]

We have a 2007 Jayco 232, and I never leave the mattress on the door when putting it up.  The mattress is not fastened to the bunk door.

[ejprien]

  Thanks for the replies, I think I should elaborate a little.... We loved our bayside but with my medical condition, what once took me about an hour to prepare and load for a trip now takes me several days ( a little at a time) and expecially leaving the campgrounds... I just couldn't do it in a timely manner any more. Having our new (used) hybrid I will be able to keep things loaded and organized and prepare over time without having to pop it up and down all the time. I have not yet tried the beds but will on tuesday this week. If they work I will just purchase a topper to put on ours and sell my custom but if not, I think (correct me if I am wrong) I should be able to slide the mattress off and then close up the ends. The mattress folds relatively easy and I will have the shop that made it maybe make it into 2 or 3 sections for easier folding. Also,,, getting the proper support struts do aid in the lifting ( I am a millwright and have a very large custom toolbox with a 1-1/2 inch thick working area on top. I had a heck of a time opening and closing it after I built it because of the weight of the lid but after installing 2 heavy duty struts I can now do it with one hand). I guess I was just wondering if there is anywhere no place them??? I am very excited and just can't seem to wait to pick it up on Monday... Again, thanks for your help and comments, they are all very much appreciated and I will take all advice into consideration.

[bc-jewel]

We have a 2005 Jayco Jay Feather 19H and we have a 4" foam matress that goes on top of the factory one.  We fold into thirds and fasten it with two large bungee cords and it sits on the couch when we travel and when we make camp it gets tossed on top of the factory one and then the bed gets made up.  Our bunks are on cables and are very light and easy to put up and down.  My 14 year old daughter can do it and she is not strong.  Your trailer should be the same mechanism and you might be surprised how easy they are do work.
Enjoy your new rig.

Julie

[Lifted4x4Astro]

Our Jayco 232 has 2 cables that suspend the bunks. What about rigging something up so your wife can pull on the cables as you lift the bunkend? We also have to remove the mattress before folding up.