Functioning Futon!

Whew! Turned another big corner with installing the futon this weekend, Here are a few pictures. There are some odds and ends left to do on it, but as you can see it's ready to use.

 

The linkage works well, however the hope that sliding the seat section would be enough to lift the seat back didn't pan out. The seat is just too heavy to go up unassisted. I had thought of deploying a couple heavy duty springs, but for simplicity's sake I'm going to try connecting a lifting strap to the top edge of the seatback. Think ski tow rope, but much shorter and with two attachment points. This should allow me to pull seat back up while facing the futon.

Here is the futon with a new cover, a couple throw pillows, and a happy little camper! It is very comfortable, and the seat height is just perfect. And look at all that room underneath for storage. I'm betting I'll be able to stow an 'easy-up' canopy under there without issue. I also need to cut and install a couple 'tracks' in the gaps between the walls and the futon frame - to keep it sliding straight. There's about 3/4"of space on either side.

While you can't really see it with the futon in the up position, there is a good-sized gap between the back edge of the futon and the back of the camper. At some point I will add a small cabinet back there - a shelf with sliding doors and a ledge above it. I'm also thinking of wiring up a couple built=in speakers for a radio or maybe a tie-in to the TV. But for now I need to finish up a few more critical tasks, like Nate's bunk and installing the TV. I also need to put together the 'camp toilet' - that ought to be interesting!