Introduction
The perfect jack-knife sofa will offer you the most comfortable night’s sleep and daily rest by utilizing the minimum about of space in your beloved RV. However, our unique RVs are difficult to buy due to their bespoke nature.
Therefore, building your bed is likely the most practical solution. However, if your heart has sunk at the prospect, you should not worry. This guide will equip you with a basic understanding of how a jack-knife bed works and how to build the ideal one for you and your RV.
What is a Jack-Knife Sofa
A jack-knife sofa is a very classical style of sofa that has been used for some time. The Jack-knife’s popularity is due to its simplicity which allows them to be cheap, highly practical, and convenient.
Essentially, a jack-knife sofa is a functioning sofa that can be pulled out, extending the surface area. Typically the sofa cushions can then be rearranged to create a mattress.
It provides an excellent dual function to a traditional sofa utilizing cushioned materials. Its robust structure easily adapts to a comfortable sleeping area.
Why Use a Jack Knife Sofa in Your RV
RV enthusiasts and manufacturers have been capitalizing on the practicalities of jack-knife sofas for some time. As a result, they are ideally suited for RV camping and are likely to be a permanent feature in the industry.
RVs are built under the pretense that space is the most valuable resource. Ultimately the more of your permanent home features you can fit into your vehicle, the better and more useful your RV will be.
The sleeping area in an RV is arguably the most significant feature while being the least economical in terms of space.
Hence which, the jack-knife sofa is an ideal solution. It provides a convenient and compact seating area during the day and a full bed in the evening in essentially the same footprint.
How to Build A Jack Knife Sofa?
Due to the versatility of jack-knife sofas, there are an almost infinite number of ways to construct one yourself. However, some techniques are tried and tested, giving you the best chance for success.
Frame
The frame of the jack-knife bed can be as complex or simple as you like. You can construct a complete sofa-shaped design or a simple futon-style open unit. It is entirely up to your personal preference.
The most significant and only necessary feature is to create a solid base to support your body weight above the ground.
The most simple and cost-effective construction form is using a simple box design. Using the wall of the RV as a back support, you minimize the resources required for construction.
Often wine crates, manually constructed wooden boxes or boxes, plastic storage units laid flat, etc., are used to create a solid base. However, you can utilize almost any material as long as it can support your and your partner’s body weight.
Beyond taking your weight, the frame must also have the capacity to move to create a stable base the size of an average mattress. The surface is determined by the size of the mattress most appropriate for you and the size of the accompanying cushions.
The frame can move in any number of ways. It can be as simple as repositioning the wooden boxes into the correct space and shape or more complex with an integrated slat pull-out system.
Cushions/Mattress
Cushioning is what makes a sofa or a bed. Again, there are endless options for you, but the best method will be to manufacture your bespoke cushions or have them specially made.
Critically this is due to the precise dimension to create well-fitting sofa cushions which can be repositioned into an evenly surfaced mattress of the appropriate size and length.
You must be pretty savvy with measuring the perfectly lengthed back and bottom cushions, which can be placed together to make a traditionally sized mattress. Opting for a tile cushion design would be most appropriate to ensure a flat sleeping surface that fits together easily.
Remember to consider the long-term comfort level of the foam inserts too. A thick, dense filling will have a greater chance of remaining comfortable after considerable use.
Although you can purchase jack-knife beds, it is often recommended that you build your own. This is due to the unique spacing and design of most RVs.
Creating a bespoke bed will allow you to maximize the potential of the available space, making it perfect for your mobile home.
How to Make it As Comfortable as a Bed
Beyond creating the correct sofa and bed shape, the bed must be comfortable enough to use. You will likely have used cushion filling that is purposefully designed for sleeping. However, you can use valuable techniques to ensure the best night’s sleep possible.
Firstly, using a mattress topper can substantially improve your night’s sleep. For example, purchasing a memory foam topper is incredibly economical and reasonably easy to store within your RV.
You could even factor the storage into the frame’s design if you are crafty enough. It is an economical and practical solution that will also prolong the life of the sofa and the bed.
There can be some issues with the sofa cushions separating during your sleep. To best integrate each of the tiles, you should use a fitted bed sheet that will easily hold all the pieces together. This will guarantee a more peaceful rest for a tiny investment.
If you find that the space between the cushions is still uncomfortable, you can utilize a pool noodle to fill the spaces and create a tighter fit for the sheet. These lightweight and easily installed additions will be the easiest, lightest, and most simple fixes.
Conclusion
Building your jack-knife bed is not only a satisfying and cost-effective solution but will also likely be the best option for your mobile home. Creating a bespoke, perfectly designed piece of versatile furniture will quickly improve your RV experience.
Reviewing the guide above will give you the confidence to take on this project yourself, even if you are not a keen DIYer. The flexibility and versatility of options will allow you to make the perfect jack-knife sofa ideal for you and your RV.
