T6 upgrade of upper bed from wooden slats to OEM 6.1 Froli bed system

[westfalia]

10 plastic VW fixings down the side of the headliner and various Velcro straps to the middle of the liner which attach to the wooden Slats.
the headliner weighs nothing and will bend somewhat to allow removal from the vehicle. (Using the available space between the under side of the bed and the floor to angle the headliner and remove through the tailgate.

Not beyond the whit of man (some anyway )

im pretty confident that had I had the new bed frame supplied, I could have done this Retro fit with no issue at all.
A methodical approach, Basic tools, clean hands and a bit of care is all that would be required as in most Diy jobs.

As your probably aware, the headliner fixing heads are renowned for snapping on their own,
on mine 4 of the 5 on each side had been replaced by me with two part VW panel clips, I simply popped these out before it went in to the dealer, leaving only two fixings holding the headliner in place:
VW fixing ; Grey two part popper: the middle expander part (use a flat blade screw driver to lift the edge slightly then a clean V pronged trim tool to remove the expander and repeat for the retaining part)

the remaining Original fixings simply had to be snapped off the fixing shaft to release the headliner, new fittings were used to refit. (The original bed base still has the serrated shaft showing where the head was removed by the dealer)

My headliner is all tight and in good order,
apart from a couple of exploding curry spots over
the cooker, but they're tiny.

It sounds to me that you've had an issue with your headliner or
something and you've dragged VW through the courts to have it replaced
and then paid a bit extra to have the new bed fitted.

Of course, I don't dislike what you've had done.Its a good
upgrade.

 

[Perfectos]

My headliner is all tight and in good order,
apart from a couple of exploding curry spots over
the cooker, but they're tiny.

It sounds to me that you've had an issue with your headliner or
something and you've dragged VW through the courts to have it replaced
and then paid a bit extra to have the new bed fitted.

Of course, I don't dislike what you've had done.Its a good
upgrade.

You can keep Keep Fishing all you like,
no court case & the headliner in my van now is the exact same headliner that was in there when the original slatted bed was in it. (no curry stains though) & in very good order

im glad you like it Westfalia

sometimes in life there are things that just need to be done because you can !

 

[Timø]

I guess we’re all different amd that’s three hours of my life I wouldn’t get back! . We love our wooden slotted bed and can’t imagine it being any better. To be honest I prefer it to the very expensive mattress at home.

 

[Perfectos]

Right to the update as promised

where to begin ?
just back from 10 days away testing the upper bed, in a like for like test.

previous complaints, uncomfortable, roll together (involuntary movement caused by other sleeper movement’s ) could not “sleep in“ without back pain, grumpiness from lack of sleep, general malaise, regular argument with other sleeper!

Notes: main complainant; Side sleeper, complained of bad back / neck, after 1- 2 days (Max) camping (every time), grumpy, bad tempered and tired resulting in bad moods & regular arguments with all others.

so after a full 10 days trail, I ask the main complaints department for an honest updated:

No complaints about bad back, roll together, other sleeper moving etc. Highly Reduced arguments (negligible) and NO general grumpiness from main complaints department

benefits: regular 11am sleep in (later if allowed) was achieved and a general improvement in mood.

comments by previous complainant:

“much more comfy, even to sit on “
“no bad back / neck“
“no disturbance by other sleeper”
“much better”
“A lot better”

comments from the previous “non” complaints department:
“I couldn’t tell the difference“ “ I didn’t have a problem with the old bed”

comments by moderator and referee (me) : previous non complainant Slept like a log, had to be woken up (as at home) generally a lot less arguments, happy parents.

result : happy campers, happy driver, happy days, less arguments, more sleep for the previous complaints department.
In general a five thumbs up review and worth considering if your upper bed is not comfortable, which may be subjective, but highly important as it can make or break the overall experience, particularly if you are the complainant!

in summary: a success

 

[Perfectos]

Further update may be of interest: Summary;

Normally we are a family of four, two adults and two teens.

recent trip:
6 Persons : two adults + 4 teens
4 teens sleeping in the Cali.
2 adults in a Drive away awning.

Method:
The previous main complainant of the wooden slatted bed, slept upstairs on the first night (on the new bed T6.1 system) and down stairs on the second (Three seater Beach with VW comfort mattress).

on each occasion there were two people in each bed, each night, so it was a like for like scenario. (Same people in pairs moving from lower to upper and visa versa)

Result:
I asked for comment by previous complainant after 2nd night: I.e sleeping on both beds upper / lower bed concurrently for one night Each.

“Upstairs bed is more comfortable than the down stair bed”
”I prefer the new up stair bed as it’s more comfy and I sleep better” (see previous post)
prompted by me : More comfy than the down stair bed ?
”Yes”
Prompted: More comfy than the old upstairs bed ?
”Yes”

Conclusion:
previous ongoing issue (3 years) with the previous discomfort and bad back / neck caused by the upper bed (main complainant). Has be rectified fully and it has been noted subjectively by the previous complainant, that the Down stairs bed is now not as comfortable as the new upper bed !

Notes (for completeness)
This experiment has not been extensive, two trips totalling twelve nights 10 c+2 and is subjective, primarily to the previous complainant.

The other family member, who regularly slept upstair along side the main complainant (& who did not previously have an issue with the wooden slatted upper bed) , noted, in their opinion , that the lower was more comfortable than the upper bed.
Whilst it should also be noted that the other family member, whom had no issue with the upper bed previously noted “I honestly do not feel any difference between the old upper bed and new, If you hadn’t told me you changed it wouldn’t have known you changed it”

I personally am yet to try the upper bed other than a cursory lie down, but I am very happy that the previous ongoing issues reported by the main complainant, with the wooden slatted upper bed, seem to have been resolved fully and we are happier campers.

I will post further updates when I am able to try out the upper bed fully.

I hope this thread has been useful and is viewed for what it is:
My attempt to resolve an issue that one family member had with the upper (preventing enjoyment of the van) Caused by sleeping in the upper bed, which had a direct effect on the whole families enjoyment and camping experience.

If nothing else I hope this thread has given an answer to the many questions from others regarding the possibilities of the upgrade from T5/6 bed system to the latest T6.1 system.

 

[Borris]

Further update may be of interest: Summary;

Normally we are a family of four, two adults and two teens.

recent trip:
6 Persons : two adults + 4 teens
4 teens sleeping in the Cali.
2 adults in a Drive away awning.

Method:
The previous main complainant of the wooden slatted bed, slept upstairs on the first night (on the new bed T6.1 system) and down stairs on the second (Three seater Beach with VW comfort mattress).

on each occasion there were two people in each bed, each night, so it was a like for like scenario. (Same people in pairs moving from lower to upper and visa versa)

Result:
I asked for comment by previous complainant after 2nd night: I.e sleeping on both beds upper / lower bed concurrently for one night Each.

“Upstairs bed is more comfortable than the down stair bed”
”I prefer the new up stair bed as it’s more comfy and I sleep better” (see previous post)
prompted by me : More comfy than the down stair bed ?
”Yes”
Prompted: More comfy than the old upstairs bed ?
”Yes”

Conclusion:
previous ongoing issue (3 years) with the previous discomfort and bad back / neck caused by the upper bed (main complainant). Has be rectified fully and it has been noted subjectively by the previous complainant, that the Down stairs bed is now not as comfortable as the new upper bed !

Notes (for completeness)
This experiment has not been extensive, two trips totalling twelve nights 10 c+2 and is subjective, primarily to the previous complainant.

The other family member, who regularly slept upstair along side the main complainant (& who did not previously have an issue with the wooden slatted upper bed) , noted, in their opinion , that the lower was more comfortable than the upper bed.
Whilst it should also be noted that the other family member, whom had no issue with the upper bed previously noted “I honestly do not feel any difference between the old upper bed and new, If you hadn’t told me you changed it wouldn’t have known you changed it”

I personally am yet to try the upper bed other than a cursory lie down, but I am very happy that the previous ongoing issues reported by the main complainant, with the wooden slatted upper bed, seem to have been resolved fully and we are happier campers.

I will post further updates when I am able to try out the upper bed fully.

I hope this thread has been useful and is viewed for what it is:
My attempt to resolve an issue that one family member had with the upper (preventing enjoyment of the van) Caused by sleeping in the upper bed, which had a direct effect on the whole families enjoyment and camping experience.

If nothing else I hope this thread has given an answer to the many questions from others regarding the possibilities of the upgrade from T5/6 bed system to the latest T6.1 system.

How did you manage to elicit so many words of comment from four teenagers?

 

[capt kirk]

How did you manage to elicit so many words of comment from four teenagers?

My thoughts exactly

 

[capt kirk]

I fitted the squargo system a while back and in my opinion it is more comfortable than the slats. I am a heavy guy and sleep on my side. I used to get hip and neck issues after sleeping on the slats but this significantly reduced after the change. We drifted around europe for weeks and i just couldnt get a good nights sleep until i bought a cheap airbed from a camping store. I never looked back and now leave it upstairs deflated on top of the squargo springs and just blow it up when i need it. I think comfort is all down to each individual user and what works for some wont work for others but good luck finding whatever works for u and thanks perfectos for sharing your experience.

 

[Perfectos]

Update

i have requested the dealer (Citygate Woburn green) advise the cost of this upgrade.
I will, update this post if / when I get an answer, particularly as they advised they would carry out this upgrade for others

 

[s2bear]

found this retrofit €559 https://www.froli.com/shop/schlafen-unterwegs/matratzen/182/froli-schlafset-vw-california-t5/6.0


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[OGII]

found this retrofit €559 https://www.froli.com/shop/schlafen-unterwegs/matratzen/182/froli-schlafset-vw-california-t5/6.0


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Interesting that this solution leaves the existing slats in place.

 

[s2bear]

Interesting that this solution leaves the existing slats in place.

I didn’t spot that. More weight then.


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[bvddobb]

the non OEM upgrade involves pop riveting the new system in place

If you are referring to the Squergo system like we put in, we have to make a tiny correction here: it does NOT involve pop riveting the system IN, it involves pop riveting the system TOGETHER. You can still take it out and put the slats back, if you want.

FWIW, we still think the Squergo system is a lot better than the VW/OEM Froli system absolutely speaking, AND a better value for money.
But we do not want to start a system turf war here, just to add/express our honest opinion/experience.

 

[Perfectos]

As I said in Post #5

“ I didn’t post this to to compare cost, quality and labour of after market modification vs OEM retro fit, i posted it to show it is possible to upgrade to the T6.1 OEM bed system & in response to many questions from interested parties in other threads.”

I can report that there are no longer any complaints about the upper bed being uncomfortable, (since fitting the T6.1 OEM bed) having tried it myself I agree that it is a comfort upgrade over the wooden slats.
I have not tried the Squergo system, I did consider it when looking into what is possible as far as the bed upgrade into a T6,
delivery from Germany of the Squergo system was an issue at the time (not sure if this has been resolved ), as was the choice of different height / firmness springs.
As with all these things they are some what subjective As to what one believes is better.

I am glad to hear that the squergo system also provides a comfort upgrade over the original wooden bed slats, but also noted that not all the wooden slats are removed with that system.

I would suspect your comments regarding Value for money may well be correct.

hopefully this thread & yours shows others what is possible and provides choice to others.

now the T6.1 has been around a few years the availability of OEM beds second hand via specialist breakers etc may be more of an opportunity for others to upgrade at a comparable cost. (assume also possible to fit the OEM T6.1 bed in T5 etc, as the bed, roof and fixings have not changed).


edit: just asked the teenagers to provide a further review on the bed upgrade now it has been tested extensively over many trips
“It’s a lot better“
me: what do you mean a lot better
”No more chronic back pains“

result: better camping experience for all

 

[Elly Swanson]

Couldn’t possibly swap. After 45 years married the original slats in our T6 are proving to be the only effective training environment for my hubby to learn how to not turn over in bed like a bull elephant!

 

[Perfectos]

Couldn’t possibly swap. After 45 years married the original slats in our T6 are proving to be the only effective training environment for my hubby to learn how to not turn over in bed like a bull elephant!

that was one of the complaints with the wooden slats , involuntary movement when the other person moved.

Glad to hear the training continues !