Jackknife sofa weight?
 

Hi Friends,

Any best guesses as to the weight of the typical HiLo twin Jackknifes that are used in some of the trailers? In the 24’ these are the facing sofas that flip into a bed up front.

I’m considering pulling them and replacing them, but before I actually rip them out and get too deep, I’m trying to plan for a target weight if I can.

My guess: 150-200 lbs total (both combined) with the storage doors and such?

Thanks for any other input and guesses.

Hi Everyone,

I completed the redo of the jack-knifes, so thought I would answer my own question here just for the sake of logging the info for others.

Both couches (cushions, cushion frames and hinges, and sub frames that bolt to the floor) are about 180lbs total. Removing the slide-out drawer and some of the other storage beneath them gives you about 30lbs more.

So estimate 200lbs

I’ll post some pics of the removal and new couch transplant coming up.

Best from Louisiana

Sofa remodel
 

It would be great to see pictures of your remodeled seating, did you post pictures yet?

Great info as I am �� n process of removing my sofas also thks

Finished Couch Install
 

Hi All,

Well - sorry I never finished this thread off with some pics of the replacement couch. It's in and has been used a couple of times now and it is a BIG improvement. Maybe our jackknives were just worse than others, but the were lumpy and never level.

As always, the full HiLo album from tear-down to rebuild is here:
https://flic.kr/s/aHskGjjPyn

It wasn't too hard to get the old couches out, some patience, the right screwdrivers and sockets (and an occasional pry bar) and they're out. I noticed that several of the hold-down screws went all the way through the floor so I filled those holes with calk before installing any of the new furniture.

Here's the couch that was selected from ikea (a sandbacken):
https://m2.ikea.com/us/en/p/sandback...ige-s89217906/

The weight was good at about 200lbs total, and the individual pieces were all small enough that they could be assembled, some in the living room in the house, then transported through the door in the trailer for final assembly. I also liked that it was a metal frame - good strength to weight ratio AND you could use locktite to keep everything together since the trailer is going to bounce around. You'll want 2 people for this job to position the couch and do the final assembly in the HiLo, and it will get tight.

With the old couches out, I had to move a few things that were underneath in the old storage areas. I had a breakerbox there that needed relocating, it is now on the fridge wall, and covered with a removable ABS box to keep it fully out of harm's way. The cables and water pipes running down the wall were also covered up just to keep things organized and clean.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...701d0128_b.jpgHilo couch redo by Lineswest, on Flickr

You can see the frame of the ottoman that sits over that part of the floor now. I did use L-brackets to bolt the frames of the couch and ottoman to the floor or wall as appropriate. They've gone over some rough roads since then and have held well.

With things in place everything looks like this:

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...c820e83f_b.jpgHilo couch redo by Lineswest, on Flickr

Now the bed pull-out is on rollers (see the ikea link) and sits under the couch until needed. Then you roll it out and you can line it up with the ottoman for the actual bed. To keep it in place, I used more L-brackets. They trap it between the wall and the L-bracket, and hold it nicely. Lift it up and over the L-bracket, it rolls out, and you pop the legs open.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...a1463a7d_b.jpgHilo couch redo by Lineswest, on Flickr

One of the neat things about this is that there is now 'just' enough room to step between the door-side wall and the bed when it is pulled out and set up. The person on the inside of the bed actually has a shot to get in and out without waking the other person up (just a shot, not guaranteed).

So here's one pic, set up and in use a few weeks back earlier in the summer. It's made a big difference.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...c7602e4d_b.jpg48080203531_af840595b6_o by Lineswest, on Flickr

I just went through your flickr album, and, I'm just blown away! What an incredible job you did restoring that trailer to a better than new condition! That is beautiful work, sir! You have every right to be VERY proud of what you accomplished! Thanks for sharing it with us.

Thank you for including the Ikea link too. I was having trouble understanding how your new bed worked. That was a clever idea adapting that couch to the trailer!

- Jack

Blown away by your repairs.
 

Ditto what Jack said. You had an absolute piece of junk and you brought it back to life. Love the couch mod you did. I wish you many long and happy camping adventures.

Thanks everyone, it has been a courageous effort - but it lives! Many suggested (Jack, I think you were one of them) taking ones time and just keep pushing on. And there were also many kind words from many on this forum along the way. Thanks all.