Bed in a box

[MikeRuth]

Ok here are a few picks of my slide out and I did this based on the same post that was mentioned earlier HERE.

I do want to say that I'm no expert in Sketchup but I used it to make a plan for this to fit my space. I'm glad I did becuase I was able to buy exactly the right amount of wood and make the cuts once and had no trial and error fitting. Works like a charm!

<a href="http://s216.photobucket.com/user/bl...ler Site/20141122_152239_zps25191350.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc265/bloddyback/Van Dweller Site/20141122_152239_zps25191350.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 20141122_152239_zps25191350.jpg"/></a>

1X3 Pine fir was used in most of it. All of the holes were pre drilled and counter sunk

<a href="http://s216.photobucket.com/user/bl...ler Site/20141122_151919_zpse5125de3.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc265/bloddyback/Van Dweller Site/20141122_151919_zpse5125de3.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 20141122_151919_zpse5125de3.jpg"/></a>

Rough frame up

<a href="http://s216.photobucket.com/user/bl...ler Site/20141122_153721_zpsf31a3247.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc265/bloddyback/Van Dweller Site/20141122_153721_zpsf31a3247.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 20141122_153721_zpsf31a3247.jpg"/></a>

Test fit of the fixed portion,

<a href="http://s216.photobucket.com/user/bl...ler Site/20141122_150253_zps51951bde.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc265/bloddyback/Van Dweller Site/20141122_150253_zps51951bde.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 20141122_150253_zps51951bde.jpg"/></a>

Mounted to the side of the van now

<a href="http://s216.photobucket.com/user/bl...ler Site/20141123_182912_zps45e0d617.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc265/bloddyback/Van Dweller Site/20141123_182912_zps45e0d617.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 20141123_182912_zps45e0d617.jpg"/></a>

Test fit with it in the couch position

<a href="http://s216.photobucket.com/user/bl...ler Site/20141122_172354_zpse192e6c5.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc265/bloddyback/Van Dweller Site/20141122_172354_zpse192e6c5.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 20141122_172354_zpse192e6c5.jpg"/></a>

Test fit opened up for sleeping

<a href="http://s216.photobucket.com/user/bl...ler Site/20141122_172622_zps476def2e.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc265/bloddyback/Van Dweller Site/20141122_172622_zps476def2e.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 20141122_172622_zps476def2e.jpg"/></a>

Almost done, now with pull handles
<a href="http://s216.photobucket.com/user/bl...ler Site/20141123_145849_zpsdea78aa6.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc265/bloddyback/Van Dweller Site/20141123_145849_zpsdea78aa6.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 20141123_145849_zpsdea78aa6.jpg"/></a>

Cheap pull handles

<a href="http://s216.photobucket.com/user/bl...ler Site/20141123_145919_zps3943934f.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc265/bloddyback/Van Dweller Site/20141123_145919_zps3943934f.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 20141123_145919_zps3943934f.jpg"/></a>

Drawer frames in prgress-Same handles used on them.

<a href="http://s216.photobucket.com/user/bl...ler Site/20141129_151642_zps1a9f824d.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc265/bloddyback/Van Dweller Site/20141129_151642_zps1a9f824d.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 20141129_151642_zps1a9f824d.jpg"/></a>

Very bummed that I had to remove a pair of 12" kickers for these two but they work.

<a href="http://s216.photobucket.com/user/bl...ler Site/20141125_183252_zpsc2b8f08e.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc265/bloddyback/Van Dweller Site/20141125_183252_zpsc2b8f08e.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 20141125_183252_zpsc2b8f08e.jpg"/></a>

Thats about it, the couch / bed is out while I work on various other things right now. Once assembled into on piece so to speak, it's a bear to take in and out of the van. I'll show a couple more finished pictures once I'm ready to semi permanently put it in place.

 

[ccbreder]

Great job. Thanks for posting. What did you use for that finish?

 

[MrNoodly]

Mr. M, don't stuff it too small, down is damaged by being stuffed small for long--it loses it's loft and without loft it's landfill.
Bob

I'll keep that in mind. However, I also have a down sleeping bag that was stuffed in its bag for over 25 years. It still has plenty of loft. It was near freezing last night, yet I was comfortable in just my quilt, t-shirt, jeans and socks.

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

Ok here are a few picks of my slide out and I did this based on the same post that was mentioned earlier HERE.

I do want to say that I'm no expert in Sketchup but I used it to make a plan for this to fit my space. I'm glad I did becuase I was able to buy exactly the right amount of wood and make the cuts once and had no trial and error fitting. Works like a charm!

<a href="http://s216.photobucket.com/user/bl...ler Site/20141122_152239_zps25191350.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc265/bloddyback/Van Dweller Site/20141122_152239_zps25191350.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 20141122_152239_zps25191350.jpg"/></a>

Got a link to sketchup model?

 

[MikeRuth]

Here is a link to my drop box with the original Sketch up bed drawing that I started with and one of my final that includes a couple drawers which are specific to my needs due to space on the wall side.

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/70qfn8wi5ki2gcd/AABtua8WW9kZS3QPFa4c92Zqa?dl=0

Image of drawing
<a href="http://s216.photobucket.com/user/bloddyback/media/Van Dweller Site/jpgforforum_zps04addcf4.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc265/bloddyback/Van Dweller Site/jpgforforum_zps04addcf4.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo jpgforforum_zps04addcf4.jpg"/></a>[/i]

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

i need to learn sketchup...i did the tutorial but i got frustrated pretty quick, its so different than other drawing or even cad software ive used. That is awesome, ill dl the model tomorrow at work.

 

[Paisley777]

It's not about reinventing the wheel, but rather learning what the wheels are. I'm that new to all this.

I agree with you and others, the sliding thing is probably the best idea. Or, flip up on the side. Still drawing, and thinking about what options would be best for me.

A quick caution. you want to make sure that when you make it taller that the hinged portion still has room with your space to fold over. Don't know how much taller and how high your van ceiling is.

Other than that cute design. I liked the other option in your original post too, just not for a van. Maybe a tiny house.

Just out of curiosity-why are you trying to reinvent the wheel? There are lots of tried methods that many have said worked both in form and function. I personally like the system Lee referenced above. You just want something different? Or you don't like the aesthetics? Dealing with unique situation? No judgement, just curious.

GypsyChic

 

[akrvbob]

Folks, please don't re-post a whole bunch of pictures. It takes up a bunch of bandwidth and space on my servers and those of us on smartphones have it all coming back again taking time and using our precious gigs.

If you hit "Quote" go through and delete the pictures before sending. In fact, please delete everything but what is necessary to make your point.
Bob

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

sorry, on tapatalk it didnt show all the pictures or the whole post so i thought it would show up that way...woops

 

[akrvbob]

No problem!
Bob

 

[gypsychic]

It's not about reinventing the wheel, but rather learning what the wheels are. I'm that new to all this.

Been there, still there Electrical and batteries makes my head swim no matter how many times I reread things.

I found looking at other pics was the best way for me to figure out what I wanted to do. I guess I am a visual learner. I used to Google 'camper van designs' or something like that and look at all the images that came up. Then if I found something that appealed to me I'd follow the image to the blog and read up on it.

This forum is great for so many reasons but pics aren't it's strong suit. I've spent a lot of time on Sprinter forums, and individual vehicle manufacturers like ford forums, chevy forums, etc looking at individual build from beginning to end. Luis' thread on his build is really detailed like I've seen other places. There may be others here but that's what comes to mind off the top of my head. Check out the van section here as well.

Good luck. Search the history and ask lots of questions. People here are very patient and knowledgable. That's what this forum excels at-a sense of community.

Re:tapatalk, I'm not a fan of their interface or I just haven't gotten used to it yet. I prefer to use the browser on my smartphone directly for this forum and others. Good to know to watch out for that when replying via tapatalk.

 

[akrvbob]

Community is what we are all about!
Bob

 

[flying kurbmaster]

Here's a question for everybody in a van or RV, do you make you bed covers every day? I be most don't they just straighten it up.

Now imagine taking all the bedding and the mattress off the bed every morning and putting it back every night. I wouldn't even consider that!! In the winter especially, that's a big pile of blankets and pillows! Where is it going all day? Do you fold each one up and carefully store it away? Where is the mattress going? A rolled up mattress is BIG!

But that's not all!

Now you have to break down or assemble that thing.

I can't imagine a worse scenario!
Bob

I do that sorta, the comforter and pillows go into two large pillow cases that become cushions on the ends of the bed to lean against, when bed is in couch position. the sheets remain on the matress which consists of two pieces of foam, that sit one on top of the other when in couch position with a cover over them. the cover always stays there and when you unfold the matresses it sits under them overnight the sheet on top, when folded up the sheets sit between the cover is tidied up over top. cushions thrown on. my bed consist of a sheet of 1/2 plywood, cut to 72 inches, then ripped at around 4 inches twenty two, then twenty one.
all hinged together the twenty one folds over the twenty two when in couch position, then both fold up to get into storage, the four inches against the wall gives room for the two 2 inch high density foam matresses to fit while getting into the storage, to make the bed you lift up an inch pull one set of legs out at a time which are on a dowl that slides out from the storage the mattresses are lifted the twenty one inch piece is flipped forward onto the waiting legs the matress is unfolded pull the comforter and pillows out flick them on the bed. 30 seconds both ways.
this is what it looks like with cushions
and these are the legs that slip out two at a time

 

[66788]

I've owned VW buses, Vanagons, a Dodge commerically built camper, as well as several travel trailers and for me there is no bed as comfortable as a dedicated bed. Flip down, fold up, pull out all feel less than satisfactory to me. That's why I have a 9" memory foam twin in my Dodge High Top.

 

[akrvbob]

There is no bed, like "MY" bed, and I want it to be same very night--and I certainly don't want it to be a hassle!.

I don't even like washing the sheets!!!
Bob

 

[ccbreder]

Sheets? i buy a cheap sleeping bag, rest very comfortable, air the bag occasionally, and replace when grungy.

 

[Iggy]

From years of staying in youth hostels while traveling in other countries, I always had a sleeping bag liner. It's basically a sheet that is folded over and sewn together on the bottom and side. It works well for keeping the sleeping bag clean. And I've always preferred the feel of a cotton sheet against my body rather than the inside of a sleeping bag. But that's just me.

 

[flying kurbmaster]

It is a nice luxury to have a bed up all the time but in most vans double beds take up too much real estate and if you have any visitors it is like having them over in your bedroom, if no effort is put into making it a bit loungy, with covers and pillows,( no wonder you guys don't have girlfriends,) you gotta clean your sheets regularly and they have to be cotton not those cheap synthetic ones, the trick is to make the setup as easy as possible, life is a compromise , who said living in a van was easy, seriously it does not take me any longer to set and dismantel my bed as it would to make a queen size bed in a house, with bedspread and cushions

 

[GrantRobertson]

I have been sleeping on a piece of 3", deluxe memory-foam on top of a Coleman air mattress for over a year now as a matter of preference. I find it more comfortable than a regular mattress and far, FAR more comfortable than a piece of foam alone. Or even a couple layers of foam. And I'm still living in a regular house.

Just the other day, I discovered that Coleman makes a narrower air mattress (73" x 26" x 6") for only $24.95, list. So, that is what I plan to design my van build around. I will put the bed up against the wall, towards the back, on the driver's side. I will then put a counter/table at the back end, positioned such that I can sit on the end of the bed, like a sofa with desk pulled up to it. I'll use my pillows and blankets for back support.

This way, I will have an incredibly comfortable bed AND and incredibly comfortable desk chair in one. On nice days, I will be able to open the back doors and have my desk/breakfast-nook open right out to the great outdoors. With some custom, removable screening, it could even serve as a screened-in back porch.

 

[cityevader]

First post here...gotta say that i really, really like MikeRuth's sofa/bed combo. Simple, elegant, functional, and room underneath for some long RC airplane wings.