another bed idea

[Virgil Jones]

The new bed frame discussion (interesting idea)  got me thinking again about the hanging bed in the Sprinter Van used for expediting that Bob showed on Youtube. 

I am going to have my bed along the side wall behind the drivers seat. I'm to tall for the standard across the van type bed.  I am going to hinge it on the wall like a sideways Murphy bed.  I am planning on the two fold-down legs being adjustable so I can adjust the angle of the bed when the van is angled off kilter side to side.  This seems fairly straight forward and easy to do at bedtime.  The hanging Sprinter bed made me start thinking of how to have the side of the bed hinged to the wall be adjustable also...without just hanging it.  It would be great to be able to adjust the bed in all directions depending on the angle of the van when parked.  I also don't want to have the bed set-up being a major project everyday at bedtime.  

So far I am coming up blank for this...Does anyone have a thought on how to accomplish this in a way that creates a stable bed when leveled and not just a hanging bed.   Thanks

 

[masterplumber]

Maybe E track on the wall attached vertically at each end of the bed. Then just attach the wall end at the appropriate height and use adjustable legs on the outer end.

 

[DannyB1954]

I thought maybe making a bunk bed setup with the top bunk being storage and the lower bunk hanging by chains. The frame for the top bunk would keep the bottom bunk from swinging while driving. Put hooks at the top and adjust the chain up or down to make each corner level.

Other option is make the bed frame so that shims or wedges can be placed in the corners of the bed platform

 

[Whitey]

Is this what you're after?

 

[Virgil Jones]

Is this what you're after?

This bed build was the original inspiration for a hinged bed in my van build.  Then seeing the Sprinter van bed being adjustable in all directions got me thinking (been doing way to much of that as I've waited for my work to end for the year and the topper to be put on the van).  

Possibly one wall hinge could be on a pivot...just a large bolt that is not cranked down tight.  And the other hinge "bolt" mounted in a vertical track.  The track mounted bolt could go up and down before tightening.  The problem I can see is a secure attachment to the wall that allows this without wearing out or coming loose over time or having binding problems.

 

[Chrisbx7]

I had the same idea and built a murphy style bed along the drivers wall. Part of the bed foundation is stationary and the other part folds down to land on a bench on the other side. I also built a couple of tables that fold down whenever the bed is put away. I have storage cabinets underneath too.

 

[Virgil Jones]

I had the same idea and built a murphy style bed along the drivers wall. Part of the bed foundation is stationary and the other part folds down to land on a bench on the other side. I also built a couple of tables that fold down whenever the bed is put away. I have storage cabinets underneath too.

Great visual!   What is the grey area in the middle of the bed...just decor?

 

[MrNoodly]

You'd need to take into account the thickness of your mattress. You can't just hinge the edge bed frame/platform at the wall. You'd need to offset it the thickness of the mattress. You might need to account for the curvature of the van wall, too.

 

[Chrisbx7]

Great visual!   What is the grey area in the middle of the bed...just decor?

Yes, some thick fabric/canvas material I picked up. I'm going to use it for the interior ceiling too. Just trying to break up all the wood

 

[Virgil Jones]

Yes, some thick fabric/canvas material I picked up. I'm going to use it for the interior ceiling too. Just trying to break up all the wood

I agree with breaking up the wood look.  I like the idea of a painting or staining the ceiling white and have the wood walls a very light wood color.  Maybe running some trim wood of the light color over the screws in the ceiling.

 

[Virgil Jones]

You'd need to take into account the thickness of your mattress. You can't just hinge the edge bed frame/platform at the wall. You'd need to offset it the thickness of the mattress. You might need to account for the curvature of the van wall, too.

I agree that the hinge will have to be offset from the wall to accommodate the mattress.  great drawing

 

[DannyB1954]

Looks like you could also add a bench seat to it when it was folded up. When folded down it would be an inside leg for the bed. maybe have a fold down table from the other side. 


It might be nice to have a collection of different bed ideas all in one place.

 

[Virgil Jones]

Looks like you could also add a bench seat to it when it was folded up. When folded down it would be an inside leg for the bed. maybe have a fold down table from the other side. 


It might be nice to have a collection of different bed ideas all in one place.

Great idea!

I am trying to figure out the multi-leveling aspect of the bed post.  The two outside ones are easy...just telescoping.  One square (or round) metal tube inside another with multiply holes thru each that can be pinned at different lengths.   The wall side would not work this way for me.  I am putting the AGM batteries etc. under the bed in cabinets.  The cabinets would not extend more than necessary into the "aisle" down the middle of the van.  

Another idea I had for the wall-side legs is some kind of screw system to telescope the legs up and down...just getting to complicated.  Probably will just get some of the plastic rv ramps to drive on to level the van front to back...plastic would be lighter than 2x8's.

 

[DannyB1954]

instead of hinges, maybe you could use link chains. Then you could add a link to make that corner lower.

After thinking about fold up beds I came to a conclusion. They will give you additional walking room, but you will have zero storage. With a permanent bed, you can put storage below and above the bed.  On my van I am thinking about having storage above the bed for about half the width of the bed. I could still sit up on the bed where the shelves were not. Sleeping, I don't need a lot of head room.

 

[vtwinkicker]

How about if all 4 legs were adjustable and the bed attached to the wall at the center so it can pivot head toe and the side can go up down. Something like how a joystick goes every direction from one point.

 

[ArtW]

Good solid walls with eyebolts, cambuckle straps. If you don't trust cambucles, ratchet straps

 

[MrNoodly]

From my experience, it's not a problem when the van leans so the wall side is low. I just snuggle up against the wall. On the other hand, I fell like I'm going to roll out of bed when the van tilts the other way. But I put a pillow by my torso and everything's fine. I also prefer sleeping with the head of the bed a little higher, so it's not a problem for me when the van tilts that way. When the head is low, I either prop myself up with pillows or turn myself around in the bed. There have been so few times that I've not been able to get the van fairly level, so it hasn't been worth the trouble to have some kind of mechanically adjustable bed.

 

[DannyB1954]

instead of hinges, maybe you could use link chains. Then you could add a link to make that corner lower.

After thinking about fold up beds I came to a conclusion. They will give you additional walking room, but you will have zero storage. With a permanent bed, you can put storage below and above the bed.  On my van I am thinking about having storage above the bed for about half the width of the bed. I could still sit up on the bed where the shelves were not. Sleeping, I don't need a lot of head room.

Yet another bed design. Storage below and above the bed, Door for upper cabinet becomes backrest for couch mode. Clicking on pic may bring up a larger pic.  

 

[BigT]

Looks like you could also add a bench seat to it when it was folded up. When folded down it would be an inside leg for the bed. maybe have a fold down table from the other side. 


It might be nice to have a collection of different bed ideas all in one place.

That's funny.  When I saw the first drawing, the folding bench idea was the first thing/addition I thought of!    Seeing as how I have a hinged table mounted to the wall across from my bunk. 

I thought of using a hinged bed when I was first brainstorming bunk ideas, but the TC has double sliding doors and precious little real estate for mounting things to the remaining walls.  I'll likely use that folding bed system when I upgrade to a full-sized van that has more hard points to attach it to.

 

[gargoyle]

Hang a hammock, they are self leveling.