Bed in a box

[Paisley777]

I have a little 79 Ford E150 and I have been debating how to go about the bed space in there. I saw this article today. Has anyone done something like this?

http://offgridquest.com/diy/for-more-room-or-smaller-spaces-how-abou

 

[Almost There]

I have a little 79 Ford E150 and I have been debating how to go about the bed space in there. I saw this article today. Has anyone done something like this?

http://offgridquest.com/diy/for-more-room-or-smaller-spaces-how-abou

Nice project but for in a van it's a lot of set up each time you want to use it.

I prefer my bed to be total storage underneath as opposed to one that pulls out/sets up, etc. Part of mine will be accessible from the back doors and part from inside the van (bed will be across the back).

To get the right height for mine, I'm measuring the height of all the stuff I want to go under the bed, taking the highest one, adding the depth of the frame and a little bit of ease so things aren't snug. I also measured the distance from the top of my head to my butt when sitting on a chair to make sure that I would be able to sit up on the bed without banging my head on the roof overhead. Fortunately the sitting height and the storage height both work out to a little less than the overall available space. Otherwise, a compromise was going to be necessary.

 

[Paisley777]

The set up is the draw back. I am not in it full time as yet though and like the idea of being able to use the extra space if I need to.
I imagine that I could make it set higher than the bed in there now (at this time it's vintage 79), higher than the one in the article.
Also, I was thinking - if you want to be more stealthy, then it could be made to look like a more utilitarian box.

 

[MikeRuth]

I really need to get some pictures up but time is against me. I did a slide out. I have storage underneath and it takes me all of 1 minute to have the bed out.

I also am in a E-150 and at 6'1" I choose to locate the bed behind the drivers seat along the side. With the slide out I'm only using up 22" from the wall during the day and it also acts as a couch. When extended it's about 39" from the wall yet still more than enough room to get by it.

 

[Paisley777]

I would love to see pics! Slide out - I'm not sure I really 'see' how that works. I was thinking about folding it up against the wall too. Like a horizontal version of a Murphy bed. I am only 5'2, so I am still debating the positioning.

 

[MikeRuth]

I would love to see pics! Slide out - I'm not sure I really 'see' how that works. I was thinking about folding it up against the wall too. Like a horizontal version of a Murphy bed. I am only 5'2, so I am still debating the positioning.

Ok I'll get some pics up sometime today of what I did.

Mike R

 

[LeeRevell]

I like the design with the interleaved 'fingers' that slide in and out. Very compact. And the back cushion becomes the second lower mattress. Lots of stowage underneath.

 

[adi]

I've linked this build before, but this bed setup is one of the ingenious ones I've seen. I'm planning a similar design, with 2 ~3 foot sections that can pull out into the center walkway if more sleeping room is needed. I like this setup because it allows for storage underneath, allows easy access to that storage, and should breathe enough for both the bedding and whatever is stored underneath.

 

[nowhhs]

The biggest disadvantage I see is the need to blow up an air mattress whenever you want to set up the bed. If you're willing to go to that much effort, I think you'd be better off with the hinged platform along the wall, which doesn't take up ANY appreciable space, and fold it down when you need it. It seem to me that this folding box is more suitable to an office space in a house that you want to double as a guest bedroom. It looks cool, but still takes up more space than I'd want to give up in a van.

 

[Paisley777]

I found this today and think it is something I could make. It could also be adjusted to be taller - storage under and useful as a counter/table. I would lose the casters.

http://www.rockler.com/how-to/convertible-coffee-table-folding-bed-project/

 

[gypsychic]

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]

I don't know, 20 minutes every morning and every night to build my bed sounds like a living nightmare. I wouldn't consider that for a microsecond.
Bob

 

[highdesertranger]

I agree with bob about the set up and break down even though that is what I do now. it's a pain. on another note, paisley posted a link to rockler. they are an excellent wood working shop, for tools, hardware, etc. highdesertranger

 

[One Awesome Inch]

I agree with the setup being a major pain. My plan is to have a 74x30 permanent bed behind the drivers seat near the rear doors. From what I figure I should have between 24 to 27 inches of a walkway in which to move around, which should be enough.

 

[Bdog1]

My initial effort was a folding design, and I found when traveling it always stayed in the bed position, because of the storage it provided.

Second pass is a fixed unit with 15" storage height, accessible from front and rear. Back to "keep it simple".

 

[akrvbob]

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

 

[Almost There]

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

Ha, since I sew just about everything, the last van had a custom fit cover that matched the drapes. It was made to fit OVER the sleeping blankets once the bed was neatly made. A couple of matching tailored pillow shams for the sleeping pillows and I had a bed that looked something like a sofa or at least a day bed.

But then I always insisted on having things neat and tidy anyways and the smaller the space the more important I found it to be to have everything in its' place.

 

[highdesertranger]

you mean your are supposed to make your bed everyday? highdesertranger

 

[MrNoodly]

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.

My down quilt goes in a stuff sack most days. It makes the place seem larger.

But, yeah, a fold away bed frame doesn't solve the problem of what to do with the mattress. Unless you're the monk type who can sleep just on the boards.

 

[akrvbob]

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