Chevy Express 2500 question

[SilverVoyager]

There are locking wheel well covers in the  Americana Van catalog. If they were installed, would plywood laid across them, with no center support, hold a mattress and a 175 person? Actually, a center support wouldn't be to hard to do. Does anyone have experience with these wheel well covers? I'm thinking it would be a good place to lock up valuables during hikes. Maybe not an obvious place for anyone to look.
Is American Van a good company?
T hank you for any advice!

 

[Artsyguy]

I would think 3/4" ply base would be sufficient without center support for your weight. One thing to consider, if you haven't already. The ply platform should have holes cut into it to provide circulation to the underside of the mattress to cut down on condensation issues that might arise.

 

[SilverVoyager]

Hi Artsyguy! I had not thought about condensation issues, very good point. With the weight not evenly distributed, mostly in the middle, I'm now thinking of putting 2x4s across lengthwise, somehow attached to the wheel well covers, then putting the 3/4" plywood with drilled holes, screwed onto the 2x4s. This would give me a little extra height for sitting on the edge.
For the holes, would you suggest 1" circular holes drilled every....2' ?
Thank you so much for your advice, it is appreciated. My Chevy Express 2500 is named Big Girl, but she is very stealthy!

 

[Almost There]

No clue on the locking wheel well covers at all...never seen them.

I built squared off wheel well covers with 1/2" plywood. They were the first things to go in the van after the floor and the reflectix.

I used 3/4" plywood for the bed top simply because I was repurposing it from a previous vehicle bed build. Had I been buying wood I would have been tempted to go down to 5/8" but the bed is just for me and I'm well under 200 lbs. If I was building a bed for 2 people (even occasionally) or I was heavier  I would definitely go with at least 3/4" for the top and make sure I limited the distance between upright supports.

I did not cut ventilation holes in to the bed top simply because I've never needed them. Most of the bed top is lift lids to access various storage compartments anyways so the mattress gets shifted around daily anyways when any of the lift lids are raised.

The  entire bed structure in the bed is done with 1/2" plywood for uprights. It also comprises the dividing sections between storage compartments. Way back in the 70's and 80s I used 2/4 construction, partly because I didn't know any better and partly because it had to be 'party proof'...  

Pics of my build are in the build thread found in my signature.

 

[tx2sturgis]

You do need to support the bed platform with either a group of center legs or beams that run length-wise.

You can use 2x4 studs or buy some steel angle iron, about 1" size by the number of feet long that you need between the wheel wells or the steel boxes. Three of these bolted in length-wise would do the job, and take up less room under the bed.

Any welding shop, machine shop, and some hardware stores will have this and will cut it for you. A shop would even drill the holes and cut material at the ends to make installation easy.

Here is a rough sketch of what I'm trying to explain:

 

[SilverVoyager]

I just went out to re measure the wheel wells and noticed that the ribs come right down to the tops. So the wheelwell cabinets I liked so much won't really work since there would be a hand sized gap behind the locked cabinet. So I need to find another way to square off those wheelwells and I'll just get a small gun safe and bolt it to the floor.
This van conversion thing is really and truly more work than I realized! But I can't wait to get out of the city, I might just sleep on a throw rug for now. Granola bars, water, dog, kibble, blanket....

 

[SilverVoyager]

You know I just ordered a double size folding mattress from Walmart. It's $99 has a washable cover, is 4" supposedly high density foam and will, when opened just about fill the floor, but with room to get to the side doors. When folded it will fit across the back and can be used as a seat. The bedding I'll stow in some overhead netting.
I found my old binoculars but forgot how to adjust them, I'll google that tomorrow so I can watch for birds when I finally get going. I can identify them with my Audubon app.
Thanks for all the help, I'll be using the advice in the future!

 

[highdesertranger]

there is no need for 2x4's when doing a build. 1x2's, 2x2's, and plywood is all you need. the use of plywood as webbing and supports is much stronger and lighter then 2x4's. highdesertranger

 

[Artsyguy]

there is no need for 2x4's when doing a build.  1x2's,  2x2's,  and plywood is all you need.  the use of plywood as webbing and supports is much stronger and lighter then 2x4's.  highdesertranger

And takes up less space when used for vertical support on it's side.  Figured this out too late and now want to rebuild my bed.

 

[highdesertranger]

"And takes up less space when used for vertical support on it's side." exactly. highdesertranger

 

[Pebbles]

"And takes up less space when used for vertical support on it's side."  exactly.  highdesertranger

Let's also not forget the weight savings in all that! I see a lot of over kill  with lumber that 10 times bigger then needed in people builds.

 

[SilverVoyager]

I'm getting about 10 to 11 mpg in town, don't need any more weight to carry around.