How do I attach 2 x 6 timber to the interior wall of a van

[poot_traveller]

I want to attach 2 x 6 timber to both sides of the interior wall of a van as part of a bed structure.

I want to attach it just below the window at 0.54

The two timber pieces will have to support about 200kgs.

What type of attachment (Bolts, nails, screws, etc) do I use please?

 

[Brlux]

Don't know if it's the best option but I would probably use rivet nuts amusing you are talking about attaching to an interior sheet metal piece you can drill through without poking through to the outside world. run the proper sized bolts through the timber. Alternately if you don't want to mess with rivet nuts and can manage the rear access just use a washer and nut.

 

[highdesertranger]

bolts would be best. however 2x6's is way overkill even 2x4's really have no place in builds. you can make a bed that will support way more then 200kg's with plywood, 1x2's and 2x2's. think like you are building a wooden boat, use plywood webbing. they build boats and airplanes that way without a single 2x4 or 2x6. highdesertranger

 

[maki2]

think about the framing structure that makes up the beds most people sleep on in their homes. It is not even close to being the size of a 2 x 6, not even for king sized beds that support two very large people.

In fact you can recycle the steel bed frame rails of those cheap folding bed frames and use them instead of 2 x 6 lumber. It will give you a lot more space and it will weigh less.

 

[MrNoodly]

I want to attach 2 x 6 timber to both sides of the interior wall of a van as part of a bed structure.

Along the wall or from one side to the other?

 

[poot_traveller]

Along the wall or from one side to the other?

Along the wall to support "bed railings" (2 x 4's)

A platform bed.  Exactly like this....

https://moreysintransit.com/bed/

 

[poot_traveller]

Don't know if it's the best option but I would probably use rivet nuts amusing you are talking about attaching to an interior sheet metal piece you can drill through without poking through to the outside world. run the proper sized bolts through the timber. Alternately if you don't want to mess with rivet nuts and can manage the rear access just use a washer and nut.

Yeah it looks like the Hiace has pre-made holes in the sheet metal which I can use.   I can reach behind the sheet metal to tighten washer and nuts so I think I'll try that and see if it works.  Thanks

 

[poot_traveller]

bolts would be best.  however 2x6's is way overkill even 2x4's really have no place in builds.  you can make a bed that will support way more then 200kg's with plywood,  1x2's and 2x2's.  think like you are building a wooden boat,  use plywood webbing.  they build boats and airplanes that way without a single 2x4 or 2x6.  highdesertranger

Nay it's going to need 2 x 6's along the walls to support the bed railings which will be 2 x 4's.  The bed will be 154 cm wide with no middle beam or legs.  All the weight will be on the 2 x 6's attached to the wall.  It's a platform bed like this (were I got the idea from)...  https://moreysintransit.com/bed/

Thanks for the advice about using bolts.

 

[poot_traveller]

think about the framing structure that makes up the beds most people sleep on in their homes. It is not even close to being the size of a 2 x 6, not even for king sized beds that support two very large people.

In fact you can recycle the steel bed frame rails of those cheap folding bed frames and use them instead of 2 x 6 lumber. It will give you a lot more space and it will weigh less.

I don't think I gave a very good description about what kind of bed I'm trying to put together.  It's a floating bed (platform bed) with no legs or middle beam.

 

[highdesertranger]

I really hate to break this to you but I hope you realize that in the link of the people that built that bed really don't know what they are doing.

they have the 2x4's orientate on wrong side, the way they have them they will sag over time. the 2x4's need to be on end or the side not the face. that bed platform got to weigh a ton.

like I said there is absolutely no reasons for you to use 2x6's and 2x4's but it's your ride do as you want.

highdesertranger

 

[IGBT]

I just bolted L-channel to the wall with 1/4" bolts and locknuts.  No 2x4 or 2x6 or anything heroic.

 

[poot_traveller]

I just bolted L-channel to the wall with 1/4" bolts and locknuts.  No 2x4 or 2x6 or anything heroic.

Nice. Do you think pre-bullb plus nuts are necessary?

 

[poot_traveller]

I really hate to break this to you but I hope you realize that in the link of the people that built that bed really don't know what they are doing.

they have the 2x4's orientate on wrong side,  the way they have them they will sag over time.  the 2x4's need to be on end or the side not the face.  that bed platform got to weigh a ton.

like I said there is absolutely no reasons for you to use 2x6's and 2x4's but it's your ride do as you want.

highdesertranger

OK you win, I'll throw in 2 x 2's for the sides and rails.  And bolt it to the walls.

Cheers

 

[highdesertranger]

no winning or losing I am just trying to give advice from years of experience. I have done hundreds of conversions for a living from way back in the day until the present. never once was a 2x4 or 2x6 used. to tell you the truth I am a big fan of aluminum like IGBT did. but I do like wood for the face as I find aluminum faced cabinets to be cold. highdesertranger

 

[bullfrog]

If you take a look at the teardrops and tiny trailers site you may find some really good light weight cabinet and platform construction ideas. Most people here are looking at living in their vans and are realizing that all their stuff they have or think they will need will make their van overloaded and difficult to drive. Starting out building light and strong is usually the best idea as it will save you a lot of time and money later on. I started out with 3/4" plywood which warped after a couple years and ended up with hollow core doors and 1/4" plywood which has lasted 4 years and shows no sign of warping. There is lots of good advice here but be sure to not get in a rush and not research all the different methods after all this is the internet. In the end it is your van and only you know what you want but it is up to you to make it work.

 

[poot_traveller]

no winning or losing I am just trying to give advice from years of experience.  I have done hundreds of conversions for a living from way back in the day until the present.  never once was a 2x4 or 2x6 used.  to tell you the truth I am a big fan of aluminum like IGBT did.  but I do like wood for the face as I find aluminum faced cabinets to be cold.  highdesertranger

I can't argue with that level of experience.  I'm tempted by the idea of using aluminum because I'm much more conscious now of the fact that the more heavy stuff I put into the van, the more weight the van has to haul around.  But I'll go with wood due to you mentioning aluminum being cold in a bed frame.

 

[poot_traveller]

If you take a look at the teardrops and tiny trailers site you may find some really good light weight cabinet and platform construction ideas.  Most people here are looking at living in their vans and are realizing that all their stuff they have or think they will need will make their van overloaded and difficult to drive.  Starting out building light and strong is usually the best idea as it will save you a lot of time and money later on.  I started out with 3/4" plywood which warped after a couple years and ended up with hollow core doors  and 1/4" plywood which has lasted 4 years and shows no sign of warping.  There is lots of good advice here but be sure to not get in a rush and not research all the different methods after all this is the internet.  In the end it is your van and only you know what you want but it is up to you to make it work.

Nice site.  I'm checking it out now.

Yeah I'll try to use relatively thin ply over the top of the bed rails.  I'll try to minimize the weight factor as much as possible.

Thanks

 

[autumnt]

I have a full size van, and I am 5'8", and I cannot fit to sleep with my head at one side and my feet at the other, i need to scrunch to it, but that is not comfortable. How wide is your van inside? Sorry, maybe you are a scruncher, its ok, I have friends that are ok that way.

 

[poot_traveller]

I guess that link I posted showing a picture of a lady on a van bed sleeping widthways made you assume I was going to sleep widthways as well. I won't be sleeping widthways, I'm going to be sleeping long ways.

The inside of my van is 154 cm wide. A bit short for me.