Looking to convert a minivan to living space. However with the seats removed, the floor is carpeted, but very uneven. Any creative solutions for a sub-floor to smooth everything out? I'm thinking maybe just a sheet of plywood cut to fit, and with a hole for the heat/ac vent. Headroom is so tight and need to maximize it...
Minivan floor...
- Thread starter myke
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I want to remove all the seats and set up a minimal but comfortable living space. I know it's a small space, but I find the minivan as the happy medium between fuel efficiency, reliability, and stealth... also resale value in case I decide I want something bigger...
GotSmart
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As a temporary solution, I would suggest another layer of carpet. That will protect your floor, and be easy to remove.
Any attachments to the walls should be in a vehicle you have no thoughts of resale value out of.
I spent $500 on my van, (purchase price) and discounting the labor, everything I have put into it has increased the value. It is up to $3500 now with solar and new tires. Another $100 in parts and I would not hesitate to do more road trips. Another $200 on top of that and I would have enough power to run a fridge. I do not hesitate to run a screw in the walls or cut a hole in the floor.
Any attachments to the walls should be in a vehicle you have no thoughts of resale value out of.
I spent $500 on my van, (purchase price) and discounting the labor, everything I have put into it has increased the value. It is up to $3500 now with solar and new tires. Another $100 in parts and I would not hesitate to do more road trips. Another $200 on top of that and I would have enough power to run a fridge. I do not hesitate to run a screw in the walls or cut a hole in the floor.
Almost There
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If you're planning on keeping the van long term and aren't worried about reselling it, personally, I'd take out the carpet - the underpad that is used sucks up moisture like crazy and when you're living in the van, climbing in and out with wet clothing and footwear and the occasional coffee spill are absolutely going to happen.
The depth of the current carpeting and the underpad is about equal to 1/2" plywood so you wouldn't be losing any headroom. Either live with the wood as is or lay some vinyl flooring on top of it.
If you're going to want to screw things down to the floor, go to 3/4" plywood so you can go a 1/2" in with screws without worrying about hitting the van floor itself.
Scatter mats take care of comfort, can be bought at the dollar store and thrown out when they get so totally grungy that you can't stand them anymore.
If this is just a temporary thing, then think about 3/8" ply or 1/2" over the carpet - truthfully there's not enough headroom in the mini van that losing 1/2" is going to make a difference between comfort and not comfort...you'll still be bent over!
The depth of the current carpeting and the underpad is about equal to 1/2" plywood so you wouldn't be losing any headroom. Either live with the wood as is or lay some vinyl flooring on top of it.
If you're going to want to screw things down to the floor, go to 3/4" plywood so you can go a 1/2" in with screws without worrying about hitting the van floor itself.
Scatter mats take care of comfort, can be bought at the dollar store and thrown out when they get so totally grungy that you can't stand them anymore.
If this is just a temporary thing, then think about 3/8" ply or 1/2" over the carpet - truthfully there's not enough headroom in the mini van that losing 1/2" is going to make a difference between comfort and not comfort...you'll still be bent over!
LeeRevell
Well-known member
In my Grand Caravan, the seats fold down under the floor. The locking thingys (High tech terminology) remain visible, and there is a noticeable rise in the center across the floor. I use a simple black rubber pickup truck bed liner - about 4' by 8' - to smooth the floor some, but that rise remains. So far, not a problem as I use an inflatable mattress. If I use a cot or a framed bed, it wouldn't be a problem either.
If I needed to, I would use a sheet of plywood with a 3/4" board across the front and back to level it out with the center rise. Then my bed liner could go over it. All remains removable if I need to haul people around.
If I needed to, I would use a sheet of plywood with a 3/4" board across the front and back to level it out with the center rise. Then my bed liner could go over it. All remains removable if I need to haul people around.
GotSmart said:
Carpet is a great idea! (of course to the point below about moisture... hmm...)
Would love to know more about your solar set up in the minivan, but that's another discussion!
Good point about the moisture, I am a bit worried about that. But I am buying late model and so really don't want to hurt the resale value if I decide I want something bigger. If down the road I find it's perfect and a long-term keeper, then maybe I'd take it out then...Almost There said:
Cool man... yeah I wonder if a totally lever floor like that would make a difference in comfort, I would think it might...LeeRevell said:In my Grand Caravan, the seats fold down under the floor. The locking thingys (High tech terminology) remain visible, and there is a noticeable rise in the center across the floor. I use a simple black rubber pickup truck bed liner - about 4' by 8' - to smooth the floor some, but that rise remains. So far, not a problem as I use an inflatable mattress. If I use a cot or a framed bed, it wouldn't be a problem either.
If I needed to, I would use a sheet of plywood with a 3/4" board across the front and back to level it out with the center rise. Then my bed liner could go over it. All remains removable if I need to haul people around.
Canine
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Myke,
I tried the minivan till it broke. It was ok, cheap and stealthy however I couldn't make it work, really, so thought about an extended Astro, however the fuel mileage on an Astro isnt so much different than a full size. Anyway, you've gotten good ideas from the posters already. Only you know how long you think this might last.
I'll tell you that unless you are small in size (I'm not) and really need to convert back to a people hauler or drive so much that you need to save on fuel, comfort trumps fuel dollars. Thus the conversion van. Gives me the ability to haul someone else and since I don't have anything permanently built in, I could reset the seats and make it back into a normal conversion van within say, 3 hours.
The lumps and bumps from the uneven floor are just something that foam or the pictured air mattress have to take care of. Hope that you can make it work as minivans are very inexpensive and readily available.
Dusty
I tried the minivan till it broke. It was ok, cheap and stealthy however I couldn't make it work, really, so thought about an extended Astro, however the fuel mileage on an Astro isnt so much different than a full size. Anyway, you've gotten good ideas from the posters already. Only you know how long you think this might last.
I'll tell you that unless you are small in size (I'm not) and really need to convert back to a people hauler or drive so much that you need to save on fuel, comfort trumps fuel dollars. Thus the conversion van. Gives me the ability to haul someone else and since I don't have anything permanently built in, I could reset the seats and make it back into a normal conversion van within say, 3 hours.
The lumps and bumps from the uneven floor are just something that foam or the pictured air mattress have to take care of. Hope that you can make it work as minivans are very inexpensive and readily available.
Dusty
Ah cool, thanks Dusty. You have summed up my present conundrum quite nicely with regard to the mini vs. full size van! That's why I figured I'd give the minivan a shot first... then sell if I need something bigger.dusty98 said:
LeeRevell
Well-known member
That little single-wide air mattress was my early setup. Nowadays I use a taller and far better twin-size flocked-top air mattress. Better than the old bed in my home! I sleep like that proverbial log. And room to bend my legs. It makes that high center ridge in the floor 'go away' completely!
Canine
Well-known member
Myke,
LeeR might be referring to this from Amazon:
Intex Pillow Rest Raised Airbed with Built-in Pillow and Electric Pump, Twin, Bed Height 16 1/2"
by Intex
2,712 customer reviews | 116 answered questions
List Price: $54.99
Price: $39.43 & FREE Shipping. Details
You Save: $15.56 (28%)
In Stock.
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com. Gift-wrap available.
Want it Tuesday, June 9? Order within 8 hrs and choose Two-Day Shipping at checkout. Details
Location, temperature, and humidity will affect the airbed's firmness. Airbeds will need to be occasionally re-inflated (topped off) to maintain desired firmness when used for more than a few days as vinyl tends to relax over time.
Measurements will vary based on customer's inflation. Airbeds are measured from the widest point including the beams (bulges) on the side and off the tallest point from the floor including built-in pillows if applicable.
Inflatable twin airbed with built-in electric pump for home use
Waterproof flocked top with vinyl beams and sturdy construction
High-powered pump inflates mattress in approximately 3 minutes
Raised 17.5 inches from floor; built-in pillows for added comfort
300-pound capacity; measures 40 x 18.5 x 75 inches (W x H x D)
For $40, that's a good deal. Wouldn't work for me, the 300# maximum would be, ahh, a bit shy of the mark. However, you're probably not that, uhh, ample.
A small inverter that plugs not the power point of your van should be able to inflate it, say 175 or 200W. You can get those at auto parts stores, truck stops and of course, Amazon.
Couldn't post the flocked mattress image as the IPad won't save it...
LeeR might be referring to this from Amazon:
Intex Pillow Rest Raised Airbed with Built-in Pillow and Electric Pump, Twin, Bed Height 16 1/2"
by Intex
2,712 customer reviews | 116 answered questions
List Price: $54.99
Price: $39.43 & FREE Shipping. Details
You Save: $15.56 (28%)
In Stock.
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com. Gift-wrap available.
Want it Tuesday, June 9? Order within 8 hrs and choose Two-Day Shipping at checkout. Details
Location, temperature, and humidity will affect the airbed's firmness. Airbeds will need to be occasionally re-inflated (topped off) to maintain desired firmness when used for more than a few days as vinyl tends to relax over time.
Measurements will vary based on customer's inflation. Airbeds are measured from the widest point including the beams (bulges) on the side and off the tallest point from the floor including built-in pillows if applicable.
Inflatable twin airbed with built-in electric pump for home use
Waterproof flocked top with vinyl beams and sturdy construction
High-powered pump inflates mattress in approximately 3 minutes
Raised 17.5 inches from floor; built-in pillows for added comfort
300-pound capacity; measures 40 x 18.5 x 75 inches (W x H x D)
For $40, that's a good deal. Wouldn't work for me, the 300# maximum would be, ahh, a bit shy of the mark. However, you're probably not that, uhh, ample.
A small inverter that plugs not the power point of your van should be able to inflate it, say 175 or 200W. You can get those at auto parts stores, truck stops and of course, Amazon.
Couldn't post the flocked mattress image as the IPad won't save it...
Canine
Well-known member
dusty98 said:
Oh, I looked up about 100 answered questions, maybe 15-20% complained about slow leaks after a while... Also no information on the amperage draw for the inverter needs.
Here's an vertex from Amazon.
Go Power! GP-175 175-Watt Modified Sine Wave Inverter
by Go Power!
87 customer reviews | 31 answered questions
List Price: $32.14
Price: $24.95 & FREE Shipping on orders over $35. Details
You Save: $7.19 (22%)
In Stock.
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
LeeRevell
Well-known member
Not the one I have though mine is a Intex, from Wally's. I am well north of 350ish and 6'4", and have NO trouble with it. I use a Coleman 12VDC electric air pump, as I have a handy 12VDC ciggy plug right inside the left door area, convenient to the air valve. These twin air beds are rated for two normal people, so it fits me alone fine. 
Me back in July 2005 when I got my bike:
Me back in July 2005 when I got my bike:
After many years, many vehicles, and many conversions, I have come to the conclusion that not only are passenger vans the best choice, but also not to screw up a perfectly good interior. Odds are that any imperfections in the floor can be worked around much easier than trying to eliminate them.
Add a rubber backed carpet over the top to prevent any moisture from getting through to the original carpet. If needed just add wedges under any furniture that needs it because of an uneven floor. I cut out notches in nightstands so they would fit over my wheel wells. Modify your furniture to fit the van, not the van to fit the furniture.
In a low top van, you're not going to be walking around anyway, so the uneven floor really shouldn't make much difference in reality.
Add a rubber backed carpet over the top to prevent any moisture from getting through to the original carpet. If needed just add wedges under any furniture that needs it because of an uneven floor. I cut out notches in nightstands so they would fit over my wheel wells. Modify your furniture to fit the van, not the van to fit the furniture.
In a low top van, you're not going to be walking around anyway, so the uneven floor really shouldn't make much difference in reality.
Bdog1
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In another thread floating around here, someone brought up Bedrugs, a brand of materials originally intended to cover pickup truck beds with a soft, durable lining resistant to all weather. They've since branched out to include cargo vans as well, and have an option of a carpet-like feel that's still designed to be ridiculously durable. You can find them on Amazon too.
They're also pretty expensive.
I'm currently attempting to find a similar material for cheaper from a warehouse store to put down on my minivan.
My concern isn't so much the bumps in the surface but rather things like easy clean-up of spills, protecting my knees from the hard bits and preserving the carpet, in that order. I've been living in a basic '86 conversion van the past 6 months, and its once-plush carpet is now pretty trashed. A month ago I laid down heady duty construction plastic, which helped with the spills but it's been a pain to live on, gets all bunched up to trip over and is LOUD.
So for my needs, if I can get a waterproof yogamat-type material to lay over everything as my foundation I think I'll go ahead and call that good.
Bdog1- I'd be concerned about spilled water seeping inbetween the interlocking pads and then unable to evaporate out. Do you do anything to manage this concern or have you just found it to not be a problem?
They're also pretty expensive.
I'm currently attempting to find a similar material for cheaper from a warehouse store to put down on my minivan.
My concern isn't so much the bumps in the surface but rather things like easy clean-up of spills, protecting my knees from the hard bits and preserving the carpet, in that order. I've been living in a basic '86 conversion van the past 6 months, and its once-plush carpet is now pretty trashed. A month ago I laid down heady duty construction plastic, which helped with the spills but it's been a pain to live on, gets all bunched up to trip over and is LOUD.
So for my needs, if I can get a waterproof yogamat-type material to lay over everything as my foundation I think I'll go ahead and call that good.
Bdog1- I'd be concerned about spilled water seeping inbetween the interlocking pads and then unable to evaporate out. Do you do anything to manage this concern or have you just found it to not be a problem?
Almost There
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Bitty, I just purchased closed cell foam from a marine fabric place. It was available in thicknesses up to 1/2" which is about the thickness yoga mats are made of.
Liquids just roll off of it and unless you punctured it, it would protect the original carpet AND your knees.
It was 60" wide so 2 yards or less would do the whole back of the van.
No idea what your prices would be but even here at Canadian prices it's only $23 a yard so probably in the 12 to 15 range for you.
You could always throw some scatter mats over top of it where your mattress and boxes aren't.
Liquids just roll off of it and unless you punctured it, it would protect the original carpet AND your knees.
It was 60" wide so 2 yards or less would do the whole back of the van.
No idea what your prices would be but even here at Canadian prices it's only $23 a yard so probably in the 12 to 15 range for you.
You could always throw some scatter mats over top of it where your mattress and boxes aren't.
