My Mini Van Pull-Out Room in Which I Can Stand

[Arashi]

Greetings, Ive yet to see anything close to my project... its a pull out room that one can standup in, which also doesnt use peg legs as a support.

 

[bullfrog]

How far is it from the floor that slides out to the bottom of the open hatch, that from the picture is the roof? Does every thing inside the van have to come out with the slide? More details please.

 

[Arashi]

Its basically a cage that you pull out manually. I dont have 10 posts yet to post links, but I also made a video of me standing up in it.

 

[sushidog]

Cool. Thanks for posting pics. I'd like to see the finished project.

Chip

 

[LoveCareThinkDo]

Awesome! I like how you just used extension ladders and cut the steps off. I'm a huge fan of re-purposing commonly available (and even thrown-away) things to make something new. 

From the last picture in your most recent post, it appears that the "stand-up" area is basically a tent. Is that correct?

 

[Arashi]

Surprisingly using my dads old ladder made this project very simple where I was able to just pound steel poles through the ladders steps to easily complete the cage structure.

Im taking off the thin boards (fumes and weight) seen in the pictures and going to wrap everything in layers of cheap and organic Burlap (made of strong straw threads).

Currently Im in need of a design to hold things up. I have extending camera tripod legs and long bamboo sticks... I kind of like how folding clothes hampers work... not sure what to do.
The TV plastic front I have pictured just squeezes into the frame and holds up. 

Cool. Thanks for posting pics. I'd like to see the finished project.

Chip

Thanks, I would like to turn it into a bathroom by having a hatch open to dump poop bags into the spare tire location... which is situated underneath the car.
 
My next project will be a custom wood burning stove using a gasification stove (SoloStove) enclosed inside a computer case and toaster oven.

 

[Seminole Wind]

there is such a tiny space to stand in. what purpose is it for, what benefit do you get from it. just curious

 

[Arashi]

It expands a stealth mini vans space so you can use it for what ever need like standup shower or a generator room perhaps (keeping in mind of carbon monoxide poisoning)
The second use is simply wrapping a thick wool rug around it when the cage is inside so as to insulate.
The third is leveling sleep positions when parked on a slope.

 

[bullfrog]

What about having a foam box inside the cage that lifted up or folded once open to form walls and a roof. Maybe even a box that is as long as you are tall that slid out and tilted. Hinge point just after the bumper.

 

[Arashi]

I like the upwards expanding room idea... just not the foam part. I'll be cranking a wood stove oven inside and am cautious to none organic things fuming.

I have a popup tent that Im thinking of using... I may gut it and place little leather (expensive) at the top to keep from rain and the bottom half wrapped with Burlap.

 

[travelaround]

I love this creativity! Is there any way you could put the tent on top of the van? But how would you get around the hatchback? A rope ladder?

 

[Arashi]

Thanks... good idea, there is rubber trim up there which I was thinking about putting hooks on... maybe some kind of tent could be mounted from there and I can step on the tire to hook it.

Since my middle sunroof opens up I was thinking one can climb up that way and amazingly use the top deck but I want to keep it simple for now. Perhaps someone can clone my project and try it.

 

[Arashi]

This is my tent... Im thinking of making sheet metal panels (wrapped in burlap) to hang on the sides to close it in.

 

[travelaround]

The tent looks like a big golden wing. Very cool.

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

That's because it is a 'big golden wing'.  Make sure you have some good, solid tie-outs if you plan to be anywhere there is even a moderate wind.  It is very tall for its footprint so it won't handle wind very well.

 

[Arashi]

I think the aluminum mount I pictured earlier should help in this and lots of permanent tie downs at the base. 
Tomorrow Im picking up some used Bamboo blinds to run on the sides... so the whole setup should be a bit more solid.

 

[Arashi]

Test mounting the tent here... I setup Bamboo blinds down the sides.
Im going to cut the tent and try to fit it over the floor base.

 

[WanderingCanuck]

I hate to be a wet blanket (actually, not really... I'm pretty good at being the devil's advocate) but I think to get the most advantage out of this kind of setup you'd need to reverse the hinge on the hatch. Just like in the one picture that was posted above. With the hatch opening in the standard configuration you can stand, yes, but then what? You can't walk around. If you hinged the hatch from below you would gain maybe 4-5 feet where you could actually walk around. It could be used to stand while cooking, take a shower, or whatever your imagination comes up with.

 

[closeanuf]

I love the idea of using the ladders. Could you post some pictures of the different ways you joined the ladder pieces together?

 

[Arashi]

I used hardwood for bracing the vertical supports and inserted steel rods into the ladders steps for the base.

I hate to be a wet blanket (actually, not really... I'm pretty good at being the devil's advocate) but I think to get the most advantage out of this kind of setup you'd need to reverse the hinge on the hatch.  Just like in the one picture that was posted above.  With the hatch opening in the standard configuration you can stand, yes, but then what?  You can't walk around.  If you hinged the hatch from below you would gain maybe 4-5 feet where you could actually walk around.  It could be used to stand while cooking, take a shower, or whatever your imagination comes up with.

For sure the potential would be greater but I want to keep it simple for now... and cost is another factor.