Securing "Floating" Bed Platform

[VanFan]

<font size="5">Tara mentioned this, and I think Katie has before:&nbsp; Does anyone have any ideas for keeping a sheet of plywood on top of&nbsp; crates/drawers/cinder blocks/totes/whatevers from sliding around?<br><br>I have been trying to avoid building a bed frame because I love the simplicity and flexibility of what I've been doing, and it's a breeze to empty out for cargo use.&nbsp; (Besides that, I really don't know how to put one together.)<br><br>I have always left one middle row seat in to hold the plywood back, but could really use that space for something else.<br><br>Vickie<br></font><br><br>

 

[akrvbob]

Is your bed on the side wall, or running across the back? In Katies Astro, the shelf unit is behind the drivers seat and attached to the floor with L brackets. The bed is behind it so the plywood can't come forward. It has very little inclinitation to go sideways so no need to attach it. Bob <br>

 

[Tara]

You know those little angle thingies? They look like a 9O degree angle pei e of metallic about 3 inches on both sides with screw holes? If there's something to screw or wedge them into, do that. It's what I did on the old configuration.

 

[VanFan]

Bob,<br><br>Moby has two modes:&nbsp; ones-ies and twos-ies.&nbsp; The bed runs against the wall (can be either) for one, and the full width when made up for two.&nbsp; I've been turning the boards width wise for two.&nbsp; One middle seat has been enough to keep everything back, but I would like to ditch it.<br><br>Maybe getting my "kitchen" in place is key.&nbsp; I probably won't be running it up all the way behind the driver's seat.&nbsp; When I drive it's all the way forward with the seat back straight, but when Tom drives, it goes all the way back with the seat back reclined a good bit.<br><br>Maybe a bulkhead (is that the right word for a divider?) at the end of the bed on the driver's side would be a good start.&nbsp; I would rather it not be very high, though.<br><br>The passenger's side is Tom's, and I would like to be able to extend the bed length there when needed.<br><br>It occurs to me that I might be able to use the old rear sofa shoulder belt mount to secure a runner of some kind that the boards could be attached to.&nbsp; The mount is bolted to the top of the wheel well.&nbsp; Hmmm.<br><br>Right now, options are wide open because Moby is empty.&nbsp; (I've been moving kids and shedding excess stuff for several weeks now.)&nbsp; I have masking tape on the floor for a two bench/dinette/convertible bed layout.&nbsp; The thing is, I really like a wider single, and we would probably rarely use the dinette configuration.<br><br>Vickie<br><br><br>

 

[VanFan]

Tara,<br>I was just thinking about those L's yesterday.&nbsp; Need to take another good look, 'cause there must be something!<br>Vickie<br><br>

 

[twokniveskatie]

my platform, which is that thin hardboard stuff from lowe's. . is very light, but is fine if it has enough support underneath like i do from my crates. it is fit so snugly between my shelving unit and the rear doors, it doesn't go anywhere. i do put my yoga mat between the mattress and the hardboard to keep that from sliding.

 

[freenez2]

I built a box bed with a "floating" top and slept on it for quite a while before tearing it down and using the space for other things. The top that my futon rested on wasn't attached to the box underneath and stayed in place with wooden blocks I screwed to the underside of the top. The blocks butted against the inside of the box. Because the top was loose, I could shim it to make it level when parking on non level surface. <br>

 

[rcm89]

Vickie, try throwing some of that rubber drawer-liner stuff between the plywood and the drawers.&nbsp; It won't help in a crash [but not much will!] but it will keep things from sliding around in normal driving.<br>

 

[VanFan]

Freenez2:&nbsp; Good thought about leveling.<br><br>Katie:&nbsp; Yes.&nbsp; I thought I remembered you saying something about a yoga mat.<br><br>Ron:&nbsp; Thank you for this suggestion.&nbsp; I agree that most bets are off in a crash, but think I'll test this with a hard stop and see what happens.&nbsp; Might put some under the cooler, too!<br><br>Vickie<br><br><br>

 

[twokniveskatie]

<b>yeah, my original bed that bob and ron built, that wasn't going anywhere. but i ran over it (don't ask) and ultimately only salvaged the shelves, which David H. reinstalled for me. my bed is now a floating bed. some pros to it, some cons. i really want to nail it down again, but have to figure out how i will get at everything under the bed like i do now. because it's wedged between rear doors and shelving unit, it ain't going anywhere except in the most extreme of circumstances....</b>

 

[VanTramp]

Hi Vickie! I have an interesting thought for you <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"> How about some rare earth magnets? You could epoxy them to the wood and either epoxy or screw(may require holes, *gasp*!!) a few pieces of metal (ferrous of course) to the bin tops. Some of those magnets are crazy strong now days! &nbsp; <br>

 

[VanFan]

Now <i>that</i> is a novel idea.&nbsp; And you know what?&nbsp; I think it would probably work.&nbsp; I just can't believe how many times I've retraced the same ground trying to find the best bed solution for us.<br><br>It's good to see you here, BTW!<br><br>Vickie<br><br><br>

 

[VanTramp]

Thanks Vickie <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"> It is nice to see you here too! I know whenever you do get down to building out your bed, be it a goucho model or some other creative style, it is going to be just right for you! Your research will no doubt pay off!<br>

 

[VanFan]

Thanks for the encouragement.&nbsp; As of today, I'm back to the drawing board, but feel like I'm making progress any way.<br>Vickie<br><br>

 

[johnny_canuck]

<FONT size=3>A thought about safety.<BR><BR>I would think that if everything in your van is not screwed or bolted down it could be very dangerous if you had to make a panic stop. I have a 2004 Dodge Dakota Quad Cab with a high rise cap. My back seats fold up. I made a plywood floor secured to the truck floor. Everything stored there is heavily secured to the plywood. At 30mph at a sudden stop a one pound propane tank flying through the air&nbsp;will weigh 30lbs at a dead stop!<BR></FONT><BR><FONT size=3>Be safe.</FONT> <IMG border=0 align=absMiddle src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/thumb.gif"><BR>

 

[Seraphim]

<P><FONT size=3>Small pieces of 2x4 screwed onto the bottom of the plywood strategically placed to hook behind the edges of the supporting material. To remove it merely lift straight&nbsp;up. Or pieces of metal or plastic angle on the edges to perform the same function.</FONT><BR><FONT size=3></FONT>&nbsp;<BR><FONT size=3>Hook clasps such as some luggage use.&nbsp;</FONT>&nbsp;</P><P><BR><FONT size=3>A myriad of possibilites.</FONT><BR></P>

 

[johnny_canuck]

<FONT size=3>Vickie,</FONT><BR><FONT size=3></FONT>&nbsp;<BR><FONT size=3>What might be a good idea is watch for tradesmen who have their gear in their vans. Just drive past a construction site or where they are building houses.&nbsp;Most of these guys have really good ideas. The best ones are the company vans. The owners do not want accidents to happen. I don't know of any guy who would not take the time to help a lady.<IMG border=0 align=absMiddle src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/wink.gif">&nbsp; Hey you may even get some free 2x4's or plywood. Just say you have no way to cut it. Heck on their break you may get a full installation.</FONT><BR>

 

[johnny_canuck]

<FONT size=3>Vickie,</FONT><br><FONT size=3></FONT>&nbsp;<br><FONT size=3>Go to my thread "Simple Survival Expedition". I've posted recent pics of my folding bed. If you have any questions let me know.</FONT><br>