the Flexible Apartment Roaming Transport build

[TMG51]

MAGIC!.... I don't know yet, still dont have a mattress. Maybe some Velcro strips.

My van has body pillows that make up the seat/back. The back part is held to the wall with velcro. To make a bed, take the cushions off the wall and assemble the bed. It works okay but velcro of course wears out and doesn't stay in place with shifting body weight when sitting.

I've often thought that a better solution would be to have one larger cushion (such as maybe a futon mattress), and sew some heavy loopholes into the mattress, and put some low profile hooks on the wall to hang the loopholes from. That way even when sitting and slouching the mattress can't come down the wall and slide off your seat. When you want it to be a bed, just pick it up off the hooks and slide it down.

That's the idea I had that I plan to implement one day, anyway. Might work for you.

 

[masterplumber]

I thought about running a long large bungee across at the crease where the mattress runs up the wall. Not sure if the back would just flop over though.

 

[Jana]

Futon couches keep the mattress on by having a wooden lip or a couple of cleats, for want of a better word, on the seat edge. Like this: http://www.walmart.com/ip/Mainstays-Metal-Arm-Futon-with-Mattress-Black/22364822

 

[pmekdahl01]

Things are starting to pick back up again and I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Bought some cabinets for the Re-Store. Chopped a little bit off of both of em and the fit like a glove.

I also relocated my light switches and charge controller.

And finally got some ventilation installed in the back.

 

[LeeRevell]

Paint the outside vent unit to match the van, and it will be far less noticeable.
Where did you get the vent?

 

[pmekdahl01]

Paint the outside vent unit to match the van, and it will be far less noticeable.
Where did you get the vent?

I kinda like the black, I figure the van is already bright yellow so I really never had any stealthyness to begin with. And I got the vent from Etrailer.com

 

[pmekdahl01]

Only 7 days left until I am full timing in this bad boy. I am to the point to where I am starting to see what I can fit in all my storage spaces, hopefully I built enough. The only thing I want to add is a cargo net underneath the kitchen counter, but thats only because I cant figure out anything else to do with it. I did a trial run last Wednesday up in boulder that went pretty well, except for the fact that I parked next to a school bus pick up, oops. So no all I need to do is clear out my house and fill up the van. Oh yeah here are some pictures too.

 

[WriterMs]

It IS a thing of beauty! We'll all be eager to see where you fit what, too. LOL

I did notice that the stacked plastic drawers do not seem to have any way to keep them from sliding out when you make stops that aren't totally gentle. Depending on the weight of what goes into them, you may need something.

Is your cargo net going to wrap /drape around the outside of the counter unit? That would likely do it, but I suspect you had in mind the net to fit on the inside of that framing.

 

[pmekdahl01]

It IS a thing of beauty!  We'll all be eager to see where you fit what, too. LOL

I did notice that the stacked plastic drawers do not seem to have any way to keep them from sliding out when you make stops that aren't totally gentle. Depending on the weight of what goes into them, you may need something.

Is your cargo net going to wrap /drape around the outside of the counter unit?  That would likely do it, but I suspect you had in mind the net to fit on the inside of that framing.

Thanks, I dont realize how much its changed until I look at the older pictures I took.

Those plastic drawers have velcro on the inside edges of them to help hold the in place.

Yes, the net will need to be on the inside part so it does not get in the way of the bed when it is fully extended.

 

[pmekdahl01]

Well I figure I would be nice and post a "how to" for everybody as a thanks for all the inspiration and help that I have received from this site. All in all I only went $300 over my $5000 budget, including the purchase of the van. ENJOY!

Step one: Acquire van with similar interior features to this one.
 Note: Different vehicles can be used, just scale everything to your liking


Step two: Follow this simple 10 page document.
  Note: Many steps/items/dimensions have been omitted for clarity.
View attachment How to build a van.pdf

Step 3: SUCCESS! If you have done everything correctly you should now be the proud owner of a new Flexible Apartment Roaming Transport (FART)


Thanks again
Also I made a video where I blabber on for 8 minutes about all the sweet features of my van.
[video=youtube]

 

[offroad]

like it all!!

 

[pmekdahl01]

So, it's been over a year in the van and I decided that I needed to change my bed design. It was too narrow when it was closed and a pain in the ass to open into a bigger bed. Plus it took up so much room when it was extended.
So I tore it apart and made it slide front to back instead of side to side. The bed ended up being a little shorter but it also sits further back so I gained more floor space which is very nice.

 

[Every Road Leads Home]

Just seeing this build thread for the first time. Nice job. I like how you turned the bed, funny how a simple fix can make a big difference.