The Great Debate.... on beds!

[sassypickins]

@One Awesome Inch ~ I was admiring that setup the other day. I like many things about it. The narrower shelves on the one side allow the couch bed to pull out and if I recall correctly, still leave a sliver of walking room. Having kitchen stuff accessible from both inside and outside is cool! I almost did something similar but this is a bed thread lol.

 

[Otis]

Just planning my van layout and after the floor the bed will be the first actual structure. I am short enough and the van is wide enough that I will make a platform. I was looking at cheap foam mattresses at ikea and also some foam at wallyworld. For my job I often have to cut foam for wheelchair cushions and electric knives make good cuts. I will probably get a foam mattress and cut it short. It seems like the bed is the thing I have been pondering the most.

 

[highdesertranger]

what do you all do for odd size mattresses as far as sheets go? highdesertranger

 

[cdiggy]

what do you all do for odd size mattresses as far as sheets go? highdesertranger

My rack was built by the previous owner. It is exactly the same size as a slumberjack sleeping bag, which is both curious and convenient . I have 2 stacked on top of a piece of foam (that needs replacin'). Regular flat sheet big enough to tuck under the bags and I am good to go.

 

[Otis]

I am able to sew and will just cut some sheets down and sew new corners.

One thing I am curious about: Does anyone have their mattress fixed so that in the event of an accident it does not go flying? Having had experience with a fatal car accident I think about these things. I am going to bolt the bed and all other furniture down but was wondering about strapping the mattress on or what other folks have done.

 

[66788]

what do you all do for odd size mattresses as far as sheets go? highdesertranger

That's exactly why I use a standard twin size mattress. I like standardized things...

 

[GrantRobertson]

I just posted, elsewhere, about my preference for an air mattress, before I found this thread.

I will add, here, that I do not have any problems with the mattress feeling cold, because I use a 3" slab of memory foam on top. I also don't get sweaty because the memory foam is a special version that is breathable. Though I can't remember for certain, I am pretty sure this is what I have. It did cost about $99 at Costco but it was worth it.

I solve the problem of the sheets coming off by using fitted sheets made for extra thick mattresses. They wrap around much further. You can also buy little straps, kinda like old nylon-hosiery straps, that will hold the sheets in place. Though I don't have a clue where to get them.

When I move to a van, I plan to sew a cover, more like a futon cover, for my mattress/foam combo so my bed can look more like a sofa when I am not sleeping on it.

Good, Coleman air mattresses can be pumped up pretty firm and do not squish out from under you at all, when you move around. I often have to stand on mine to get to boxes on a shelf over my bed. It is about the same as stepping on a regular bed.

 

[Reducto]

My mattress is no strapped down and does slide forward sometimes, but it has never done any damage. It's just a slap of foam and one of the least dangerous things I have in the van.

My bed is a little smaller than a twin, but use a queen fitted sheet because it's what I have. It actually stays in place just fine even when I fold the mattress in half for storage. The only problem is it bunches up in the middle and sometimes I have to pull it tight to make it comfortable.

 

[Bdog1]

How about the air mattress and pad inside an oversized sleeping bag? Makes it all one unit.

 

[GrantRobertson]

How about the air mattress and pad inside an oversized sleeping bag? Makes it all one unit.

Yeah, but then you are wasting some of the sleeping bag's insulation and thickness on the bottom of the air mattress. Though it would help protect the air mattress from punctures...

Something to think about. I guess it depends on how cheap the sleeping bag is. When the time comes, I will go see what I can find at Goodwill.

 

[ganchan]

What about one of these things? Reclining chair and bed all in one... and it might be possible to add longer legs to it (?).
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Julia-Chaise-Black/37850111

 

[Almost There]

What about one of these things? Reclining chair and bed all in one... and it might be possible to add longer legs to it (?).
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Julia-Chaise-Black/37850111

YMMV but I find that anything that says it's great for lounging on means that short naps are a maybe but a full nights sleep would be out of the question! They do suggest that it could be used for guest overnight use, maybe they mean one that you don't want to make a return visit...

Leather, whether real or faux, is not something you'd want to sleep on for long. Talk about waking up in a puddle.

It's going to take up the same space as a bed, not be as comfortable and without modifying it, the storage space is limited.

 

[minimotos95]

A family member has a standard style futon made by that same company, I've slept on it a dozen times without issue but I also prefer the floor to standard coil spring mattresses. so take that with a grain of salt.
At sears I was shown one that had storage in the bottom. I think that one only folded like a couch and not like a lounger though.

 

[ganchan]

Yeah, there are a lot more folding-couch styles available. And I could always "make" a reclining chair out of one by putting some foam wedges and/or pillows in the right places.

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

they have those sheet hooding straps at walmart, best 5er ive spent !

 

[jonthebru]

I nominate this thread for best thread ever! Maybe I am to easily amused but the comments were really funny.
With condensation a problem in vans and RVs I would think slats would make a bed less prone to mildew by allowing ventilation.

 

[vanman2300]

I'm thinking of taking a standard platform bed set up and splitting it and hinge it. Then put fixtures for the legs to move them in and pull the other side up to make the whole thing convert to a couch. Still allows for storage underneath and not as complicated or heavy as the sliding slat bed. The foam mattress can be split too so it is easier to convert.

 

[Almost There]

You might want to consider what I did for a full size bed in a van that was reduced to a sofa during the day.

The bed platform ran across the width of the van with cabinets on each side of the van in front of the bed that were the height of the main platform less the depth of the plywood top. The bed extension pulled out from under the foam mattress and rested on the two cabinets giving me a bed platform that was the width of the van by 72" (standard bed length) back to front.

The mattress was high density foam that had been cut into sections. I did 3 sections, one was the size of the main bed platform, the other two were half that. The two half size pieces formed the back of the 'sofa' when it was stored and laid in place to make the full size bed when pulled out.

No legs needed, the moveable section laid on top of the cabinets. Storage under the bed and in both cabinets.

Because I sew I made the cover so that the top was one piece and each section of foam fit into individual pockets on the underside. You simply pulled on the horizontal mattress and the other two would unfold as they hit the deck. You could also just have each piece upholstered if you want simple.

I had a 'sofa' during the day and a full sized double bed at night.

I'd do it again this time but I want more kitchen, less bed this time so I'm going for a single size.

 

[mconlonx]

So yeah, your preferred sleeping setup?

Hammock. I got an ENO Doublenest camping hammock -- with temps down in the single digits, I'm using a sleeping bag rated down to -20degF, a moving pad and camping pad underneath, and a cheap comforter for some under-hammock insulation. And I sleep in a few layers of long underwear, hoodie, socks... Even into the low single digits, I stay snug and cozy even without a heater going -- I use the Buddy heater at night and in the AM only when changing in and out of sleepwear.

Upshots are many. Easy to install, light, most comfortable sleep I've had in ages/better than most beds. Downsides are few, but significant -- they take up a lot of space which can't be built out, you need the correct span for mounting, and there are issues like under-insulation which aren't an issue for a real bed. And no sleeping room for two...

Love the setup, but I'm currently not full-timing. I use the van as a bedroom, have access to my son's apt for kitchen, bathroom, hanging out. Once I start building it out for full-time use, the hammock may go away, in favor of a stationary platform, storage underneath, memory foam pad. We'll see...

 

[accrete]

If I were single I would rig up a hammock like the above poster mentioned.
You mentioned hoping for an on the cheap bed solution so I hesitate mentioning we use a Froli Sleep System in our van conversion...amazing sleep with the added benefit of air circulation below the simple mattress topper (used as mattress).

We luv the idea of hammocks and might do so if there is a van2. We currently have an ENO Single nest, ENO double nest, Hennessy Asymetrical expedition, and War Bonnet Blackbird. Yup, its an addiction!

Cheers,
Thom