using a hi-top for a lofted bed

[gangrelchik]

I was on a site where the person had originally planned to use the storage space in a camper hi-top as part of a lofted bed scenario.  I am very interested in this, though perhaps with an additional support structure underneath, and was wondering if anyone else has heard of this or tried it.

 

[AbuelaLoca]

I'm too claustrophobic! How many inches is your hightop? I think it's a good idea and thought about making a "guest bed" in a storage area above the cab, but my hightop is not very tall and it actually slopes toward the front... a friend is still trying to talk me into it, so we'll see LOL

 

[gangrelchik]

I don't have one yet. I'm still planning my rig, but if this could work then it will definitely be a contender against an RV.

 

[rvpopeye]

Welcome aboard !
A loft bed in a high top van.......hmmmmmm.
Interesting.

My impression of that is not enough room to sleep and then not enough room to stand under it.
Might work on just a couple of feet for a pet though.....

Now , In an RV .... Class C ? has a bed already over the cab.
I've seen a Class A with a bed that lowers from the ceiling to use , then back up for more space .
it was like having a 30' RV that was only 23' !

 

[highdesertranger]

sure it can be done with a tall high top. I have seen it before. remember though now you need a ladder to climb into and out of bed. some people don't like this and it makes midnight calls a little awkward to say the least especial if you are sick. highdesertranger

 

[Gideon33w]

Too many trade-offs imho. Lose height for that area, awkward in/out of bed, face too close to the ceiling, etc
I'd much rather have a bed/couch and use the are above it for storage. Since you'll want floor level seating anyways.

 

[Almost There]

Keep in mind too that heat rises.

During the daytime I can feel a noticeable difference in the temperature at knee level as opposed to up high in the high top. I can also feel that difference when I'm using the heater.

One person I know who has done it used a pull out system to lengthen the 'loft' to be long enough for sleeping. He has a 24" high top on his van so it's more like a 'crawl in to bed' thing. No sitting height. Ok I guess if you don't have to get in and out of bed a couple of times a night to use the facilities.

My van has both front and rear portions of the original roof left in place and I used both of them for some absolutely huge storage areas. The rear is full of backpacking gear, off season clothing, a tote of dressier clothes as well as all my regular wardrobe. The front storage is all kitchen stuff. The middle section is 6' of 6'2" standing height.

The only high tops that would even be practical for this would be either the 24" or the 36"

 

[TrainChaser]

You wouldn't have to make the base of the bed platform right AT the joint level -- you could build supports on the walls of the van itself, attaching to the vertical ribs.

 

[gangrelchik]

Yeah, I'm definitely envisioning at least a 24" hi-top for this.  I figure you don't get much sleeping height in a class c cab-over, so it's not too crazy of an idea.  I'm toying with some kind of set up like with a class C where the front section of the bed frame is either removable of slides in to allow more normal movement during the day then goes back into place at night for sleeping.  Just fold the bedding back and then back forward, so no real making and remaking the bed.  With a thinner foam mattress you can just fold it over on itself.

Heat rising is definitely a concern.  Haven't come up with a solution yet, though I have seen hi-tops with windows, so I wonder if those can be functional windows that open.

 

[bullfrog]

I had a 1971 VW van with a pop top (elevated at one end with canvas on three sides) that had a single folding cot off to one side that simply unfolded, making a bed that took up only half the opening so you could stand beside the cot and simply climb up using the seat as a step. I really liked it as the only time you had to open the top was to sleep and the main bed area could be other wise used for shower / kitchen / storage.

 

[gangrelchik]

I found this video of a couple in a campervan that has a lofted bed. The sliding in and out would definitely be helpful for space management.

 

[jonsun]

my hightop is 7'9" outside height. It has a kiddie bunk over the cab. there's no way I would want to sleep up there because the headroom is way too small for an adult.