Well building a bed

[Dean and Buster]

So decided to use my van for my winter run away from the mid west. So working on building a bed in my van. This is a challenge for me not good at building things but I need a challenge so I am going to try to build a bed .

 

[cyndi]

Good luck!

 

[ChezCheese:-)]

If you want to go super low tech, get some plastic milk crates and put a piece of plywood on them. Top with foam or mattress of your choice. Done!

 

[AMGS3]

Depending on your mattress and the sturdyness of the milk crates, you might not even need the plywood. It'd be more ventilated without it. And moisture/condensation problems undr a mattress are something to avoid. I have a friend who had to throw away her mattress and platform because of black mold. They have these under bed ventilation pads for boats, but they are kind of expensive. And if you can design something that works for you without one. Why not. Better yet, you have storage boxes underneath it. 3 birds, 1 stone.

~angie

Sent from my VS501 using Tapatalk

 

[Matildas mate]

I don’t call it woodworking, it’s more like wood butchering. 2x3’s and a piece of plywood cut to a width of 32” (and cut in half again widthwise) and joist ties for hooking it all together. Door hinges to increase access to storage beneath. It’s high (about 27”) but the storage space below is a full 24”. The two 2x2’s in the middle are to make me feel better about the lack of support in the middle of the 8 foot span - 6 feet for me and two feet for the dog.

 

[QinReno]

So decided to use my van for my winter run away from the mid west. So working on building a bed in my van. This is a challenge for me not good at building things but I need a challenge so I am going to try to build a bed .

I thought your van was already converted. Yes/No/Maybe?

In my initial no-build van non-conversion, I bought an 8" foam mattress and simply laid it on top of 10 cardboard storage boxes. The mattress cost only $99 when I bought it.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006L9QN4G
https://www.amazon.com/Bankers-Box-Storage-Lift-Off-0071302/dp/B074JKK1G6

 

[DebraOak]

Depending on your mattress and the sturdyness of the milk crates, you might not even need the plywood. It'd be more ventilated without it. And moisture/condensation problems undr a mattress are something to avoid. I have a friend who had to throw away her mattress and platform because of black mold. They have these under bed ventilation pads for boats, but they are kind of expensive. And if you can design something that works for you without one. Why not. Better yet, you have storage boxes underneath it. 3 birds, 1 stone.

~angie

Sent from my VS501 using Tapatalk

I like this idea and, as I've been researching the build of my van (I'm in planning stages), decided I will build the mattress platform with the wood slates so that the mattress can breath. Am also wondering if by doing that I'd also benefit from the marine padding. Anyone know?

 

[AMGS3]

^^^^DebraOak

I was looking around for more info on it and found that the Marine bed padding goes by many names. Hypervent, EnkaDrain, Dry Deck, Enkamat, Enkagrid, and Aire-Flow to name a few. They are all made from the same material and most are sold by the linear foot for about $10/ft. So if you were looking for padding for a 6ft mattress it would be $60 plus shipping. It may be a fine product that works well, but my gut says it's unnecessary if you have plenty of holes between the slats under your mattress. Of course if you are in a position where the peace of mind about not having to replace your bed and deal with this problem later is more valuable to you than the cost of the Marine bed padding, then it might be worth it.



Sent from my VS501 using Tapatalk

 

[Matildas mate]

I had considered building a bed with slats but decided to stick with plywood and drilling holes for circulation. I don’t think this would compromise the integrity of the plywood provided I don’t drill too many holes.

 

[DannyB1954]

You will be fine with that. You also don't need heavy thick plywood as it is supported every foot by the crates. 1/2 " would be fine, maybe even 3/8"
If you can sleep on 31" wide mattress this works well for me. https://www.amazon.com/Milliard-Fol...31093492&sr=8-10&keywords=mattress+4"+trifold

 

[bigskybob]

Aw hell.Dean.You are not that far away.Come on down and we will build you a bed and some cabinets.I'm right across the Ar line.