Double Bed From Roof...

[JBOZ]

I am in the search of a mid roof transit so that I will be able to drive to race events and roadtrips ect. So I am thinking, would to be possible to make a cradle for a double be and have it so when not in use it can go up and sit in the mid roof section. how would be the best way to secure? Thoughts, ideas?
Thanks James

[Beegly]

It`s been done, and there are pics on here somewhere

[transitandy]

Hi i think mattblackminibus has done it welcome to the site aswell m8y

[northernlad]

The device you are looking for can be bought in a kit form from an Italian company called STLA, the UK distributor is called Scan Terieur.

[ovrkll]

Do you know where i can buy it?

[andy 63]

ive not seen what you want done but as others have said it will have been . dont know if bunks are a possibility for you. if they are heres some pics of my effort at putting them in. not got the foam for mattress yet but im hopeing by the end of this week that should be sorted. the top bunk swings down to form a back to the bottom one for a seating area when required. ta andy

the basic framework




the top bunk swung down

[ajpmsport]

I am in the search of a mid roof transit so that I will be able to drive to race events and roadtrips ect. So I am thinking, would to be possible to make a cradle for a double be and have it so when not in use it can go up and sit in the mid roof section. how would be the best way to secure? Thoughts, ideas?
Thanks James

I`ve had this crazy idea going round and round. I will try and explain it the best way i can. Two garage door mechanisms, i`m sure it will work and will be pritty cool. Always a but........it really needs to be a high top, but i`m sure a mid roof might be ok.

Two spring boxs like this, one at either end mounted in the roof of the van flat. The spring box has two springs in so when you open the garage door cables pull the springs so they stretch.


The cables go round a pulley which could be mounted on the corner of the roof of the van.


and down to a spindle. These spindles would be fixed to four corners of the bed and run in 4 guides which would be fixed to the side of the van.


The spring box will have to be shortened and layed flat in the roof. The runners will have to be shortened and let into the side of the van.The cables will have to be re-crimped shorter.

The bed could be a large wooden square frame ply lined both sides strong enough to take two people (or two domestic light as possible ply lined doors fixed together). At night pull the bed down and have a latch to click into place. It could come down and sit on a deviding low bulk head partition with a hinged or sliding "gate".
In the morning un latch and the bed will go up into the roof already made for the next night.
This will allow a work type station in the rear of the van whith not to bad head room during the day (hopefully). If you had a bike it could be made to just come down on top.
Hope this makes sense, i drew a sketch.
A= Bulk head where the bed sits on.
B= Sliding or hinged door (could be used when the bed is up
C= The bed platform.
1= Bed down.
2= Bed up.
hope it comes out.

[ajpmsport]

Sorry, the first paragraph should read. "when the garage door is CLOSED the cables pull the springs so they are stretched.
THANKS

[andy 63]

hi ajpmsport, cool idea as you said. does the difference in width of the van at roof level and where the bed sits in use cause any problems with locating runners for the mechanism. ta andy

[jolly olly]

Did you get sorted for your foam?
As there is a place at Fence House's that sell's to the public (i think) im not sure on the turn around time though it could be upto 10 day's, give me a shout if you need more info and i will see what i can dig up cheers.

[ajpmsport]

hi ajpmsport, cool idea as you said. does the difference in width of the van at roof level and where the bed sits in use cause any problems with locating runners for the mechanism. ta andy

The runners would have to be vertical all the way. As you say the narrowist part is at the top so this would govern the bed base.
It does not have to be garage door runners or spindles realy so long as their strong enough to take the cable and spring.
I did have a thought of having the runners on the angle on the wall of the van. When the bed is pulled down the spindles follow the line of the runner and the bed has sliders in the middle so it can go wider. I think the difference was about 340mm. Getting complicated though. B and Q sell a wardrobe runner and roller kit which might do this.
I based the gear on a Garador mk3 or 3c anything like this. Ebay had a second hand door near me free to collector, providing its got all the running gear, jobs a gooden !
The spring boxs are marked up with a PN numbers with a blue or silver band, these relate to the size of door. As long as these are paired up simular( you would not want a 7` wide springs one side and 14` springs the other)
ALSO if you do play with the springs beware of the recoil if you let one go it will take all your fingers off !
I will try and run the tape round the van to get some measurements and an idea of head room.
Here are the parts new to get a better idea I will stop waffling now.(i did all this once and didnt save it and wiped it all off, excuse my spelling by the way).
cables
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GARADOR-Mk3c- ... 1c232cd58b
spindles (they come in different lenghts)
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GARADOR-MK3C- ... 19d0736992
spring box
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Garador-Sprin ... 1c139e0455
THANKS

[transitandy]

I am in the search of a mid roof transit so that I will be able to drive to race events and roadtrips ect. So I am thinking, would to be possible to make a cradle for a double be and have it so when not in use it can go up and sit in the mid roof section. how would be the best way to secure? Thoughts, ideas?
Thanks James

Did you get sorted then m8y

[transitandy]

ive not seen what you want done but as others have said it will have been . dont know if bunks are a possibility for you. if they are heres some pics of my effort at putting them in. not got the foam for mattress yet but im hopeing by the end of this week that should be sorted. the top bunk swings down to form a back to the bottom one for a seating area when required. ta andy

the basic framework




the top bunk swung down

Thats a good idea m8y

[andy 63]

joly joly, thanks for info. i know the place you are on about. got foam from there for last van. ive got a lad in blaydon doing me some covers and he supplies the foam as well (could be from same place ) thanks again

ta transitandy, my effort is fairly basic compared to what is been mentioned above. dont think transits are the easiest vehicle to convert. the body slopes all over

ajpmsport, ill look at your links tonight when ive got the time. i just cant visualise the job because i dont know how the mechanism works, how much room it will take up etc. if it was me id be looking for an easier simpler option lol good luck if you go ahead.

ta andy

[Bill in Transit]

Hi, have you considered a hammock? You'll save space, weight, effort and money. A descent quality one can be comfortable and you'll soon get use to it.