bed update photo's

[misty]

Hi Guys,
went to the yard today to get some photo's of the bed for snowdog, hope they help,
1, ok this is the bed closed without the cushions on,


2, closer look, no fancy fasterners here, the locking pins are 2x 50mm gutter bolts droped in a 6.5mm hole drilled in the top, and a bit of nylon strap for a handle,
basic but works for me, remember EASY build was my aim


3, this it open, no need for anything to secure it, can't come out any more and its self standing,


4, this is the side nearest the other bed box so no need for any thing substanchel (spelling) the ply triangle is screwed to the side of the false front to keep it upright, in the photo above you can see the other side is a full side


5,bigger view from above


6, this is the gap for the side to go in,


7, bed part closed,


8, a veiw from underneath showing the slats are longer to go over the top of the false front


9, how she looks inside nowadays, the black vents bottom right are for the propex heater, bloody loverly when your in bed tucked up under the quilt, just flick the switch and hey 5 mins the van is all toasty and warm, the van even had a xmas pressy a microwave, 600 watt run on a inverter when wilding,


Any how as i say i hope they help the guys on the venture self build, just keep it easy, and think twice when you think you don't need it,
if i can help just ask
Misty

[johnsvan]

That is great work Misty. Thanks for the pictures.

One thing, did you consider hinging along the back so that you could lift all the slats up and have access from the top?

Just thinking how that could work...

[ColinJack]

That's clever stuff - may be basic but the thinking is pretty sophisticated. Lovely job. Maybe put rollers on?

[misty]

That is great work Misty. Thanks for the pictures.

One thing, did you consider hinging along the back so that you could lift all the slats up and have access from the top?

Just thinking how that could work...

Hi John,
nope got to lift the cushion aswell then, to much effort for me,
we only keep junk and shoes under there so it will do for us
Misty

[johnsvan]

Yes, your right, cushions would be a pain.

I was thinking of my own van really, I have the battery and fuses and other things that need good access but only occasionally.

Looking at your pictures it would seem a fairly simple job to fit a piano hinge so that you could have access from the top as well as the front.

Anyway, I'm thinking of copying the pull out slat idea but having the L the other way around so that the small seat is behind the front seats.

Is there anything you would have done differently?

Cheers,
John

[TRS]

This looks really good, good workmanship too,

[misty]

Yes, your right, cushions would be a pain.

I was thinking of my own van really, I have the battery and fuses and other things that need good access but only occasionally.

Looking at your pictures it would seem a fairly simple job to fit a piano hinge so that you could have access from the top as well as the front.

Anyway, I'm thinking of copying the pull out slat idea but having the L the other way around so that the small seat is behind the front seats.

Is there anything you would have done differently?

Cheers,
John

Hi John,
Don't start me on that list,
The only thing I wish I listen to was to get a high roof, me being 6' 4 but whats done is done as they say
What van have you got? And passenger seat, reason for asking is if you have a single passenger you can get two 110 lesuire batts under it, then its a short run across to starter batt with a relay,
If you look the seat box behind the drivers seat hasn't got a side, the slide out one covers it, my consumer unit an fuses are there if need access I slide out the bed drivers seat forward I can get to them, don't forget its a easy build
Also the ehu cable which is wired direct to the c/unit is stored under the drivers seat with my permanent charger no fancy hook up socket on my van, what cut another hole more fittings nah easy build just trap the cable in the door when on hook up
Misty

[johnsvan]

Hi Misty,
My van is a MK5 high roof LWB. I have built a toilet/shower cubical that goes 2/3 across the back and the kitchen L's onto that and runs down the sliding door side.

The seating/bed will run from behind the drivers seat back to just short of the toilet/shower with a cupboard/wardrobe at the end and into the 1/3 space next to the toilet/shower. From the rear doors there will be a shelved garage area 1/3 the width that is at the back of the wardrobe and to the right hand side of the toilet/shower as you look at it from the rear.

The passenger seat is a double and the frame is of tubular steel. Not really much usable space under it because of the frame construction.

Is it possible to replace the seat for one with a box construction?

Good idea about the hook up, nice and simple, I have put an outside socket on mine in the main panel behind the drivers seat and the wire comes through under the seat/bed that is not there yet.

I hope you can picture the layout from my description, no photos at the moment I'm afraid.

If I were to start again, i'd make it simpler. ho hum!

[priesty]

that is a nice layout

[tonylem]

johnsvan, we had a hinged version in our old now dead vivaro.
Can be a bit heavy and awkward with the cushions on, but works well.

[johnsvan]

Cheers Tony
That is the sort of thing I was thinking of. Great pictures, I can see how some slats have been overlapped at the front for lifting.

I take your point about it being heavy, maybe I will split it in two length ways.

Thinking about it, that would give a flexible seating arrangement to - maybe a 2' section could pull out to make an L shaped seating area when needed.

My head is filling with ideas.

Thanks guys

[misty]

johnsvan, we had a hinged version in our old now dead vivaro.
Can be a bit heavy and awkward with the cushions on, but works well.

IKIEA slats,
see simples
misty

[misty]

[quote="johnsvan"]Hi Misty,


The passenger seat is a double and the frame is of tubular steel. Not really much usable space under it because of the frame construction.

Is it possible to replace the seat for one with a box construction?
John,
mines a mk6 the seats were easy to swop the holes are all there just get a single passenger seat at worst another drivers seat but the arm rest is on the wrong side,
belive me the singles are more comfy than the bench double on a long drive, and if your smart enough you can put a swivel plate on the box and twist it around for a nice comfy armchair whilst camping,
there no end to options,
if you are still in the building stage join the SBMCC site well worth the £15 some brilliant ideas there and discount at most places

hope it helps
Misty

[johnsvan]

I was a member of SMBCC but it has lapsed now I think, not logged in a long while - must re-join.

Are you saying that MK6 seats will fit my MK5? Or are you saying replace my double with a MK5 single?

I like the idea of a swivel seat but I also like having 2 passenger seats. It's not essential for us but very handy for carrying one more.

[misty]

Hi John
not sure about mk6 fitting a mk5 im sure someone on here will know,
but im sure the mk5 had a single passenger seat aswell normaly on a bt van
one of the best things we done, also you dont have to get out to get in the back,
misty