- it can be set up at three different heights: lower, middle, upper
- in the lower position the bed can be easily transformed into the front or rear facing bench.
The bed design consists of movable bed platform, transformable base and mattress.
The movable platform is described earlier in the section "Bed Platform".
The mattress is a Linespa two layer foam mattress, full size.
The transformable bed base is made of two sheets of 1/2" plywood 72"x26" connected together by a long piano hinge so that it can lay flat or bent in the middle like a book. On both long sides, the base is reinforced by 1 1/4" steel angle to provide rigidity for the back in the bench position (front and rear facing). The plywood base slides freely on top of the steel platform and folds in both directions to make a front or rear bench seat. In the front seat position, the rear angle can be rigidly attached to the rear door by a steel hook and the front angle attached to the bed platform to prevent the bed base from flattening down when the van moves. Some details of the construction can be seen on the images.
At the upper position, the distance between the floor and bed is 55" and the van can be used to haul a relatively cargo.
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At the middle position, it serves only as a bed. The distance between the floor and the bed is 34", which creates a large size garage for bikes and other bulky equipment that maybe needed in a trip.
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.At the lower position, the distance between the floor and the frame is only 17", which still makes a good size storage compartment, so it can serve as a bed for trips not requiring significant volume of baggage. Additionally, it can be transformed into a front or rear facing bank seat. As the front facing seat, it can accommodate up to four person (three comfortably). As the rear facing seat it allows comfortably relax and enjoy the view when the rear doors is opened.
The bed in lower position:
The bed as the front facing seat:
The bed as the rear facing seat:
Very Impressive work implementing all of your ideas.
ReplyDeleteI'd be curious to see how the backrest of the bench seat is supported when it is transformed from a bed to a couch.
I really like that idea of being able to convert either direction.
The bed base is made of two sheets of plywood connected by the piano spring in the middle and having two reinforcement steel angles running in front and the rear.
ReplyDeleteWhen I raise the rear part (front seating position), the rear angle just rests on the black plastic pieces that cover the rear vertical corners of the van structure (rubber bushings are used). To prevent the sit from folding down to flat in case of impact, the front steel angle is stewed by two bolts to the steel bed frame, which is stable. The rear raised part steel angle is hooked in the middle to the door of the van.
When I raise the front part (rear facing couch), I just insert two thin vertical rods between the raised angle and the bed frame. This position is not for traveling, so no need for super reliability.
Hope it helps.