Chevy & GMC Vans

Very nice setup, I may have to steal some parts of the bed idea...

As for the bucket... er Groover, as we like to call it on the river. I suggest picking up a gamma seal, http://www.amazon.com/Gamma-Lid/dp/B000M5SI2A. If will make the whole thing air/liquid tight just in case there is a bag rupture. Also pickup some clorox to sprinkle over your "deposit" that will cut down on the smell. If you find that you end up using this often, i recommend picking up an EcoSafe Toilet, http://www.nrsweb.com/shop/product.asp?pfid=2729. If fits nicely in a rocket box and has a dump hole that connects to an RV dump site.

Nice setup. I am interested in doing something different in mine.

I use the rear bench/fold down bed. It's nice and comfy,if I am hauling extra stuff I can sleep on it as a bench but.... I can't keep it inside when hauling loing items loaded thru the rear doors. I also have a plastic cab with the 3 draws mounted behind driver seat.

I much prefer my little shovel or hatchet over public rest rooms. Not sure I would wanna drive around with a 5 gal bucket inside with me. Could be a real crappy experience getting into an accident

Speaking of accidents...... does the Bumper dumper prevent tail gaters ???? Again, and it may just be pride this time.... I can't see driving around town with that thing mounted to my hitch.

Thats a really nice bed setup. looks comfy, I might try to copy it a bit. How do you secure it when your travelling? It would be handy if it could clip into the holders. I use ratchet straps a lot too.

doyoulikeithere wrote:Thats a really nice bed setup. looks comfy, I might try to copy it a bit. How do you secure it when your travelling? It would be handy if it could clip into the holders. I use ratchet straps a lot too.

Bed was pretty comfy but I should have found some softer foam for the seats. I'm very thin and even with the 2" memory foam topper it was a little hard on my hips after a few hrs. It was also 38deg and the memory foam was probably harder than it should have been.

As for securing the bed, It just sits long ways behind my seat. It wedges in there pretty tight. I guess if I rolled the van it could become a nuisance. It would also have to get past the seat back. When I built the box, I made it fit exactly to where I have the seat for driving. I pull my seat forward, rotate the box then run it back against the bed.

Ahh, I see.
I always have passengers in the back, so it would be more of a concern then...

Just me or wife and I travel in the van. Little easier with just the two of us. We can turn the bed around so there is room to use the back seat with the bed box pushed up against the back of the front seats but I hadn't thought about traveling with it that way. I have considerd trying to figure a way to secure it cross the back of the front seats but haven't really had any need yet. Some crago straps would fit perfectly to hold it longwise behind the drivers seat and I'll probably do that. I liked that idea.

Where did you get your foam and what density was it? (If you know.)

I'm having the opposite problem here - the only foam I can source locally is "upholstery grade", so it's fine for a sofa, but even the densest option is a bit soft for sleeping on if you're as big as I am. I will do ANYTHING to avoid having to add/use a mattress topper because I don't to deal with it for single-night stays while on the road. I want to be able to yank down the seat and sleep, then quickly stow it in the morning.

EDIT: Forgot to add: It looks great! Keep the updates coming.

Herbie wrote:Where did you get your foam and what density was it? (If you know.)

I'm having the opposite problem here - the only foam I can source locally is "upholstery grade", so it's fine for a sofa, but even the densest option is a bit soft for sleeping on if you're as big as I am. I will do ANYTHING to avoid having to add/use a mattress topper because I don't to deal with it for single-night stays while on the road. I want to be able to yank down the seat and sleep, then quickly stow it in the morning.

EDIT: Forgot to add: It looks great! Keep the updates coming.

My daughter has this for a mattress in the house:
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Spa-Sensation ... s/12542631

its dual density and pretty comfortable to sleep or sit on. I'm thinking about using one of these for my "penthouse bed" when i finally get the high-roof put on. I might go with the 6" up there, but the 8" would make a better gaucho couch or fold and tumble bed.

I used one of those in something I made...super comfortable. The cool thing about those mattresses is that you can remove them from the liner and cut them into any shape with an electric knife. You could make a heart shaped penthouse bed.

They are heavy though. Even a twin size is hefty.

Foam came from hancock fabrics (fabric store).

Ordered a camping labs awning for the van and it arrived today. Now it's time for some creative mounting. Not exactly sure how I want to attach it to the van but it would be nice to have it easy to remove but still sturdy enough to drive on bumpy roads. Any hints or suggestions on mounting to the factory rack appreciated. Probably get serious about figuring out something this weekend.

Haven't seen the mounting brackets but the best thing to do would be mount it on my van!

You may be able to fashion something like this, http://www.gowesty.com/ec_view_details. ... parent_id=

Sounds like it's time to stroll down every isle of Home Depot. Whenever I need something that will do this or that they have something that will work. Don't skip any isles, likely the treasure is where you least expect to find it.

I think the stroll down the hardware store isles is the perfect way to find some inspiration!