Chevy & GMC Vans

Wiley wrote:

cf100mk5 wrote:I have a simple bed made from 2x4's and a sheet of plywood.Made the bed higher so I could fit in my shelving underneath so it is a bit snug and unfortunately I can't read in bed but it is comftorable.It all comes apart easily.Lived in my van for 4 months quite happily.

Damn I thought I had the highest bed here but you are the clear winner

I try not to breathe too deeply and I disregard the "buried alive" dreams.

I have a very simple bed design I would like to share,however I am still tryin to figure out how to get pics from my phone to the forum. So for now all u get is a description. Ya know how the rear bench folds forward to produce a roughly two foot by four foot flat surface. That is the middle portion of my bed. I have removed the forward rear bench and only have one in the rear most possition. Behind that bench I built a box/cabinet the same height as the bench folded down,now the third section is a piece of 5/8 ply that hangs from the head rests. I used climbing cord. When u fold down the seat u also fold forward that board. It is supported on one edge by the head rests and has fold down legs from a RV supply. The legs were cheap. This bed is the exact size of a Full memory foam matress from wally world. I topped that off with a pair of coleman big and tall quilted sleepin bags,the bags zip together and r wider than the bed giving two adults much more elbow room than a full should. Right now the cabinet is very simple,olnly one shelf pulls out for stove,but I am workin on a final design that will have a stove sink and all cookin stuff,water supply and my lantern. This design is cool because when seat is up u cant tell its even there,and it comes out in minuetes and is a cargo van.

Posted in double mode once, here it is in single mode..

. Bedding rolls up and stays behind seat back.

Mark, that looks great.
I'd be inclined to use plywood rather than that pvc if you want to make a 'pull out" kitchenette. 3/4" cabinet grade ply for the side panels would
support 24" full extension drawer slides. I'm thinking one in the center as well so you would have two halves of a counter top side as wide as
the door opening will allow.

The pvc is a temporary prototype. I also work part time at a cabinet shop and will build a proper cabinet later. I got the van this summer and needed it to be a funtional camper imediately. However for someone that needs it easily removeable the pvc works great,super light,plenty strong,and corrals stuff in back. I am camping in it now! At Jenkinson resevoir,in Sly Park CA. First time wife and I have slept in it since we got the memory foam,WOW,what a difference warm and comfy. I will poast pics when I get home.

This post was posted on another forum I frequent, and is what initially brought me to this site.
viewtopic.php?f=47&t=6464
-Bruce

cf100mk5 wrote:I have a simple bed made from 2x4's and a sheet of plywood.Made the bed higher so I could fit in my shelving underneath so it is a bit snug and unfortunately I can't read in bed but it is comftorable.It all comes apart easily.Lived in my van for 4 months quite happily.

A bit too snug for me. I'm fairly tall, so limited too. I do like what you have done though. =D>
-Bruce

Merry Christmas to all,

I am installing the rear bench seat during holidays into my 2003 AWD Astro.
I moved the mounting aft 1 5/8 inch so that i can fold the front seat into sofa bed with out hitting the cushion of rear bench seat.

I will post photos.

AP

More images of seat

Got my Dodge caravan bench seats installed. Sofa bed, or cargo flat shelf, or people hauler.

AP

Seat mode

Here is better photo of seats.

Great ideas on here! I'm selling a bench seat/bed that was built specifically for astro/safari's. If you're interested or have questions let me know.

viewtopic.php?f=14&t=6659

i copied arlons bed when i built mine and it works awesome. the whole thing hides behind my rear seat and is hinged on the top so that i can use it to store my tools/blankets/sleeping bags/food or whatever