My Van-Bed

[betz]

OK guys, finally got around to taking some pictures of this thing. Here is a link to the pictures: Astro Bed.

In total it cost about $100 to make...probably less. I basically just used 2x2 pine. I also used some brackets from the fencing/deck section at home depot to put it all together. Make sure that you buy the screws made for those brackets, you will find them near-by and they work great. Additionally, I used some heavy-duty spray-on Elmers glue (comes in an aerosol can) to adhere the carpet to the sections of wood. The OSB I used was 7/16 inch. You could go with 3/8ths and be just fine. One thing I didn't do that I should have was wrapped the carpet all the way over the sides and down under. My middle section doesnt have carpet covering the front and back sides, so it started to come up a bit. On the other pieces, I wrapped the carpet around the exposed sides and it worked really well.

For sleeping on this, I bought a sleeping pad type thing from gander mountain. It has foam inside that self inflates when you open the air valve, then you just close the valve and it provides a nice cushiony pad to sleep on. I was going to use a futon matterss, which fits great, but I think it is a bit too cumbersome. I like it the way I have it now. Then I bought some towels with suction cups on 'em from wal-mart, and use them for curtains. Enjoy!

[astrozam]

Was hoping to check this out,but the link times out,anyone else having this problem 4:37 est pm?

[LiftedAWDAstro]

4:47 PM est...works ok for me. Loads slow though.

[skippy]

I can see the pics ok , must be you zammy .

[dunedog]

Another campin' Astro fool
Looks good

[astrozam]

Link is working now,looks like your all packed up and ready to go betz,nice job on the easy access panels,thanks for sharing your project with us.Let us know how you like it

[betz]

Yeah, sorry it is slow to load. I am using my own computer as a web server (which is really convenient)...but don't have all that fast of an upload speed.

But, I love this setup. I have been using this for at least three weeks and sleep in it all week long instead of paying for a hotel room. Saves a lot of money.

[WVKayaker]

good idea!

[ihatemybike]

Same idea as what I built last Sept for our trip to Mickey World, then chose not to use cause I didn't like the idea of sleeping at window level while driving. Your's looks much better than what I built out of the scrap wood I had laying around.