My Van-Bed
Posted: Sun Jun 01, 2008 1:30 pm
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!
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!
