DE TODAS LAS OPCIONES QUE VEO EN YOU TUBE PARA HACER ASIENTOS CAMAS EN LAS CAMIONETAS VANS LA TUYA ES LA MEJOR, SIN DUDAS, POR LA SIMPLE, Y PRACTICO TE FELICITO SALUDOS DESDE ARGENTINA
That is the best dual perpouse setup i have seen, could,nt be better. simple strong and practical...it goes to show, simple is always best...it,s just a matter of waiting for some bright spark to think of it....I love the idea. i,m going to put that one in my ideas book for future ref...Thankyou...loved it
Agreed. I have watched a number of videos and this is what I had in mind. I am going to make a few mods. My wife and I are both tall so I am going to go with 8in vs 12in. The 4 inches of foam concerns me. How did it work out for you? Great video..thanks and enjoy your adventures!
Thanks for the share. You're right, there wasn't a lot out there for ideas untill recently. I converted my 2003 caravan 10 years ago calling it my poor man's RV. I opted for a solid plywood platform with enough clearance underneath for all our camping, fishing and cooking gear. Topped it off with a foam matress and a cover. Rather than sitting inside, it was easier to rig an awning that can attatch to either side of the sliding doors. Personal gear is stored in a couple of duffle bags that get transfered to the front passenger seats when we set up. Folding chairs and a small table transport nicely on top of the foam matress. Canoe goes on the roof. It's great for stealth camping en route and you can't beat a caravan for fuel efficiency compared to the big hogs.
He's the very very RARE breeds of AMERICANA that's disappearing fast ! Just when you start to give up & accept the new breeds of good for nothing as the " norm " they pop up like this & announce they still exist & renew your hope! May God shadow him in every way & give him the strength to do his thing 🙏
Cool, Mini-vans rule!!! I got so much grief when I proposed to the wife about purchasing one but videos like this prove that it is an empty canvas to be utilized for just about anything. i've hauled an upright piano, a yard full of brush, and 10 foot lumber in my van and now I have inspiration to use it for camping. i'm sure it's safer than a flimsy tent and much more comfortable. I'll probably do what you did but keep the back seat ( or at least the 2/3 portion) upright. Then I'll build a frame for sleeping and storage. It has to accommodate two adults and a 2 year old.
This bed can be left in and there is still room to put in the three middle seats. That said we have never had the seats in AND the foam in the van at the same time but I think you could if you cut the foam in 4 pieces. The seats still have to come out to fold the bed down.
The van I have has the tuck away back seats. That being said I was thinking of tucking away the 2/3 of that seat and leaving the 1/3 for a car seat. When it's time to sleep I would put the car seat in the front seat (or roof carrier) for storage and to free up that 1/3 seat for contributing to the overall bed. I have a question. my wife was concerned about ventilation. Is there a ventilation issue with sleeping in a van? I wo0uldn't think so as I spend at least two hours a day driving in an ever growing crowd of traffic in Austin to work and back everyday.
I've done something similar with my Toyota Sienna, but it probably was a lot easier for me since I'm a solo traveler and don't live in the van full time. You can check it out on the About tab of my TH-cam channel at this link: th-cam.com/channels/C2KKsaplFD5H3sr_ORE_KQ.html There are links there for the way I travel, the design philosophy, a description of all the components, a list of prices and sources, and one about the evolution of the campervan over a three year period. Needless to say there were many changes along the way to get to the current configuration. Click the information circle on each photo and video at the links to see the accompanying description and comments.
check out my grandvoyager camper conversion totally gutted / on youtube my channel (andrew pattullo) stealth camper , fitted curtains lyno floor metal frame extendable bed stainless steel counter top /pull out cooker / hd tv free view all home made
I've been looking into different versions of this idea a box that goes into the back and folds over the front two seats. Or taking the rear seat out and using the removable captains chairs up front for transport then using them for camp chairs at camp and implementing this idea. Placing swivels under the front two chairs would be cool too. Do you have any more detailed info or pics on the bed structure? Or even a video.
thinking like you. i have already made my seats behind so can be slide ahead and lain down and the third row seats arranged to lay down also wher they would ajion the second. so far row and then a small platform to fill out the remaing space for a bed platform. had also considered using reclining lawn chair or something similar reversed in the back b but finding enough room for two side by side is anotherut havent found a lawn chair that woud fully recline. the zero gravity recline almost all the way
need help with fixing my car I'm a diabetic homeless and stuff I need help with fixing my ride to where I can make it a good home till I get more money I'm on disability income
It is functional... just spent a night - before hiking into the canyon - at Mather on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, the bed and storage under works out very well. thanks!
Hi Lisa... we slid the seat part forward to the stop then folded the rear area flat and stacked the foam back there. We used 2 pieces of 4" foam so 8" high when stacked on the rear platform, still leaving room to put other stuff on top. There is lots of storage under the platform for most of the camping gear and the ice chest still fits between the front seats and the platform. We camped in a VW Westy for years so the minivan was pretty tight - we have now deserted the minivan in favor of a Class B Pleasure-Way campervan. Until we could save the money for the Class B the minivan was a great alternative!
Do you think you could make a bed frame in the minivan with the backseats still in place? The backseats that came stock in the car, I want to be able to have people sit back there with the while we drive, which require seat belts. great video by the way.
If the back seats fold into the floor it would be possible but would require a completely different design. Hunt around on TH-cam maybe someone has done that. Good luck!
You're right Bob, but there's a/c solutions imo like two a/c's in both front windows, or two roof top a/c, I just got back from Ocala NF Florida deer hunting, could not stay in van (no a/c) the heat and humidity problem, so we slept in 8×10 tent, more ventilation, should have brought my 5000 btu a/c. Lol
Thanks but I have a chevy beauville 1992 1ton fullsize van I'm going to build a plaform bed with storage it will be a full time set-up. Thanks for the offer thow
This is GREAT. My husband and I really want to convert our Toyota Sienna by building a bedstead like this. Could you give actual measurements or a materials list so we could figure out whether this would work for us.
The measurements are directly tied to your vehicle... sorry but you will have to scratch your head and do some measuring to figure out what will work in your van. Look at the other comments to find a link to another build that I relied heavily on to figure out what I could do.
Nice, I might take your design but only make it 30inches wide so I can keep the smaller seat in the back that comes with a sienna. Trying to think how I could fold forward to make a table of sorts when not in use. So if it could work as a chair (remember 30" wide or so), a bed, and a table....well shoooot, done deal. Side note, I'm split on keeping the bigger seat tucked in the cargo area with this setup.
I Should Stop watching van life/transformation. More I watch more I want to have my own. Then I think if I will be able to handle the cold weather and the every night hassle of where to park. In my community I have seen two mini vans recently. I think it's a matter of time until neighbors call the police. Great Video by the way.
Great design; I hope you don't mind me borrowing a few ideals from it. I'm puting a 16" top on my caravan so I won't have the low roof issue to deal with. Good job.
Great job, very nice the way it looks and folds up foe a shorter person who could sleep sideways in a full size van this could be just made with the legs below and a back that folds down .
well let me tell you what I got something better I just went to Walmart and they had a fold-out a twin bed it's better if you didn't have to build a dam frame I disagree it's easier just to go to Walmart to put all that effort into that shit come on man I think simple so damn hard
like the converible design. ideally i would like enough clearance for siut cases or travel bags to fit under for storage, but as you have found the head room is a limiting factor, and another thing with little to no head clearance could lead to a sore head on a bumpy trail
Thanks! We have used it quite a bit for camping and really like the Tail Veil tent for the rear hatch... and no I don't represent the company! We can get all but our cooler and food box under the platform.. oh and two extra blankets we usually take. The draw backs so far are that the 4" foam we use didn't get cut to provide cushions for the seat/back but rather left in two larger pieces and 4" is too thick I think. This means that the back section stays down all the time and we just stack the two foam pieces there. Works for us and I think if we ever get "rained out" and have to spend lots of time in the van (but we would likely sit in the Tail Veil anyway) we could still shove the foam to the back and adjust the seat for sitting. That said we sit on the seat all the time with the foam stacked in the back, just have to sit "back" on the seat because of the overhang. Happy Camping!
Cheers for the quick reply buddy.. yeah ive had my eye on the teil veil aswell. . They look awesome. . Well.. try and find something of the sort... there's also canvas one made by outback camping... looks way more durable than the nylon veil.. anyways keep it up.. ciao..B
This is awesome! My boyfriend and I are getting our Honda Odyssey ready for some cross-country roadtrpping and we are DESPERATE for some blackout curtain/panel options (bright sunlight in the AM is one of our mutual pet peeves)...yours look basically exactly like what we want: something fitted rather than a roll of reflective bubble paper. Can you let me know where you got them or how you made them? Thanks!
Actually the windows are just tinted fairly darkly. They look darker than they are in the video. We used the relective windshield bubble stuff you refer to. We can buy it by the foot at the local hardware store then cut to fit snugly in the windows.
Hey... I do live in AZ and you would be welcome to come by (Payson) and see first-hand what I have built. I just don't have time to build one for you though...sorry.
Great design on the couch bed. Are you still using this system? It would be great to see the support mechanism for the backrest from the rear of the van. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you.... no we moved on to a class b RV a few years back. The support for the back rest is quite simple being just a notch in the 2x4 frame for the plywood to slide into. To make the slot I just positioned the back rest where I wanted it then laid a straight edge on the back side and against the 2x4 frame this allowed a line to be drawn on the frame projecting the angle needed for the support notch/slot. Then just used a jigsaw to cut out a notch about 1.5 inches deep. Hope that helps! Cheers!
It took me at least 4 minutes to realize he didn’t have his left arm. I love the functionality of the bed. It’s genius
It's amazing that this hasn't been made into an option from the factory, haha. Looks very professional. Well done.
That bed/seat is a wonderful idea! Great job, Sir!
DE TODAS LAS OPCIONES QUE VEO EN YOU TUBE PARA HACER ASIENTOS CAMAS EN LAS CAMIONETAS VANS LA TUYA ES LA MEJOR, SIN DUDAS, POR LA SIMPLE, Y PRACTICO TE FELICITO SALUDOS DESDE ARGENTINA
That is the best dual perpouse setup i have seen, could,nt be better. simple strong and practical...it goes to show, simple is always best...it,s just a matter of waiting for some bright spark to think of it....I love the idea. i,m going to put that one in my ideas book for future ref...Thankyou...loved it
Thank you for the kind comments. We have since graduated to a Class B van but this rig served us well for a season or two!
brianfindsal
Agreed. I have watched a number of videos and this is what I had in mind. I am going to make a few mods. My wife and I are both tall so I am going to go with 8in vs 12in. The 4 inches of foam concerns me. How did it work out for you? Great video..thanks and enjoy your adventures!
Thanks for the share. You're right, there wasn't a lot out there for ideas untill recently. I converted my 2003 caravan 10 years ago calling it my poor man's RV. I opted for a solid plywood platform with enough clearance underneath for all our camping, fishing and cooking gear. Topped it off with a foam matress and a cover. Rather than sitting inside, it was easier to rig an awning that can attatch to either side of the sliding doors. Personal gear is stored in a couple of duffle bags that get transfered to the front passenger seats when we set up. Folding chairs and a small table transport nicely on top of the foam matress. Canoe goes on the roof. It's great for stealth camping en route and you can't beat a caravan for fuel efficiency compared to the big hogs.
I was so impressed with the build, I didn't even notice the missing appendage until he sat down at 4:30.
Now I'm even more impressed.
He's the very very RARE breeds of AMERICANA that's disappearing fast !
Just when you start to give up & accept the new breeds of good for nothing as the " norm " they pop up like this & announce they still exist & renew your hope!
May God shadow him in every way & give him the strength to do his thing 🙏
Very nice. If you are still checking this post, would you have plans for this?
Very smart design,ever seen!
This is so awesome. I guess yours are the best so far. Love it 😍😍😍
Hey buddy. . Awesome build.. love your use of space. .
Cool, Mini-vans rule!!! I got so much grief when I proposed to the wife about purchasing one but videos like this prove that it is an empty canvas to be utilized for just about anything. i've hauled an upright piano, a yard full of brush, and 10 foot lumber in my van and now I have inspiration to use it for camping. i'm sure it's safer than a flimsy tent and much more comfortable. I'll probably do what you did but keep the back seat ( or at least the 2/3 portion) upright. Then I'll build a frame for sleeping and storage. It has to accommodate two adults and a 2 year old.
This bed can be left in and there is still room to put in the three middle seats. That said we have never had the seats in AND the foam in the van at the same time but I think you could if you cut the foam in 4 pieces. The seats still have to come out to fold the bed down.
The van I have has the tuck away back seats. That being said I was thinking of tucking away the 2/3 of that seat and leaving the 1/3 for a car seat. When it's time to sleep I would put the car seat in the front seat (or roof carrier) for storage and to free up that 1/3 seat for contributing to the overall bed.
I have a question. my wife was concerned about ventilation. Is there a ventilation issue with sleeping in a van? I wo0uldn't think so as I spend at least two hours a day driving in an ever growing crowd of traffic in Austin to work and back everyday.
We have left the two back windows open for ventilation... worked well.
Nice idea, having the front part of the bed flip up on hinges instead of simply copying the old VW camper concept.
Would a futon work the same?
If a futon will fit in your van... sure.
I've done something similar with my Toyota Sienna, but it probably was a lot easier for me since I'm a solo traveler and don't live in the van full time. You can check it out on the About tab of my TH-cam channel at this link: th-cam.com/channels/C2KKsaplFD5H3sr_ORE_KQ.html
There are links there for the way I travel, the design philosophy, a description of all the components, a list of prices and sources, and one about the evolution of the campervan over a three year period. Needless to say there were many changes along the way to get to the current configuration. Click the information circle on each photo and video at the links to see the accompanying description and comments.
can you provide detailed instructions? no nothing about carpentry...no help around me...
Great idea on the seat bed, thanks for posting this video. I may use this or part for my build, I will post videos of it once I get going.
check out my grandvoyager camper conversion totally gutted / on youtube my channel (andrew pattullo) stealth camper , fitted curtains lyno floor metal frame extendable bed stainless steel counter top /pull out cooker / hd tv free view all home made
I've been looking into different versions of this idea a box that goes into the back and folds over the front two seats. Or taking the rear seat out and using the removable captains chairs up front for transport then using them for camp chairs at camp and implementing this idea. Placing swivels under the front two chairs would be cool too. Do you have any more detailed info or pics on the bed structure? Or even a video.
+Daniel Lazo Sorry... I do not and have since dismantled it as we bought a Class B van (a Pleasure-Way Excel-TD)
thinking like you. i have already made my seats behind so can be slide ahead and lain down and the third row seats arranged to lay down also wher they would ajion the second. so far row and then a small platform to fill out the remaing space for a bed platform. had also considered using reclining lawn chair or something similar reversed in the back b but finding enough room for two side by side is anotherut havent found a lawn chair that woud fully recline. the zero gravity recline almost all the way
Still helping others in 2019 me dear!!!!! THANK YOUUUU!!!!!!!
tubafor
need help with fixing my car I'm a diabetic homeless and stuff I need help with fixing my ride to where I can make it a good home till I get more money I'm on disability income
Thanks Mate. That's a jolly great bed. I m going to do it in my Landy 300 tdi. It s a perfect solution.
Thanks for sharing
two ba four
Nice setup, I'll use some of those ideas for a hunting rig I'm working on this summer.
No worries. But great job sir you are a craftsman
It is functional... just spent a night - before hiking into the canyon - at Mather on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, the bed and storage under works out very well. thanks!
Love this!
Good idea , ad drop it 2 or 3 inches , but looks cool, your arm rests would also look btr with the 3 inch of them , thanks good luck .
what about bake side , you can open back trunk and let people to see what it's looks like ,
Very disappointed that he didn't bother to show the back side!
oh my gosh this is exactly what i was looking for thanks!
Excellent I like it very much. 👍👍.
Excellent! Nice build and implementation
I like your idea!!! keep it on!!
Very little info and too much talking
Cool van do you still have it
great design
Hi Don great idea,thanks
Do you recommend buying a minivan with some roof and all wheel drive or you think that's an Overkill
Whatever works for you. We eventually bought a used Class B campervan. The raised roof and amenities are nice. We use the van often.
cool design...but the foam takes a lot of room and would have liked to see it ready to go. ever go on to a fridge/solar extension options?
What do you do with the foam mattress when it is in bench mode?
Hi Lisa... we slid the seat part forward to the stop then folded the rear area flat and stacked the foam back there. We used 2 pieces of 4" foam so 8" high when stacked on the rear platform, still leaving room to put other stuff on top. There is lots of storage under the platform for most of the camping gear and the ice chest still fits between the front seats and the platform. We camped in a VW Westy for years so the minivan was pretty tight - we have now deserted the minivan in favor of a Class B Pleasure-Way campervan. Until we could save the money for the Class B the minivan was a great alternative!
Do you think you could make a bed frame in the minivan with the backseats still in place? The backseats that came stock in the car, I want to be able to have people sit back there with the while we drive, which require seat belts. great video by the way.
If the back seats fold into the floor it would be possible but would require a completely different design. Hunt around on TH-cam maybe someone has done that. Good luck!
really nice work and idea
Is there a woodworking plan for this van camper unit?
Sorry... no.
LOVE the bed!
That is a really cool idea! Thanks for sharing.
You're right Bob, but there's a/c solutions imo like two a/c's in both front windows, or two roof top a/c, I just got back from Ocala NF Florida deer hunting, could not stay in van (no a/c) the heat and humidity problem, so we slept in 8×10 tent, more ventilation, should have brought my 5000 btu a/c. Lol
Thanks but I have a chevy beauville 1992 1ton fullsize van
I'm going to build a plaform bed with storage it will be a full time set-up. Thanks for the offer thow
Can you please make a video showing how you did it please
Sorry don't even have the van anymore.
This is GREAT. My husband and I really want to convert our Toyota Sienna by building a bedstead like this. Could you give actual measurements or a materials list so we could figure out whether this would work for us.
The measurements are directly tied to your vehicle... sorry but you will have to scratch your head and do some measuring to figure out what will work in your van. Look at the other comments to find a link to another build that I relied heavily on to figure out what I could do.
Thanks, Don. I get it. You have done a great service simply by sharing your work.
Great build. Thanks for the video! You gave me some great ideas for my build 👍😊
Like the bench/bed...
This is exactly want I planned for my conversion !! Very good’
Nice, I might take your design but only make it 30inches wide so I can keep the smaller seat in the back that comes with a sienna. Trying to think how I could fold forward to make a table of sorts when not in use. So if it could work as a chair (remember 30" wide or so), a bed, and a table....well shoooot, done deal. Side note, I'm split on keeping the bigger seat tucked in the cargo area with this setup.
Clool I like the idea it's a case of make the most of the room you have
I Should Stop watching van life/transformation. More I watch more I want to have my own.
Then I think if I will be able to handle the cold weather and the every night hassle of where to park.
In my community I have seen two mini vans recently. I think it's a matter of time until neighbors call the police.
Great Video by the way.
Great design; I hope you don't mind me borrowing a few ideals from it. I'm puting a 16" top on my caravan so I won't have the low roof issue to deal with. Good job.
great design and well built. But you've moved on up to official camper van status now..!
I am impressed !!!! With skills and motivation like that you are far from being "poor". You are not the money you have in your wallet or Bank.
Brilliant.
I agree great concept from an original idea. Don I would have liked to see how you sent up the rear support structure. Maybe next time.
only thing i'd try to improve it instead of 2x4s id use all plywood you could probably gain an inch or two of headroom and lose a tiny bit of weight
Awesome!!!👠🚌👠
Great job, very nice the way it looks and folds up foe a shorter person who could sleep sideways in a full size van this could be just made with the legs below and a back that folds down .
well let me tell you what I got something better I just went to Walmart and they had a fold-out a twin bed it's better if you didn't have to build a dam frame I disagree it's easier just to go to Walmart to put all that effort into that shit come on man I think simple so damn hard
Nice, I think this is just what I have been looking for. Great job. I’m going to give it a try.
Very nicely built. Thank you for sharing.
You did an awesome job. The bench looks so small and then expands so long.
Tuba 4
Beautifully done! You are making me rethink how I want to outfit my Outback. Kudos!
The bed design makes you extra sleepy. Lol
like the converible design. ideally i would like enough clearance for siut cases or travel bags to fit under for storage, but as you have found the head room is a limiting factor, and another thing with little to no head clearance could lead to a sore head on a bumpy trail
Great idea, execution and presentation.... THANKS!
Very nice!!
Great idea but I wish you had shown the back side of the bed so I could get a better idea on how to do the framework
Well done!
Very well designed. Very functional
Hey buddy. . Awesome build.. love your use of space. .
Thanks! We have used it quite a bit for camping and really like the Tail Veil tent for the rear hatch... and no I don't represent the company! We can get all but our cooler and food box under the platform.. oh and two extra blankets we usually take. The draw backs so far are that the 4" foam we use didn't get cut to provide cushions for the seat/back but rather left in two larger pieces and 4" is too thick I think. This means that the back section stays down all the time and we just stack the two foam pieces there. Works for us and I think if we ever get "rained out" and have to spend lots of time in the van (but we would likely sit in the Tail Veil anyway) we could still shove the foam to the back and adjust the seat for sitting. That said we sit on the seat all the time with the foam stacked in the back, just have to sit "back" on the seat because of the overhang. Happy Camping!
Cheers for the quick reply buddy.. yeah ive had my eye on the teil veil aswell. . They look awesome. . Well.. try and find something of the sort... there's also canvas one made by outback camping... looks way more durable than the nylon veil.. anyways keep it up.. ciao..B
I'm 6' and head was against rear hatch while feet where presses into back of driver seat when I slept in cot
Do you think this would be safe to transport kids in. if it had seatbelts? and some kind of locking system
Daniel Lazo i need to be able to transport me my wife a 5 year old in a booster and my 3 year old. then be able to sleep in it at night.
Daniel Lazo Hi Daniel... Perhaps you could make it safe but I would be inclined to say no... Don
Tuba-too
nice set up, and appreciate the detail you presented. thank you. well done!
Nice (:
Is this a dodge caravan? Looks like one, not sure tho
Innovative design. Good job! Have fun on the road.
Good job ... thanks for the insights!
Do you offer plans to make this?
Sorry...no. It is pretty simple and must be tailored to your particular van. One plan would not fit all.
N
Tuba 4 got me Rollin, but nice design
that's pretty cool thanks for the vid
Very nice. Simple and well designed.
Genious! But also, Tubatoo.
Oh,god! You amassing!
that's pretty kool. well done
This is awesome! My boyfriend and I are getting our Honda Odyssey ready for some cross-country roadtrpping and we are DESPERATE for some blackout curtain/panel options (bright sunlight in the AM is one of our mutual pet peeves)...yours look basically exactly like what we want: something fitted rather than a roll of reflective bubble paper. Can you let me know where you got them or how you made them? Thanks!
Actually the windows are just tinted fairly darkly. They look darker than they are in the video. We used the relective windshield bubble stuff you refer to. We can buy it by the foot at the local hardware store then cut to fit snugly in the windows.
Well done indeed. If you live in az can build me. One for my van ?
Hey... I do live in AZ and you would be welcome to come by (Payson) and see first-hand what I have built. I just don't have time to build one for you though...sorry.
Hey Whtmikeg30vanlife... I got another van and would sell the platform/foam now if your interested.
Great design on the couch bed. Are you still using this system? It would be great to see the support mechanism for the backrest from the rear of the van. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you.... no we moved on to a class b RV a few years back. The support for the back rest is quite simple being just a notch in the 2x4 frame for the plywood to slide into. To make the slot I just positioned the back rest where I wanted it then laid a straight edge on the back side and against the 2x4 frame this allowed a line to be drawn on the frame projecting the angle needed for the support notch/slot. Then just used a jigsaw to cut out a notch about 1.5 inches deep. Hope that helps! Cheers!
Wish i could do the same with my van great idea!!!
👍👍👍
do you sell it i would .. how much $