Finally made my bed !!

[ghost123uk]

Last week I finally got around to making a raised bed base for mine, out of 18mm ply. With the drivers seat pushed forwards I get 6'2". The bed base is 11" tall and 28" wide, giving lots of storage space underneath. I have a fold up mattress like this one. I got mine for £10, used but as new, I chucked the metalwork away.

The main "platform" is 60" long to fit neatly when the seat is in the driving position. It has 2 x swivel out "arms" at the front, so when the seat is pushed forwards, they can be swivelled out and another piece of 18mm ply sits onto them to get the extra length. The mattress folds in half and fits neatly under the rear of the platform, along with a good sleeping bag, a pillow, a camping table, a camping chair, a water container and one of those cheap canister type cookers etc etc etc.

The vertical side, near the centre line of the car is also made of 18mm ply, screwed and glued. It only goes as far as the edge of the load space, not intruding into the "leg space", to maximise storage there. It has 18mm ply triangular reinforcing webs at rear, centre and front.

The right hand side has a 1" square leg at the front corner with 2 of those small right angle shelf brackets attached with dome head 6mm bolts and nuts for strength. The rear corner is shaped to sit onto the wheel arch, with a 1" tall x 9" long block to get the height correct and some rubber matting glued onto the arch to protect it.

The whole thing will be covered in some of that thin black cord carpet they use in wedding marquees and the like, using spray on carpet glue. I will post some pics when I have finished it off with the carpet.

It is very sturdy, but can be removed in seconds if extra load space is required. I will leave it in place though, as I will hardly ever need the whole load space. In many respects this "bed platform" come storage box, is a very useful addition to the car, and when finished in the thin black carpet will look great!!

The single rear seat has been left in place. When the seat back rest is folded down it forms a fine table top like surface. You just need a block of wood to get it level. Of course that seat can / is usually folded right up for sleeping / maximum space.

I am REALLY happy with the result and can't wait for my first camp out in it.

[jj9]

Sounds very good, and as the finer weather is approaching (hopefully) you may soon have an opportunity to test it out.

....  wish you had posted a few pictures of the build though.....


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[ghost123uk]

I will post some pics and the dimensions when it's finished. I only didn't now because it's made of some plywood I got off a friend that is "pre-loved" and has all kinds of paint marks and stains on it, so, whilst it is currently uncovered, it looks a bit of a state !! For now I have draped a "throw over" across it as a temporary cover, even that looks OK. Once the thin black cord carpet stuff is sourced and fitted it will look just fine of course

[jj9]

Nowt wrong with a bit of pre loved gear. 

Look forward to the pics.


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[Leefree]

I will post some pics and the dimensions when it's finished. I only didn't now because it's made of some plywood I got off a friend that is "pre-loved" and has all kinds of paint marks and stains on it, so, whilst it is currently uncovered, it looks a bit of a state !! For now I have draped a "throw over" across it as a temporary cover, even that looks OK. Once the thin black cord carpet stuff is sourced and fitted it will look just fine of course

Wow this is more or less what I had in mind for my berlingo adventure.  Though I like the idea of my bed virtually at floor level.  Now I know the seats can be removed I dont have to use the folded down seats for half of the support for a raised bed.  I also read somewhere of a great idea to make black outs for the windows using foam camping rolls.  You can get these at some of the pound shops and they can be easily cut out to the shape of the windows and just slotted in.  Im going to cut some ply for the floor and pherhaps get a mattress from your idea of a camp bed.  The DIY amdro boot jump is out the window now Im glad to say, and I want to re-live my childhood with some "matress in the back camping" Thanks so much for the ideas, they have helped so much.  It would be great if you could send some pics on to accompany your post.

[ghost123uk]

I like the idea of my bed virtually at floor level.

But then you won't have all that extra storage space for other camping "stuff", and you won't be able to see out of the windows while in bed. But hey, it would be a boring world if we all thought the same.

I also read somewhere of a great idea to make black outs for the windows using foam camping rolls.  You can get these at some of the pound shops and they can be easily cut out to the shape of the windows and just slotted in

I will be looking at that idea for sure

It would be great if you could send some pics on to accompany your post.

I will.