Anyone built a bed frame with 8020/t/v-slot aluminium

[mrak]

I'm thinking about building a simple bed frame for the back of my Berlingo. Idea is a simply frame which can go over existing rear seats. The bed would slide into place using extruded aluminium, and can be taken apart and left as a a pile of rods/beams when not in use. Ideally some repurposed IKEA slats could be used to create a surface for a mattress.

I just thought I'd ask here before getting to deep into the project - maybe someone's already done this and has advice. There are a few examples on YouTube, all the ones I've come across are more complicated than what I'm interested in.

[Tinycamper]

I'm thinking about building a simple bed frame for the back of my Berlingo. Idea is a simply frame which can go over existing rear seats. The bed would slide into place using extruded aluminium, and can be taken apart and left as a a pile of rods/beams when not in use. Ideally some repurposed IKEA slats could be used to create a surface for a mattress.

I just thought I'd ask here before getting to deep into the project - maybe someone's already done this and has advice. There are a few examples on YouTube, all the ones I've come across are more complicated than what I'm interested in.

Snap, I'm thinking of doing the same - something very simple so I can see if actually like sleeping in the van before making or buying something more complicated and expensive. Can you post the youtube ones you found as there are a lot of fairly complex boot jump ones on there. Cheers
I like the idea of something very simple and lightweight rather than storing a heavier box system in the boot.
Will follow your post hoping someone has done one like this

Thanks

[mrak]

Snap, I'm thinking of doing the same - something very simple so I can see if actually like sleeping in the van before making or buying something more complicated and expensive. Can you post the youtube ones you found as there are a lot of fairly complex boot jump ones on there. Cheers
I like the idea of something very simple and lightweight rather than storing a heavier box system in the boot.
Will follow your post hoping someone has done one like this

Thanks

Yeah, same issue with the videos. Everything is pretty complicated - much more than I'm interested in!

This isn't using the extruded channelled stuff, but in terms of a simple alu frame, it's right on the money (almost): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1ho-SVed5Q

I think the biggest thing with the t-slot stuff I'm facing is: which connectors/fasteners would work best for quickly putting the bed up/down. My idea right now is 6 legs (two in front of the back seats, two behind, and two at the back of the van) making the overall rectangle shape, and then a few cross bars for support. The longest beams running the length of the van would be split (like in that video). This would be a bonus for storage, and would mean not having a giant metal bar in the back of the van looking for somewhere to go if you're rear ended. For the cross bars, a system where they can be left with a bolt in so they can be slide into place without having to screw anything would be great. If there was a quick release system for the legs, that would also be great.

Seems doable, but it's the potential hassle of all of these fasteners and bolts, as well as cost of connectors.

[bikerbaker]

If it's just a single bed you're looking for I considered this guest bed for a while.

It has a sprung base and very thin mattress but I used it in my VW T4 for a couple of years and found it extremely comfortable.

Tried it in the MS and it just fits but is almost impossible to erect and fold inside the car. The front leg is supported by the passenger seat reclined enough to make it level. The rear seats were out at the time so not sure if it would work with them in but there is always the option of cutting the centre leg down.

Just a throwaway idea.

[mrak]

If it's just a single bed you're looking for I considered this guest bed for a while.

It has a sprung base and very thin mattress but I used it in my VW T4 for a couple of years and found it extremely comfortable.

Tried it in the MS and it just fits but is almost impossible to erect and fold inside the car. The front leg is supported by the passenger seat reclined enough to make it level. The rear seats were out at the time so not sure if it would work with them in but there is always the option of cutting the centre leg down.

Just a throwaway idea.

Looking for room for two. If I could get two of those in side-by-side, though, it would be worth a punt I think (and then maybe upgrade the mattress to something larger/thicker).

[mrak]

Looking at two person cots on Amazon now. That may be a good starting point if I can find one that will fit...

[Sol]

Why not just a couple of 4" thick memory foam slabs the width of the rear, lie them on top of each other to make a dense 8" thick bed and roll up then strap into a sausage roll affair x 2 for transport?

Could work.

[mrak]

Why not just a couple of 4" thick memory foam slabs the width of the rear, lie them on top of each other to make a dense 8" thick bed and roll up then strap into a sausage roll affair x 2 for transport?

Could work.

Do you mean just on the entire floor? That for sure would be the easiest, but I want something which can go over the rear seats so I can keep them in the van. So some sort of frame which has legs in the rear seat foot wells, in the middle, and at the back of the van is what I'm thinking. And it should be pretty straightforward, but I'm not that great at this kind of stuff.

[Sol]

What about speed frame, if you create a box shape with enough cross bars and vertical bracers (vertical to support weight) it should be strong enough, and it unplugs to store again. It's designed for making custom racking and is very cheap but the possibilities are endless, they have tube, wheels, feet, joiners (straight, corner, tee and cross) that are push-fit. The whole thing could go in a bag when dismantled. You can cut it with a hacksaw and assemble in minutes once its ready.

Pack a rubber mallet and Bob's your Auntie.

https://www.richardsonsuk.co.uk/Aluminiu...mwQAvD_BwE

[mrak]

What about speed frame, if you create a box shape with enough cross bars and vertical bracers (vertical  to support weight) it should be strong enough, and it unplugs to store again. It's designed for making custom racking and is very cheap but the possibilities are endless, they have tube, wheels, feet, joiners (straight, corner, tee and cross) that are push-fit. The whole thing could go in a bag when dismantled. You can cut it with a hacksaw and assemble in minutes once its ready.

Pack a rubber mallet and Bob's your Auntie.

https://www.richardsonsuk.co.uk/Aluminiu...mwQAvD_BwE

That's exactly the idea. I was thinking the 8020 stuff may have some cool options for quick releasing connectors, but this stuff + a mallet may be more than enough - especially if it's cost effective. Cheers, will look into it a bit more!