The plywood requires some extra support when making a long span over 48". We used 1" by 2" angle iron along the edge.
They are a bit pricy, just over $100 dollars. When making a double fold there is a gap between the bed and the wall (we made foam inserts to fill this gap and metal supports to let the back rest on the wall). Although you can use that gap to store your bedding (circled portion of the image below).
When I had 4 people, I had a 7 foot long dinette, and the backs on each side folded up to make bunk beds on each side, the table could also be put down to make the bottom bed into a queen. It worked but it was a pain making the beds everyday.
In my bus, I had queen sized bunk beds permanently across the very back. That was much better because the beds stayed ready to crawl into. A 4 person dinette across from a sofa/bed in the front made a nice living/dining room. that would also make into two more double beds, then in the middle was the kitchen, bathroom, and storage/closets. It was very convenient and comfortable.
Cheers!
"Just because everybody's doing it, doesn't make it right." ~ THOW (Tiny Home On Wheels)
I really felt like I utilized the space in both rigs as efficiently as possible, balancing between space and comfort for everybody.
The bus was much better than the van, even though it wasn’t much longer. What it was, was wider, which allowed beds to go across the back instead of lengthwise. I think my bus had about 14-15 feet behind the driver, and that van had about 12. Both were about 20 feet long on the outside, but the engine/cab area on the bus was shorter.
The bus was MUCH more comfortable for 4 people, but we made the van work until we could upgrade. The addition of 3 extra people came unexpected, but before nightfall I converted that van from a single person residence to capable of sleeping 4, and in the middle of an Alaskan winter. Necessity is the mother of invention and quick action. hehe…
Cheers!
"There's a huge difference between popular choices and proper choices." ~ Road Warrior
In our first build, somehow the convertible idea was appealing. Tidy during the day and allowed for entertaining others, yet comfortable at night.
In reality, it was a huge PITA every day and night folding that thing up and down and was less comfortable because of the gaps between mattresses/cushions when it was a bed. First decision in our second van (and beyond) was easy. Full time bed!
We use the same perfect mattress we had in a house, can raise the bed further while gives us a TON more storage space under and don’t have to rock-paper-scissors if one person want to get horizontal while the other wants to stay up.
That being said… were older than the average van lifers… so this could just us being “ready” for more comfort. Hey… you asked.
This is awesome. We are currently trying to design a bed that will live mostly as a bed but can also be converted into a couch and when guests are over. Hoping for the best of both worlds. What kind of van are you in?
In my current rig, I have a normal house style futon sofa/bed. I extended the legs using telescoping metal conduit, designed to work similar to adjustable cabin tent poles, to raise it up over the wheel well, and also allow me to level it if I’m parked on uneven ground. Simple and effective but basically fool proof.
When I’m alone, I usually just sleep on it in sofa mode, and since I don’t typically use it for seating, I just leave my bed ready to crawl into, with no set up necessary. If I’m having company, I can remove my bedding in seconds to create extra seating. For a sleep over it will convert into a double bed.
I prefer a permanent bed set up, and separate seating. I have an old, super comfortable, swivel, rocking, reclining desk chair to lounge or work from. Comfortable enough to sit in all day long, or even fall asleep in. I have a 12v heating/cooling/massage seat cushion in it, as well as one in my drivers seat, and a 3rd spread out under my sleeping bag on my sofa. Talk about comfy… they make a world of difference. You can find the most amazing things at truck stops, including these and 12v heating/cooling blankets which I also use and love. They use very little power, and mine have thermostats to hold the temperatures exactly perfect. Both types are cheap, only about $20 each, and worth every penny.
I’m currently in a 1973 Dodge Travco high top camper van that had been gutted before I purchased it. I restored the original carpet & padding, wall & door panels, and window trim from passenger vans in wrecking yards, then moved my new new furniture in and secured it, rather than actually building it in.
Cheers!
"Never enjoy yourself at the expense of others." ~ TiltonHilton
This is my preference, too, but I’m still looking and haven’t decided on a design yet. I just don’t like the idea of having to piece together separate cushions to form a bed, and then having to put the sheets on it every night. Thats the biggest pain in the biscuit I can think of. I did find a design possibility that I actually like though and others might find useful.
In my head, I like the idea of a murphy bed that converts into a desk when not in use. The bed is always made up and ready for sleeping but opens up the space during the daytime and doubling as a workspace. Heck, I’ve even seen a queen sized murphy bed in an RV that doubles as a complete dining room with a table and two bench seats that easily fold away just by lowering the bed! Now THAT would be something!
Me and my son did bunk beds for a while. He had a bmbh tho so no rl. I have him on the bottom. When me and my son first started camping I didnt trust his ability to retain fluid, so he was on the bottom. If thats not the issue then set the kids up above the adult. A few tricks is to look for really big trees. You can offset the hammocks to the outside of the tree. You can also make one closer to one tree and the other closer to the other. The next step is 3 trees. Even if the 2 are coose together it still acts the same as big trees. Again high low, outside inside, closer farther. It will work. When my son was younger I liked having our hammocks to be touching. I would know if he was getting out or had issues.
If you are backpacking the tarp will be an issue, depending on the weather. When I first started I was only car camping and used a 16x20 blue walmart tarp. I then got a noah 16. It was huge, but I could set it up with doors and still be standing up. If its cold, windy or raining sideways it will be harder to hang a smaller tarp and keep coverage.
Are you guys coming to the yates place hang? I am hoping to have me, my wife, my son and daughter. We will be doing bunk beds or something like that.
the couch into a bed looks great. i thought double fold is impressive, TRIPLE fold. wow!
i have a very thick sleeping bag and 2 hammocks for guests.
now you got me thinking on converting the couch into a more sturdy makeshift bed if necessary.
There are a lot of options out there. We did the simple set up for a while as well. Our newest one has a bed that can self level with the click of a button haha
I am personally not a hammock fan. I do too many climbing trips when it is both cold and windy. That being said tents aren’t great in the wind either. There are some amazing all weather hammock options but they are a bit pricy.
