Rear drop bed

howsono

So I'm just getting warmed up on the idea of a self-build 'van. I'm thinking LWD/HiRoof minibus conversion.

One thought for me - trying to fit four and a dog in, is extending space. I was thinking of a bed like you see on US sit-coms that fold down from the wall. Conceivably, you open the rear doors and a bed folds out. Attached (permanently or temporarily) is a tent running up to the top of the doorway, maybe with some sort of frame to keep it off your face/feet.

Any thunks? good, bad, ugly? stupid or genius? realistic or pipe dream?

:)
 

Rodeo

Hi Howsono.No its not a pipedream, but not as easy as it seems! If you can pull it off, it will be good! Another idea is to remove the rear doors and stretch the body with a frame and aly panelling.You could put a couple of bunk beds across there then.I did similar to a mk1 transit many yrs ago.
Or maybe fit an elevating roof ..they have a bed area in the roof space usually.
 
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howsono

Thanks. On contemplation, I'm thinking of a double bed on the sofas/table, two transverse bunks at the rear for the kids (one folding down possibly to form another sofa. I'd like to have this set forward a little so the rear doors can be used for access to a loo and storage space.

Thing is I also need to fit in two rear seats able to take car seats safely, currently got a three year old with another on the way! I know because of this I could get away with much smaller beds for the kids - but I'm forward thinking!
 

shawbags

LDV high roof xlwb is a good van to convert , try and get one with the old ford banana engine fitted , I would not buy one with the 2.4 duratorq engine they have a lot of problems , remember where there's glass there's condensation so a van might be better and fit a window in the side door , i'm looking for one at the moment and I thought of putting the bed across the rear on a hinge , fix the bed 3" out and have the other half on a big hinge so you can fold it out when needed , you can then use the under bed space for storage , gas bottles ect , I have a little romahome at the moment that is great for me but I fancy doing another self build with a wood burner , I've got the itch ! lol, good luck , Shawbags ( Chris ).
 

Rodeo

I think Imight have some heavy duty pull out hinges.Look pretty strong, think they are roller raced.Bit like f/cab drawer hinge, but double extension.Will have to suss them out, may have afew pairs.Have had no use!Let me know if anyone interested.Meantime I'll have a closer look at them.
 

GRWXJR

shawbags said:
LDV high roof xlwb is a good van to convert , try and get one with the old ford banana engine fitted , I would not buy one with the 2.4 duratorq engine they have a lot of problems , remember where there's glass there's condensation so a van might be better and fit a window in the side door , i'm looking for one at the moment and I thought of putting the bed across the rear on a hinge , fix the bed 3" out and have the other half on a big hinge so you can fold it out when needed , you can then use the under bed space for storage , gas bottles ect , I have a little romahome at the moment that is great for me but I fancy doing another self build with a wood burner , I've got the itch ! lol, good luck , Shawbags ( Chris ).
Click to expand...

I have a hi top LDV LWB and have just built a bed that is rather like described above. Sorta half a RnR bed & half extending/telescopic. Base telescopes across the van in 2 stages. Boards start off a 3" section then hinge section up which hinges down to section 2, which I'm turn hinges to the seat base. With base telescoped out the seat base is drawn out bringing the 2 upright sections down to create a solid bed. Of you get it right then the board sections end and the hinged areas lie on the extended x-members of the base units which makes it nice and strong. You can stand/walk on my bed base probs.

Limit across the LDV is about 69" to the side door though. So if you're a 6'+ then the bed not be long enough for you. At 5'10 it's just great for me n Lisa's only a shorty too.
 

paganpilgrims

You really need to think about the way materials are strong. on the one hand, you could have a drawer to slide in and out, but that's going to be very heavy.

I would say use a pulley system with 2 cables like a rock n roller.

I've just spent 30 mins doodling up a really simple design which is minimum weight and relies on existing structure of a van:
View attachment 20445
So if we look at the drawing we have a runner and a pulley. instead of the running being in the 'chest of drawers' its actually attached to the bed see fig 5. this is an isometric view, a ball wheel which doesnt fit snug just touches the top of the C shaped pipe. fig 5 is in isometric view.

fig 1 represents the bed in it's stowed position, it flips 90 degrees to the vertical (fig2) then slides and locks into place resting on the van floor.

fig 3a is the pivot point to stowing it, fig 3b is when it slides towards the back doors locking onto another sphere on a stick.

to have the bed extrude from the rear of the van it would have to slide to position 3a, open the doors and you will notice the sphere on a stick (i) has moved with the door and now showing (ii) another sphere on a stick. and finally pushing the bed out to fig 4.

fig 4 takes advantage of 3 supporting sphere's on sticks (lets say anchor points think your tow ball) and 2 steel cables with high tensile strength.

I would wager you could jump up and down on it and it still be stable.

for the tent I would attach an awning accross the top of the back doors.
 

paganpilgrims

go to B&M bargains and get 3 x memory foam mattress toppers totals about £70 best thin bed you'll ever sleep on, I'm on one right now in my caravan.
 
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