Graphite Dave
Dave Orton
Another thought on a bed platform.
In the Sprinter I had two bench seats over the wheel wells. Had a removable table with two legs that were bolted to the floor on the van centerline. Had four removable 27" wide panels that spanned the gap between the table edge and the van walls. Added two back panels to make a bed for one person and all four for two people. Used two REI self inflating 2 1/2" thick camp pads for a mattress for each person. Was comfortable but panels were not that easy to install and remove. Also had four loose panels that needed to be stored somewhere when not in use and the platform was 70" long which required slightly diagonal sleeping.
So now that I have a second chance, I have made a number of design improvements.
1. Made bed length 74" long by not filling the window indents full of insulation and then covering with a wall panel. Just 1 1/2" of rigid insulation glued to the walls and covered with indoor/outdoor carpet.
2. Will hinge four 27" wide panels from top of the seat back at table height (two on each side) that are stored vertically up against the walls when not in use. When in use they fold down and sit on top of the table. They will have indoor/outdoor carpet on them so carpet between the table and panel when in use.
3. Instead of solid 3/4" plywood for the panels, I will change to 80/20 Quick Frame 1" square tubes. Two 1/4" facings with 1/2" rigid insulation between the facings. Lighter and more insulation value than 3/4" plywood.
4. Table top will also use the same Quick Frame insulated construction.
Picture of partially completed bench seats:
http://www.ortontransit.info/cabinets.php
A later picture of the left cabinet showing the top of seat back full length 80/20.
https://sprinter-source.com/forums/showpost.php?p=431027&postcount=61
The 80/20 at top of seat back will runs the full length and have two 27" long continuous hinges bolted to the 80/20 on each side.
Improvements are panels do not need to be stored, bed length increased 4", bed platform is insulated, lighter and easy to convert from two person bed to a one person bed. Also simple during the day to have a table that seats two people. Lift up the front bedding/pads and place them on the back bed. Fold up the two front panels up against the walls to expose the seats and the front half of the table. Someday if I ever finish this second conversion, the front half of the table will also be able to be converted into a seat.
The table will still be able to be removed in 10 minutes to use the van for cargo.
In the Sprinter I had two bench seats over the wheel wells. Had a removable table with two legs that were bolted to the floor on the van centerline. Had four removable 27" wide panels that spanned the gap between the table edge and the van walls. Added two back panels to make a bed for one person and all four for two people. Used two REI self inflating 2 1/2" thick camp pads for a mattress for each person. Was comfortable but panels were not that easy to install and remove. Also had four loose panels that needed to be stored somewhere when not in use and the platform was 70" long which required slightly diagonal sleeping.
So now that I have a second chance, I have made a number of design improvements.
1. Made bed length 74" long by not filling the window indents full of insulation and then covering with a wall panel. Just 1 1/2" of rigid insulation glued to the walls and covered with indoor/outdoor carpet.
2. Will hinge four 27" wide panels from top of the seat back at table height (two on each side) that are stored vertically up against the walls when not in use. When in use they fold down and sit on top of the table. They will have indoor/outdoor carpet on them so carpet between the table and panel when in use.
3. Instead of solid 3/4" plywood for the panels, I will change to 80/20 Quick Frame 1" square tubes. Two 1/4" facings with 1/2" rigid insulation between the facings. Lighter and more insulation value than 3/4" plywood.
4. Table top will also use the same Quick Frame insulated construction.
Picture of partially completed bench seats:
http://www.ortontransit.info/cabinets.php
A later picture of the left cabinet showing the top of seat back full length 80/20.
https://sprinter-source.com/forums/showpost.php?p=431027&postcount=61
The 80/20 at top of seat back will runs the full length and have two 27" long continuous hinges bolted to the 80/20 on each side.
Improvements are panels do not need to be stored, bed length increased 4", bed platform is insulated, lighter and easy to convert from two person bed to a one person bed. Also simple during the day to have a table that seats two people. Lift up the front bedding/pads and place them on the back bed. Fold up the two front panels up against the walls to expose the seats and the front half of the table. Someday if I ever finish this second conversion, the front half of the table will also be able to be converted into a seat.
The table will still be able to be removed in 10 minutes to use the van for cargo.
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