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Topic ClosedHow to make a folding sleeping platform

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motoYAKA View Drop Down
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Joined: 15 May 07
Location: Bexley
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Direct Link To This Post Topic: How to make a folding sleeping platform
    Posted: 13 Nov 07 at 18:14

Or.... how I made my folding sleeping platform

Bought a Shuttle back in May with the intention of running it as my main form of transport for work (trolling around the south-east as an auditor for the banking industry), but primarily to turn into a camper when the funds allowed for many weekends away on walking, canoeing, surfing and chill-out trips.

Initially the plan was just to take out the middle row of seats and put a matress on the floor for camping, but that was just too damned uncomfortable for me at 5'10" although OK for the other half at 5'4".

So a folding platform had to be built although the problem was that we still wanted to retain some form of rear seat.

Started with building a frame for the boot area.....

...then  set about making a template of the curved rear area...

...so that 12mm ply boards could be cut and framed to provide support

The idea was for these boards to be attached to the frame in the boot area which was itself bolted to the floor. The folding boards would then lie across the orginal seat-back which handily folds forward. The problem was how to support the dangly end of the folding platform. The inspiration struck!

Whilst walking around Decathalon we came across the ideal bit of kit - can you tell what it is yet????

Yep... supports for steadying roof-rack mounted bikes. At Decathalon prices these were a steal at less than �9 each for the full bike rack, uprights and nuts and bolts!

The manufactured boards were covered in cheapo grey cord carpet (�14 for 4mx6m from the local carpet shed) using Wickes spray adhesive...

...and screwed together in a "Z" shape using chrome door hinges. These were then attached to the frame with hinges so that when folded they hid behind the upright seat-back...

... and when the platform was flattened you could lift the rear panel to provide easier access to the boot

As the boot is not very deep (SWB Shuttle) the folding platform would not quite be long enough as a bed, and therefore a small extension was added.

The rest of the platform though worked to plan with the legs bolted in place, missing the headrests when folded out, and stopped from going all wobbly by the addition of a smoothed and grooved lump of 2"x4" as the platform folds out

The only issue is that a separate matress has to be used which does take up a bit of space inside the bus, but to be honest there is more than enough room for it inside with a good boot space for camping kit including a bl**dy great awning, tables, chairs, cookers, gas etc.

Although it's a bit heavy (over engineered ) on arriving at site the platform can be unfolded with all the doors shut, and if its p*ssing down you can stay dry up to the point where you leg-it to the pub

So far we have spent a couple of weeks touring France, three weekends on (wet!) walking trips and Vanfest weekend using the bed and it seems more than up to the job  

Overall the cost was about �70 including the 2x bike carriers, 12mm ply, carpet, glue, hinges and correct sized screws. The wood for the frame and ply supports I had lying around from an old futon as well as the matress which we now use.

The finished article...

The passenger seat swivel finished off the job perfectly and now we can't wait for weekends away  

 

 



Edited by orangina - 12 Dec 09 at 12:08
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MultiplexMan View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Nov 07 at 20:44

Yep, a nice job

Tip - rebate the hinges so they don't stick out when you are in bed mode...



Edited by MultiplexMan
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