My current plan (if all this works out… I’m aware that some of you don’t have the carpentry skills, tools or time to build this bed on your own. Really like the wood work in the first van!! In this post I’m going to look at two specific examples and give you lots of pictures so you can visualize how it works. I’d like to add a couple of comments about our bed. It could be less work. Hopefully this allows you to get the concept, once you have that you can adapt it to your van, the size of your mattress and your needs. But those solutions work for some people, and that’s what counts. The previous bed also had small gaps between all the slats, which led to a lot of fine tuning and sanding to get the pull-out sections to slide smoothly. Lay it out on saw horses and snap a chalk line dividing out a 27x75-inch piece. A big part of my design needs to include fitting my bike in the vehicle. Calvin, I’ve build several beds with that ultra simple design and they are very strong. 6 - 1x4 @ 30" - top frame slats ... Hi Ana, I love your ideas and have made a few of your plans which turned out great! You can certainly put a futon frame up on stilts for more storage underneath. Slides back in place in seconds. Bob. You’ll need… Everything about vandwelling takes longer throughout the day so at the end of a long day you probably just want to get in bed and go to sleep, you don’t want to face another engineering problem just to go to bed. How to Build a DIY Hanging Daybed. I was looking for a way to make it smoother, so this helps a lot. That’s a very good point Raz. One of the best builds I’ve seen. How to cut a pull out slat bed from a single piece of plywood? At no time will the two beds be attached to each other. Mine will be much heavier than what they built, but much simpler and require very little carpentry knowledge or skill. Bob, Al, the fact your mattress is a foot thick says something about what you like in a mattress!!! My mattress goes from side to side at rear of camper. On the first frame (immovable) lay the first slot on the left end of the Oh and converting the bed was a pain, so I would only convert it when I had visitors, and would have to put the bedding away somewhere else. The best I can give you here is the concept and once you have that you’ll need to adapt it to work in your van. If I wanted to do it, I’d basically build two complete beds out of 2x4s along the sides of the van and then add the slider between the two of them. pull out slat bed planshow to pull out slat bed plans for Smokers or Smokehouses, as they were called back in the eighteenth century, were commonplace and born from a necessity to kill and cook their … The mattress made the real difference when travelling. Bob, Eight inches of a commercial mattress made of dense standard foam and topped by four inches of memory foam. I've been a full-time VanDweller for 12 years and I love it. Like if I have a stationary part that is 40″ wide & 3’deep, the slide out part can be that big too? It’s just me, but the twin is a pain because my feet are under a cabinet and I just feel squished in. Find out the free plan at IKEA Hackers. Several woodworking sites (Rockler…) sell anti-friction tape. That’s why I did not design in any folding beds in the canopy. The first project is about a rustic daybed. Like I said before, I recommend gluing and screwing the slats if you will be using the pull out feature frequently. This plan explains building a large king-size bed that’s around 7 feet long, 8 … Lifting the pull-out and fixed parts showing the longer slat on fixed section doing its job. But if you don’t have the money, time or skill required for a sliding bed, I have a video out of how to make a much simpler bed that only cost $40 to build, see it here: If you don’t see the video above, cut and paste this into your browser: www.youtube.com/watch?v=busz98_QGvA. Good quality bed frames can be very expensive. Instead of using plywood as a surface, you use overlapping slats with a gap left between them so they can slide in and out. I have yet to see a frame that allows for enough storage underneath. Bob. Log in, Pullout Slat Bed For Van in Travel Sleeping Mode, Dimensions For A Sliding Slat Bed For Van. DIY Queen Sized Storage Bed. Discover (and save!) See them here: This bed is more like building fine cabinets than framing a house and requires much more fine carpentry skills. Bob. Is there some formula for slide out part- to stationary part ratio for support. Click here for instructions on how to enable JavaScript in your browser. The side of the bed with only three legs will rest on the other half of the bed that has six legs and will share the center support legs with the first half. Use these links and I'll make a small percentage and it will cost you nothing: Would you please be so kind as to send me a more detailed diagram. And I Love this guest bed … Also, when I slept on a futon for a few months, it had to have clearance behind it in order to fold down properly. I’ve used this type of product on homemade cabinet and under-bed drawers. Personally, the mattress is the most important item in a van, so any mattress that can be folded 90° seems way too flimsy to me. Step 1 - Layout. Is there a new link available to view the video of the bed you made? We just sit on the bedding or fold it out of the way on top of the pillow. Half the slats are fixed to the platform, while the other half pull out … I prefer the storage space. Bob. The slide-out bed would resolve most of that if I pulled the futon mattress up out of the way whenever I slid the third frame in. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_W_E5SFCxwpSOaqMjOOBTg. I used an Ikea futon mattress that was two pieces (length wise) and it was really comfortable. Thanks for sharing! My current plan (if all this works out) is to use re-use couch cushions I have on hand. I’m not demanding about mattresses, but it was comfortable enough for me. These slats … I have just bought my Transit Connect & am exploring my options. This is another example of a sliding bed made by Nicole and her husband on my forum. My question is what size wood should I use across as a stopper at the end of the pullout to prevent the slats from coming all the way out of the unit when I pull it out? I am the kind of guy that hates taking up space. Very clever workmanship but it seems that a futon frame would accomplish the same thing and they can be purchased for next to nothing at a goodwill store. So still deciding between side fold out bed or across the back bed. Free King Size Bed Plan. Very nice. Active 7 months ago. Mine hang down 1 1/2 inch thick so thats all the space it takes. For this new design, only 3 slats slide against each other for each pull-out … Really like the sliding bed Bob,seems to just take care of all space issues, thanks . a note on unpainted wood that you are trying to make slide – wax from a candle or paraffin block rubbed on the contact surfaces really helps them slide, and it silences squeaks too. At the bottom of the post I’m also going to show you photos from my friend Nicole from the https://www.cheaprvliving.com/forums/ of a slider bed that she and her husband built. Maybe it would be too big? However, the first mobile mattress I used was a futon mattress my wife borrowed somewhere. Like having AC over you at night. Basically you’re going to build two beds, but one part of the bed will have 6 legs and it will not move and the other part will only have three legs and it will move. Hopefully you’re getting the idea, every other slat is screwed down and becomes permanent. They are usually thin, and not very comfortable on the typical sofa metal frame, but maybe a thin pad of some type might make them better? I’m curious to see what you think of the idea of having a “folding” bed, the kind that can be detached from the wall onto the top of the storage area. The two sides of the bed share the center set of legs as support. Steve, I think the problem is that they aren’t level and they are too short. But, having never slept on one I can’t say for sure. Bob. You could just use a tape measure and pre-mark the spots where the slats go but that introduces a lot more possibility of poor workmanship–a small problem in the beginning becomes magnified into a big problem by the end. Oh yeah, plush, baby. We had to sand papered the paint off at the points of contact for the sliding boards and the doors. During travel, the bed can be pushed flush against the back wall. I note that because the futon mattress was heavier than I expected and might create a problem if I’m having a bad day. The runner piece is going horizontal across the picture, at right angles to the slats. You can use it as a beginning place and use different sizes of lumber or even different materials altogether, depending on your skill level. The bed I’ve described here is the simplest, least elegant method of construction but it will make you a wonderful sliding bed. Easy to slide in and out. 11. He did a really good job Cae. I have done that. Hi, I purchased a 23 ft camper trailer with twin beds. KINDLE VERSION: How to Live in a Car, Van or RV--And Get Out of Debt, Travel and Find True Freedom, Cheaprvliving.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Most vans only have 60 square feet behind the front seat (6 x 10 feet) but if  your bed is 28  square feet (4 x 7), it takes up almost half the room in your van which doesn’t leave you with much room for everything else! Those are good tips too! All that I care about is that they work and will last! http://van-derlust.com/building-the-extending-bed/, Simple Living–Getting Rid of Excess Stuff, PAPERBACK: How to Live In a Car, Van, or RV: And Get Out of Debt, Travel, and Find True Freedom, KINDLE VERSION: How to Live in a Car, Van or RV--And Get Out of Debt, Travel and Find True Freedom. They tend to mold if not on a frame that allows air flow. I recommend RENOGY SOLAR COMPLETE KITS from Amazon. For a single person who’s decided to live in a van, deciding where to put the bed isn’t that hard, it either goes along one of the sides or across the back of the back door. First, it was a big mistake to paint the wood. In Japan they are made very thin, just a few inches thick, and are meant to be fluffed and aired frequently. nice idea for a sliding bed! I guess that is why I am now designing a folding outdoor room where I can put the chairs and kitchen. Mine are flat so the 3 1/2 inch side is up and his is on it’s side so the 1 1/2 inch side is up. Learn how your comment data is processed. Find out the free plan … It’s a completely different type of construction using fine carpentry techniques from  cabinet making. Here is a simple futon design to make your own platform futon frame out of wood. I predrilled the slats that would be attached to the front of the sofa to avoid any wood splitting. I think even I could make this one, and not spend much on it. It’s an example of furniture-grade carpentry. If you want to build a sturdy project from common lumber, this daybed is a… Sandpaper going up in grit to the 1000-1500 range glides, too, and is available at auto stores. The only thing I don’t understand is what you said about the difference in the orientation of your 2x4s versus Andrew’s. All you need is time and patience to make up for ‘rough’ carpentry skills. Just like any tape, it rolls and sticks…easy to use/customize. PAPERBACK: How to Live In a Car, Van, or RV: And Get Out of Debt, Travel, and Find True Freedom, Or as an eBook for the Amazon Kindle for only $2.99: I have had more success using good quality covered foam slabs on a futon style frame, much easier to convert, and to rotate the slabs for even wear. When you pull the bed out … It made the whole thing very sticky, even after letting the paint cure for a few days. There are now plans available for most bed sizes. It’s like almost any other bed except you build it with slats instead of plywood and leave a wide gap between the slats. “I have studied all the futons I can look at in stores or online. With the other half, lay out … DHP–8-Inch Premium Futon Mattress, Full Size, Full Size SafeRest Premium Waterproof Mattress Protector – Vinyl Free, Snowbirds Nesting in Ehrenberg 2015: Living in a Van Off-Grid. I’ve done that twice and was happy with it. I hope to never live in a house again! Slider beds make for a good multi-purpose solution when it comes to building out … Sleeping is so important it needs to be really simple, both before and after. Doing it the way I described, as long as the first slat is screwed on square, and the slats themselves are straight, this should be fairly fool-proof. * Renogy Foldable Solar Suitcase 100W The amplified plan is a printable plan that will guide you every step of the way and is … The most important step in making a slatted bed is to make the slat bed frame. One of the more unique designs we’ve seen is this slide out platform bed by @surftripping. You made it easy for me to visualize how to maximize space with a “pull out” sleeping system. Second, the fabric that cover the cushions are also our sheets. I note that because the futon mattress was heavier than I expected and might create a problem if I’m having a bad day. Waterproof (but comfy) Mattress Protector: DHP Premium Futon Mattress: Coil Spring, Full Size. These slats should be 3 1/2 inches longer than the first because they need to be wider to go over the third 2 x 4. BTW, the cool coroplast builder guy sells plans for his creations, like that cool bicycle trailer, in case anyone wanted to build themselves one: This is the type bed I plan on building for my Transit Connect….room to move around during the day and still have a nice sized bed at night. … Thank you, and I truly appreciate your hardwork on our behalf. I have a video of making a much simpler and cheaper bed, see it here: If the video doesn’t show up on your screen, cut and paste this into your browser:  www.youtube.com/watch?v=busz98_QGvA. The California king (original), 2 versions of the queen size, a double or standard size and 2 models of single beds. Here the slider is put away to make a couch. There’s plenty of sleeping space and the bed looks really comfortable with a spring mattress. I only recently started thinking about getting a cargo van to convert for van dwelling and been researching on different sleeping situation. You can see Andrew put his 2x4s on end, while I have mine laid down. sorry for duplicate posts, my first one did not show up for a while so I thought it had not gone through. The slide-out bed would resolve most of that if I pulled the futon mattress up out of the way whenever I slid the third frame in. Now start taking the remaining slats and laying them into place in-between the slats on the finished part and screw them ONLY into the third set of legs. It’s a tremendous space saver in a van and easier than you might think to build. The general concept of a pullout bed frame is simple. It’s roughly thrown together as a tester and as I have time, I will refine the basic design to make it work more smoothly.