ROLLIN SANCTUARY's - Task: Bed System | |
Write up for their project ROLLIN' SANCTUARY | Status: |
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Most people seem to try to build a double bed into their vans when building a home-built camper, and I've always wondered why. ? The reasons I've chosen NOT to do that are these.......(1)Almost all the double-bed set-ups I've seen [including some mega-money 'motorhomes']involve messing about errecting them, or dragging extendable parts of the seating out, and using cushions from here and there around the van,at bedtime? A lot of pratting about in my opinion.? (2)In most cases, when a double-bed's in position, they dominate the majority of the interior, and often block access to drawers, cupboards,etc: (3)They also [usualy]have to be put away every morning, in order to be able to move around inside, cook breakfast, make hot drinks, have a wash and so on. So why do it.? The bunk system I've created across the back doors admittedly still has to be initialy 'errected',[taking all of about 30 seconds] but if I stayed somewhere for more than one night,'the bunks could be left in position without being a hinderance to doing anything else in the van, AND the bottom bunk can still be used as a seat. I HAVE built a 3rd bed area [below the dining table] which WOULD need to be set-up each night, and put-away in the morning, but normaly, only the bunks will be in use. Unfortunately, yet again, I forgot to take pics during the actual building of the bunks. I just get carried away when I get an idea in my head, and steam into it, totaly oblivious to everything else. What I CAN tell you is,....they are basicly a home-made sofa/settee across the back doors, then hinged the back of it at the top, to a good sturdy crossbeam which I fastened across the rear door pillars. The back of the settee pulls towards you [from the bottom] until it's horizontal, and is held in place, becoming the top bunk. The seat part of the settee obviously becomes the bottom bunk.
Bearing in mind that the entire interior is totaly constructed from 100% recycled wood and various other used parts and items I've scrounged, found, and had people give me because they knew what I was doing, {and the fact that I'm no joiner/carpenter} I think the bunks are strong & sturdy, they're comfortable, don't take up a lot of space,and not bad looking.? The 'frame' for the top bunk was very simple to make, as it's really just an oblong box with a wooden-lat bottom to support the mattress you lay on. In the photo accompanying this Task Write-up, the bunks & the interior are unfinished. This photo was hurriedly 'staged' one day, as I had to explain the bed configuration to the insurers. P.S. I'm not anti-double beds by the way, LOL....I'd probably have one if my conversion was in a single-decker bus, but in a van? I'm happy with bunks. Just makes sense to me.?