Campervan Conversion - The Bed & Wheelarches

[preppervetuk]

I have been a busy beaver! Finally I was able to 'have a go' at building the bed. Starting with the bare bones, I put all my McGyver skills to the 'Construction' test!
Spoiler Alert - Below you can see the finished article. Complete with the finalisation of added wheelarch finished carpet and a final layer of floor vinyl.
I was a bit sceptical at first as to how the wheelarches would turn out, but the 'four-way-stretch' van lining carpet was real easy to work with . . . . A bit of spray glue and apply!
So long as it looks ok and is neat, then the job was done! The hardest part is to 'marry-up' the edges.
Next it was onto the bed! I planned for the most robust and strongest of designs, so as you can see, my joints ensured maximum strength and support for right angles.... Very forgiving!

As the van is a moving platform, each leg and support strut was secured to the floor.
The bed is 2 ft high, so there is plenty of room for services and equipment to be stowed underneath.
Slats secured!
The simplest of designs - I think?Anyway, I spent all the next day admiring my constructive victory and it's lines.

The long and short of it? If i can do it, even on my first attempt, no doubt anyone else can!
RAW materials, timber, brackets and screws, for this little project (the bed), cost around £60 GBP. Bargain!

Now it's time for a road-trip proving exercise!

Van-build stages:
My Latest Brainwave & Project
Assessing The Task
The Strip Out
Floor Preparation & Rust Treatment
Hole Plugging & Lock mending
Finalising The Floor Foundations
The Insulation Begins
Insulating The Floor
Wall Insulation

Comments

[mikefromtheuk]

Coming along nicely, can't wait to see it all done and finished.

[preppervetuk]

Thanks man..... It's a long slog doing it yourself i can tell ya.

[jackdub]

beaver lol - Looking great man! Very clean install :)

[preppervetuk]

Thanks man.

[squirrelbait]

Oh yeah, the wheel wells are all set! Note to self on how you did that.

Bed frame looks really sturdy and secure. Perfect fit! Should last a long long time. Looking forward to the next step. Awesome job!!!!

[preppervetuk]

Thanks SB.....
Just come back from a little Van Excursion too, to test out things...

[squirrelbait]

How did it do? Just fine I bet!

[senorcoconut]

Wow very cool @preppervetuk!!! I had no idea you'd been busy building out a van.... it's been a while since I've come see you page I must admit.

Looks really good! The wheelarches and your carpentry skills look good McGyver!!!

[preppervetuk]

Thanks.... The speed of progression will now be dictated by the weather probably.

[senorcoconut]

Well at least you have a dry place to sleep if you need it 😁.

Again, great work for someone who claims to not be a master carpenter!

[geordieprepper]

You are a White Van Man now? Lol

[preppervetuk]

LOL - Only by appearances...
Stealth is the name of the game....
Now I can blend in and drive around like an asshole, cutting people up lol.

[janton]

Howdy sir preppervetuk! wow that bed is super well built! How long is it? the whole interior looks so nice.

[preppervetuk]

Thanks man.... The bed is 6 feet long and 4 foot 6 inches wide...
In U.K. in order to qualify as a Campervan / Motorhome, we are required to adhere to certain criteria. One of them is to have a fixed 6ft long bed.

[janton]

sir preppervetuk! dang they have regulations for everything don't they? amazing.