Simple Campervan Fold Out Bed - DIY Camper Conversion

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  • Опубліковано 30 лип 2022
  • Simple Campervan Fold Out Bed. In this DIY Camper conversion I went for a fold out bed instead of a pull out bed. There are a few van bed ideas but this one is simple to make and works really well. Van conversion bed design is important as the bed doubles as a seat and space and ease of use is also a consideration.
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КОМЕНТАРІ • 93

  • @melwel9116
    @melwel9116 26 днів тому

    Great job & design! One tip I learned, I would like to share, though: When using a circle saw bit, especially if you wish for a smoother result on the surface, start your pilot hole, then stop before the teeth touch the surface and put your drill into Reverse for the first millimeter or so. This creates a smooth indent score line and prevents splinters. This method is essential if your are cutting a hole into any laminate or melamine or solid surface ("Corian") or epoxied surface.

    • @dave-watson
      @dave-watson  25 днів тому

      Thanks a lot.......I do that when i am cutting holes in the metalwork of the van to stop the saw from jumping around and potentially scratching the paintwork.

  • @diwarburton5369
    @diwarburton5369 Рік тому

    Absolutely brilliant.

    • @dave-watson
      @dave-watson  Рік тому

      Thank you, the bed works really well.

  • @adamericsson3336
    @adamericsson3336 Рік тому

    Your videos are just superb!
    A true inspiration for our upcoming conversion on a Renault trafic! 👌😀

    • @dave-watson
      @dave-watson  Рік тому

      Hi Adam, glad to videos are of some help and good luck with your conversion.

  • @adampayne7305
    @adampayne7305 7 місяців тому

    Brilliant video dave,a great help to us 👏👏

    • @dave-watson
      @dave-watson  7 місяців тому +1

      Thanks a lot Adam glad to hear the video was helpful. Thanks for watching.

  • @donnakarr9143
    @donnakarr9143 7 місяців тому

    Great craftsmanship! You made the flip bed look easy. I prefer the flip to the slid the slide out bed

    • @dave-watson
      @dave-watson  7 місяців тому

      Thanks Donna. Yes these fold out beds are real simple and inexpensive, I've put them in a few vans now. Thanks for watching.

  • @fattyfishdrones
    @fattyfishdrones 9 місяців тому

    Great videos, I've been binge watching them more than Netflix. Gtreat work and good commentary throughout. I'm just along the road from you "well almost" in county Durham and have just bought a 2005 VWT5 to start my conversion. Your video's are a great help.Thanks!

    • @dave-watson
      @dave-watson  9 місяців тому

      Hi, I'm glad the videos have been helpful. I'm planning on doing another full build series in the spring from the planning stage right through to completion. Good luck with your conversion and thanks for watching.

  • @danmegoutdoors8709
    @danmegoutdoors8709 Рік тому

    ive literally just bought a 18 plate lwb vivaro sport and this has given me some inspiration as to how i can do the inside, thanks for uploading, your conversion looks stunning, we'll be their soon, cant wait

    • @dave-watson
      @dave-watson  Рік тому +1

      Glad to hear the videos have been useful, good luck with your own conversion. Thanks

    • @danmegoutdoors8709
      @danmegoutdoors8709 Рік тому

      @@dave-watson picking up a lwb vivaro 18 plate on saturday, im looking for ideas on layout, i couldnt sleep on a rock and roll bed, to uncomfortable, wanted to put a fixed bed at the back but that may have to change due to space

    • @dave-watson
      @dave-watson  Рік тому

      @@danmegoutdoors8709 Yeah the R&R beds are not the best and they limit the layout. The Vivaro might be a bit narrow for a fixed bed, but the fold out works really well. Hope you conversion goes well, It's all in the layout and planning.

  • @adyadams5752
    @adyadams5752 Рік тому

    Watched your vivaro fit out and I was going to change my plans to a rock and roll bed then I found this post this was my first idea but with a slated bed
    Going with a folding bed instead
    A brilliant idea

    • @dave-watson
      @dave-watson  Рік тому

      Yeah the fold out bed works really well and is very simple to make, I prefer it the R&R or slatted bed style.

  • @ZeroXtiK
    @ZeroXtiK 6 місяців тому

    That place reminds me my time
    In Plymouth! Nice job!

    • @dave-watson
      @dave-watson  6 місяців тому +1

      Hi, Thanks a lot. I'm on the North East coast. Thanks for watching

  • @briansymes2936
    @briansymes2936 2 місяці тому

    Well done that was very clever

  • @tyegillig1228
    @tyegillig1228 Рік тому

    I don’t have a van, I have a small trailer. I’m looking to change the bed/seating arrangement so that I can swap between multiple configurations/orientations and none of what you’ve done will work for my project whatsoever.HOWEVER, I’ve watched the entire video and will be likely watching all your videos now, regardless of subject matter because (and I’m sorry if the reference isn’t familiar) you are the “Bob Ross of building” and just following along to your narration is extremely relaxing 😂. It’s just peaceful and serine and all around nice. Thank you.

    • @dave-watson
      @dave-watson  Рік тому

      Hi Tye, Thanks for watching and you kind words. I am familiar with Bob Ross because I am also an oil painter. So to be compared to Bob is praise indeed. Thanks very much and I hope you enjoy the videos.

  • @andytawa1114
    @andytawa1114 2 роки тому

    nice dave keep them coming

    • @dave-watson
      @dave-watson  2 роки тому

      Thanks a lot, many more to come

  • @hopehope938
    @hopehope938 Рік тому +1

    Yes, I do love you fold out bed and I an not a woodworker/carpenter like you are, but your build did make we wonder if the legs you use at night for bed legs if they could adapted and designed to use as arm rests during the day?
    I have a ruff idea for a fold/slid out in to the inside a shower/bathroom, mudroom, a place to wash clothing. That would have multiple drain options. I want to build out a box truck so I want to design it we can use the box truck when necessary as a box truck.

  • @jazzycool2950
    @jazzycool2950 Рік тому

    I love your innovative mind 😊

    • @dave-watson
      @dave-watson  Рік тому +1

      Thanks Jazzy, loads more videos to come. Thanks for watching.

  • @richardpowell9238
    @richardpowell9238 Місяць тому

    Brilliant video again dave, can't wait to get cracking on my van, just waiting for day 5 video of your newer vivaro

    • @dave-watson
      @dave-watson  Місяць тому

      Thanks a lot and good luck with your own conversion....it's a great project.

  • @greentonythetig
    @greentonythetig Рік тому

    i subscribed and gave you a big thumbs up! smashing build!!!!!

  • @CampervanEcosse
    @CampervanEcosse 2 місяці тому

    Hi Dave. Great to see an old-school craftsman at work. I have a VW T6 with a rock and roll bed which is just not comfortable. So, I am going to take it out and build something like yours. Just subscribed and will having a look at all your videos. Thanks. Jim

    • @dave-watson
      @dave-watson  2 місяці тому

      Thanks a lot Jim. good luck with the bed.

  • @johnburson5695
    @johnburson5695 Рік тому

    Thanks Dave

  • @davidlundy5007
    @davidlundy5007 Місяць тому

    Very nice

  • @karenowen4855
    @karenowen4855 2 роки тому +1

    Interesting video Dave. I think this type of bed is much more versatile than the rock and roll bed you had in your vivaro and I should imagine a lot cheaper! I've just put a pull out slat type bed in mine and you have to be really careful that everything's lined up properly or it just jams up, wished I'd done one like this now!

    • @dave-watson
      @dave-watson  2 роки тому +1

      Yes this is a lot cheaper than the R n R, about half the price! The most expensive part was the fabric. I am going to try a slide out bed soon. I know they can stick a bit. I was thinking about sliding it on drawer runners.

    • @karenowen4855
      @karenowen4855 2 роки тому

      @@dave-watson I did one side with a runner, just happened to have a spare the right size and I thought it would give it a bit extra strength. What thickness Ply did you use for yours please?

    • @dave-watson
      @dave-watson  2 роки тому

      @@karenowen4855 Hi Karen, I used 12mm ply for the boards. They seem plenty strong enough as it is just a 50cm span.

    • @karenowen4855
      @karenowen4855 2 роки тому

      @@dave-watson Thanks for that.

  • @kevinkelleher7868
    @kevinkelleher7868 6 місяців тому

    Love your work dave. I think would be easier to make up bed if you could slide the legs out of the seat or side unit . Another option might be fix a slim board on unit the bed fold would land on ..
    Thanks for all your videos

    • @dave-watson
      @dave-watson  5 місяців тому

      Hi Kevin, I tried a few different methods with the legs. But taking the draws under the bed into account it was difficult to make the legs slide out but I'm always looking for innovations to make the bed easier to use. Thanks for watching.

  • @willwebb1582
    @willwebb1582 День тому

    Hi Dave - love the bed and thanks for these great videos, they have been a source of inspiration! I am designing something very similar for my van conversion. I previously built a pull-out style bed in my last van but I found it was rather clunky, the piano-hinge style bed seems an awful lot simpler and easier to build. What specification of plywood would you recommend? There would be two people living in the van, so my biggest concern is that the hinge becomes over loaded and the screws tear the ply. Thanks!

  • @glennclark762
    @glennclark762 Рік тому

    I just found this video and what a great idea. Do you not need some support the other end where the hinge is? Would have though it would bend the hinge or screws

    • @dave-watson
      @dave-watson  Рік тому

      Hi Glenn, The bed seems to be okay, it has about 30 screws along he hinge and the piano hinges are pretty strong. But you could set it back a little so the fold out also rested on the frame. Thanks for watching.

  • @kootrawrexlive93
    @kootrawrexlive93 2 роки тому +1

    Dave, my partner and I love watching your videos. We have recently bought a vivaro Combi and are in the process of converting it. You have inspired pretty much every part of our build and your advice has been invaluable. I was really excited to see that you are fitting an L seating area/ bed 😁 this is what we planned to do and now you have shown us how... Thanks so much for all your hints and tips, we really look forward to your videos 😁❤️

    • @dave-watson
      @dave-watson  2 роки тому

      Hi, I am so glad to hear that he videos have been an inspiration. That's the whole idea of these youtube videos. I hope your build goes well, many more videos to come. Thanks for watching and good luck with the build.

  • @orlandonelthorpe9027
    @orlandonelthorpe9027 Рік тому

    Dave, your fold-out bed/sofa is such a space-saver - so important in a build like this. Did you draw any specs or list of materials, as I want to get a long wheelbase Trafic/Vivaro too (and I don't want to have to reinvent the wheel)? Thanks again for such a useful video!

    • @dave-watson
      @dave-watson  Рік тому

      Hi Orlando, I don't have any plans or drawings for the bed I thin I made a rough sketch before making it which I discarded once the bed was made. But it is quite a simple build once you get the base frame in. I think the height of the frame was 37cm just enough to get over the wheel arch. Hope that helps and thanks for watching..

  • @joshuastebbing7408
    @joshuastebbing7408 Рік тому

    Great video, I’m planning on using this on my van build. I was wondering if you are using 12mm or 18mm plywood?
    I am also wondering if the piano hinges are strong enough to take the weight of 2 (light) adults? I see that there’s nothing else supporting the hinge joint in the middle of the ply.

    • @dave-watson
      @dave-watson  Рік тому +2

      Hi Joshua, I used 12mm ply for the bed and so far the piano hinges have been good. There is about 20 screws in each side of the hinge and it is holding up just fine. Good luck with your build.

  • @d_s_ctube
    @d_s_ctube 2 роки тому

    I personally prefer this type of seating/bed.

    • @dave-watson
      @dave-watson  2 роки тому

      Yes, I think it's a better set up than the rock and roll bed, much lighter in the van too.

  • @johnburson5695
    @johnburson5695 Рік тому

    Thanks Dave been planning today could you tell me height from floor you built your frame and what size timber is 3x2 about right and was thinking 11mm ply am I on the right track. Sorry for all the questions thanks.

    • @dave-watson
      @dave-watson  Рік тому

      Hi John, the top of the framing was 38cm from the floor and 47 with the foam on. I did use 3 x 2s for the framing and 12mm ply for the tops. Hope that helps.

  • @joeysmith4515
    @joeysmith4515 6 місяців тому

    How did you carpet the walls? Is there another video on it? Great work

    • @dave-watson
      @dave-watson  6 місяців тому

      Hi, I see you found the other video. Good luck with your build and thanks for watching

  • @kaicampbell9165
    @kaicampbell9165 Рік тому

    Nice video very informative, where can I get this foam to make a bed?

    • @dave-watson
      @dave-watson  Рік тому

      Thanks Kai, I got the foam online from a place called GBFoam.

  • @thewanderer8
    @thewanderer8 Рік тому

    Nice bed but I would have put a couple of legs on the extension where the piano hinge is as well. It must be under a lot of strain in the middle, as it's only supported by the piano hinge.

    • @dave-watson
      @dave-watson  Рік тому

      Yes, I've had a couple of people suggest that, but the piano hinge is very strong, there is about 40 screws in it.....so far so good.

  • @jartotable
    @jartotable 5 місяців тому

    I love this design. I'm buying my van in a few months 🤞🏻 but I'm going to need this lovely L-shape going the dull width of the van, as it's me and two children. I just can't work out the best way to do it; moving slats or flip top. I would normally just have two sides and make it a U-shape but the seat widths would not be wide enough to lounge on so nice deep L-shape feels the way to go. Any recommendations? I've been trying to find a carpenter to help me but no-one wants to help. So frustrating.

    • @dave-watson
      @dave-watson  5 місяців тому

      It's best to make a series of drawings first if you can get the dimensions of the van your buying. Than you can try all of the options on paper first. But the L shape is very simple to make. But try some drawings first. Hope that helps.

  • @johnburson5695
    @johnburson5695 Рік тому

    Hi Dave just copying your design. You mentioned the thickness of the medium density foam could you tell me the thickness of the thicker foam and who made your cushion covers thanks. Really informative thanks

    • @dave-watson
      @dave-watson  Рік тому

      Hi John, The medium density foam was 25mm and the other was 65mm making 90mm in total. I made the covers myself, I got a second hand sewing machine off gumtree and watched a load of youtube tutorials and gave it a go.......turned out pretty good. Good luck with your conversion.

  • @samanthamills8654
    @samanthamills8654 Рік тому

    Hi Dave about to have somebody make this bed for me!! So excited! Love your videos. Where did you get the foam from for the cushions?

    • @dave-watson
      @dave-watson  Рік тому

      Thanks Samantha and I hope the van build works out well. I got the foam from www.gbfoamdirect.co.uk/ I got the two different types and glued them together Hope that helps.

    • @samanthamills8654
      @samanthamills8654 Рік тому

      Fab thanks Dave! Super excited you’ve given me soo much inspiration so thank you. Another quick question. What height is this bed? I’ve been trying to figure it out. As I don’t want the back cushion to be higher than my window. And I have a little window ledge that I don’t want hidden! Thank you so much!

    • @dave-watson
      @dave-watson  Рік тому

      @@samanthamills8654 No problem , I'm glad that the videos are helpful. The bed is 47cm high with the foam on and the woodwork is 38cm high with 9cm of foam. Hope that helps.

    • @samanthamills8654
      @samanthamills8654 Рік тому

      That’s perfect thank you so much!

  • @mohammedkumkumji9081
    @mohammedkumkumji9081 Рік тому

    Great job, although I didn't like the detachable idea as there are many ways to avoid them. Keep it up 🙏

    • @dave-watson
      @dave-watson  Рік тому +1

      Thanks Mohammed, I've cgot a new conversion series coming soon. Thanks for watching

  • @Bobby8270
    @Bobby8270 Рік тому

    Can u please tell me where you got those trap nut for the 8 MM bolts. And what they’re called. Thanks.

    • @dave-watson
      @dave-watson  Рік тому +1

      Hi, I got the "pronged nuts" from ebay and I think the bolts came from toolstation

  • @katicus_prime
    @katicus_prime Місяць тому

    DO YOU HAVE A VIDEO FOR PUTTING THE MATERIAL ON THE FOAM FOR THE BED/SEATING OR HOW YOU WENT ABOUT IT ?

    • @dave-watson
      @dave-watson  Місяць тому

      I have a video where I did the upholstery for a Rock and roll bed. ua-cam.com/video/lEQpLaZx83g/v-deo.html

  • @thecampervanmotorcyclist
    @thecampervanmotorcyclist 2 місяці тому

    Hi Dave, just come across your videos 👍🏻 I’m changing the bed layout in my camper and I need some new foam and covers, could you tell me where you got yours from please? I’m a Northumberland lad so not too far from you maybe 😉 cheers Ernie

    • @dave-watson
      @dave-watson  2 місяці тому

      Hi, I order the foam online from GB foam direct, quick delivery and not too expensive.

    • @thecampervanmotorcyclist
      @thecampervanmotorcyclist 2 місяці тому

      @@dave-watson Thanks, I’ve just ordered the pieces I need from them 👍🏻 now just to find a cover maker.

  • @chatteyj
    @chatteyj 2 роки тому

    I'm getting confused is this vivaro build number 1 or what? It looks a lot like it.

    • @dave-watson
      @dave-watson  2 роки тому +1

      This is Build No. 3. Very similar layout to van No. 1. But this is a LWB and the first one was SWB. I like this layout so I thought I would combine the design of Van No. 2 with the layout of van No.1. Van No. 4 is coming soon. No idea how that will look as yet. Thanks for watching.

  • @aidasanchez9565
    @aidasanchez9565 2 місяці тому

    😮😮😮😮👏👏👏👏👏👏👍🏻🙋🏻‍♀️🇪🇨

  • @allanb52
    @allanb52 5 місяців тому

    For the same money you can buy a rock n roll bed, which is much more versatile. 1 second to the bed mode, 5 seconds back to sofa. Forward facing seat, with seatbelt in required. My van can carry 4 like a car.

    • @beng9452
      @beng9452 5 місяців тому +1

      Have you not seen his other videos where he’s bought rock and roll beds, and even made a wooden one from scratch himself…. Clearly he wanted to do a different design, a rock and roll bed doesn’t suit every van or every man so you keep your advice yiurself

    • @allanb52
      @allanb52 5 місяців тому

      @@beng9452 No, and I assume others who are contemplating a build haven't either. So many UA-camrs are opting for this design and I think an R&R bed is better, easier to build and use and cheaper.

    • @artsteadman2230
      @artsteadman2230 Місяць тому

      @allanb52 check out the diy rock n roll bed ERIC ENJOYS EARTH for a whole lot LESS than store bought

  • @donnabrydon3022
    @donnabrydon3022 Місяць тому

    That’s a lot of effort to do twice a day so you can sleep looks good but not for me

    • @dave-watson
      @dave-watson  Місяць тому

      Yes there is a bit of effort in it......but it's a real good layout for a smaller van. Thanks.

  • @jfitzpatrick6108
    @jfitzpatrick6108 Рік тому +1

    Your Camera Work makes me feel like I am on a roller coaster! Goodbye!