Making more sleeping space

[Salvador]

Howdy chaps.

With the soon arrival of our newborn, I have decided it's time to look at extending the sleeping arrangements in our van.

Currently, it only sleep two! It should sleep 3 but the 'hammock' is knackered.

What I would like to do is convert the upper storage unit in to a bed area.



I know it's going to need extending, for sleeping purposes. What I am interested to know is, what kind of materials do I need to get to make the base extensions, firm for climbing up on. Also, how to store those parts!

Cheers in advance!

[Reimotim]

I extended my hitop "upstairs" area with an 8x4 sheet of ply and some 2"x2.
Probably the most challenging part is getting a flat surface on top of the original roof, which has a curve to it.
It's strong enough for my 5 & 8 year old to sleep on, but I don't think it would take an adult!

[Salvador]

Morning!

Cheers for the reply. That's exactly the same circumstances we have. 5 & 8 yr old to go up there.

Do you have any photos of your handywork?

Cheers!

[Ian Hulley]

Probably the most challenging part is getting a flat surface on top of the original roof, which has a curve to it.

4" x 2" right next to the roof, 2" x 1" screwed to that again resting on the steel roof and given the angle of the standard panel van roof and the difference in the width of the timber it creates a 1/2" step ... 1/2" plywood about 47" wide should rest in that step on either side with the middle just resting on the crown of the tintop. I used some left-over accoustic underlay on the crown of the roof to prevent rattling but believe me it's a 'satisfyingly tight fit'



Ian.

[Salvador]

Excellent! Any photos?

[Ian Hulley]

Excellent! Any photos?

Nope, sorry.

If you follow my instructions, measuring as you go you'll see what I mean though. I screwed through the ply into the 2" x 1" around the edges to brace it all cross-ways and put a piece of 4" x 1" across the front edge and cut it to the profile of the tintop

Ian