Convertible Bed

Moving on from the simple side benches, I upgraded the side panels to a thicker ply. This time I'm using 18mm think plywood for all the panels. It just means a more sturdy setup throughout.

The central panel is able to slide back and forth, depending on what I will be doing during the day. While I don't have the cushions made yet, I have the central panel all the way back against the tailgate with a double mattress on top. I have the mattress sideways for lounging around and lengthwise for sleeping.

The central panel is 180cm long, with the side panels just short of that. This gives me adequate length for sleeping without my feet hanging off and plenty of space to roll sideways.

The side panels also have no gaps near the walls now because I've cut them out to match the wall profile. I did this by first cutting out a large section of cardboard, trimming it to match the profile and then using it as a template to cut out the side panels. This means that when the space is converted for sleeping, I have a place to put my mobile phone without it falling into a gap.

I'm just about ready to make custom size cushions for the benches and the bed. However I want to use the new space for a couple of weeks to figure out the right combination and size of cushions.

Larger Ports

I made the ports larger this time to allow me to put away and grab larger items through the top. I also added rechargeable motion-activated lights inside each box (from Big W) - these are fantastic for getting stuff out at night or in low light conditions.

Everything's Strapped In

Both side panels and the central panel are strapped in for travel using the built-in anchors in the van. Since the central panel is able to slide into two different positions: lounge & sleep, there are notches on the sides to allow it to be strapped in in both positions.

What Next?

In my next project I'm tackling the food preparation slide-out bench. Make sure to check it out.