$180 DIY Bed Lift for MORE Campervan STORAGE / Van Build Europe

[@ladiandmargaret]

It's all coming together like a planned puzzle now, and the momentum is catching! Thank you for all the love and energy you've been sending us these past few weeks. Each comment, message, email, etc means SO SO much, and we can't express enough how thankful we are you're here and cheering us along to keep being creative!! Couldn't imagine a more supportive community.. 🥹 In our previous van we had our safe mounted under the bed (by where Ladi talks about towards the end of the vid) and the only thing I feel like would be cool would be some sort of laundry shoot on the passenger side (above the Winder wheel & under the bed. More like half about the wheel and half above the back of the frame). Theres a fair amount of room and would love some more suggestions of what the space could be used for! Have a great Sunday, everyone 🥰

[@claudiakarl2702]

A laundry chute into the garage would be a good idea. So there’s no smell in the van itself.

[@divekatdreaming]

I concur with storing laundry and cleaning supplies in that area... Maybe extra toilet paper or extra pantry stuff. I think it should definitely be something that you would never have to access while the other person is snoozing in her animal PJs.

[@yelesomeus4534]

You still have the ginger kitty…??? Did nobody want to rehome her?..I want her ❤

[@Geekchica]

A laundry “chute” leading into the garage is an excellent idea!❤ Love your content!

[@ladiandmargaret]

@@yelesomeus4534 we still have her! Trying to find someone in the neighborhood to take her, she's not exactly the smartest cat, and we know she'd try to walk back here & get lost. She knows the neighborhood so we're playing the long-game with a few neighbors 😅😅

[@rdabadie]

Just wanted to say I'm really looking forward to your bathroom/washroom video! You alluded to a really interesting solution ages and ages ago and I've been wondering what you're going to do.

[@ladiandmargaret]

YES ROB! Us too. Each week we go through an idea and different approaches. Still loads of troubleshooting to go before we know the solution, but excited to get to that phase of the build and have dedicated time for it!

[@rnwetherald]

I love how the bed lift opens up layout options. I got inspiration from your original bed lift video and built a bed lift system in my van. I used 40 inch actuators so the bed can go all the way to the ceiling for loading/unloading full size [combustion] motocross bikes. We can sleep with it in a partially elevated position over the motorcycles, or fully lowered onto the storage boxes (similar to your layout). I set up each of the 4 actuators on its own switch so I can level the bed when we're parked in a non-level area. Just some ideas for others who are learning from your videos!

[@kevinmctarsney36]

@rnwetherald can you provide details on the actuators and switches?

[@magiccarpetride774]

This might be one of my favorite KZbin videos ever. Margaret, you so funny and you have the best PJs!

[@t.e.1189]

The bed lift is great. I'm leaning more and more towards that myself. But your introduction was absolutely hilarious! Great editing Margaret! You two never cease to amaze me.

[@AHunter817]

That intro was PHENOMENAL. 🤣🤣 I love seeing how your creativity comes into the editing process!

[@ladiandmargaret]

Thanks, Adam! It was Ladi who pushed me to do a fun skit at some point (sorta like the 2min video we made a few months ago about van build frustrations) and now I'm so into incorporating this into more future vids that I'm making character lists and everything 🤣

[@AHunter817]

@@ladiandmargaret Yes!! Looking forward to seeing those characters! 😄

[@Nardikron]

This is the channel I look forward to updates on the most. Y'all are incredibly creative. I appreciate how you two are doing your thing just the way you want! You two truly inspire. I am blown away by what you are able to get done. Detail, pure creativity, efficiency, thorough attention to flow in the space. I am learning so much and hope to pursue my own van build one day. Thank you! Oh, and I like the intro as well. Very well done.

[@juliemac5604]

Margaret, you did some clothes shopping in the USA…Your pajamas, sweaters, shirts, etc are ON POINT!!!!! Also, Ladi, I was hoping you’d take advantage of that underbed space by the kitchen.

[@ferntella]

Those pajamas are so cute! And great job on the bed you guys!

[@pamelarw58]

That bed lift is genius allowing E-Bikes to be storage upright. Love your videos the most because you are both so smart & creative!! 😍😊🇦🇺 Cheers from Australia🍻

[@mrsjanhannah]

Hi both, how are you. Going back many years the husband and I lived together for nearly a year b4 we got married. I think we spent the first three weeks after we wed tip toeing around waiting for something to change. It didn't, and 40 years later we still giggle about waiting for the marital state to make a difference to our happiness levels. Hope you are as happy as we are in 40 years.

[@mikelambert4492]

Property is really coming together!! In such a short time too considering the work that has been done, and other work endeavors like, building a van renovating a barn, making cool videos, etc. My daughter got married this last week!!! Reminded me of you two. Love your stuff, and recommend your videos to vanlife group folk. --peace!!!

[@ladiandmargaret]

Mike you rock! Congrats to your daughter! So much work to plan a wedding. I'm so sad it's over, but also feel like I have so much more time each week now 😅

[@keithbrookshire]

The best is fantastic! I really enjoyed the Margaret v/s Madge conversation at the opening. Can we get a video of how Ladi built the batteries? Which cells, how he wired or welded them, etc.

[@ChibiChula]

Pretty sure it's in one of the videos already. Did you mean for them to cut it out of one of the longer videos into a short or something? 🤔

[@ccg4387]

What a great creative video- thoroughly enjoyable and what a fab result - well done! Thank you 😊

[@ladiandmargaret]

thanks for being with us today! Sunday is our fav day of the week!

[@PjSmith]

Oh my gosh Margaret that scene is hilarious!!! I love you guys and watching this van build!! I missed you so much when you were gone getting hitched!!! ❤️😍❤️

[@reneerangihuna8690]

Ginger cat is so cute at the end with the puppy, makes me miss Millie! 😊 I can't believe how close you are to the end of the build! You both have done exceptionally well, fitting in an engagement and wedding too?! Superstars!! 💪🏽🎊🎉

[@cheryl7917]

Love the lift system! Ladi better lookout, he might loose his building partner to an acting career😂, great job Margaret!!! the whole video was really cute and creative!

[@Russellbeta]

lol, love the little back and forth skit with yourself. clever and fun way to get the thought process across. ☺

[@ChibiChula]

The bed turned out fantastic you guys! 😍 Margaret, that intro was so fun, lol. 😂 Congrats to Ladi on learning another new skill! 👏 The idea of putting cabinet/shelf/drawer space under the lifting bed is awesome, though I guess you'd have to be careful of how much weight you put in those to not stress the actuator(s) on that side. I guess if you use more aluminum for the framing that should help keep the weight down. You can have between one to three separate spaces under there (depending on clearance) which gives you so much hidden storage that's still easy to get to. ✌ A laundry cubby would be awesome too. So many possibilities! It's exciting seeing you get so much further in the build. Can't wait to see your bathroom solution come to life! 😁 BTW, I'd try to fit a mini washing machine somewhere in the van (you can even get some interesting collapsible ones these days) and a small collapsible drying rack or drying line for washing underwear because I, personally, don't trust public washing machines for that. 😅 Plus, if you're at a place with access to a lot of clean water, it could save you money as long as you invest in some detergent that's nature friendly (citric acid and/or plain white vinegar to clean and soften work well in a pinch, though they don't leave your clothes scented unless you add essential oils, as does camp dishwashing liquid). Just a thought. 😉

[@ladiandmargaret]

this is a FANTASTIC IDEA! I considered the laundry machine so long ago and it completely slipped my mind! I'll start on research right away, but if you have any suggestions I'd take them! You can't add links so much in the comment section these days (we've noticed YT deletes a lot of them because it drives traffic away from the platform 🫠 but the names we can take and google from there! Theses actuators I think can lift about 30kg each, so with 4 combined & weight distributed I think we'd be ok. TBH We're still too scared to test lifting the bed up with a human on top. It "should" work, but it's such a fresh creation we're still not wanting to push the limits lol! 😂

[@ChibiChula]

@@ladiandmargaret Glad I could help remind you! 😁 Also, sorry it took so long to get back to you. I've been a bit sick and forgot to check for responses to my comments. 🤒 😅 Anyway, I can make plenty of recommendations, though it would all depend on how much weight and space you can spare for it so it's hard to choose. Honestly, there's one that's just a mini, USB powered impeller agitator that you can put in the bottom of a collapsible bucket up to one's that are fairly big but not huge (still probably too big for your van, better for an RV I think). There are also hand crank models meant for camping but I feel that you have so much tech in your van that you'd want the machine to do most of the work for you. Not that I blame you at all for that, lol. 😂👍 I guess it also depends on if you want a spin function to help wring out the clothes so they don't take forever to dry. Let me know! If you want to look on your own a quick search for "best 12V mini washing machines 2022" might give you a lot of options to choose from. You'd get even more interesting options from a site like AliExpress but the shipping can be iffy from there which is a darn shame since they've really got some interesting 12V ones. Amazon is probably best for you though, I know there are nice 110v ones (some 240v too) available there but I'm not sure if I will be much help for you or not since I can't remember what voltage your regular plugs are/will be. I'll try to get a list to you anyway, since you asked, but it might take me a bit since I'm still feeling a bit off and my brain is too fuzzy to remember all the nice ones I'd seen right now. 😵

[@toncoumans6985]

Margaret; hilarious show talking and arguing with yourself. Van is really coming together.

[@placestosea]

great to see your saving weight and using a slat base. Too late now, but you can buy the slat holders cheap. ( ebay etc) we have bought our slat bases from ikea, some come with rubber slat holders, for extra 'spring'. glad to see your promoting saving weight and space with the van build, often overlooked.

[@LJ-jq8og]

❤GREAT VIDEO, and great education for ALL of us... ❤ Between you guys and "Humble Road" I am so spoiled 😎

[@vandaddy-o2732]

Margaret....you are just too funny 🤣😂🤣

[@KristinBe]

Ok girl...we need more information on your PJ game! l🤩

[@ladiandmargaret]

I need to show you the not-at-all-cute ones next video. Ladi has threatened to end things if I wear them too often 🤣🤣 one has sheep lololo

[@juliemac5604]

Exactly. We need a whole video on the pj’s. Maybe with Madge as a co-host.

[@findmeintime]

Ooh I'm excited to see how the gaps get used now!

[@ericaoneill4125]

So cool to watch and catch little insights on how you engineer these awesome ideas

[@mikelambert4492]

Oh the hanging bed space when bed is raised? Genius!!!!

[@lesliemascarel6897]

The bed lift is amazing but can we talk about your cute Pjs !!

[@LeeLeesAdventures]

Woww the van is coming on great Kim loved your Jim jams we counted 6 prs are we right lol. That bed is amazing love you guys so much, stay safe be happy see you on the next video. Michael & Kim UK xx

[@alainnjel]

That conversation Margaret and MaHarGaHaReT had was eye opening. Never knew talking to myself can be triggering🤯 Lmao thank you for posting guys💛 I am soooo excited for this van to be done and hit the road🥳

[@harrywoods9784]

Awesome creativity and engineering👍👍👍👍

[@ultimatum.]

Irie vibes, Margaret and Ladi. Your intro skit was full of personality and sass sistren, eased my headache this morning. Okay... I'll bite. *smashes subscribe button* - Biggie

[@Bonusdoc]

Super awesome. Look forward to the completed van!

[@The_Bearded_Lady]

bahahaha, love your opening with the conversation with the no it all questioner lol

[@angelaborgen271]

You too are adorable and amazing … I love the way Ladi’s mind works …. I love your van - is great …. in the cat and the puppy oh my gosh 🐾🐾💙

[@MLA..]

A self leveling bed would be cool, instead of leveling the van, level the bed. Or can you do something like that with controlling each leg lift independently, attach a swivel at the point each leg lift attaches to the bed frame to give it the flexibility that would be required?

[@AndyandRachel]

This bed lift is brilliant! All about using space the best you can and you two have it mastered! ☑️ Excited to be new subscribers to catch more of your videos. 😊

[@stevemcwright9457]

Love tour set up !!! I did the same with my solar Victron system all in one rack furniture and clear glass so i can see trough LEDs how things are running!!! The bed is awesome 👍💪💪 well done ciaooo

[@claudiakarl2702]

It looks fantastic. And using every inch of space in such a creative way is astounding. What’s the size of your bed? It looks like 160 x 200 cm.

[@clairepapadatos1116]

Absolutely brilliant!👏👍

[@mikelambert4492]

What are kind of wood/product are you using for the slats of the bed? Those slats look awesome!! Each one appears to be individually crowned, and once mounted will naturally create a spring suspension. It's a genius product!!!

[@ljtong]

Love the conversation in the beginning 🤣🤣

[@nostreamavailable9090]

Hi guys firstly, congratulations on your wedding and here’s to long and happy marriage for you 🎉🥂 I been a subscriber for a while now and really love the content you put out , the work you do absolutely stunning. I wonder if l might make a suggestion for Ladi regarding those cool bikes you build? Watching you make sure the bikes fitted under your bed l thought to myself about quick release steering wheel hubs and quick release roll cage tubes for race cars, could ladi incorporate such ideas into your bike design by way of quick release handlebars and footpegs etc ? I store my old school mtb in my kitchen and I run motorcross bars on it due to my physical size and I know what a pain wide bars can be lol Also I wonder if because their wheels are too time consuming to remove all the time could ladi design some kind of air dump into the bikes tyres and shocks to drop down their height for storage like car air shocks ? Just a thought God bless you and yours from the north west of England Jay 🙏🏻

[@chris20years1]

The bed looks epic and awesome

[@JustinPittman]

How many PJs does Margaret own?! Haha. Great content (as usual).

[@canamflaco]

Hii. Been looking to do the same idea with the bed lift on my enclosed trailer conversion. But dont know what actuator show I get . If u can shere a link from. Where I can order the actuators and remote will be. Greatly appreciate it

[@Great_XicoZe]

Where can I buy this actuators? Do they need any kind of electronic circuit to stop at the end position?

[@lorenworthington8739]

Am I seeing it correctly that you’re actuator circuits are not using a momentum switch, but rather just a standard on/off and switch? Somehow it seems like if this is true you could inadvertently leave the circuit closed for too long and come down on top of the bikes, etc. or go to the ceiling and simply keep the power on. Perhaps it’s just the nature of the beast, but do those for actuators sound is loud in person as they do on KZbin?

[@QuickMind]

where does one find that controller to invert polarity ?

[@Pammellam]

Loved the bed. It was a great fit. I am always inspired by both of your passion for the build! Where is your kitty that traveled in your van before??

[@ladiandmargaret]

She’s still missing since we left her to be babysat by Ladis family when we went out of town 💔

[@Pammellam]

@@ladiandmargaret Oh, that is so sad. She must have gone on a trip by herself. I hope she comes back…

[@gameboys248]

Mega luxus. Nevěděl jsem že jste z česka. Ta SPZka a jeřáb s nápisem nosnost mě jaksi trkla do oka. Xd dobrá práce

[@1901bikerboy1901]

Can you individually control the bed lift so if your parked at an angle you can level the bed? Or is the bed frame.and lift not strong enough to support you when lifted?

[@afroboricua]

You two are hilarious. 😂

[@mistermarra]

How will you lock the bikes in the garage? Just by having the bed sit on top of them?

[@ladiandmargaret]

We’re not sure yet. Maybe just some padding on all the contact points. That’s what we did before.

[@donky-boss]

Guys congrats for all the detail work and thanks for sharing all the knowledge. The videos you make are great! I still don’t get how the purchase of componentes works from your website, every time I press the link to search for a product on your web it brings me to a generic components list. Is this a list with all the components you have used for this van conversion? Can we buy the components directly from your website?

[@afroboricua]

I love the idea of a bed lift. I am not a “make your bed every morning” person and I’m tired of being shamed by convertible-bed van life people. 😂

[@ladiandmargaret]

making your bed with only a pillow and duvet is ENOUGH 🤣

[@perregrine]

I feel like permanent bed people are under more pressure to make their bed and have things like decorative pillows because it's always on display. When I have guests, I want to hide my mess, not fix it 😂

[@juliemac5604]

Pull that duvet up sloppily and call it DONE!!!

[@thehauntedvansion9442]

As a permanent bed person I feel like yanking the covers up and straightening the pillows is way less work than taking everything off, stowing (where?), then clearing all the mess and reversing the process. Plus no food crumbs in my bed. I’ll never go back to convertible, you can’t make me! 😂

[@CosmicSeeker69]

OMG. I Totally related to the bike carry situation 💥. But now I'm wondering if Ladi will reconstruct his battleship heavy solar frame? 😉. And 3 seconds later I got my answer!

[@ladiandmargaret]

Haha, probably won’t. Only if we need to replace panels.

[@sawyerhaffner4506]

If you add kitchen shelves under the bed be careful what you store there because it will limit what you can cook while one person is still in bed. Unless the actuators can lift the bed and a person?

[@learning2growmyown]

Amazing work my friends

[@Milo19970]

Much better alternative than the $2000 happy jack something system😂

[@Tijrah]

What part if the lift bed system you didn't like? Would you change anything living in it for a while?

[@cjc9535]

I think you need to keep that Ginger cat and take him/her on your adventures! If only you could take the dog too......

[@guillermorodriguezcrespo4232]

Great video, congrats!

[@overlandingturtle8480]

You guys are the best!!!!!

[@srm6366]

Lol love your guys style of making videos very inspiring ;)

[@meka1369]

Lmao!!! Does he have to make everything all the time. Lol that was a good intro.

[@mr_white743]

Can it be used to level the bed when parking on a curb?

[@womacko]

Why was it not possible to place the actuators flat against the wall, instead of sticking out like that?

[@ladiandmargaret]

Personal choice I guess.

[@craigbaxter4842]

How do you get on using your E Bikes on the road in the EU, are they not classed as a motorbike because of their power as they would be here in the UK?

[@ladiandmargaret]

They are offroad only.

[@Johny77_Hensel]

Absolutně perfektní 🤙🖖👌

[@billyschlager9053]

What kind of bikes are those I love that red one

[@ladiandmargaret]

These are our custom CyberBikes! 27kW electric motorcycle

[@billyschlager9053]

Do you guys ship to the U.S. ?

[@ladiandmargaret]

We do! More information on our website mysuperebike as well, all linked in the descriptions of the videos

[@zodiacfml]

nice. i've been watching van life for a week now, I found that I'm not a fan of the fixed beds especially the use of a lot of wood. I envisioned an elevator bed that can lift close to the ceiling. turns out not much support or vertical post is required as evidenced here. thing is, even if one lives permanently to a van, only 1/3 time is spent on sleeping but taking so much space. if I'd go van life myself, I'd probably sleep in motels/hotels from time to time where it is cheap and near a destination.

[@CPRebels21]

Will those underbed kitchen shelves hit the seat of the bike on the driver's side?

[@ladiandmargaret]

Idk, will see how much space is left and that’s our dimensions.

[@ats2320]

awesome video

[@anjaporter]

Do we know yet where all these fab PJs are from???

[@erontheroad]

Hey! Where did you buy the actuators?

[@Technodude255]

Inspired indeed!

[@jasonmculver]

does anyone know the specific actuators they used for this bed?

[@The_Bearded_Lady]

Apologies for not being able to find the info, but do you know how much weight these actuators can hold? me and my partner are fat and therefore our bed frame and mattress would also weigh a bit more besides just us weighing more. so just curious if these ones would be an option. i would probably run a support directly under instead of just bolting onto a frame panel too, but yeah. thanks for sharing either way though. very cool :)

[@guillermodelatorre8]

Whats the link for the bed lift T.I.A

[@RicoTheCat001]

One question, is there any other means to support the bedframe in the down position other then the actuators? I'd be a little bit sceptical about the strength of the joint between the side panel and the aluminium bracket that holds the actuator... If the actuator was directly screewed to the one of the side "ribs" of the van i't be more sturdy. But as i see in the video the only things that holds the bed and prevents it from falling down on the bikes are some plywood threaded inserts. Or is the bed also supported by the "power box" ?

[@peacefulreiki]

I would suppose the lowered bed frame rests directly on the horizontal beams of the van.

[@perregrine]

The power box would get in the way of the frame if it were to simply fall but I would expect that if one of them failed, you would notice it before it became a massive risk to other parts of the van because it still has 3 other supports and it's a pretty tight fit

[@ladiandmargaret]

It’s supported on L shape aluminum by the divider and it sits on the electronics box.

[@-COBRA]

Hi Margaret. What do you think about width of european roads? Are you comfortable to drive the van in here?

[@maggiebrattoli383]

Those eyebrows 😂 But you guys are geniuses. 😊

[@p_mouse8676]

What kinda glue is being used for those threaded inserts @ 6:41 ? They can work very well as long as you secure them. Otherwise they can be a nightmare at the same time.

[@ladiandmargaret]

Just a PU glue to hold in place 🙌

[@p_mouse8676]

@@ladiandmargaret Yeah, that's what I already thought, works great that way, thanks! :)

[@guthrie1960]

I liked the PJ's

[@dodorosey6245]

Excellent selection of pyjamas

[@samambrotv]

Here's a thought about the bikes, what if you compressed the front suspension a little bit with a bungee cord or something to give a bit more clearance? Or is that bad for the suspension?

[@ladiandmargaret]

We might do that. Will see how everything goes.

[@ghasto.au1]

is awesome the system, but my doubt is if they support a earthquake on a saturday night after a dinner with candles??

[@ecoworrier]

I was thinking about a bed lift design (maybe three actuators) which could level the bed. Then you can park up on sloping ground but still sleep horizontally. Most of the time you will be sleeping so make the bed/table/stove level, not the whole van. Just an idea.

[@ninaradio]

The stove, water tank, etc. still work best/safest when level, though.

[@thehauntedvansion9442]

Yeah, Nina radio is right. Ideally you want the whole thing as level as possible to save wear and tear on the build as well

[@bryanlonger8646]

To put it gently..I think you 2 may be to young for that bed...I hope I'm wrong...but it may still need a floor brace from floor...but I'm sure if ladi spots a flaw...he will adapt it..he's well motivated...great job ladi.

[@mamatuja]

12 Wolts😁👍

[@lauriehughes9078]

Love your presentation format of answering all Qs re the Pros + Cons of this Design Feature. BEFORE we spend Time viewing the details of HOW TO do the Build itself ! As viewers who wade through hundreds of these Vanbuild Videos, Our Time is ltd & We prefer to spend as little as We CAN to get the essential Info We need. There is 1 channel I have UNsubscribed due to unnecessary SLOWness. Going forward I am becoming even more conscious of the efficiency of Video Presentation + the degree of Intelligence, Articulation + Production Values ( sound + camera ) behind the end result. YOU have hit upon the clever device of using a dual persona Dialogue to thoroughly explain WHY We may NEED this feature, at the Beginning, while simultaneously holding our interest in a pleasantly entertaining WAY & in a brief amount of Time. BRILLIANT 💪🤓💡💡💡 THANK Y💫U SO MUCH !!!

[@abeeres]

Where can I buy the lifter?

[@ladiandmargaret]

It’s listed in the parts list. More on our website LadiAndMargaret.com

[@bitminerbob6731]

Came here for the van build but stayed for the Pajamas 😂

[@thejackjackgirl]

lol margaret...know the zone.... but they will wonder.... they will say... it is all thought out... do you identify with an over filled Play Doh crazy cuts stylist toy..you know fill the doll head with doh, wind the handle and it starts to pour out..... ie the ideas just keep coming.... luv ya :)

[@mai17288]

Can I come rent your garage out next summer to do my van?

[@Kathiewinkle]

Bravo 😍😍😍🥰

[@ladiandmargaret]

thank you, friend! Hope you're well!

[@marcels.1225]

Not sure if those welds qualify as aluminum welds.

[@ladiandmargaret]

It doesn’t matter 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@marcels.1225]

@@ladiandmargaret it does, once your bedframe breaks :D (no hate intended) aluminum can develop stress Cracks over time if not done right. The best looking weld can have that. Hence, looks are no indicator for quality. If you use the right filler and base metal combination and clean the material and filler properly you should be good. I am sure you are aware of this. Keep up the work!

[@ladiandmargaret]

It get’s fixed if it brakes, no need to think about such ifs.

[@marcels.1225]

@@ladiandmargaret sure, why do it once if you can do it more often. Also, great way to give people an idea what they can do, but maybe not what they should do.

[@ladiandmargaret]

We’re not planning on doing it again, you brought up hypothetical cracking welds. No need to worry.

[@chwilhogyn]

Margaret do you have more PJs than "daily" clothes?? Haha!!

[@ladiandmargaret]

200000% actually yes. 😂 if only my friends and family weren’t “ashamed of me in public” when we go out, it’s all I’d wear 😅

[@mutchler87]

How was the bed and components $180?

[@ladiandmargaret]

Actuators are cheap