Sliding bed base for minivan camper - converts to couch and requires no modifications

Welcome to a very small camper van, my channel all about my very small camper van - a minivan being transformed into a diy camper. #vanlife #minivancamper
This video goes into detail about how my sliding bed base was made and how it works in the van.
It is completely removable - no modifications to the van are needed - has space for storage and it converts to a couch for those rainy days when you want to sit inside the van.
Please take a moment to subscribe:
/ @averysmallcampervan
And visit my channel for more van build videos: / @averysmallcampervan

[@kerryparry3818]

Omg this is absolutely the best conversion I've seen, I love it. Thank you for sharing this with us 🤗🌺

[@averysmallcampervan]

Glad you like it!

[@loveniacannon3302]

I bought a large white trunk to store my infant niece’s stuff in kzbin.infoUgkxNuLbiXpLQ-mKH5NlyjrNe88hiCk2N3Cg , as she comes to my house frequently. For now, it’s toys on one side and diapers, wipes, and other baby care items on the other. As she gets older, it will be all toys. I had originally wanted a trunk with a hinged lid, but I was afraid of her smashing or pinching her fingers in it. This will be a much safer option. The lid has great padding in it and it is actually nice to sit on. It feels very sturdy and secure. Looks like it can be wiped clean easily. If it gets abused by her, I won’t be terribly upset because I paid less than $50 for it on Prime Day.

[@debvoz]

Thanks for sharing this excellent conversion. I love the way you designed the bed and bench - just fantastic. You gave me a lot of ideas!

[@averysmallcampervan]

Glad it was helpful!

[@alilm3283]

Great videos. I watched both this and the van build. Great ideas for copying as well as inspiration. Do you mind sharing where you got from the eucalyptus shiki futon 48" width?

[@averysmallcampervan]

From a store called Futon d'Or in Montreal. It is a double, so it is about 54" wide

[@alilm3283]

@@averysmallcampervan Thank you for the reply. I thought she said her shiki futon is 48 inches. I asked the question because of the size she mentioned and I couldn't find one online. I ended up buying a 55 inches from Amazon.

[@peggyfan435]

You should manufacturing this!!! I'm sure you will get lot of orders 🙂

[@averysmallcampervan]

Thanks Peggy! Maybe one day I will look into this as a second career but for now I don't have a place of my own to do the work, so it would be too complicated.

[@minimutt1408]

This is great. I've been picturing something like that but its great to see it actually completed.

[@averysmallcampervan]

Glad you liked it.

[@pilfee]

Awesome project...very nicely thought out and well executed....Just amazing...I could use this idea for an upcoming camper van project of mine...

[@kelligallicchio325]

I think you should contact shark tank and introduce your bed frame to them l think you r sitting / sleeping on a gold mine.... Best of everything to you...

[@averysmallcampervan]

Thanks but heavens no! My goal is to be sitting in the sun outside my camper!

[@pupher6907]

Excellent video. What size is the shikbuton? Queen or full? Thank you

[@nickwilkins2527]

Your videos are great. To the point, yet very detailed and thought out. Thank you.

[@averysmallcampervan]

Glad you like them! Thanks so much!

[@DragonHeartTree]

I wish you’d make a pattern-template for the entirety, for sale.

[@lisafleming9603]

A very good wish.

[@averysmallcampervan]

Sorry, no time for template making - harder to get right than you would think.

[@DragonHeartTree]

a very small camper van yes that curvy bottom edge looks very hard. Worth its weight in gold as a template.

[@native_wun]

@@DragonHeartTree There's a template (in description) and a total cutting/building walkthrough video here. Same finger interlocking design as this video, minus the headboard and shelving (easy to suss out if you jump between the two videos). He used powered handheld tools too - so this design is accessible for everyone. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pJPRoouIitJ9l9U

[@microvanlife7490]

I have a 2011 Chrysler Grand Caravan i keep at my Ohio condo. Would love to have a template for your bed & ears only! Lots of people with these vans could use a Weekender version! That way we keep our seats stowed while having a fun weekend getaway!

[@leese.23]

This was excellent. Thank you so much for sharing.

[@averysmallcampervan]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@rickbrame442]

Hello, is it possible for you to provide me the where you buy your Japanese futon please. Thank you!

[@Stucrompton1]

excellent

[@lorianreavely1965]

I love this style of bed!!! Your whole van is truly AMAZING! I have the same van and have watched all your videos for ideas, and this is by far is the best layout I have seen. Would you mind sharing your designs so I can follow them... 😉 Thank you for sharing all your videos!

[@LifeistooshortCK]

I would be chicken cutting them as well. 😏. Excellent result and that will be a very comfy bed. How long before you think it will ok to get back out there camping ? We are hoping for July as there are rumours camp sites will be open although we will wild camp unless that is banned.

[@averysmallcampervan]

Here in Quebec, Canada provincial parks opened up for camping June 1st, with social distancing and extra hand washing stations, and of course no group activities or boat rental. This weekend, the 12-14 June was our first trip. It was good, not too many people. We live in Montreal, which is the worst hit area in all of Canada (yeah for us! (but we are fine)) but out in the country is much, much less effected. Good luck over in your part of the world!

[@LisaRenewsLife]

Oh my goodness glad I stumbled across this! Love this bed and love your channel. Very simple, elegant and useful. Well done!

[@LisaRenewsLife]

Just need to come back to this....so well thought out and the considerations you made in building it, brilliant.

[@averysmallcampervan]

Thanks so much! 😊

[@cathyann6835]

I love this bed couch set up. I just subscribed. What type minivan do you have? I just bought a 2018 Dodge Grand Caravan. It was built for the fleet line. A utility worker backed into something. It was repaired and sold to me. I have a bumper to bumper warranty and everything works fine. I wanted to build something for camping since travel trailers fall apart or cost a fortune for the ones that don't. If I camp in a spot that has a picnic table, I took my kitchen outside anyway when I camped in a travel trailer or class c. Cooking heated it up too much and brought in moisture. I even washed dishes outside. Depending on how many people were also camping, I used one end of the picnic table or a table I brought myself to set outside. I love the simplicity of being outdoors, yet I'm getting too old to sleep on the ground, lol.

[@averysmallcampervan]

Hi, Thanks for subscribing Cathy. I have a 2012 Grand Caravan, no waranty but I am the second owner and it had low millage. I love having the kitchen outside/in the back - I can't imagine giving up space inside to try to fit a kitchen in there and then having to deal with ventillation, etc. And I hear you about the "too old to sleep on the ground", that's the start of this whole adventure!

[@truckerzwyf]

Thank you for all of the inspiration. I am not an artist but have an artist's heart mixed with a bit of carpenter, engineer, mechanic and some obsessive compulsive thrown in the mix. I have watched many hours of van build videos, and perused many minivan camping groups but could not find a bed that really interested me. Not until now. What I am wondering is this: my van is 54" wide behind the front seats and then narrows to 48". My plan is to place our heads at the wider end and feet in the narrow end. Does the futon mattress you chose, have enough support for side sleepers to not feel the bed slats? And if I use a 54" will it scrunch together enough on the narrow end, to still be comfortable? My spouse and I are 5'3" (170) and 5'8" (260). Will these slats support us?

[@averysmallcampervan]

Yes, a 54 inch will squish in. I have done it with the futon and even with an ikea foam mattress. makes for a snug fit. The futon would be a bit firm for side sleeping if you have any hips at all. As for the slats - I used 3/4 in plywood and I thought it would have a bit of give, like bead slats but it is quite solid. No worries weight wise (we are close to the same weights as you)

[@vociferonheraldofthewinter2284]

This is my favorite slide out van bed yet. Fantastic job

[@w6263]

Most definately a genius idea for a double bed in a camper van! Or a rental room! WOW! Fabulous!

[@averysmallcampervan]

Thanks!

[@annetaliaferro3825]

How did you secure the bench to the floor of the van? Or did you?

[@timjohnsen4399]

I'd buy plans for this right now if they were available. Please share a link if one exists. Thanks

[@averysmallcampervan]

Sorry, no plans

[@PatriciaDavidsonPhotography]

Thank you for sharing! Very impressive set up! 👏👏

[@averysmallcampervan]

Thanks so much!

[@smudgiebear6451]

I agree with some of the others, out of all the bed conversation I've seen, I really love this this one the best, especially all the little touches you've added on.

[@averysmallcampervan]

Thanks!

[@vornamenachname8783]

nice, lean, lightweight, multi purpose 👍. I like the idea, that such bed could also be used as a "spare bed" for guests when not in use in the van (what is 99% of the year for most people 😂?)

[@fauxmixedhair]

Thanks for sharing. I've been trying to figure out how to do a pull out couch bed in my SUV and this is brilliant. I also love how you have the detachable light/usb charger. Brilliant.

[@Dot0011]

Very nice build and lots of great details in video. would be cool if the top of the foot rest popped up to make a nice size table in front of futon.

[@averysmallcampervan]

That would be cool, but I saw it more as a second seating spot.

[@zeealonzo5421]

Hello! Omg, I’m so amazed and how beautiful your mini campervan is! Maybe you can share with me the sizes of the bed and the kitchen cabinets I really appreciate it. Thank you

[@zeb3two]

Fantastic design and execution. Also that was a great overview of the build/ design process!

[@averysmallcampervan]

Thank you kindly!

[@WaterblueEzekiel]

Very cool.. I'm full time 3 years. Nice build✌🏾

[@averysmallcampervan]

That's awesome, I only use mine for trips and weekends. Full time is a whole different world

[@gilberto1882]

Buen dia, no hablo inglés pero se entiende muy buenas ideas, gs. Me suscribí

[@leomcdonnell8939]

What make/model vehicle ?? Is it a Nissan Elgrand Highway Star ?

[@averysmallcampervan]

It is a 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan

[@edge2science]

Genius double bed van conversion, very well narrated, beautifully simple straight forward Thank you!

[@rickbrame442]

I mean the link where you bought your futon

[@buccaneerred]

Hello… Great design and quality build! I’m interested in making something similar. Do you have an detailed info or video on how you made the cuts to the sliding bed?

[@OneManEngineering]

Wow, that’s like IKEA designed stuff! Very well thought out, and beautifully done! Defo one of the nicest on YT! Hats off!

[@jojones5536]

We recently purchased a 1990 Toyota Hiace Van which came from Japan. Our kitchen is oriented so it comes out from the back, under the hatch. We have been playing around with how to have an extending bed which hooks onto a box sitting behind the front seats. We were close to your design, but once we found your channel and saw this bed, we knew that it was exactly what would work and we were looking for. The stationary part in ours will be attached to a big storage box. The pull out part of the bed will go forward to a box behind the front seats. Because this distance is so long, we will have created the very bottom of the bed to be a piece hinged to the box that will raise up and be held by 500lb folding brackets. this will then hooke to the now middle piece with the angle iron channel and track like yours. We think it will work! Thanks for making these videos. You are very creative and handy! I wish I could come up with the solutions you have.

[@mercibeaucoup2486]

Amazing video & beautiful bed build. Cheers from the Boundary Waters, MN :)

[@averysmallcampervan]

Glad you enjoyed it! What a beautiful place to live, I hope to visit there one day.

[@JK-ns5dr]

I love it up there! used to drive to Ely and go canoe camping for a week every summer, I miss it like crazy.

[@MrT8T3R]

Nice. Been looking for ideas for benches like this that can be adapted to fit into a storm shelter. (Tornado Alley)

[@ShannonElizabethDesign]

This is awesome! Thank you for sharing

[@averysmallcampervan]

Glad you liked it!

[@wendy4498]

Omg I need this! This would be perfect for me in my minivan. Are you selling these?

[@averysmallcampervan]

sorry, no! all you get is the video for inspiration.

[@raksh9]

Thanks for posting this. What a great design. And because the frame expands on long 'teeth' or slats, it provides ventilation under the bedding. Most van beds don't have ventilation at all.

[@averysmallcampervan]

I'm glad you liked it. Yes, important to have air circulation under the mattress. Thanks!

[@MoBangFoYoBucks]

😂 Shy man! Great design.💯👍 Thanks for sharing!

[@averysmallcampervan]

He's quite serious about not being on screen! glad you liked the video

[@Simcore999]

👍🏻

[@salter7824]

Wow, so many great ideas to steal! Well done, thanks for the vid. Def gonna start using those screw in snaps. I like the idea of the hook in wood pieces too and using what is already there.

[@DragonHeartTree]

So Clever! Love every little detail, very well thought-out!

[@averysmallcampervan]

Thanks so much! 😊

[@johncole3010]

I’m attempting to do something similar except the two separate slide outs need to pivot up the side and slide up for a couch and down with slide outs for a bed. I’m using angle iron and 1x1 to reinforce the plywood. Nice work on the joinery

[@FreeSpiritMom]

Wow. And I’m even more amazed 😩 so talented and skilled

[@JonniesJourney]

very impressive.

[@turfnsurf9367]

Did you do all these cabinets? You can open a shop and I be your next customer.

[@averysmallcampervan]

Amazon, mais j'ai pris les plus grand et je les ai ajustés encore plus grand pour que ca fit!

[@thisismaso]

What a magnificent masterpiece it is! What minivan do you have? I have a dodge caravan I want this kind of bed for my van 😀. Please check my video here. I will appreciate it. Thanks for sharing this.

[@averysmallcampervan]

I have a Grand Caravan too - I really like it as a camper van. Glad the video gave you some ideas for your own build.

[@tishm2102]

Been watching several different ytubers, first those with a similar make of vehicle that I own. Then various others to get ideas, so eventually I can plan my escape camper. Love your well thought out and remakes when maybe they weren't...Since I don't have a home of my own, it's important to gather as much info as possible and especially from those who live out of their creations as I plan to do. Q. on this bed build. The bench seems to take up a lot of space, which I understand provide the ample bed space. Is it really needed? Thank you for your insight and sharing all the wonderful work(wo)manship!

[@averysmallcampervan]

The bench at the foot of the bed? It has the storage drawers for our clothes underneath and was made that size to accommodate a slot to store the large solar panel when it was not on the roof. (The first version of the solar set up had the solar panel stored inside and set up when stopped)

[@arielaguillon3278]

Very creative! Hit all the storage points and spaces for the van! I’m going to borrow this idea. Thank you!

[@coldfiredog]

Great job. Clever design. I like how it locks in to the existing seat latch bracket.

[@averysmallcampervan]

Glad you like it!

[@MacgyverSharon]

Best design thus far on my search! Thanks for posting! ☮❤🕉

[@averysmallcampervan]

Thanks Macgyver Sharon!

[@Toniesway]

Hi would this work in a Nissan NV200 SV ?

[@averysmallcampervan]

The concept should be good in any van - just need to adjust the mesurements

[@Jason-rs6co]

nice work

[@LisaBeatsCancer]

Amazing

[@derykmacleod4979]

Very well thought out and executed! Good Job to you and the shy man!

[@averysmallcampervan]

Thank you kindly!

[@claudia_peters]

Great 👍😊

[@qinricai1288]

very good

[@davidowen888]

Thanks for sharing great ideas 💡 ☮️

[@elizdonovan5650]

Excellent video. Thank you. 🌲🌝☘️

[@averysmallcampervan]

Thank you too!

[@張點點-s6o]

*Works great, nice height.*

[@TikiMobile]

Where did you get your shikif(b)uton? I've been searching for a decent quality made with cotton batting that doesn't cost a fortune.

[@averysmallcampervan]

Futon d'or in Montreal Canada www.futondor.com/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwv7L6BRDxARIsAGj-34rThHWSp2nuQezoqK0fTGv4nj7S50HiTofycFF6H9lAAkPLj0UgHVUaAjFHEALw_wcB

[@cyanko1767]

Superb!!! Love your small working model too

[@averysmallcampervan]

Thank you very much! Definitely needed the model to work out the movement. As you probably can see from my videos, I am a big fan of templates, models and plans!

[@stevec3872]

Nice design, but I'm just fine with a cot sized bed and don't need anything larger.

[@averysmallcampervan]

This one is designed for two people, but for sure a single cot leaves so much more room for other things, much more flexible design

[@nancyjohnson9013]

YOU are so clever! Great ideas with beautiful craftsmanship. I am so green...with envy.

[@averysmallcampervan]

Thank you so much!

[@tinaf1739]

Very good idea and not as expensive as all the other things that are shown on the Internet ....P.sThanks i will try it out ......

[@averysmallcampervan]

Most welcome 😊

[@alaincomtois34]

Hello, it's a great job, the floor of the Caravan is not straight, how did you draw the foot of the bed, I would like to do a project like that.

[@averysmallcampervan]

I drew it with great difficulty and a few false starts :-) the final template was made by parking the van on a spot that was as level as possible, then leveling some long pieces of lumber and then making a cardboard template of the space below the lumber. You can see how I make templates in a few of my earlier videos - like the one on making a fitted curtain

[@truebluepatriot2739]

Great job....hope to see more of your carpentry skills!

[@averysmallcampervan]

More to come!

[@bergfpv6486]

Love your creativity. Very well thought out and executed.

[@averysmallcampervan]

Thank you so much 😀

[@gonagain]

A really well thought out and executed design!

[@averysmallcampervan]

Thanks, glad you like it. The bed has been great this last camping trip - the couch option came in handy more than I expected.

[@lacannelle8415]

Great creation! Very nice 👍 The plywood sliding base looks far better than the usual one with the individuals wood pieces. I would make a sofa bed based on this system for my house. Can i ask how the "chicken" cut 😁 was made? Is it with a router or a jigsaw? are the two parts from a single piece of plywood?

[@averysmallcampervan]

Thanks, the bed design is actually based on a picture of a real (house) bed frame I saw. www.architonic.com/en/product/seledue-sn-2-bett/1001390 The original was probably cut using a CNC machine. The cuts I was too chicken to make were plunge cuts made with a circular saw. My husband (who is much more meticulous and carerful than me) clamped a piece of wood as a guide for each cut, to be sure that they were straight and all the cuts had to start and stop in exactly the right place. I finished up with a jigsaw to cut the curved ends, then sanded with a cylinder attachment on a drill. And yes, the two parts are from a single piece of wood, so almost zero waste. In fact the legs were also cut from the same 5 x 5 ft sheet of 3/4 in baltic birch plywood.

[@lacannelle8415]

@@averysmallcampervan Indeed, that's a very clean cut for a handmade one. I'm impressed. thanks for the answer! i'll try it.

[@gregorymcnichol5970]

So is that mattress comfy?

[@averysmallcampervan]

It is, but I am used to sleeping on a futon type mattress. It is quite firm. I picked it back when we were camping in rented minivans and it rolls up quickly and easily, to be taking it in and out. I was also worried that a foam mattress would be hot and sweaty on summer nights... Now that I have bought this van, we are thinking of testing out an ikea foam mattress that used to be my daughter's. We'll see how it compares

[@NoraTTang]

Love this!!!! We don't deserve you lol this is amazing tutorial video!!

[@averysmallcampervan]

Thank you so much Nora! I am so proud to show off my van - I'm so gratified that people like it and find the ideas useful!

[@kelligallicchio325]

I would patten your design for the bed and light fixture before sharing and please run your design across a few main stores as well

[@averysmallcampervan]

Glad you like the design. I've no plans for selling anything - just wanted to share the ideas

[@susieturk1]

New subscriber. Doing all the research I can do. I'll be joining you all in two years. Me and my Dog Mindy. My job is to get her ready too.

[@averysmallcampervan]

Hi @susieturk1, good luck with the research and the build. My advice is to try a few layouts, just roughly, before building anything final. That way you can camp in it as see if you like it.

[@CharadeTV]

Excellent!

[@lone982]

A wonderful set up and great video. To top it off you pronounced "voila" correctly. You tube seems to be full of people who think it starts with a w.

[@averysmallcampervan]

Its the little things that count! thanks for the chuckle

[@ShanLiuGBM]

I love the idea, but think I weigh too much to use this plan. Good food for thought.

[@averysmallcampervan]

The bed is pretty well supported - it has "legs" on the edges but also in the middle on each side of the awning storage spot, and baltic birch plywood is pretty strong. I actually was hoping for a bit of flex, like a boxspring, but the 3/4 ply is too rigid.

[@maggieschmid806]

Love it! At 3:12 I can roughly see how you connected the 2 sections and am trying to determine what I'd need to buy. Guess you used a router for the wood receiving piece and maybe screwed a long L shaped metal piece on the other section? Did you consider a french cleat. That might be an easier way to go for my low level skills. Thank you.

[@averysmallcampervan]

Hi, so one side is a piece of L shaped aluminium that I drilled holes in to attach it to the underside of the bed piece. The receiving edge on the bench section is a piece of 1/2" plywood glued to a smaller piece of 3/8" plywood to make the wooden L shape that is then screwed to the bench. No router involved! It cold be a french cleat, but they are better for downward forces, in this case I wanted the hook to resist horizontal movement.

[@ik3904]

Clever designed

[@averysmallcampervan]

Thanks!

[@clarabatista5534]

It may be very small but is extremely smart and well constructed .

[@averysmallcampervan]

Thanks!

[@williambeasley6448]

Id like to find some sort of way to put 2 seat belt buckles in the middle of the bed

[@averysmallcampervan]

I feel you! I wish I could put seat belts too, the seat is perfect for it but seat belts are a whole new can of worms! There are no pre-existing attachment points under the seat and I stear clear of anything that would impact safety questions - if I did add seat belts, it would need to be inspected and certified or any accidents or injuries would not be covered by insurance and would contraveen the highway code, ect. ect.... so no seat belts :-( 2.

[@shermgohn]

Can you do my van like this one? How much?

[@averysmallcampervan]

Sadly no. I don't have my own wood shop so there is a limit to how many van components I can make without anyone noticing...

[@tommyfox4444444]

great design

[@tonycardall7334]

Great video , I'm going to make a single pull out bed and incorporate your sliding idea .

[@averysmallcampervan]

Sounds great! Single bed designs are so much roomier. I have seen some nice ones in which the smallest back seat is kept up, to have a comfortable sitting spot - with a seat belt too

[@donnakielman]

Please some how make plans in pdf or doc for my dumb self to follow. I have same van and need this plan and the legs would fit my van... right now we have just plastic shelves as base and we are need of plan to follow. If you could message or somehow... need help

[@donnakielman]

Maybe on etsy and pay for plans would be great

[@averysmallcampervan]

Maybe some day - for now I don't have time and it's not that easy to make into a pdf! I'll let you know if I can manage something.

[@mymai2792]

Thank you so much...very helpful. You are clever!

[@averysmallcampervan]

You're welcome!

[@mindybluephotography]

That is an awesome bed frame! You have lots of great ideas. It looks too complicated for me to make, but if I had all the right tools, I'd try. Good job!

[@averysmallcampervan]

Thank you! 😊

[@craigj6277]

Nice job!

[@Canoecamper]

Brilliant!

[@johnmagee6524]

Can you get these in UK anyone please let me know

[@averysmallcampervan]

Hi John, what do you want to get?

[@johnmagee6524]

@@averysmallcampervan the bed frame

[@aidaalbiar]

I love it!

[@lesvoyagesdelouis6574]

Superbe

[@averysmallcampervan]

Merci beaucoup!

[@vanexplorer7412]

Great design and explaining the build.

[@averysmallcampervan]

Glad you like it!

[@koenntebessernichtsein]

Simple, but effective! And it looks beautiful! When I see this, I'd like to have a van instead of a station wagon.

[@averysmallcampervan]

Glad you like it!

Buen vídeo, gracias y enhorabuena.

[@averysmallcampervan]

muchas gracias