Ep.4 Slide Out Slat Bed - Camper Van Build Remodel

My name is Brian. I live on the road full time in my self built camper van. Join me on my adventures.
In this video I attempt to build a slide out slat bed for my camper van. I used a combination a few different beds I found on youtube. Overall I think it turned out well and should serve its purpose just fine. This bed cost just under $50 for all lumber and hardware. It took me about 6 hours to complete.
Thanks for watching!
--Contact me at [e-mail] --
**Follow Your Dreams*

[@penguinchick6563]

Another 1x1 under the ends of the sliding slats will keep it true, and less binding. ✌🐧

[@RemusKingOfRome]

yeh, those slats don't look secure, only being held at one end. I'd probably go for flat steel, top and bottom, on the slats at the other end.

[@rdwise4513]

In addition to the 1x1 crossbar, consider using Johnson's Paste Wax on the sliding parts and heavy duty felt on the bottom of the moving support legs. Should make sliding it in and out much easier. (No icons on my Chromebook, so...) Peace!

[@todddunn945]

I was going to suggest exactly the same thing. I also second the idea of waxing the slats to make them slide easier.

[@lukngud9049]

You beat me to it! LOL!

[@munetmbsc]

Also candle wax on the sides of the slides will make for smoother movement.

[@notsoshortbus1651]

you need another board on the inside of the sliding boards under the bed good job!

[@ShemajRagin]

🤩 I am glad you are in high spirits while entering your 5th year living in your van. 🚐 You are my favorite Nomad. I love 💕 your channel. 🌅 I look forward to continue watching your adventures. 🛣Thank you for all of your inspiration and sharing your travels.✌🏿☮️😎 Be encouraged! God bless you in Jesus name. 🤗

[@ShawshankR3demption]

Hi Shemaj, hope things are going good for you. Take care! _The Adventure continues_

[@ShemajRagin]

Shawshank Redemption - All is well. How are you? I am in the planning stages of my own adventure 🤩

[@myfavoritesutube1]

Hi Shemaj...I always look for and read your comments, they are always kind and uplifting! God Bless you too! ...cheers

[@ShemajRagin]

Beth Kasten - God Bless You ❤️ Brian doesn’t know but I have my prayer line warriors praying for him everyday 🙏🏿

[@myfavoritesutube1]

Now that is interesting! Your photo and comments remind me of a lady I went to church with..she had been an RN, then got her PhD to be a Minster. She would go to the ladies jail in Houston, and preach to these very "jaded" women...They LOVED her...because of her heart and insincerity!

[@georgiacorey954]

Love your layout. Your build outs are always inspirational. Great video, easy to follow. Thank you for sharing. I've never seen this bed build done so easy to understand. 1 tip. That unsecured slide out wood will warp eadily with moisture. It's happend to me. If you attach the slide out portion to another set of legs & horizontally bar that will keep them in place, stable & true. If you are concerned about the other set of legs getting in the way of your under bed storage just use a smaller piece of wood like a 1x1 or 1x2 as its mostly for balance or at least do the horizontal bar & no legs.

[@nasrinkhodaibooran4471]

Wow Brian! You answered my questions about making a bed. Thank you 👍

[@joefrank7159]

Wow. That Kreg Jig system is a big help. Really make easy to custom build the van. Hope to have one for the time I build my van. Thanks for the building inspirations.

[@howardbrown5940]

Brian, I like how your build is coming along. You do good work. Can't wait for the adventure to continue. Safe travels. Howard

[@djraiders8402]

Thanks for sharing another amazing video.

[@pilotdiana]

The organization is great. The bed (couch) when finished will be great for reading, editing, and watching KZbin’s. Good job!

[@TravelingTroy]

Nice bed build, Brian. Very similar to mine. I’ve been sleeping on it for 2 1/2 years. :) It’s already been mentioned, but adding an underneath length-wise board will prevent the extension slats from popping up. This board would also serve as a stopper for your desired extension pullout width. FYI, wax may be needed at some point on stubborn sliding slats.

[@louisemissouri4410]

Absolutely I agree the board. Put underneath on the end of the moving slats would help them be more stable and catching.

[@lass-inangeles7564]

I wish you could show some pics of your bed. I want to build this myself, but cannot visualize what you are saying? A full sheet of thin wood? A cross beam? Will that not prevent slide out? Or prevent ventilation? Please elaborate.

[@shazzam532]

@@lass-inangeles7564 I also cant work out what they mean by adding a board!

[@maplesden6768]

hey Troy!!! just wanted to say thank-you , i used your instolation tips, turned out grate :)

[@FayeCalder]

Love watching people build. I was a custom picture framer for 17 years! .

[@RicardoRoams]

This new build is great! I especially like the bed.

[@katherinecary5505]

I just built myself a bed for my van, on a slightly smaller scale, using this video as a step by step guide! It turned out perfectly!! Thank you for this SO MUCH! You made this seemingly daunting task SO EASY! 🙏🏼🙌🏼

[@laven111]

Great video. Never could see how you were comfortable with the smaller bed. This new bed looks like the ticket. Nice van build. Safe travels

[@ronmiller7916]

I am on the road as of yesterday in my express build. Slept in a truck stop on I80 last night(30 degrees). However I was not prepared for -11 wind chill and blizzard warnings in Iowa so got a room. I went thru 4 designs and builds of a bed before I settled on a Teton collapsable cot that I lay on the floor when not in use. Slept like a baby last night. I put a cabinet on both sides. This leaves me 36 inch aisle down the middle. A good folding camp chair works for sitting inside. My 2nd design was like yours but I didn't like losing the headroom over the bed. The cot also lets me move it outside in the summer if I want. And as another alternative, I can also just use my sleeping bag on the floor instead of the cot. I spent 2 weeks sleeping on the cot in the house before I left. It did take 2 nights to get use to it. And with 2 wool blankets and a pad, I was very warm all night in 34 degrees.

[@auctionwheels]

Amazed with your talent. Nice work!

[@duane4972]

I'm lovin' the remodel, started me thinking of doing a slat bed myself, it sure would help with my back pain from not having back support while sitting on my bed. Just got a back massage from our friend Carole from caravan 2, Oh I feel so much better tonight !!! Peace, my brother of the road.

[@lynetterehma4532]

Super job! I appreciate that when you ran into issues, you let us know what they were and how you corrected those. Very helpful and educational. Thank you so much! Looking forward to building mine.

[@zorazorazorzzora8333]

Morning! Rain.... Gratitude! As always thank you for the upload....

[@melodygibson4889]

love the bed, you are doing a great job on it, taking one step at a time,

[@WisconsinWanderer]

Awesome build Brian gave me great ideas 💡 thanks 🙏✌️

[@terrilarabee6611]

Also, Minwax wood paste wax will make the slats slide smoothly. I use it on old wooden drawer bottoms. Works great. You’re very handy with those tools. Love your build.

[@mikebrazeal9421]

Great job on the whole renovation! You're making it look easy!

[@theresam1649]

Great job on your new remodel; I love the changes you have made. Looks MUCH more functional!

[@mjremy2605]

You are missing the one horizontal piece of wood on the other end! It is the long side parallel to the wood where the slats are screwed into. All the slide out pieces have to be attached on back end to this long piece as well. Thanks for an excellent demo. It was well explained and shown, and now the mystery has cleared up. Thank you, Brian! I think the slide out slatted bed is the best model for vans. I love your van, its beautiful inside. Such a good layout and so cozy!

[@paulhunter546]

Van's coming along very nice Brian !

[@Downeastwaves]

You did a wonderful job on the build! Years ago we had a 1977 Aristocrat camper. It had a goucho style bed. The mattress was designed in three parts and had a removable cover. So it would be in couch position and with a tug of the front of the foam it laid flat due to the way the cover was sewed. There was a big main piece of foam, a smaller maybe eight inches and a medium size piece that was the back when in couch position. When it was in bed it laid nice and flat and you easily flipped the two smaller pieces up to form the back. No hassles with loose or falling foam. Excellent support when using as a couch or bed. Yours is much fancier on the bed frame. It was just a thin piece of plywood with fold down legs that slid in and out easily.

[@stephenolaughlin6595]

Thanks for sharing Brian. Looks good. Some small shelves up high mounted on walls would add a lot of storage. Looks real good .👍👍

[@darlenewww]

You have to have a "small" lip on the side so your mattress doesn't slide off at every turn :)

[@gisellegonzalez2628]

Great job!!!! You have the patience of a Saint lol. That patience paid off.

[@davidmurling4252]

It's coming along nicely

[@GnatManAllinCoIronWorks]

Lookin' Great Brian!

[@NomadicLifewithMorningforest]

Wow Brian looks like your new remodel is coming along great thanks for sharing✌️

[@capturedbythepiratemorgan2650]

Looking good! You’ll be so much more comfortable in your space. Keep going with the remodel, it’ll be worth it!!!

[@michelleoglesbee-flores3648]

Looks really good. Love the shelving organization as well

[@JG-fi8sq]

Brian you got mad skills! Looks amazing. Great job.

[@pamalapeterson5352]

Love the bed...you have done a great job! Thank you for sharing!...god bless you and be safe!

[@boblaptew8889]

Nice work. Keep pushing on. You won’t regret getting as much completed as you can.

[@loveme77527]

GREAT BUILD ONCE AGAIN!🤗 SUGGESTIONS... I MADE THE SAME BED FOR MY ELEMENT A FEW MONTHS AGO... PUT A THIN LIP UPWARDS ON THE FRONT OF THE PULL OUT AND ON THE BACK OF THE FIXED BED IT WILL PREVENT YOUR BED FROM FALLING DOWN WHEN DRIVING AND MOVING AROUND WHILE SLEEPING... AND THE SLATES THAT A FREE HANGING YOU COULD USE A THIN WINDOW TRIM BOARD TO SECURE ALL THOSE TOGETHER OTHERWISE THEY TEND TO GET CAUGHT ON THE MATTRESS... GETS ANNOYING AFTER A WHILE LOL... I ACTUALLY USED THE SAME VERY THIN TRIM FOR ALL 3 OF THOSE... WITH THOSE 3 FINISHING TOUCHES YOU WILL BE GOLDEN PONY BOY... LOL Oh yea, I also added small L- brackets on every leg to bed frame for extra support... Much love!💙💜🌲🌲

[@eliottwolfe2295]

Keeps looking better and better - Bravo! Thanks for another cool video - love it.

[@mobileholmes6842]

Great rebuild. Liking the bed a lot!

[@wandawas2]

Great job Brian. Safe travels. Namaste.

[@jennyhackenberg3790]

great job Brian. you made that look easy

[@TheMSLADY73]

Thank u for showing step by step it helps us who need to see that to make our own. Love ur videos.

[@dawnvierra4063]

Looks so good. Love the bed idea

[@cyndifoore7743]

Your build is looking great Brian, you’re gonna be so much more comfortable.

[@livinglike_lisa7954]

I really like how you are showing us this step by step. Thanks!

[@tbirdracefan]

Badge gave you a shout out on his new channel. Each evolution of your van builds seem to go better and faster. Thanks for sharing!

[@CrankyBubushka]

It all looks great! Very practical and comfortable looking. You have a very nice home.

[@Lotuslaful]

Great job Brian!

[@ryanjackson846]

I love it, glad you're still going strong, been following since your beginning. Your my favorite. Namaste!

[@justfloating3944]

Great tutorial Brian! We learn when you learn!

[@markdick5574]

super cool idea Brian, thank you

[@debrahayes2572]

Good job, Brian!😊

[@kazka6029]

Looking great! Great updates on the build!

[@patrickbell1492]

Great video BRIAN great job on the van 😀

[@shinebright9453]

Your van looks clean, crisp, light & organized. A bigger bed is good. You never know when you might have company. Love the bloopers.

[@RoamingRavenRV]

Thanks for sharing the bed build. 🐾☕🚙🐾

[@eveorlando3389]

Wow! Looks great so far. Looks lighter and tidier.

[@Zerpersande]

I’ve seen quite a few builds and although I’m only halfway through this I’m subscribing and saving this clip. Very clear instructions. Thanks!

[@lanesmerglia8287]

Thank you! A person who can explain the bed effectively

[@ShawshankR3demption]

Literally binged watch you last night ( again ) and woke up to another one!

[@Lacednyc]

Very clever!! I'm impressed that really fits perfect

[@laurajphillips]

Hey! Looks great! Looks bigger! Congrats!!

[@brucecggallagher1949]

nicely done Brian, congratulations

[@mamacitainthecasita]

Enjoying the process

[@jrandyoutdoors]

Great vid Brian. Man, You are doing a wonderful job on your build. Can't wait to see it all complete!

[@adventurousspirit6628]

Great job on the bed build. Painting the cabinet and table white adds a nice contrast to the other wood and lightens up the interior. Thank you for sharing the complications during this build. Pointing out the issues helps others understand which issues can develop while building. On a side note, I see a few comments about why they think you decided to go with a slide out bed, and I say to those folks to mind your own business. I don't know why people don't understand personal boundaries. Perhaps they should invest this energy towards something positive in their own lives!

[@shazzam532]

Great video on how you made the bed. I am about to rip out a Rock & Roll bed that I struggle with the weight, and make one of these. the fact that you shared where it went wrong was so helpful. Thank you..

[@michaelosborne9135]

Hey Brian. Like what you have done so far. Looks very good. Till next time, Happy Trails!

[@noras.5355]

Your creativity is amazing! take care and enjoy your adventures! Don't lose patience with your build!

[@richardd6669]

What a great build on that bed , so much more room to stretch out and have some company.` If the van is a rockin dont come a knockin`

[@chiefonelung3416]

Great job Brian. Looks really really good. One thing you can do on the edge of the slats that you slide out is to rub down the edges with a bar of bath soap. Ivory works good but pretty much any bar of soap will work. Acts as a lubricant on the wood. There maybe times in high humidity that the wood will swell slightly the soap works great. Just curious,. Is it possible to introduce us to your parents. They have to be incredibly wonderful people. You are such an incredibly nice person I cannot imagine your parents not being extremely special people. Maybe they are just camera shy. Have a good day and be safe out there Brian. I always look forward to your next video. You do such quality videos. I Always learn a thing or two also.

[@debolsen3294]

Its looking very good!

[@dianeboyd813]

Love the bed!! Great work ❤️

[@bobtailedtrucker2521]

I for see 2 problems, need to attach the sliding slats underneath to create stability, may need to put a square in between each board for airflow/moisture/swelling of the wood during seasons changing. Great presentation and love the vids.

[@jimsteele7108]

Looking good, nice work!

[@kimmirandacreekcat2797]

That's cool Brian! That's what I was thinking for your available space ! Nice job! 👍😎 ✌️💜😊

[@kimmirandacreekcat2797]

And yeah... One board at the other end of the slats to keep them up...👍

[@bigtomsvan4817]

wow brian! great work that van is so liveable now. I made a "sofa bed" similar to your first one what 3 years ago in the dodge...yeah...now im more like what you built. I so enjoy your videos and travels. I don't travel yet... still working...thanks for testing out all those new things and sharing them with people...you truly ARE an AdventureVanMan…and the award goes to...you.hey you almost have as many subs as Carolyn...your you tube friend BTV ...bigtomsvan

[@seantaylor4107]

Looking very very nice Brian. Very good work on everything. Cheers

[@livinmydream7823]

I love the slat bed. I built mine 3 months ago and love it. I got my mattress from IKEA, high density. I understand the burnt out feeling. I'm really struggling.

[@tobeamiss1]

I'm struggling as well. Single retired lady building her tiny home in a school bus. We can do this... just need to stay focused :)

[@justlookin2]

So glad you did this video! I have 1 year left before i get in my van and i really want a bed like this. I hooe i can either make it or find someone as good as you to help me!!!

[@Datzneat]

The wax, cross member, and trim piece were already mentioned but I have two other suggestions. On the bottom of the legs that slide out you can add stick on slider pads to make it easier to slide and to protect the flooring from scratches. The w has those. Also I recommend getting the back foam sewn to the bottom mattress. I have mine separate and sometimes slip between them in the middle of the night. Also getting it big enough that it's jammed between the two walls helps.

[@eddhammer9649]

Nice idea with the bed.

[@rosabivins2558]

Awesome love it .. thanks for sharing 🤗

[@carriesherman775]

That looks great!

[@63sonotech]

Its looking good. Love the bed.

[@timwheel8466]

Awesome job mate. Well done..

[@hike2bhuman110]

Really digging this build, nice work 👏✌️

[@maplesden6768]

thanks Brian best bed video, its exactly what i was looking for and easy to understand

[@robertvandenbrink5884]

Beautiful Job! Really great video

[@rhondam5079]

Good job.. Looks really nice..

[@carmel-wayfinder5401]

Great explanation of the build....Cheers👍🏼

[@StepvanDan]

Great job on the bed,thanks for sharing ,hugs from MN

[@jimoray3]

Nice work. Impressive

[@safeharbor7]

Much enjoyed Brian, thumbs up...

[@romonasafree3151]

Nice job on that bed!

[@sheilagaleano365]

Excellent and easy to follow...step by step. Thank you so much for sharing : )

[@clintluke262]

Awesome idea ! Ive been trying to come up with a idea for my class c. We took the jackknife out. Going to try your design! Thanks!

[@norcalvandweller8401]

Great job Brian I need to build one and your video was easy to follow and covered all the angles and details Appreciate your doing this and all your videos