HOW TO SLEEP SIDEWAYS IN A VAN WITHOUT FLARES | DIY BUMPOUTS

In a van you need to maximize every square inch of space, so sleeping sideways was a must for us! In this video we breakdown the details of how we built a 6'3" widthwise bed in our 2020 Ford Transit van conversion.
FOLLOW US ON IG @thetriointransit for more build photos and details. Comment below or message us on Instagram for any questions about this van or how we built it.
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Full van tour video: • VAN TOUR | RECIRCULATI...
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[@ErikStenbakken]

Thank you! Finally word from someone over 6’! Other ones were like “we are like Hobbits, so space wasn’t an issue.” Yours is VERY helpful. We stayed just outside Kamloops on our last van trip. Great memories!

[@TimKatie]

Haha we’re glad to hear it was helpful! Thanks for the feedback. Hope you enjoyed your time near Kamloops and feel free to reach out if you have any questions!

[@elizabethdinneny4122]

Very well explained. Thank you for the time and effort to help others in their van conversion

[@TimKatie]

Thanks for watching! 🙏🏻

[@gemapolvorinos9998]

loveeeeeee youuuu , thanks a lot for the details.. It´s so dificult to me how to pannel extensions of the van .

[@brianchetelat6601]

Hi again Tim & Katie, been working on my build and now back to gleam some more wisdom of what you guys did for finishing off the bump outs. Mine might be a little easier since I will not have side windows. Keep up the great work fellow vanlifers : )

[@TimKatie]

Hey Brian, We’re happy to hear you found it helpful. Not having windows will definitely make it easier 👍🏻

[@northkcproperties4048]

Great stuff y'all! Really looking forward to the details on the recirculating shower. Going to be starting my build soon, so if you have any early info you can share, that would be awesome.

[@TimKatie]

Thanks! 🙏🏻 Good luck on your build - what van will you be converting? We just bought an identical Ford transit and hope to vlog that build process over the coming months. But in the meantime we do have a lot more info about the basics of our build on Instagram @thetriointransit). Feel free to reach out if you have any questions! 😊

[@mrsexytime_]

Y'all got some skills!

[@TimKatie]

Thank you! 🙏🏻

[@parkermarc]

Great video. Thank you!

[@TimKatie]

Thanks for watching! 🙏🏻

[@dg5433]

You guys have really thought about your build. Well done. Id like to some more details about your battery build and recirculating shower?

[@TimKatie]

Thank you! 🙏🏻 You bet - more detailed videos about electrical, battery, and recirculating shower coming soon 😊

[@brianchetelat6601]

Hi guys, excellent timing for me to catch your video. Ford is supposed to start building my (new home) 2022 Transit Cargo 350HD 148" High Roof Extended in mid January. I can't wait to finish watching this video and then catching any more you've done. Press on, don't quit... Have you guys named your Van yet?

[@TimKatie]

Thank you! Haha no we haven't named the van yet - not sure if we want to get too attached ;) as it will be for sale once it's finished. Congrats on your 2022 and good luck with the build! Feel free to reach out if you have any questions. We post more frequently and are quicker to reply on instagram (@thetriointransit)

[@crowlsyung]

Awesome video! Where did you guys get the aluminum square tubing? Do you mind sharing the spec of those tubes?

[@brianmurphy1758]

Great video and lets me know it can be done. I am 6'1" and I wanted to have the bed sidways as well so as not to take up the limited living area. Well done and I will be following your channel for more insight.

[@TimKatie]

Thanks for the feedback and support! 🙏🏻 We’re happy to hear you found it helpful. More content coming soon.

[@brianmurphy1758]

@@TimKatie link for the van tour seems to be missing. Really want to understand all the logic behind each component of the layout

[@TimKatie]

Sorry about that - I've fixed it now. Let us know what you think! kzbin.info/www/bejne/sJK4pZttmqd-hKM

[@elleburbank2100]

Great video! Followed your steps to build my own bump outs. One question, how did you secure the bed platform to the aluminum tubing?

[@TimKatie]

Thanks! We’re glad you found it helpful. We used self tapping (wafer head) screws to secure the bed platform into the aluminum rails

[@OpticDevice]

Great video guys, can see that you’ve really thought about your build! Where did you get your dimmer switch from? I’m guessing the LED strip lights are running directly from your 12V supply? Thanks and keep up the good work!

[@TimKatie]

Thank you! 🙏🏻 Yep exactly, we ran the all the 12V loads through the bluesea fuse block. We purchased our 3 way 12V LED switch here: www.superbrightleds.com/moreinfo/single-color-dimmer-switches/slvdx-60w-3w-led-3-way-switch-and-dimmer-for-standard-wall-switch-box/1245/2916/

[@OpticDevice]

@@TimKatie Thanks guys, that's great!

[@lynseyvalverde8311]

Love the video!! Do you guys have the specific dimensions for the bump out boxes!? Like length width and height!? It would help us out a ton!

[@TimKatie]

Thanks! I replied to your message on Instagram but dimensions are roughly 48” wide x 22” high but will depend on your bed height and layout 👍🏻

[@connorrischard4431]

Hey guys! Amazing video :) I was wondering, does Tim sleep pretty comfortably with these? Or do you guys wish you went with Flarespace bump outs?

[@TimKatie]

Thanks! Ya Tim sleeps comfortably with this design and we’ve done an identical setup on our current build 😊

[@BradEvans]

Thanks. This was exactly the video I needed. Does any heat get through near your head and feet? Is there enough insulation?

[@TimKatie]

Awesome! We’re happy to hear it was helpful. We haven’t noticed any heat coming through near the head and feet areas while sleeping 👍🏻 We plan to do the exact same bed design in our next van and hope to post a more detailed build vlog of that process

[@TheShadowVortX]

Thanks for the video! Really enjoyed, as IIRC the max load width is smaller than 6'1. What is the windows' brand?

[@TimKatie]

We’re glad to hear you enjoyed it! Those are the CRL half slider bunk windows 👍🏻

[@thewestpost]

like the bed layout, the aka flarespace is nice and bc of that I subscribed. what is the size of the mattress?

[@TimKatie]

Thanks! Just to clarify we did not actually install flarespace flares, just built “bump out” boxes to utilize the contours of the walls. Mattress size is ~56”x 75 1/2”

[@pmarker]

A great job. I am glad to know that this is doable with the Transit. I suppose you can do the same with the Sprinter without flares. I am only 5'10''.

[@TimKatie]

Thanks! I’m not exactly sure on the maximum sprinter width but I believe it’s quite a bit narrower

[@pmarker]

@@TimKatie I looked at brand new MB vans. You're right that they seemed to be narrower than other vans. However, I just found this kzbin.info/www/bejne/rYnKY3h7Zaipgbc&ab_channel=Mel%27sBigVanSmallWorld. I am happy for you guys. I just retired. I like how the Transit drives. Much better than the Promaster. The MB diesel scares me. I might even go with an MB gas engine. I will a year or two, though.

[@TimKatie]

@@pmarker Good find! I didn’t know that was possible in the sprinter. The lower ceiling height was another factor for us as I’m 6’ 2”. We also preferred gas over the Mercedes diesel. Congratulations on your retirement!

[@gerardbaldyga8700]

Why no hotel of bump out, from outside the van ?

[@user-ve1yc7xu9x]

Your van wall look so beautiful, I want to know what Plywood you use , 1/4" or 1/8"?

[@TimKatie]

Thank you! 🙏🏻 We used 1/4” Baltic birch plywood on the walls

[@beachliving3127]

How thick is the mattress on your bed? Also, during the winter do you feel that the area around your head and feet are colder than other areas?

[@TimKatie]

We went with the 4” zinus memory foam mattress and like it. We haven’t slept in it in the winter yet but on colder spring nights we didn’t notice any difference around the head/feet areas, but we do have a webasto heater that keeps us warm 😊

[@antonincohen8340]

Great video! But if you’re 6´3 it means the 6’3 mattress is a bit small is it not in comfortable to always sleep slightly bent?

[@TimKatie]

Thanks! Tim is 6’ 2” and thankfully he’s comfortable sleeping slightly bent, but ya we’d suggest installing flares if you’re over 6’ 2” or need to be able to lay completely straight to sleep well 👍🏻

[@mwilliams6664]

Really nice work! Im very curious to see how it performs in winter on the head and feet!! Do you guys have an Instagram account? Wold love to pick your brain on the bed/bumpouts :)

[@TimKatie]

Thank you! 🙏🏻 Our Instagram is @thetriointransit - you bet, feel free to shoot us a message! 😊

[@joeblow1942]

A couple questions, please… 1) Does this mean that the dudes head and feet tuck into the boxed areas a few inches? 2) Since there’s little insulation in the box, does your head and feet get cold when the weather is super cold? Great video! Thank you!

[@TimKatie]

1) Yes 2) No, we didn’t ever notice cold in those areas but one might in extreme temps Cheers

[@mattheweidt5776]

Hi there nice work. Have you noticed any movement in the 5 x 1.5" square tube when you're both on the bed?

[@TimKatie]

Thanks! No movement whatsoever with 2 people on the bed 👍🏻

[@mattheweidt5776]

@@TimKatie Cool. thx! Just got the build date (March 22) for my 2022 350 AWD HR so you can get them if you’re patient.

[@TimKatie]

Awesome! Congrats! We placed an order for a 2022 AWD on Oct 1st but haven’t heard anything yet. Hopefully soon! 🤞🏻

[@mattheweidt5776]

@@TimKatie Ordered mine October 8 from a dealer in Calgary. The build got previewed last week and confirmed this week - Jan 24. The dealer said not many of their orders have been picked up. Apparently Amazon is buying up '22's as they did '21's. Fingers crossed for you!

[@Thedestressguy]

Thanks for putting out your videos. I'm learning lots for our van build as we want to sleep sideways as well. How did you cut out the windows and get everything to line up??!! Looking forward to your insights. Thanks

[@TimKatie]

We’re glad you find them helpful. We’re currently editing the bunk windows install video which shows all the details, but basically we installed the CRL half slider bunk windows as high as we could, and in a middle-ish position so that we only needed to cut one upright support. We have some step by step photos on Instagram if that might help

[@Thedestressguy]

@@TimKatie thanks for your speedy response. I'll check out instagram and wait for you video as well. Our Van will be here in a few weeks so I'm getting materials and plans for the build ready. Thanks again. RR

[@TimKatie]

@@Thedestressguy No problem! Congrats on your new van 😊

[@Thedestressguy]

@@TimKatie As fellow Canadians we are finding it a bit "challenging" to source items or it seems we are overpaying for them. What brand window did you go with? And, what size window did you go with? Would you change it on your next build ie bigger or smaller?

[@TimKatie]

@@Thedestressguy Unfortunately we have come to realize that almost everything is more expensive here. We purchased our windows through van windows direct (even with customs/shipping it was cheaper), but may go through sprinterfreak if we just need CRL half bunk sliders in the future. We are happy with the size and currently plan to do the same on our next van as well

[@dicomsderl6920]

You made an excelent design , video and you look great , my name is Carlos and I wiil be learning with you , please tell us what app are you using to find a legal place to stay in the night .

[@TimKatie]

Thank you, Carlos! We mostly use iOverlander to find places to stay during our travels 😊

[@yeskiii]

Did y'all find an optimal height for the bed, where the transit was the widest? Since we're milking every quarter of an inch we can here (I'm also 6'2"!) I feel like that could have a big impact

[@TimKatie]

Yep, where we did ours around 32” seemed to be the optimal spot 👍🏻 Good luck!

[@CorEbuzzBee]

Are you guys from BC? If so, where did you find closed cell foam? I haven't been ale to find any. TIA.

[@TimKatie]

Yes we are. We purchased at a local car/boat upholstery shop (they use it for padding headliners/armrests etc)

[@CorEbuzzBee]

@@TimKatie Can you tell me which shop? I am in Vernon, but go to Kelowna and Van regularly. .... Like maybe tomorrow due to the fires lol.

[@TimKatie]

@@CorEbuzzBee Oh awesome haha! We’re in Kamloops and got it from Wallace Upholstery. Come say hi and see the vans if you’d like 👍🏻 Stay safe with those fires nearby 😔

[@CorEbuzzBee]

@@TimKatie Ooh you too! Kamloops must be at least as bad as here! Once this all blows over, I will def reach out if I am heading your way. Would love to see the vans.

[@TimKatie]

@@CorEbuzzBee Sounds good. Stay safe!

[@eturbo_4911]

Hay, hello, nice to see you guys again :) [feedback: to much talking, more action please :)] keep going and see you next week :)

[@TimKatie]

Thanks for the feedback :)

[@CosmicSeeker69]

AMI Wrong???? I was under the impression that Easy Cool Only works with an air gap - discuss..

[@ibibaricz928]

I used to sleep in with socks after pig shit cleaning also It’s so so fun Smelly feets but it’s ok 😂😂😂😂😂

[@colinandpaige]

Great video! We the audience would benefit from an audio upgrade for a better viewing experience, let me know if I can assist you in any way✌!

[@colinandpaige]

PS. I am the Editor for Eamon + Bec!

[@TimKatie]

Thanks for the feedback! We actually have a few different mic options so will try to make sure to use them in the future 😊 Thanks for the offer 🙏🏻

[@colinandpaige]

@@TimKatie Amazing. Safe travels ✌️✌️

[@julierehoric3856]

no slider door?

[@TimKatie]

There is a passenger side slider door in the van, yes, if that’s what you mean. Check out the full van tour video for more details

[@Poontang123]

Sleeping with socks and a wholly hat seems like a fair compromise