Mazda5 Van Conversion [USA 2021 Episode 1]

[@ericm6519]

Very cool set up. Thanks for sharing.

[@gabrieltoupin8969]

I'm really inspired by this and will make a version without the middle and rear seats for maximum space! I love how the middle section of wood supports the bed and are never in the way!

[@jeremychrzan]

"anti-gravity device"... Love it!

[@lego4virgo]

This is great! My daughter has a '12 Mazda 5, and she even remarked that it'd make a cool traveling van.

[@bonnietruax8463]

It is a lot of fun, I hope she does it!

[@ClayKirby-sj3zy]

Had an 07 great peppy car a storage space easier too maneuver than a big van ..I wento the mountains alot and it did well

[@1966johnnywayne]

Very cool setup.

[@davidj.jorgensen4828]

Thanks for sharing the Mazda 5 ideas …. Many safe miles for U2 🖖🏻👽🤙🏼

[@43bluedoors]

@@davidj.jorgensen4828 Thank you for watching. Safe travels!

[@Petelaosound]

Very nice I have a 2010 will put up similar

[@RoyLCarringtonJr75]

Great job, Trin! I love how quickly you two were able to plan and complete this. Have fun traveling!

[@43bluedoors]

Thanks Roy!

[@gardenlevel7385]

This is exactly my car. Thanks for the ideas & the demo!

[@ClayKirby-sj3zy]

My 07 van got wrecked and insurance totaled thevsn i was already too build right before this video inspired me .. mazda5 had so much storage with or without bed. And it drove smooth . I was lucky enough too too get it for 2500 and had it 3 yrs. So i cant complain...

[@43bluedoors]

Sorry to hear that your van was wrecked. I hope you were not hurt. You did get a good deal. That is a great way to save a lot in expenses. Do you plan to get another one and build it out?

[@ClayKirby-sj3zy]

@@43bluedoors maybe . I'm kinda tall . gonna have too do some measuring .. Yeah I've seen a few for sale ..vans get sold fast because of van life craze.. I'll keep searching If it's meant to be. Itt will happen

[@43bluedoors]

@@ClayKirby-sj3zy Neither of us is tall so it was perfect for us. So definitely measure for your height. You might gain a little space by moving the front seats forward and leaning them forward at night. It seems that all vehicle prices have skyrocketed and yeah the van life is taking off. I hope you find your perfect fit.

[@kltaylor1863]

“I also call it a stick”😂

[@rawveganfoodforthought2333]

I particularly like your anti-gravitational device.

[@asad5067]

mazda 5 is a very good value van

[@jessicawildroselandry8749]

nice cheap ideas! I am going to try this out. love the frame and the bug screens

[@MistaEmPe]

Great idea! Could you please tell me the maximum length of the matress, as I am quite tall. Thanky you!

[@43bluedoors]

We have since sold the van but I think it was between 72 to 74 inches, just long enough for my 5'8" husband. This however was with the front seats still in their position for driving. If the front seats were pushed forward and leaned forward you could probably gain at least another foot. By using the foam mattress that we did it would be easy it bend it back during the day while the front seats are back in place.

[@MoreliaIInvestigator]

That’s very useful and I’m in the process of purchasing 2012 Mazda5 in México where I’m now. Thanks for the tips!

[@43bluedoors]

Glad it was helpful!

[@blarghahragh]

Thank you for sharing! I've got a 2014 Mazda5, thinking about doing the same. Especially awesome you were able to leave the seats in! I want to try to make something where one of the rear seats is still usable....

[@43bluedoors]

Thanks for your kind words. Hope your conversion works out. I've seen a video of a Toyota Matrix converted to a solo camper and he kept one of the rear seats usable. It was great because the Matrix's front passenger seat folds down to some sort of table.

[@LivingtheSilverLife]

WOW! That's an awesome set up. Love how you made the bed and the storage underneath for the front and back. Very cool Conversion. Pretty creative using a bed frame to cut down on lumber cost. Bed is definitely better than a blow up. The screens were a smart touch too.

[@43bluedoors]

Thanks! Our morning tomorrow just opened up if you are available for coffee. I sent a private message on Facebook in case you don't want to post your campground information or availability publicly :)

[@LivingtheSilverLife]

I just responded to you on Messenger. Sorry I didn’t check it sooner. 👍🏼

[@aavalos163]

Nice, but skinnier mattress will look better. Maybe half of the thickness of the one you are using in this video.

[@43bluedoors]

It might look better but that wasn’t our goal, comfort was. We slept very well on this big comfortable mattress-goal accomplished.

[@jamestruax9176]

Nice job!

[@roblivings7447]

So the frame just sits on the front rear seats? This is great

[@rawveganfoodforthought2333]

amazing! thank you!!!

[@roamlikekane]

Are the seats removeable in general? Awesome build!

[@43bluedoors]

Technically yes we could have unbolted the seats and removed them. We left them in because our original plan was to sell the van on the opposite side of the country. We thought it might have a better resale value with the seats. Otherwise, we definitely would have removed them.

[@martinstreasurehunting]

👍👍👍👍

[@carlatilbury3831]

is it only you and a partner? doesnt look like middle seats would be safe to use with bed frame, has it been tested for safety in acrash with all that wood?

[@43bluedoors]

Just for 2 people. It probably isn't obvious, but middle seats are rendered unusable with this setup. We built five of these vans so that we could use four of them for crash testing. The results were inconclusive. Those last two statements were made in jest. I implore you not to take any advise or any ideas from this video seriously.

[@marekhubocky1964]

how long is the matress?

[@43bluedoors]

It was about 72 inches

[@marekhubocky1964]

@@43bluedoorsthanks. I like Mazda 5 and I wanted to buy it, but I am 6' 4' and I am afraid that M5 would be small for me, even with some kind of built-in bed.....do you think that is possible for guy like me to build something that long in M5?

[@marekhubocky1964]

In mazda 6 GG,I can achieve 210cm with front seats closest to dashboard

[@43bluedoors]

If you lean and slide the front seats forward, you might be able to make 210cm. I no longer have the Mazda5 though so I can't be so sure. You could then fashion some sort of extension platform or bridge that is collapsible or can be taken apart, with matching section of mattress. That might get tiring after a while, but if you can design it to be quickly and easily assembled/disassembled, it might be worth a try. Best of luck!

[@marekhubocky1964]

@@43bluedoors thanks for great answer!

[@arbento2000]

you need to bend your leg a little

[@43bluedoors]

Generally yes to walk, it’s part of the process. Sleeping in the Mazda however I can sleep all stretched out.