Chevy Astro DIY Stealth Camper Van Build EP 5: Pull Out Slat Bed

Episode 5: Building a pull-out, flip-up slat bed in my Chevy Astro stealth camper van. AMAZING 6 week DIY stealth camper van build! In this 10-part van build series, I'll be converting a Chevy Astro Van into the budget friendly campervan of my dreams. I'm calling it the Adventure Van, because that's what this van will allow me to do; become a full-time outdoor adventurer and nomad!
Visit my website for a written description of my Chevy Astro Stealth Camper Van Build project:
seekinglost.co...
*LINKS TO TOOLS & MATERIALS USED IN THIS VIDEO*
Materials:
Electric Poultry Knife - amzn.to/3AOj6R0
Spax Construction Screws - amzn.to/3AOuzjB
Drywall Screws - amzn.to/3cO4Cc4
L Brackets - amzn.to/3D63ZoK
1/4" Washers - amzn.to/3CZ7OfA
Foam Mattress, 5" Thick, (HD36) - www.thefoamfac...
2×3 Boards
1×4 Boards
1×3 Boards
Tools:
Dewalt Cordless Impact Driver - amzn.to/3cRg46B
1/4" Drive Quick Release Bit Extension - amzn.to/3Qh2UO6
Craftsman 3/8 Drive Drill - amzn.to/3KKAwCK
Speed Square - amzn.to/3wTgtfS
C Clamps - amzn.to/3L1pSYF
Seeking Lost may earn an affiliate commission if you purchase something through the links above.
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[@johnwolf1475]

astro van and no tools equals great cards and the right mechanics

[@pianomoverr]

Enjoying this series

[@SeekingLost]

Thank you for watching!

[@Twobarpsi]

Me too!

[@mikegurley6018]

Should try pocket hole screws for framing

[@jj8526]

Good job.. Well done...🚐👏👏☘

[@Twobarpsi]

Excellent craftsmanship, and design! You have really thought of all the details!

[@SeekingLost]

Thank you! I can't take credit for this amazing design, there are many like it out there, but now I can see why. It's like the swiss army knife of van beds!

[@sharonthomas4856]

wow you are on a mission

[@samgoeshiking]

that bed is great. very well done.

[@SeekingLost]

Thanks Sam!

[@vutEwa]

nice, Eric. I've always liked that expandable slat bed idea. you did a good job so far!

[@SeekingLost]

Thank you! It's really an ingenious design, kudos to the first person who did this and shared it. I never would have come up with this on my own!

[@SeizeTheAdventureCo]

Well done friend 🚐💨

[@SeekingLost]

Thank you!

[@greg.jacobs]

Nice job with the slide out, that’s what I have been considering for my van build, multipurpose and saves on room. I have been looking at using aluminum to reduce the weight of the frame.

[@SeekingLost]

I like the aluminum frame idea. Not only less weight but a smaller profile, taking up a little less space. Hmm, kinda wish I had considered that when building mine!

[@greg.jacobs]

@@SeekingLost always room for renovations. Check out the 80/20 extruded aluminum options, a bit pricey but something to consider. Check out the video by Humble Road "8020 aluminum in your van build? These tips and tricks will help you survive" Some great tips on building frames with extruded aluminum.

[@andrewk7072]

I love the idea of the bed but needs to be alittle bigger

[@SeekingLost]

Bigger for one person, or for two? For just me it's perfect. I don't even pull the bed out ever.

[@farbeyonddriven8173]

That's a sweet design!! If there was ever a chance of my wife sleeping with me in the back of my truck, I might steal your design. LOL. I see you're rockin' the mini gators to keep the saw dust out of your shoes....Well Played and thanks for the effort. Really enjoying this series. What state do you live in? Somewhere in the SE I guess?

[@SeekingLost]

Thanks! Hope you get lucky with the wife! Northern Michigan actually, but just as green

[@edmiller999]

Great father son project! How far north in MI do you live? Thats a pretty big propane tank next to the driveway.

[@SeekingLost]

It really was :) I'm about 100 miles south of the Mackinaw Bridge

[@mendozaconsultation]

LOOKS LIKE THE GAP BETWEEN THE SLATS WHEN YOU PULL THE BED OUT, ARE LARGE AND THE MATTRESS WOULD FALL BETWEEN THEM

[@SeekingLost]

I probably should have used thinner slats for this reason, but it doesn't seem to effect anything. The bed works just fine with the slats the way they are. But the reality is for me, I never pull the bed out anyways, I just sleep on it in sofa mode and that's all I need. But yeah, if You were going to be pulling this bed out every day to sleep on it like that, looking back I would recommend using a greater number of thinner slats to reduce that gap between them.

[@KapKen]

thank you much for sharing... but I have to ask why your are using an extender on your drill for a standard screw insertion? Just wondering if that's a special trick or something.

[@tristanlasley8030]

To insulate that rear doors. I suggest a custom thinsulate cover. Kinda like curtains. It will be significantly better then nothing. But that metal and uninsulated windows will make the rest of your insulation pointless

[@SeekingLost]

That makes sense and I agree. I've been considering doing some sort of insulation for the rear doors too, and maybe something to give them a more finished look

[@taddmcmichael9061]

Pointless is a little extreme, 75% insulated is definitely not equivalent to being 0% insulated.

[@misterlusk]

Did you put the washers on the fixed or sliding slats? Or both?

[@SeekingLost]

I put washers on both

[@-VanLife4ever-]

What is the rough cost of the interior of this build?

[@_Disturbance_]

What did you do with the rear ac evaporator?

[@SeekingLost]

This is a cargovan, they don't have rear ac

[@_Disturbance_]

@@SeekingLost ahh okay what year? I got a 1999 Astro van I’m converting now. Taking a lot of inspiration from you lol

[@SeekingLost]

@@_Disturbance_ haha thanks. Hope your build goes well. Mine is a 2000

[@johnwolf1475]

REINFORCE THE GLASS-- IF U IN THERE LONG ENOUGH YOU WILL KICK THEM PANELS OUT-- AT LEAST I HAVE