Quick FOLDING SOFA BED Revolutionizes DIY VanLife

[@rattlecat5968]

Practical, thoughtful and thoroughly designed. Anyone can build this with your instructions. Nice job!

[@rayrambles]

@@rattlecat5968 thank you.

[@NoniNectar]

I love that you're reading green eggs and ham

[@sandisteffens2955]

And his expressions 😂!!

[@colleencarr3470]

Wow this is the most detailed video for any serious diy sofa/bed build…but for someone who travels in a car or minivan this is a great space saver that also provides comfort.

[@rayrambles]

Thanks, that was the goal!

[@old_dog9953]

I truly love the thoroughness of your parts list, design and the time it had to take to put this all together for us. I am new to van life, and am just starting to explore what it will take to customize my firs van. I find your video and website awesome. Thank you. I will let you know what I en dup doing, but love your suggestions.

[@rayrambles]

Welcome to van life!

[@daan3298]

♥the Ty-Rap baskets. Those kind of solutions are so "duh" when you see them but not always as easy to think of up front.

[@memikel1489]

The person who did your upholstery did a great job 👍👍

[@rayrambles]

I agree, it turned out fantastic!

[@GrantSR]

That was a REALLY DAMN GOOD intro. I literally played it again, just to take note of what you did. A lot of my favorite KZbin-ing KZbinrs advocate for this quick and clean intro. But they don't have many really good examples. I think this intro is a great example of what a video intro should be... And I haven't even watched the rest of the video yet. 🤣

[@rayrambles]

@@GrantSR Thanks! Hope you enjoy the rest of the video too. ✌🏻

[@JavierBonillaC]

Yes, he doesn't waste one word.

[@DebZaragoza]

As a 3rd grade teacher, I found it humorous…from the pain of ‘War and Peace’, to the joy of ‘Green Eggs and Ham’! Excellent video, I enjoyed listening to it, as well as getting some great ideas for building out my vehicle…and I subscribed! Happy travels to you!

[@rayrambles]

@@DebZaragoza I’m glad you enjoyed it. Good luck to you on your adventures!

[@VEWNZ]

The ABSOLUTE BEST How To Build a Campervan Bed EVER I bet you you were an Architect or Engineer or Designer in a previous life

[@rayrambles]

Thank you! Attention to detail is my thing.

[@mysoulcalledlife]

Great video, Ray! I found you from your interview with Bob from CheapRvLiving and absolutely love how meticulous you are with your setup. I’m starting my first conversion soon, so this will be my main reference for building my bed. Very informative video and well done, thanks!

[@rayrambles]

Welcome aboard and good luck with the build!

[@JNante]

I don't know what I look forward to most, seeing Ray show us detailed videos of how he made everything, or waiting with bated breath for him to one day get that taller vehicle and seeing his phenomenal mind at work creating the build. Either way, I'm here for it.

[@rayrambles]

Thanks - I’m glad you're enjoying the journey!

[@ardnfast]

Thanks Ray. I've also taken inspiration from Eric Enjoys Earth. You've certainly given me something to think about as I edge closer to this part of my build. Great video, thanks 🙏🙌

[@rayrambles]

Appreciate the kind words.

[@rayrambles]

🎧 Hi Guys! Sorry if the music is too loud in some parts. Unfortunately KZbin doesn't allow editing a posted video, so I can't change this one. But I'll try for a better audio 'mix' in future videos. Thank you for watching it anyway... I really appreciate it! - Ray

[@susansanchez8789]

Thank you for showing this so clearly. It makes it doable for amateurs like me

[@rayrambles]

You’re very welcome ☺️

[@Weezieweeks]

Great video!

[@rayrambles]

I’m glad you enjoyed it!

[@robb61887]

Best DIY van build video I’ve seen. Thanks!

[@rayrambles]

@@robb61887 Thank you. My pleasure.

[@jennysutton3237]

Wilson’s Prom is my happy place! I spent time there last week … never get tired of it! Glad you enjoyed my neck of the woods.

[@rayrambles]

Hi - are you talking about the National Park in Aussieland? I've never been but I've heard wonderful things from a friend whose family is from Melbourne.

[@HoneyandMe]

Hi Ray! Just found your channel. I'm a car camping grandma, but also travel in my 92 Toyota motorhome and with my hubs in our TT. I decided to give car camping a try with the price of gas being so ridiculous. I'm hooked! But, as with most things, the grass is always greener...So I've been daydreaming about one day getting a mini van. I love your bed plan. I'll be saving this video for future reference. New sub!

[@rayrambles]

Thanks for subscribing and good luck out there!

[@steadmanuhlich6734]

I also appreciated the nice editing on your video, with the clear and easy to read graphics, the use of photos of the items being discussed (parts list), prices, measurements shown on the pieces as illustrations, etc. Well done! Good video editing.

[@rayrambles]

Thanks- I was a professional producer/editor for years so that part is fun for me.

[@whimsical9860]

I am just fascinated with rare individuals who think on a whole different level. My brain just doesn't work this way, lol. Respect! (p.s. you could get waterproof, machine washable covers for the cushions, could solve the larger cushion conundrum)

[@rayrambles]

That’s a great suggestion. Thank you. 😊

[@steadmanuhlich6734]

Outstanding video! Thanks for using the graphics and showing the parts used AND the costs of each part AND for mentioning the mistakes and iterations to improve the design, AND for mentioning the costs AND for the width…AND for the comfort tips….and…more. Keep up the good work. Subscribed!

[@rayrambles]

And… THANKS! 😆

[@JavierBonillaC]

Super clear and clever. Very well explained. Nk waste of words. Congratulations and thank you.

[@rayrambles]

Thanks for watching and I'm glad you found it helpful!

[@Stubor-z6c]

Excellent instructive video. "Eric Enjoy's Earth" built his Sienna Bed to accommodate his wife. For solo sleepers this bed is a joy....saves so much space. Really like how it sits further back in the van too. Thanks a ton.

[@rayrambles]

@@Stubor-z6c you’re welcome!

[@ronethridge9875]

Sweet man 😅😅😅🎉🎉🎉🎉 thanks much

[@rayrambles]

Thanks! Glad you like it.

[@janetfolkerts5827]

Sharing such detail is excellent along with the sage advice. THANK YOU for sharing this great HOW TO video

[@rayrambles]

I'm glad you found it useful!

[@carmenmarcinkiewicz7149]

Thank you, Ray!!! I appreciate you sooooo much! I don't know if I'm ultra sensitive, but the additional music in the background of your video is distracting. I found myself trying to focus both on what YOU were saying and then ALSO trying to focus on the music!

[@kbtexas2142]

Agree! Great video, but please don't add music. Curious, why add music?

[@rayrambles]

I appreciate the honest feedback! I'll keep that in mind for future videos.

[@caroltharpmcgrath1533]

Thank you for the measurements and directions.

[@rayrambles]

You're welcome!

[@Ms.Frankenbuilder]

Nice design

[@rayrambles]

I'm glad you like it!

[@rob280]

A idea to do some thinking on, on the aft 18" platform (closest to the rear bumper), put a couple runners going fore and aft then another piece of plywood on top of the runners. The whole combination would raise the aft section by 2". When the bed is down the thinner foam would go on the aft platform and all the cushions would be the same height. When the bed is in the seat mode the thinner cushion is used for the seat back like you are doing now and the thicker cushion would go on the aft platform section. That aft seat would be 2" higher, but who cares, no one is sitting on it. You could drop down to 4 cushions total that way. Anyway just my initial thought, it probably requires some more thinking. I do like the way you did the drawer slides. The video is informative and well done.

[@rayrambles]

Thank you! Definitely something to think about.

[@ibagm.8]

Thank you for the explanations; they are very helpful. ➕➕ ​​well done 💙💛

[@rayrambles]

You're very welcome!

[@equynenergie]

I found this very helpful 😊 Thank you

[@rayrambles]

You’re welcome 😊

[@jcfly1]

Well done !

[@rayrambles]

Thank you!

[@quanza1956]

Love it

[@rayrambles]

Thank you! 😊

[@TeeTirado-b3n]

I love IT!!!!!!

[@rayrambles]

Thank you!

[@kimavery3867]

I had a bed like that but found it difficult to switch from bed to chair. I had to attach a strap to the middle of the bed so I could pull it up while pushing in the front of the bed. It was very heavy and difficult to do. I didn't see you actually show us how you put the bed back into chair mode, just from chair to bed mode. Can you update the video or send a short where you do this?

[@rayrambles]

I will definitely try to show that in a future video. To lift it up - I have to reach between the cushions and grab the platform in one of the circle cutouts, its not ideal. I'm still looking for an easier way. A strap sounds like a good idea.

[@christine9604frisco]

You are skilled.

[@rayrambles]

Thank you.

[@crockett5]

It’s biased on the VW Westy set up just with out using rumble seat style hinges. As some one who live in a Westy on and off for 4 years I 100% prefer this style layout vs what most people do with having a permanent bed. These types of layouts give you so much more usefulness vs a permanent bed, especially in a small van

[@rayrambles]

I agree! That Westy design is the best.

[@livinginthenow]

Fantastic design! Thanks for sharing it. 😁 FYI, having the music playing *while you are speaking* makes it way more difficult for folks with hearing issues to understand what you're saying. Yes, I do use the closed captioning, but the more time I have to spend reading them, the less time I have for actually *seeing* the content of the video. Please consider reserving the music for times when you are not talking. That would make things *so* much easier for folks with hearing issues like me. 💕

[@rayrambles]

@@livinginthenow thank you! I will definitely try to keep the music lower on future videos. I just wish KZbin would let us upload ‘edited’ versions of our videos.

[@colleendeborah1581]

New to yourTube Clear. Like. New subscriber.

[@rayrambles]

Thanks for subscribing, I’m glad you like it!

[@tombrewsaugh1399]

The bed in my van is constructed out of 1"x 4" 's. Actual dimensions 3/4"x 3 1/2" and it is plenty strong enough. After 3 years of use I've had no problems. Not a single steel bracket used.

[@rayrambles]

That sounds great! I always tend to overbuild. I need to work on that. 😆

[@criskool841]

THE BEST! CAN YOU ADD SEAT BELTS?

[@rayrambles]

That's a great question! I'm a solo traveler so I never looked into it. It probably wouldn't be safe in a DIY build like this, though.

[@ianl7596]

I like the single person bed, but if you have guests, is there a way they can sleep as well?

[@rayrambles]

@ianl7596 unfortunately not in this version. It’s only a single. But you could make it wider. My original version was 38” wide. Check out the link to Bruce Parks KZbin channel in the description- his bed is made for two.

[@jlr3636]

Nice, I’m building a slide-in, pop-top, truck camper, and it’s amazing how the cost of parts add up. However my cost is in the $5000 range and way less than 1/2 of a factory built unit.

[@rayrambles]

That sounds awesome! 👏🏻

[@PrivateAttorneyGeneral-rb7lc]

How much weight for the build...I like it

[@rayrambles]

Hi - thanks. I break down it down (frame + platform) the weight toward the end of the video.

[@peterdement]

What did you pay the upholster?

[@rayrambles]

I think I paid $400 including labor and batting. 🤔

[@DdDd-pk4pu]

Thank you GREAT BUILD You should do builds for people 🥰MUSIC IS TOO LOUD🤷‍♀️and annoying🤦‍♀️

[@rayrambles]

Thanks. I’ll keep that in mind for future videos.

[@justgivemethetruth]

It looks like you could get away with using 2x2s really, maybe adding in an extra one or two. It's a really nice design. I am not sure I get why you did not design the foldable bed to fold back far enough to be able to use the same cushion that you said was too thick. Why not just modify the seat back of the folding bed. I have a minivan I think pretty close to the same size as yours and it's interesting to try to visualize doing this.

[@rayrambles]

Thanks. I used the thicker cushion at first and at that time I didn’t want to mess with the platform and frame anymore. So I just tried a thinner cushion as a test and liked it - so for me that was the easiest fix- to just add a cushion.

[@justgivemethetruth]

@@rayrambles I get it, makes sense. You can spend a lot of time and money trying to make something perfect ... and never get there anyway. Great design

[@RUreddynow]

the piano music , ugh!

[@rayrambles]

I’ll keep that in mind for future videos.

[@RUreddynow]

@rayrambles Hey Ray, you do you, I shouldn't have said anything. I love your van, btw.

[@rayrambles]

@@RUreddynow thanks, but others noticed it too. I wish KZbin would let us upload an edited version of a video. They only let you cut parts out or mute all audio. 😕 I tend to add music on everything (even when it’s not needed) - it’s an old habit. I actually appreciate the honest feedback. Have a great day.

[@RUreddynow]

@rayrambles you're welcome, and you as well.

[@cathtf7957]

No need for the music. Thank you!

[@Joe-xf8zn]

Music is too loud!

[@rayrambles]

Thanks. I'll keep that in mind for future videos. Unfortunately - KZbin doesn't allow editing a posted video so I can't change it.

[@pooheadlou]

I see people pulling out their beds but rarely see how easy it is to put them back up into couch mode. Especially with all their bedding on there.😢 just saying.

[@rayrambles]

You're right - It's not as easy to put it back up. And most of these convertible beds are hard to move back and forth with bedding on them - that's probably the biggest downside.

[@JTSA1234]

Music detracts. Gave up watching.

[@deborahisrael4989]

I wanted to watch this. Interesting topic. However, your music is too loud. I want to hear you talk, not that piano.

[@rayrambles]

Thanks for letting me know, I'll try to balance the music better next time.

[@eandm8982]

Sorry to write, the background music distracts from an otherwise nicely interesting and possibly informative video. I will continue to try and watch, but it is annoying.

[@rayrambles]

Thank you for the feedback - I’ll keep it in mind for future videos.

[@doctork1708]

Lose the music. It’s loud, distracting and annoying.

[@rayrambles]

Yeah I know - that’s why I pinned a comment to the top about that.