Homemade solution for a sofa bed

[maricard]

Next week I'll build it in wood just to know if it's working. Just some pieces of plywood should be enough. I could share it if someone are interested.

[tj4861]

i would be very interested i too have two boys that need to stay safe while riding.

i'm putting mine into a E350 15 pass.
i'm wondering your thoughts on having the rear platform higher ( for more storage under it), and than make the seat unfold and sit up higher. i'm thinking have it sit as high as the bottom of the windows of the van
your thoughts?

[86Scotty]

Originally Posted by tj4861

i'm wondering your thoughts on having the rear platform higher ( for more storage under it), and than make the seat unfold and sit up higher. i'm thinking have it sit as high as the bottom of the windows of the van
your thoughts?

If I'm understanding you right that would be WAY too high for a seat. Another thing to consider, in a Ford van anyway, is that as you go up the sides slant in considerably, meaning someone's head will risk hitting the window glass or pillars.
My first homemade rear dinette bed was only about 12" high and barely had room for an adult to sit without hitting the roof at the sides, then I raised that one just high enough to fit the large size Rubbermaid bins under and it was way too high for any seating and really too high for a bed. You couldn't sit up on the edge of the bed which ruined it's usefulness.

My opinion, much higher than 12" is going to be a mistake in a regular roof van.

[tj4861]

i don't plan to sit up in bed much. roll in go to sleep get!
if the bench is forward facing won't have to worry about the walls much

[dhally]

We had our seat installed extra high to give plenty of space for sliding things under, as mentioned above. It's about 19" to the top of cushion. It is quite uncomfortable for sitting in for any length of time. When lounging, my wife either puts her feet up and sits crossways, or uses the portapottie for a a footstool. We have a fixed high top, so headroom isn't an issue since the rear upper shelf ends behind the seat.

The main reason we used a rollover instead of a rock and roll, is it allows the seat bottom cushion to be installed further towards the rear of the van because the rollover portion is 12" long. I think with the rock and roll type the bed is only about 6" longer than the seat. This allows more cabinet space and floor space with the bed collapsed.

But the rollover type isn't designed for crash resistance....

[Yodavan]

I have a fixed high top so there's lots of head room. I built the seat high enough to slide the porta-pot under. The complaint I get from the passengers is that they have to bend over a bit to clearly see out the side window. Just something to keep in mind.

[BajaSportsmobile]

There are a lot of good thoughts and warnings here. Living with the wrong result will get frustrating for passengers - especially on rough roads.

Yodavan - seeing out the windows is a problem I hadn't thought of. Thanks.

[maricard]

Today I did a real size mock up of the sofa bed.
I used some pieces of wood and the result is fantastic.
Next step is to try it with steel pivot bracket.

[mgmetalworks]

Cool design! How do you plan to lock it into its positions?

[boywonder]

Excellent mock-up maricard! Nice work!