Leveling the bed

Mushin · 08-07-2021, 02:03 PM

....in a non-level van (on a non-level driveway).

How do folks go about making sure the bed frame they build is perfectly level? My e350 passenger van is anything but level (as is my driveway, but that can be worked around).
And secondly: should you anticipate load and spring compression in the suspension? Currently my van is completely empty, and I dont suspect it will get super heavy,but still, this might affect the load on the rear suspension and consequently the comfort of sleeping on a flat bed.

I am building a bed with metal frames like this attached to the van body (not my pic). But making sure the end result is perfectly level is causing some headache.

loper · 08-07-2021, 03:03 PM

I built the floor and considered that my datum.
Then I blocked under the wheels until the floor was level.
From that point, I built the bed and the counter.
Now when I want to camp I get the floor level by blocking/digging, etc. at the wheels.

dhally · 08-10-2021, 05:21 PM

My bed felt like it had a hump in the middle. I blocked and jacked the van in the driveway to get the floor level, then shimmed the bed to flatten it out.

I do think the floor can flex, so get it level and flat first.

Herbie · 08-18-2021, 02:06 PM

Leveling aside, are those 2x4's as bed joists?

That has to be HEAVY.

Annie O · 08-22-2021, 12:27 PM

Let me just say that level or not, I have only ever slept GREAT in my van!!

jage · 08-22-2021, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Herbie

Leveling aside, are those 2x4's as bed joists?

That has to be HEAVY.

It looks like it's 2x6, and heavy? hell that's like $100,000 of wood these days.

And I'd go park somewhere very close to level then block tires, jack, and pray until the floor is actually level and then draw your line on the wall, go home and build. You know or just figure the bubble is about yeah-far over the line and make it yeah-far on the wall.

Lewgillett · 08-22-2021, 09:09 PM

I’d also make the counters & bed the same level as the floor. I have maybe parked twice that didn’t need some blocking for level. I put the level on the counter and if that is level then everything is level…floor, counters & bed.