Metal bunk bed recycling.

[frod]

Hi all, our van originally came with a doormobile conversion that consisted of a series of rear seats constructed from a tubular metal frame with a plywood and hard board covering. So when I decided to make the rear of the van more usable I followed a similar construction. Firstly the rear bench seat that covers the wheel arches was made from the box section metal bars from a trailer tent. Which I then enclosed with 1/2 inch ply. Later on I noticed that the craze for silvery grey metal bunk beds often left people with piles of tubular metal by their back gates. So armed with an angle grinder and ten mm bolts of various lengths I made another bench seat that runs the length of the van. These bars are strengthened even more by screwing some decent plywood to them. The whole thing gives ample seating and loads of storage space. They also give two permanent sides of my full sized bed. The remaining floor space holds a board that only has to be lifted into position and Bob's your uncle. The metal bunk beds may now be lower in height, but they serve a higher purpose. I do have an idea for collapsible cupboards that double in height and contain shelving when needed but form part of the bench seats when not in use. There would have to be some tubes that telescope into each other for that one to work. Or some well made kitchen drawer sliders could be used?

 

[NickJ]

Sounds very interesting frod, lets see some pics I've got a high bunk/sofa bed in bits in my shed and was wondering if it could be converted in to a RnR bed in the van.

 

[Marvel]

Yeah, if there's no photos.....it didn't happen!

 

[frod]

Ha ha I've taken photos of the finished deal. So you can't see my handy work. When I get chance I'll take some of the innards.http://s1363.photobucket.com/user/Frod66/media/frodinholidaymode006_zps66de2bb1.jpg.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;