L400 Camping/Surfing/Roadtrip/storage....Bed

[EnviroImports.com]

What to do with the Short wheel base L400 when you want to go camping... well with a thought of how to get the surf boards inside, milk crates under the bed for "stuff" stoves, bbq... and what ever else could go in the back, this came to life It's much lighter than wood, simple and the wife can lift it in and out of the van on her own. ( one less thing for me to do when getting ready for camping..)

the bolt holes for the rear seat bolts the center braces into place and the plywood base pieces lift out for floor access and to remove for cleaning & storage, but also are recessed into the base for a even surface



have to get "baby" her few min of internet fame..
Side door view


So thats a Double bed High density foam, and we can sit up with out hitting our heads, take it out for easy storage and many different sizes of totes fit underneath for various storage even with the surf boards on the roof or underneath.
So Tell me what you think, what you would do different, Like it? love it?
Hate it?
be honest, so many versions have been on the forum that I wanted to take a stab at building a set up so this is my version.
Oh, also being done is a shower curtain around the tail gate for what else, a shower when the back is open to wash off the sand and salt from some water play time..
Noel

[Jaz]

First of all, that is awesome. You have skillz. Yes, skillz with a Z.

One thing that occured to me would make it awesomer in my world would be the addition of a hinged middle section, so that you could fold either end up, kinda like a butterfly roof. That way you could lift it to get easier access to the stuff in the back without having to slide everything out to find stuff, or you could prop up the side closest to the front cab so then you effectively have a couch, using a sun lounge chair style prop. Or possibly the cab end should be a 1/3 fold, so that way there is less vertical, more stretch out space. If you don't get what I'm on about, let me know - I can draw pictures in paint...

Oooh, ooh, and inspired by Delicat's kitechen in the back, how about a swing out kitchen that is secured by a hinge to the right hand upright at the back, then has a stand when in the open position. This would give you a kitchen under the tailgate that is ready to go at any time. It could be modular so that the wife can hoist it while you're getting ready for the camping trip (having a beer), with sink/storage spot and stove and a couple of other little hideys for the essentials... it would then slot in where the first row of milk crates would go.

Thoughts from the peanut gallery over here :)


Edit: combine the front folding part with the 360 degree turning cab seats and you've got a good spot to have a beer during the rain while playing cars or something. Come to think of it you don't even need the front folding part for that, as you have a built in table when you roll the mattress back... Folding up part would make getting to the chairs in their reversed position easier though.

Oh, and I always thought about this one too - what about lift out or hinge lidded pockets to go down the sides where the frame doesn't quite meet the side of the van. If you're shoving crap in from the back, then the side area tends to go to waste... then again, it is good for shoving dirty washing down...

[tonydca]

Yeah, but why bother will all that complication; just do the same mods this lady did with her domestic vehicle.

Shouldn't be too hard...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0dep74X7Vg

PS: OP definitely has mad welding skillz!

[Luna-Sea]

Very nice Noel!
Good use of the rear seat anchor points.
I like the milkcrate clearance benchmark and the
Lab-retriever seal of approval too.
Nice to see more L400 camping mods starting to happen.


Right On!

[Mbryant]

Very slick. I like the professional look.

[madmazda]

nawww it doesn't look good in your van at all, I think you need to build a better one and sell me that one....lol it'll look much better in my van

[EnviroImports.com]

Thanks for all the comments, I am going to do another version after reading the comments posted here, It could easily be made in two pieces or a hinge in the center, but I HATE RATTLES so Im not sure I will go with that idea as the only way to keep 2 pieces of metal quiet in a diesel van on a bumpy road is to bolt it together or foam tape but regardless of where its connected, its going to squeek. and if I bolt it, then its going to be more like work to open it, and when im camping I do my best to make sure the only work I do is either building a campfire or getting out of a wet , wetsuit ....

However the idea of a hinged door at the tailgate with a stove mounted , camping sink and shelf all built in fills the wife with joy and excitement so , Really that makes my weekend easier and that will get foam tape & a spring fitted clasp as it wont have alot of weight on it like doing a whole split in the bed to make the sofa Idea...
I dont want this to turn into a sale thread, as i am only wanting input and to share what Im building for the van, but the one I built last week will be for sale for $600 as im going to make a new one with more bracing to hold the slide out kitchen idea ,

OH while Im thinking about it, I went to the Canadian whole sale club ( superstores bulk store) and they had a 4 gallon jug that has a 12v plug/pump, 5 feet of hose and a spray gun type end , Great preasure and is going to double as a fresh water sprayer to help rinse out the wetsuit & also a make shift shower as the snaps are going around the back of the tailgate to have a camping shower... and its only $20 on clearance, CRAZY GOOD PRICE seems made for the L400 rear tailgate 12 power outlet.

I will take a pic of it later and post it,
If there is more feedback & ideas for addons you would like to see made that are realistic, Not like a slide out sofa mounting, I would like to hear them, and try to build them
Noel