[Guide] Kombi Bed/shelf system DIY

Looks very good, I am looking to do similar but with the option to move the near side across towards the off side with narrower centre spans, which I could turn around 180odeg to fit lengthwise, so that I could fit my MTB in for solo away days. What do you think?
My main use for the van is cycling, i can fit road bike in the back still either on top of the shelf or straight in. I also use the back as a 'changing room' just lift one of the shelfs on the other.



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Using @ Beng's design as inspiration I have made my own bed/storage. I had slightly different needs, and designed it with asymmetric storage, larger r/h storage. A double bed or single with a bike.
One thing I done was use the mat as a template for the base. As I used a frame I went down to 12mm hardwood ply. My build did cost a fair bit more than @ Beng's though.

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Love this, great job! Out of interest, how did you fix the Nooks Board? I’ve just got one and unsure of the best way to do it.
 
Love this, great job! Out of interest, how did you fix the Nooks Board? I’ve just got one and unsure of the best way to do it.
I replaced the original rear quarter wood with 6mm ply and carpeted that so that it was much stronger., then just screwed into it.
 
I replaced the original rear quarter wood with 6mm ply and carpeted that so that it was much stronger., then just screwed into it.
Yeah that’s kind of what I thought. Was toying with the idea of trying to use rivnuts in the metal work but if the 6mm is strong enough that’s much simpler. Cheers
 
Sorry to bring up an old thread!

I'm looking into building exactly what you have but i'm no carpenter.

Could you tell me how you attached the vertical parts to the horizontal floor boards? I'm sure I could do it with some sort of L bracket but your version looks much neater.
 
Sorry to bring up an old thread!

I'm looking into building exactly what you have but i'm no carpenter.

Could you tell me how you attached the vertical parts to the horizontal floor boards? I'm sure I could do it with some sort of L bracket but your version looks much neater.
I used batons, a mix of sizes. Some use 18mm+ ply and no batons. I done it the cheap way 9mm ply!
 
I used batons, a mix of sizes. Some use 18mm+ ply and no batons. I done it the cheap way 9mm ply!
I'm going to use barrel nuts to do this. I got a jig from Rutlands to make sure the barrel nut and furniture bolt line up correctly.
 
Sorry to bring up an old thread!

I'm looking into building exactly what you have but i'm no carpenter.

Could you tell me how you attached the vertical parts to the horizontal floor boards? I'm sure I could do it with some sort of L bracket but your version looks much neater.
Wood glue and screwed, as its snug with the van its strong
 
Wood glue and screwed, as its snug with the van its strong
Great thanks!

I've got some 18mm board too so thats good to hear.

Did you make templates out of cardboard to match the wheel arches? For both the vertical and horizontal.

Did you attach the top of it all to the side of the van or is just attached at the bottom by the bolts?

Sorry lots of questions, just want to get this right!
 
Great thanks!

I've got some 18mm board too so thats good to hear.

Did you make templates out of cardboard to match the wheel arches? For both the vertical and horizontal.

Did you attach the top of it all to the side of the van or is just attached at the bottom by the bolts?

Sorry lots of questions, just want to get this right!
Just attached by the bolts into the floor anchor points.
Yep cardboard templates to get the shape, then cut the wood (bigger than I needed on the straight side). I then scribed it to the exact shape and then cut the straight length off so it was the right width.
 
Check out ‘tick sticks’ - carpenters / boatbuilders tool you can make for marking out complex shapes to cut. I stumbled across them recently.
 
Just attached by the bolts into the floor anchor points.
Yep cardboard templates to get the shape, then cut the wood (bigger than I needed on the straight side). I then scribed it to the exact shape and then cut the straight length off so it was the right width.
Thanks mate, appreciate it.
 
Check out ‘tick sticks’ - carpenters / boatbuilders tool you can make for marking out complex shapes to cut. I stumbled across them recently.
I've just watched an hour of youtube learning about tick sticks, this is actually perfect for what I want to do.
 
I've just watched an hour of youtube learning about tick sticks, this is actually perfect for what I want to do.

I’ve had many a late night / early morning on youtube. The tickstick is a really simple concept.
I’ll be giving it a go at some point when I cut the ply bed board! I have some leftover lining wallpaper to use as a large sheet to draw onto.
 
Great thanks!

I've got some 18mm board too so thats good to hear.

Did you make templates out of cardboard to match the wheel arches? For both the vertical and horizontal.

Did you attach the top of it all to the side of the van or is just attached at the bottom by the bolts?

Sorry lots of questions, just want to get this right!
Personally I used the floor mat as the template, and don't have vertical outer sides as they restrict the volume. I also used the floor anchor points.
 
For anyone looking for ideas i thought i'd share my homemade bed/shelf. All in it cost me about £70 in materials.

I wanted to make something that was
  • Removable with no permanant fixings or holes yet fixed to the floor
  • Fairly cheap to make
  • Was tight to the edges of the van as to not loose stuff down the side
  • Strong enough and durable

The finished bed:
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Profiles for the base:

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Carpeted the top sheets of all the way round. This guide by coombe valley campers was ace
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A nice tight fit
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Secured the sides to the floor fixing points using some longer bolts and the original tie downs on top of the wood.
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The final product, really happy with it. Also added a Nooks Board from the Ply Guys for hanging hats, hemets etc. and a Vanshades rear blind. Stealth camper mode on! Hope this helps anyone that needs something similar.
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This is awesome.
I am about to replicate it, anything you’d change if you did it again?
 
I sold my previous van and bought a new one last year (Decided to get one of the last ever ones new) and sold the previous bed/shelf unit so built another. The only real change was I stained the wood black, easy to do and is more durable. Apart from that it's been a great setup that is so versatile.

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