Bed design mistakes (van conversion) 

"you may be bachelor now but hopefully you may not stay that way forever" love it.

Great video. The two things I don't agree with is not having a single bed and not being able to sleep sideways comfortably. Storage in a minivan is limited. Don't sacrifice your comfort because one day someone might sleep beside you. If you get a partner in your minivan, you can change your layout then. Until that point, create a single bed and enjoy your storage. Don't live for an imaginary person. And my Toyota Sienna is 68 inches across behind the front seats. Anyone 66 inches or shorter can sleep comfortably sideways.

I'm usually very bad at understanding people when they speak with an accent because my hearing comprehension is quite poor, but you spoke so clearly and at just the right speed that I was able to understand you perfectly! I really appreciate how careful you were to annunciate your words. Those tips were very useful, thank you!!!

I’ve been watching videos of people living in and building conversion vans for many years, and i have lived in conversion vans for years as well, and you have the best van life channel i’ve ever seen!! i could have saved myself so much time and money just learning these mistakes from you instead of living them!! so fantastic, i will be a rabid supporter for life now!

Tes vidéos sont claires et concises, et ayant beaucoup voyagé avec un Westfalia dans le passé, il est évident que tu maîtrises ton sujet. En une soirée à regarder tes vidéos, j'ai appris tout ce qu'il me fallait pour faire ma conversion. Internet se porterait mieux avec plus de RU-vidurs comme toi. Merci.

If ever there was a RU-vid channel required to watch for those interested in van life, this is it. Your videos are short, to the point and very informative. This one showed up in my feed last night and I have since watched all of them. One of the most refreshing aspects are their simplicity, the obvious desire to educate rather than entertain, the emphasis on fulfilling the intent (or "mission goal") of van life, the lack of self-glorification, and no advertising gimmickry using sex or drama (thank you for not titling your previous video, "Van Life - Almost Bitten By A Rattlesnake!" You sacrificed a million views for nothing more than integrity and my undying appreciation. Btw, that was VERY DRAMATIC. I re-watched all 12 seconds of it 3 times!). What you're doing are basically no frill PSA's for Van Life. What a brilliant idea. FYI - I'm from Florida. Planning on doing the van life thing to somewhere in Central America and possibly settling there. As far as video suggestions, I'd like to hear more about your electrical system, and more about the hygiene and procedural aspect of defecating where there's no facilities. Also, unless I somehow missed it, I never did see how you made your "shower cabinet" (I would call it a shower stall or enclosure). Keep up the good work!

That sliding Seat-to-bed design is absolutely genius. Thank you for sharing this video with us. I wish safe and happy travels.

*Fantastic* advise!!! Your scrunched up people illustrations are peak comedy! 😂

You have the best stickmen!!! The illustrations really make the point! 🤣🤣🤣

Eric, I have learned more from you than any other you tube site. I am q 72 year old single female in St. Louis Missouri presently saving to purchase a mini van to convert. I can't thank you enough for all the information that you share.

By far the best van life camping videos on you tube. It is wonderful to see you Eric, thank you for the van bed tips.

Brilliant video. I car camped through Scotland in a small BMW hatchback. With my air mattress, the back seats down there was a few more inches than my body length (5'8" 173cm) Seemed comfortable enough. I wound up having a lot of cramps and Iliotibial band syndrome IBS (where my knee became swollen and painful because of knots in my butt and thigh muscles). I couldn't really tell the difference between the car and my tent, but my body sure could. Ruined that part of the trip. I couldn't walk. (After I rolled out the tight spots with my stainless steel coffee mug I was cured.) So your test procedure is spot on. (And it's good practice to learn how to sleep anywhere. I once lived above a disco. This year I spent three months sailing in the front cabin of a catamaran that was bouncing, slamming, rocking in 2 to 3 m waves. I slept like a baby. Probably because of the 6 months getting used to the disco.) "Gotta be quick and easy." And who cares what it looks like behind the day couch? Great points. Efficiency. Idiots are the ones who are always suggesting you should be neater. I can't imagine what I would've missed or not accomplished because of housework. I've never attended a funeral where housework was a key topic. About mattresses. 1. Memory foam. 4 inches is more than enough for any but the heaviest person. I have this in my home, on my boat and in the back of my Tesla. 2. If you don't have a lot of room, or you're traveling get an air mattress. I've used the Klymit for years. Very comfortable. 3. Tie a piece of paracord to the air pillow, run it around the mattress and tie it on the other side so the pillow doesn't move. Don't bother with the padded dry bag stuffed with t-shirts. I've done this, it works, but even the long distance back packers who cut the handles off their toothbrushes to save weight all end up with air pillows. 4. If you have a little extra space, bring your favorite home pillow. 5. Sleep on your side, better for you, easier to breathe, no snoring. I disagree about sleeping bags. Sleeping bags are just part of a wide range of options. Always use a bag liner - this eliminates the need for washing the sleeping bag, it also extends the temperature range. (I spent part of last night in my home bed in a fleece liner I sewed myself. 1.5m of fleece, fold in half lengthwise, sew two sides. You're done. Fleece doesn't need edge seams.) On my boat I sleep with a sheet, a liner and a sleeping bag. Hot? just the sheet, a little colder, liner on top. Cold, foggy? liner in the bag. Always cozy, never have to make the bed. An SOL Bivy sold on Amazon for $25, with a liner, makes a terrific travel bag. Slept in one for a very cold month sailing across the North Pacific. The thing about liners, camping, hotels, hostels... it's a sack so it eliminates most bugs and dirt. It's a sack so there are no drafts. (I usually put on a merino top layer.) I think there are drafts in every bed. We don't notice them, but they still keep us awake. The liner sack eliminates this. (I live in California, desert, and I like the window open, so it gets cold every night.) Ergonomics. The best ergonomics is strong core muscles. When I was sea kayaking three times a week I had abs like a gymnast. Chairbacks, even in a car, were superfluous. Alas, I can no longer brag about my abs. Another sailor told me that you have to do some stretches and ab work everyday or you will have back pain. My back was starting to ache when he told me this. Bare minimum, you can do this in bed., on your back, bend your knees. all the way over to the right, then all the way over to your left... 1, again 2. Do this at least 100 times or until you can't. This and some leg stretches is the bare minimum. Lately I can't make it to 100 so my back gets a little creaky. On the long sail I was doing 200. Absolutely no back problems. (I've also got a Thule pod. One day at Moro Bay the seagulls picked it out of all the other cars parked by the Rock. It cost me $14 just to hose it off enough to use the van. There was not a spot of poop on any other vehicle. I think they didn't like seeing the big sea lion like thing on top of my white van.) I like the way you think.

Neat video covering real life issues rather than where to put the 56 inch TV, and what sort of designer tiles to use in your van kitchen, all done by beautiful people in mega bucks vans! Diving at the end so double good - although when you do lots of stuff then where to put things is an issue, dive kit, climbing kit, astro kit all takes up space....lots of space. Thanks for that Eric.

Okay so this video came up in my feed and I saw this video I am so impressed and I am now a new subscriber to your channel! I was so touched to see that you guys were posing in front of the Utah sign which I've never been able to do because I was always traveling alone from my work in Nevada to my home in Utah and then the icing on the cake at 10 minutes into the video at the very end you had a picture of Death Valley and that's the lonely road I had to drive to get to work for 9 years😢 I always thought for the last 25 years before I knew van living or camping was ever a thing I always had such a wonderful feeling having all these thoughts of Designing my van exactly how yours is designed all the way down to the sliding bed.

👑 Eric, you are the undisputed King of DIY van conversion! Thank you! 🍻😎✌🏼

Excellent advice from someone who knows what is important and real life practical solutions for comfort. I love your stick figure demonstrations.

this channel is way underrated!! much more helpful and practical than many other fancy videos....

Sincerely Thank You for providing us your expertise, straight forward presentations, no selling or ad placement. You have chosen to help us all and for that I am loving a better vanlife! Again sincerest thanks!

Are you the one who draws the explanations? They're so nice and simple! Another great video! Thanks Eric

Oh my goodness. I spent most of 2020 trying to figure out the perfect buildout (to no avail of course) I have a full sized pickup with a tallish camper shell I built out. Just finishing now. I watch 250000 videos and yours is the first to show the bed style I "invented" to meet my needs. Awesome! The style is just perfect. It transforms so easily and gives you oodles of space when your not sleeping. I did not go as you did with a track system. The 3 sections of plywood I used were laid first on a base rectangle box, the second had only one edge one the base and the other with two short 2 x 4 legs and the 3rd section was on 4 legs and then all piano hinged at the far edge of the base. Just slides right out to a bed and then back up to a reclining chair. I had 50 inches of width space so I made two chair beds so one could remain a chair while the other was a single bed. Covered them both with a fur duvet cover abandoned by my daughter. Sooo luxurious and functional. The action is allowed because I stayed between the wheel wells. Super nice, stable, easy and roomy. cheers, thanks for sharing

Thank you for your whole series Eric! Your suggestions on the design for a bed, for window covers, and for the overall layout design were so useful as I finished my minivan conversion this Spring. I watched and re-watched your videos as inspiration and I'm so happy you made the effort to have this information available!

Given the higher costs of gas and oil at this time your elegant van conversion is very timely. You are obviously skilled not only in woodworking but design also. Thanks for sharing.

Merci beaucoup, Eric! When I start construction, your series will be one of my inspirations! I love your design philosophy, born of decades of experience.

Retirement approaches, so I will be converting my own van, a bit, so these videos have been invaluable. Some really good tips and words of wisdom. Thank you Eric!

I was just thinking about you a few minutes ago and bam, here is your video popping up. Hope all is well with you and you're happy. 👍👍🙏

It is always good to hear your voice of reason in these matters. It is also good to see you explain why your build is the way it is. Thanks for sharing Eric.

Wow, I was about to split my bed's under support wood longitudinal now I understand which is a big mistake 😂 God bless you, thank you!

Excellent video. “Measure twice, cut once” Loved this. Subscribed. D🤙🇺🇸

Thank you, Eric for this very informative and well edited video illustrating your mini useful c suggestions! 😃 I am sure that I am amongst many grateful viewers, who are so happy to have discovered you and learn from your mistakes instead of making them ourselves. You’re a gem and I will be binge watching all of your videos now. 😀 Wishing you safe travels and much success in all your endeavors. 😁

I've built 3 car campers and I've made most of these mistakes. All good points

Your ideas are a literal goldmine. Thank you!!

I’ve been watching you since your first video and did a small build a year ago but I’m about to take your designs at heart and try out a full build for long term use, so, thank you so much for putting out your knowledge so people like me can explore the world in their minivans!

Best minivan conversion videos EVER! Great work Eric.

Your a brilliant man, thanks for your experience, helping people who may have to do this because of rising living expenses, your a true legend , can't thank you enough, from Queensland Australia

Hello Eric. I've built your bed for a Dodge Caravan. It works perfectly. Thank you for the videos. All the best from Phoenix Arizona.

I think the same of you 😊 I chose a longitudinal bed that it's 1,35x1,85. We both need to move and feel space. And not having to climb Himalayas for going to sleep. I like your reflections. Thanks

Great great information in that video for the design of a bed, and more...so to enjoy the daily use of the van.

I love your videos, Eric! So glad to have found you. If others had not built your bed design I would never have seen your channel. It pays to share, eh? Your bed design is superb. I always favored the slat bed you pull out, but your design is better. I love the striped cover on your mattress, so lively. You are a great guy, thank you so much for sharing!!! You might enjoy Humble Road - a guy called George Mauro - in New Jersey. He builds pricey custom vans and shares his knowledge of materials and techniques and is so inventive, truly a genius. You would like his videos, although they are for larger vans, There is this guy in France, and he was showing how to tin copper pans on RU-vid. A lot of people were interested, because if we can retin our old copper pans we can reuse them. Most of use cannot afford to contract this out. But for every simple question anyone asked him: What type of flux he used? Did he use fiberglass pad to spread the tin? What temps to heat the pan up to where flux would not burn? He came back with "it is too complicated to explain, it takes years to learn", and other feeble excuses not to share information. What a dick. I went online and in 5 mins had all my answers and listed them for those who asked. He did not like that. He wanted to be the King of Retinning. No wonder his channel had very few likes and subscribers. No one is going to compete with his business in France when we are here in the US and around the world! He will never grow or freely give of his knowledge. And he will never make international friends or learn from others.

Try telling my Ex girlfriend about the human body needing to move every 20 minutes. She get mad at me about not wanting to snuggle the whole night when i tried explaining to her that I can't sleep in one position all night

tu as vraiment le meilleur design d'intérieur pour minivans. Tu dois avec fais beaucoup de recherche et d'expérimentation!!! Merci pour tes vidéos!

Excellent information that validates everything we have come across in our prius camping experiences. We have a 2024 Sienna van being delivered in April and your bed design is exactly what we want. Thanks so much for the video series.

Hi Eric, it's always a pleasure see you and watch your videos. You have more experience and your tips are so usefuls! Thanks so mutch for sharin. I send you my best greetings from Northwest Italy 🇮🇹 Ciao! Dario

I generally agree with the tips. Since I work full-time remotely, having ample head space was super important for me. So I have a 4-inch foam mattress which folds out across the floor (which is 4 inches high, so that's only 8-10 inches). The layout works great for my senior dog to easily get around the van and stretch out. Folding up the mattress isn’t difficult as I sewed clips/loops so it quickly converts into couch mode. And I can flip my couch any direction in the van. We all have to make compromises with our designs and this one I still don't regret (after a year of traveling). Living in Colorado, that sleeping bag is reeeeeal necessary on 30-40 degree nights!

Les meilleurs vidéos! Viens tu nous voir en Gaspésie en 2022!!! Merci Éric!

I absolutely loved this. I’m planning on getting a Sienna and doing a van build. I like that you didn’t modify the van so you can sell it if needed. That’s what I plan on doing. I’m going to watch the rest of the videos. They’ll be so helpful.

Great info !! Thank you so much for sharing. I’ve watched so many videos on van build for many years. Your video is the most useful 😊!

Hi Eric, great video as always. My van is almost an exact replica of yours and it's perfect ! So easy to make the bed at night and the sofa in the morning. No hassle, no rattle and everything is in reach !

Rattling cargo will drive anyone nuts. I love this video. The drawings help visualize some ideas. I have not had any issues with my narrow twin bed frame and trifold mattress sitting high in my Sienna. I also always use a sleeping bag over a fitted sheet. It’s too easy to roll up and move out of the way. Thanks!

You have really good advice, a nice van, and nice video skills. Thank you for your content.

Fantastic advice. I find myself having to go the minivan life route for a while and had no idea where to start. Thanks!

I gave up on the bed construction when I found the zero gravity chair. Think about it! You can attach it to the floor. It reclines all the way back and there’s room for storage underneath it. Put a mattress topper on it. Easy peasy. This came about bc I have to store my mobility scooter beside it. And my van is only four feet wide. First I thought, maybe a small recliner, but I think this is better.

absolutely genius. Well thought through and explained. I feel like you've lived or seen all mistakes so that I don't have to!

Practical considerations for the long haul...as opposed to the "what is going to photograph well" PinStagram crowd.

Yeah Eric...another helpful video!!! We can’t wait to covert our van. Almost done with measuring & taking care of mechanical issues in two weeks. Thanks again!!🥾🥾🥾hike on! Travel on!

Fantastic tips Eric. Hope to convert my mini van this summer and you are my main source of knowledge. Very kind of you. Merci!

I am about three weeks away from starting my build. Thank you so much for making this video, there was some obvious things, but there were a lot of details I never would have thought to consider. I know these videos are a lot of work and I really appreciate you taking the time to do them. Safe travels

Thanks for another great video,Eric. I’m guessing I’m not the only one who looks forward to each and every video you release

Merci Eric! As always, your videos are among the most informative on YT!

Eric, I really enjoy your videos, please put more of them out there. Looking forward to seeing the next video. 👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽

I love your van Eric, it's the best I have seen. When I do my van I am using your build as a reference. Thank you 😊

Great video for someone like me who are thinking of building a own camper. Thanks so much!

Im planning to buy a van , and turn into a campervan for fishing. Your channel is so helpful to me and i like it , how u keep it simple and cheap! U have a new fellower and bell notification . I have watched so much video on vanlife.. Yours is by far the best!!

This is a fantastic video with really well thought through points!! Very helpful!

Thank you Eric for all your informative and detailed videos. They greatly influenced me to build my first minivan weekend camper from a Toyota Tarago. I used an Ikea double mattress that I cut down a little on the width and a square aluminium construction of the bed base from connect-it hardware from bunnings with a hinged plywood top to form the sofa/bed.

Love your videos! Truly educates from a scientific and practical point of view. Thanks Eric! 😊

Great to see you again Eric! Thanks for another great video. Looking forward to the next one. Cheers.

Nice tips, man. Been thinking about campering my car, a liftback. It is small indeed, but I think it's possible. These videos will surely be helpful

Thank you Eric for your time !! Amazing infos

This is SUCH a good, thorough, and well-explained video. Thank you so much.

Glad you’re back was hoping to see more and voilà…I’m heading out this year for a few months. Im excited.

Great content! I've just layed a vinyl tile on plywood floor in my VW Touran and currently researching ideas for what sprt of bed and cabinets/storage to make. Your videos are a great help, thanks 👍

Les meilleurs vidéo de construction de Van qu'il y a !!! Merci Eric 😁

Great video! So much wisdom pack into 10 mins. Thank you. Subscribed, looking forward to viewing more of your content.

You have a lot of very good information. I want to build a full of mid sized SUV or pickup truck because I would like to have 4 wheel drive. It will be my home. Thank you for the video!

These tips are priceless mate. Thank you very much.

Lots of great suggestions, a good nights sleep can make up for a lot of other issues but a bad night sleep can ruin everything.

Interesting tips, I keep meaning to do this to my grand caravan. I lived out of it full time in BC for the last five years. I've done nothing more than fold down the seats and use a cheap 3 inch foam mattress and make a kind of tarp tent inside for privacy. It's as simple as it gets

I can verify that being able to stretch fully is more important than excess width. I slept comfortably in a no-build 24" wide by 6'2" long sleeping area with the other room taken up by storage. My two big lessons were quick setup, and padding. In the summer, a fan and screened ventilation was mandatory.

You have great videos! But I love my down quilt for car camping. Light, cozy, and takes up the space of a breadbox to stuff in a hole. Open it up like a blanket if it's hot. Even our double quilt is super warm and nice.

Love your explanation drawings my man!!

Impressive. The diagrams are excellent.

Solution? Roll up a memory foam mattress (w clips or bungee cords to hold it rolled),bc you can actually get it mostly out of the way. Then have some comfortable,padded lawn chair for seating. Use that cheap padding for kids play rooms and gyms for flooring beneath the bed. This also makes for more comfortable movement when on the knees.

Content is first class, I converted three Jeeps like you have, they easily convert back again for normal use.

Nice, practical info.Saves me time of not what not to do while building. Good info. Thank u bro.

nice to see you again man you rock!

I really appreciate these videos! They have helped me a lot ! Its amazing how many mistakes I have already made :)

Thanks for these videos. Your videos are always very informative and helpful!

Thankyou for sharing your practical wisdom! I have subscribed from Australia. 🙂👍🦘

you have the most informative video about van conversion. well at least according to me. Kudos!

Thank you so much for these tips it's easy to like someone's build and expect yours to be the same all are different so customizing to yourself is something to consider.

You always have the best information. Thank you.

great and thoughtful tips derived from real experience. the ones concerning the mattress of very appreciated

Great video - thank you for sharing your experience ! I like the bright colors ! Greetings from Shanghai !

Thanks for your videos, I’m starting my van conversion and whilst I watched a lot of build videos just before I was going to build my bed ( a slide out one ) I saw yours and changed my plans. What I didn’t like about the slide out version was that in lounge mode my head would be up against the side glass which would take away some comfort. I’ve built a working prototype that was very helpful in heights and sizes and I shall rebuild it in a few weeks time with better and lighter materials. Now that that is sorted I will start on the storage and bench top. The only thing I can’t easily ( and cheaply find ) is the aluminium extrusion you use for your table, although I have visited a few aluminium suppliers and pretty sure I can come up with a suitable replacement. Thanks for your inspiration

Literally Covered everything I could have thought about , best video on YT as said 💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻

Very sensible and very helpful. Thank you and all the best Eric

Excellent video with very much needed explainations.

You have some excellent thoughts and reasons for what you do. Thanks

Great post, Eric!

Vidéo très intéressante! 😀Je n'avais jamais figuré que le sens des divisions (plis) du matelas et l'espace d'air respirable entre le lit et le plafond du van pouvaient être aussi importants pour un bon confort! Votre vidéo démontre que l'on passe souvent à côté de petites choses fondamentales lors de la conception du lit. Vos explications sont simples et bien appuyées par les animations. Bravo! 👏🙂