I watched this video a year ago. So happy to find it again. Went through dozens, maybe hundreds of van life videos to find this amazing simple build. Great ideas! Perfect for family trips.
The part number for the SKORVA mounting plates is IKEA MOUNTING PLATE # 116791 GREAT VIDEO!! planning on doing the same thing to my 2018 Mid height LWB Transit
I had to actually do a search to find a large family using a diy camper van. My wife, kids, and I have been attempting this since 2011, we've built, and rebuilt, modified, and scraped several prototypes, lol. We've been shooting from the hips alot. We did a platform bed like that on our 2007 chevy express van ext 3500. We removed 2 benches to fit the platform bed in the rear, only had 4 kids at the time. Being in texas we added a portable air conditioner with piping to a modified side window. The ac gave way to a portable self contained toilet. The platform bed was swapped with a conversion van 4 seater bench that drops to a bed but still has enough storage room underneath. The 2 front benches were taken out for individual reclining bucket seats from the same conversion van, they fully recline to beds. I added 12v acc. Ports all down the sides to run 12v fans or charge devices. I added an aux. Battery mounted to the chassis to run all 12v accesory ports without draining the main battery. A battery isolator was added to charge aux. And main batteries with only 1 alternator. I added floor lighting so kids can have light while driving at night or when parked camping. A small flat screen TV and bluray was added to keep the littlest ones occupied on long trips.I added 2 110v outlets behind front seats wired to a power inverter under driver side seat. A long corded surge protector takes 110v power to rear area, where its mounted to side. A 110v plug is mounted to underchassis feeding 110v outlets when parked with an extension cord.. A simple aux. Fuse block sits under driver seat to protect all added 12v accesories.. phew, its alot when I jot it down, we need to make a video touring our van, even though 10 years lugging kids (now 6)has taken its toll, lol. Great video!
That's what i wanted to do but it just didn't work out because I don't have a walled boarder to keep all those slats in place. I'd love to see how you made it work.
@@SeekOutTheAdventure I did it in a 2018 Passenger Ford Transit LWB with the same configuration of (4) telescoping ikea bases mounted as instructed by you. Then where hole lined up I drilled holes into slats and used the bolt/washer/wingnut as instructed by you. For the remaining loose slats I used velcro or zip ties(temporarily) until I figure out a more clean set up. Havent wanted to drill into metal cross bars. The areas to the rear w compromised corners/ like for AC elevated duct, I angled a couple of slats to accommodate. Not super dooper clean, but quite functional and cheap!
@@lisao1186 did you do a video or pictures of your build? I have a 2018 also and it appears to have a few extra holes in some places that his 2015 didn't have. I'm wondering if I can use some of those holes for the Plus nuts instead of drilling.
Seeing as how we used this van to drive 10 hours to Havasupai and back I can attest to the awesomeness of this hack. It was so nice being able to sleep in your van at the trailhead without having to get a hotel.
Personally, I would us at least 1/8" or 3/16 metal bar for the mount bars. Greater strength and rigidity. Just drill holes as needed. Otherwise, you could attach a wood strip (1×4) to wall and use Ikea hangers bolted on them.
Great Idea! I have the same decision. Mine is 2017 Ford Transit 15 passenger 350 HD Medium Roof. I removed 8 chairs and use it for cardo van, family transport, and camping van. I put all things I need as a portable ones and put them in on the back when I go camping. and cook there, eat there and sleep there. There are some hanging folding bed parts you can purchase, and you can set it up that way, when it's unfold, it can be a bed or a couch.
Great idea using IKEA parts. Did you think of some safety device that in the event of a frontal collision would prevent the whole platform from dislodging from the slats and fly in the heads of the passengers? May be some pins or tie downs.
good questions. It's bee a while and can't remember. All i know is that I got the sizes that worked mostly in the existing holes. I just had to bore the holes out a small bit.
Do you think I could screw those brackets in the side of a Dodge Caravan? The plastic? Is plastic sturdy enough? I don't want to strip everything out. I want simple, simple, simple. I was JUST about to pull the trigger with wood. Literally yesterday I made my template to go to Home Depot and found your video. This idea is SO MUCH BETTER. So much easier to take up and down. I could put the bed IKEA hangers in the plastic? Is that sturdy enough? It would be about 300 pounds of human sleeping with four SKORVA bed supports and I could put the brackets in the plastic on the Dodge - I mean even if you don't know - your thoughts? Thanks for the great video! GREAT idea!
Questions: 1- how do i turn off rear most cabin light when rear doors are open? 2- how did you mount the above hanging bits and how weight worthy are they? Have to take ceiling liners off?
This is incredibly inspiring and a great use of space. Thanks for sharing. QQ - if traveling/driving with the bed set up, any concerns about the bedrails dislodging in an accident, or are they really locked in there? Thanks again!
So we found your video very helpful and informative! We decided to recreate your set up. Our biggest problem was the brackets on the back doors. It took us over 4 hrs (I’m not exaggerating here, LOL) to put 1 hole in the metal. Gosh... what did you use & how?!?? We used a cobalt step drill bit, auto center punch, and a hard metal drill bit that could be used for steel. Help us please!! TIA!!
I had a hard time with that spot too. I had to go to my neighbor's house because he has all the specialized tools. It was a pain for sure. I wish I knew exactly what I used so that I can help you.
Yes! Nice! I have questions about removing the side panels on your passenger van. I'll check your other videos and see what you've done. Extra battery, solar and anything else. I'm also concerned going through the roof for fans. Also, do you have rear a.c.? If so, how's that working out? Lots of questions! Just subscribed, hope you have most that address these issues and more. Thanks!
I was watching this thinking it was great until I thought, huh, those would make great projectiles in an accident. I know it’s something that no one likes to think or talk about but I fasten down everything in my van builds so that it safe for the occupants in an accident. Just a thought.
Love the video! It really helps us a lot. Can you please tell me which type of drill bit you found to drill into the very difficult piece at the end, where you used the rivets? We’re totally doing this with our van!
Very cool! Are you able to put thre side paneling back and still use the bed, or have the rail exposed when seats are replaced? Love the removable concept, trying to figure out how it could retain the cupholders and 12v sockets. Do the rails sit above where the cupholders are?
Yes. If you took the bed down and wanted to put the back to rows of benches in, you could easily put the side paneling back over top the two side rail mounts.
@@SeekOutTheAdventure ah thanks! so the side paneling is not replaced before you put the bed in... any ideas how you could do a similar bed, but maintain the passenger paneling (cut out the bed rail sections?)
@@teammorio I see people maintaing the paneling by cutting holes. I have yet to do that but probably will eventually so that it looks all clean and nice.
Too cool. I've been concerned how to 'span the van' without a center stud. Thank you. I may not understand but... if one connected L brackets to the rails before installing beams could one drill straight into the beam and plywood to secure both to van? Also, lots of work but maybe you could take the bed down, reinsert the panels one at a time and premark the necessary cuts? Then install in the order that makes the best sense of the remaining panels? Just thinking and planning as I look for my transit. So clearly explained and thought out. Thank you.
I use L Brackets all the time but his install is much less expensive and still easily removed. L Brackets (AKA Air Cargo brackets) for the same length are $60-85 where his suggestion is about $14.00 X 2 sides. Wish I had seen his before I used L brackets which are now useless beneath the bed. IF you are going higher in your Van (like over the window) then L brackets are strong enough on their own to support the weight involved in the bed. Keep in mind that if you have 2 full-size adults plus the brackets, wood and mattress you could be looking at close to 400 lbs.
2 questions for ya: 1) Did you put a washer between the rivet nut and the slotted flat bar to make space for the ikea beam to slot in? 2). Is there anything behind the wall where you drilled to place the rivet nuts. From what I can see on mine it looks like it might be re-inforced with a second layer of metal there and I also see regular painted over circle marks along the wall. Not sure what those might indicate. Thank you again for the inspiration!
Yes. I used some washers to create a space between the mounting rail and the wall. I did encounter a few spots that I installed riv-nuts that had an extra layer of metal. it wasn't that big of a deal, but it did make some of my riv-nuts sit a little cockeyed.
So you're just pushing/resting the ends of the skorva beams onto/behind the slotted flat bar between your bolts? Does it ever bounce out on bumpy roads?
What is the piece you had to order from IKEA? I found the telescoping bed frame pieces but not that last little square you used by the door for the outer support... ?????
This is tremendously INSPIRING! Thank you for taking the time to share how you did this! We just got our 15-passenger mid roof Transit but we only need 7 seats, so the queen bed in back would be a perfect solution for us. So we would be able to re-install the last two rows of seats if we needed to haul more people, correct?
Christina Ashworth yes. You’ll be able to easily take the bed out and reinstall the benches. Camper van in the weekend, soccer mom carpool van in the weekend. Hahaha
great video.... been looking all over the net for a vid like this.... good job... I've got a ford 350(cargo no windows) high top long wheel base...im 5.10 and dont quite fit east to west... would you need another crossbar to do north to south... thanks a bunch
It depends on the thickness of the plywood you plan to use. You could probably get away with four cross bars spaced farther apart to make a longer north to south bed if you plywood is thick enough.
This is inspiring and truly awesome. I just ordered a 2020 transit and have been dreaming about ways to add a bed once I get it. This seems like the perfect solution. I had a question -- it seems like the skorva bed supports latch on to the railing with a relatively small lip. have you ever had incidents wear a support slipped off or the lip starts to bend from the weight? If I do this, my kids will most likely sleep underneath and I would worry about the potential of the bed collapsing on top of them. I'm guessing this hasn't happened but wondering if you had any close calls?
no close calls. the only chance that the skorva might hop off the rail is if you hit a big bump while driving. The rail has never bent because I made sure to had bolts to both sides of where I mount the skorva. I've had this set up for 1 year, and have used it a ton and all is good. go for it.
@@SeekOutTheAdventure brilliant. thank you for the quick and helpful reply. really love your setup because I have 5 kids and can't permanently sacrifice all the passenger seats like many of the conversions require. this allows for both.... "to bed, or not to bed... that is the.. option" lol. thank you!
Great video, thoughts on a mid or high roof transit? Would appreciate your opinion, We're a family of 5 getting ready to give up the truck for a transit.
Wonderful video! Thank you for showing the nuts and bolts - a great help for a lady considering doing some of the build herself! Can you tell me how the SKORVA support beams are attached on the side wall supports? I know that they rested on the aluminum strap you attached, but it must be attached to that with something?? I have a ProMaster but think this might work for me as well and I love the cost! My bed will be permanent, so I want to attach the beams with that in mind.
I had the same question when he pulled the telescoping beam out. It looked like there was a downturned lip on the end of the bed beam that slips down between the installed metal and the chassis of the van. Maybe SOTA can confirm.
Just a slight correction in that you call the attachment method "Plus-nuts" when your link sends you to "Riv nuts". I use Rivnuts all the time in my Van and love them. I have used a few Plusnuts when I want that extra expansion inside the wall for holding power. Rivnuts have less of a tendency to "spin" in place hence why I use them for 90% of the application. Since you have the link to Rivnuts here is the link for the plusnuts. www.amazon.com/S25MG280-PRE-BULBED-MULTI-GRIP-RIVET-NUT-020-280/dp/B010GQXJWI/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=plus+nuts&qid=1602715894&sr=8-2 Again in the spirit of helping others, you can also get the " "LeRoy"" slat systems for all bed sizes from IKEA which are easy to install and let the bed breath on the bottom. www.ikea.com/us/en/p/luroey-slatted-bed-base-50160213/ It should be noted that your plywood method is BETTER if you are going to remove the mattress frequently allowing the mattress to breathe from time to time. I've had mold form against plywood in a home install so I am sure with the increased exposure to moisture in our vans that could become an issue.
@@lisao1186 I used Rivnuts for the bed since I have 4-5 of them on each side. I use Plusnuts mostly on a singular attachment that would carry some weight. IE hammock suspentions etc.
I haven't put the panels back in yet because it would require me to trip them to fit around the bed. I've wanted to wait and confirm that this is what I want to do long term before I start making permanent mods to the panels. I've been pretty happy with the bed, so I think I will start trimming the panels.
This is awesome. We have 6 kids as well and have been trying to figure something out like this. How tall is the van? I'm kind of afraid that the medium height van will not quite fit in our garage????
as for the bed build, I don't think there is anything major that I'd do different. I'd like to figure out how to put some of the panels back on, but I'm afraid to start cutting up the panels. hahaha.
I'm looking for a folding sofa bed to install in back. My current 2002 Ford E-250 modified handicap van has rear seats that fold down into a sofa bed, and I am in the process of getting a new Ford Transit XLT Passenger van. But companies that modify vans for wheelchair use can no longer provide that option, and I really need that option in my new van. Any ideas?
I just temporarily wrapped some paracord around the plastic plugs that hold the headliner up. I've since replaced the plugs with bolts and bolt hangers. My how to build a campervan video shows the new anchors.
Starting at 2:30 .. you did not mention the name of the part that you had to contact Ikea for, nor did you include it in the links below. Can you please provide the name and part number that you had Ikea order for you to attach the Skorva to the van. Many thanks D
I wish I could share that info, but I don't have it. I looked for it on their website but they don't have it listed. It's a spare part that you can only special order. you'll have to talk with the IKEA people to identify it.
I believe this is the item you want: This is a UK link but the product name - SKORVA - should help you locate it near you www.ikea.com/gb/en/p/skorva-midbeam-galvanised-90124534/ I'm looking at using this approach but also using the ikea bed slats too which are available in different sizes www.ikea.com/gb/en/p/luroey-slatted-bed-base-50278726/
Another question 🤣: do you think it would be just as secure using ikea brackets for all the beams vs the mounting rail you used for the inner 3 beams? Our kiddos will be sleeping under, so just want to be SO sure we do this right to prevent any crushing of littles 👍🏼
Great build on the bed! Question for you that is a little off topic from this video...Do you know of any solutions for a single seat in the row right behind the driver and passenger seats? Something that can sit in that row for only one person instead of the three person bench seat?
Zachary Richter I don’t know of any simple solutions that wouldn’t require some fabricating. All the single seats that come with the transit are narrow and bolt down to the floor. You’d have to modify the spacing of the mounts and such. You can easily put a two person bench in that spot with out messing with anything
Removing the panels was pretty easy. There were only a few screw and the rest of a matter of popping out the "push pins" (don't know what they are called.) I did use a trim tool that helps provide some leverage to pop them out with out putting too much force on the panels.
How tall is your garage area? Could I fit just a full size bed if i dont add the drill area by the door? I'm not too keen into drilling into the hard metal
thanks for sharing. are the skorva beams just floating on the brackets or do they lock down? Just wondering how you locked down the bed beams so that it isn't capable of dislodging.
I've seen people do what I've done but with a different/taller mounting rail that allows the bed to sit higher. They will still mount the rail where I did, but the height of the rail allows the mounting brackets to sit higher for a higher bed.
@@SeekOutTheAdventure If you are using a 5/16" bolt, you have the wrong link posted. The link you gave is for 5mm plusnuts which use a much smaller bolt. We just tried to buy 5/16" bolts and they are double the size.
Great idea! Thanks for this video. I'm having trouble locating the IKEA brackets you used on the rear door pillars. Are they included with the SKORVA beams or are they separate?
They are separate. I had to ask the returns department for the spare part. They didn't have it in stock so they ordered a few for me. I believe they sent me more than two. So I might have some extra ones if you can't get them from IKEA.
Seek Out The Adventure Since we don’t have an IKEA in our state, I just ordered the SKORVA beams. To get the brackets, would you suggest I call IKEA in the morning and see if they can send some along with my order?
Have you figured a way to lock the beams into the brackets? We ordered extra Ikea brackets for the Skorva beams, and are considering using them instead of the steel bars on the inner sides. Trying to decise a way to lock the beams down for "crash safety". Any ideas appreciated!!
No i haven't found a way that I like to lock them in yet. Once I have the board bolted onto the beams, it acts as one giant unit and I've considered just anchoring it down to the floor in a few spots.
Awesome build. Quick question. What is the small piece that you attached to the Ikea skorva support beam in minute 2:38? It looks like a square with a lip. Many thanks.
that part is available through IKEA. I don't have the name or part number for it, but If you ask IKEA for the mounting bracket for the SKORVA bed supports, they'll be able to order you some.
@@davidrushing869 thank you. I appreciate it. I bought my van, but I have not picked it up yet. It is in San Diego and I live in northern California. I am inspired by your build and it's great seeing how you've designed your sleeping for 8. :)
Just give you a suggestion check out another guy that made a collapsible bed in his van on RU-vid he made it to where your bed could be collapse for your big family if you'd like. Seven O savage
I never did find a name for them. But they go with the SKORVA center support beams that they sell. I had to ask customer service to order me a few. They did and it didn't cost me anything.
@@frankwolf389 what are you planning to do with your van and how are you going to use it? If you are going to build it out with a bed and kitchenette, then use it to live in or go on weeklong trips, you might want to spring for the HR. But if you are going to merely build a bed in it and use it for weekend adventures like me, you could probably get away with the MR. The more you plan to spend in the van the more you'll want the HR.
