It forces you to learn new skills and deal with setbacks and screwups. We haven’t noticed anything different about our mattress. 7. This also means that they have less of an adverse effect on gas mileage and they won’t alter your vehicle’s center of gravity as much. It’s surprisingly easy to cut through memory foam, so just take it slow and follow the line. Rent a campervan or RV on Outdoorsy and get up to $40 off your booking. It can sleep three adults if necessary, or two adults very comfortably. It has two pockets inside for storing small items, an LED light, and a cigarette lighter plug so you can charge devices. The Roost Explorer is another wedge-style RTT, but it has the interesting option of removing the mattress and tent material so that it can function as a roof top cargo carrier instead, with 13 inches of height at the back and 5 inches of height at the front. Hi Nir, thanks for reading! Each of the three doors has a screen door layer as well. And don’t forget to follow us on Instagram @gnomad_home and on Facebook at Gnomad Home. The floor and roof panels are insulated with closed-cell polyethylene foam which helps prevent condensation, regulates against extreme temperatures, and minimizes rain and wind noise. The stationary slats are screwed down to both support frames. Les infos, chiffres, immobilier, hotels & le Mag https://www.communes.com The side rails add a lot of stability to our bed design and help the frame slide in and out with ease. We sandwiched them together using wood glue and screws. We needed something to support the bed frame on the passenger side, so we built this support shelf that does the job perfectly. For the sides of the frame, we used 1×4 furring strips, which are slightly thinner than regular 1×4 lumber. We cut two 1×2’s and four pieces of ½ plywood to the length of the rear platform. We screwed the legs down to the laminate flooring with 1-½” angle brackets and ¾” self-tapping screws. We also screwed 1×2’s flush with the bottom of the side rails to provide support for the mattress. I had a question about your mattress. Love your van build! When closed, this tent resembles any other hard shell RTT, with locking double-layered FRP top and bottom panels. One of our favorite van add-ons. However, our opinions are entirely our own. Van Dog Traveller’s bed becomes a nice bench seat that also flips open to access a storage area. For the supports, we screwed a 1×3 directly to the metal post next to the side door using 1-⅝” self-tapping sheet metal screws (countersunk into the wood so the heads aren’t sticking out), then screwed another 1×3 on top of it. That’s an interesting question, and one we’ve been kicking around ourselves for our next van. After some trial and error, we settled on having 12 stationary slats screwed to the bed platform (all 1×3’s), and 11 slats that move with the pullout frame (ten 1×3’s and one 1×2). Many vanlifers use 2×4’s in their bed construction, but 2×3’s are more than strong enough. Click the button below for 3% off your purchase. We used 1×3 furring strips (and a 1×2 furring strip) for the bed slats. So it may be a bit hard at first in cold temps, but as it absorbs your body heat it should conform. Most soft shell tents require manual unfolding, so they take slightly longer to set up than hard shell tents. Also, we have a Ford extended van. The interior of the hard shell is lined with reinforced quilted insulation which minimizes sounds and extreme temperatures. Here’s a link to Sportsmobile’s layout options, which may be helpful. You can open both ends to easily access all your storage, or just pop one end (so it opens like a wedge) to quickly grab something. Awesome discounts from some of our favorite companies. Here are some others: –You could potentially rig something up that flips out from one of the walls. They also tend to be cheaper than hard shell RTTs. If you make a purchase we may earn commission. Hi Tina, thanks for reading! Van Dog Traveller’s mattress also serves as the cushions for his bench seat. Thanks! A 2-inch multi-density foam mattress with a removable cover is included, although a ladder is not. This is definitely something we will research further and add an update – fiberglass is nasty stuff. The setup is fairly easy. Finally i’ve found something similar to what I want to do, thank you. When we were researching…. A 2000-pound winch motor raises and lowers the tent using a rope and pulley. Learn more. The Expedition 3 Roof Top Tent is made entirely of aluminum, which allows it to carry a heavy load on the built-in crossbars and means that it can be set up very quickly. The shelf is a 1×4 screwed down to the supports, then we added heavy duty angle brackets for extra strength. Roof top tents are designed to be more durable than ground tents and they are generally quicker and easier to set up too. Our bed frame was built, but we were still missing one crucial component: a comfortable mattress that we could modify for our bed design. Once we get our bed set up, we just pull the protector and sheet over the rest of the mattress. Alternatively, you can order a custom tent of any size up to 63 inches wide and 118 inches long. Talk about a low profile! It worries me – especially breathing it in! To solve this, we added a crossbar underneath to connect the pullout slats, and side rails to guide and support the frame as it slides in and out. Hi Carl and Renee, thanks so much for the kind words, and we’re so glad we were able to help you get started on your adventure! GFC even makes a special mounting kit for 5th Generation 4Runners that allows you to delete the sharkfin antenna and mount the tent just half an inch above the factory sheet metal. The bed rests on the kitchen unit on one side, and we built a support shelf on the other side that we screwed directly into the van’s metal frame. The tent has two windows and two doors, all with canvas and mesh layers so you can zip up in a storm or feel a cool breeze on warm nights. You can open the latch and pull out the ladder and the tent stretches out with it. Decalibron Loop: Bag Four Colorado 14ers In A Single Day. It is the thinnest RTT ever made at 6 inches thick when it’s closed. Hi Lina, great question! The support frames are 24” tall, which matches the height of our kitchen unit. After logging in you can close it and return to this page. The doorways can be converted into shade awnings with the included poles as well. Especially if you’re traveling with another person, it’s vital to maximize every inch and make sure there’s plenty of available space for stretching out. Hope that helps! And…, The van we bought was a 1996 Chevy Express high top conversion van with a wheelchair lift. The mattress pad is a nice alternative when you want to be warm in the van overnight but don’t want to heat the … (Excludes sale items and batteries). Often the mattresses in hard shell RTTs are thicker and more comfortable than in soft shell tents as well. 54 talking about this. We upholstered the seat cushions with some colorful fabric that we picked up at Hobby Lobby. Are Chevy vans the best van to live in? Please borrow freely from our bed design, but make sure to change it to fit your van! A really thin mattress might be lighter and easier to deal with, but it would also sacrifice on comfort. UPDATED: January 2021. Van Dog Traveller took a different route and included legs that pull out with the bed frame. The advantages of this style include the fact that they generally close down smaller and are more aerodynamic than soft shell RTTs. Hard shell tents have rigid top and bottom pieces (usually aluminum or fiberglass) that essentially sandwich any soft parts (tent walls, mattress, bedding, etc.) It means you don’t have to fuss with a cooler full of ice and water-logged food. We cut the cover off using scissors, then sewed it back around the large section after we cut the mattress. You also have the option to add an extended awning to the rear of the tent so you can have more space for other activities. But we also didn’t want our bed to take up too much of the living area. While we can’t fully…, One very important thing to consider when preparing to live in a van is temperature control. We attached the legs to the support frame using pocket holes on one side and 1-½” angle brackets on the other side. The mattress that comes along the tent is a King size as well. I heard some reviews that say not to cut the mattress because it had a fiberglass cover and removing it gets fiberglass all over the place. Van Darkholme works over two hard naked slaves.. Danny Lopez sucks and rides two cocks in gay threesome sex scene Busty Richelle teases Lex and gets her tender fleshy pussy cheeks probed Sexy schoolgirl penetrated with toys and big cock Hot Latina chick loves eating that monster black chocolate bar Und dann kommt der Alte rein Sexy Japanese Chick Mei Haruka Part 4 Dm720 Thermal and acoustic insulation in the roof panel means that you won’t be disturbed by rain noise either, and you’ll stay warm even in the coldest camping locations. This wedge-style tent opens to an impressive 4 feet of interior height and weighs in at only 150 pounds. These can be somewhat difficult to pack up however, since there is a lot of fabric to be folded and tucked away between the two plates. It comes with a 3-inch foam mattress and a telescoping ladder. Your guide to outdoor adventure since 2019. We attached the sides to the front of the frame with pocket holes, screws from the bottom, and cleats made from 1×1 strips for extra stability. Again, we did not have a fiberglass issue with our mattress back in 2016, but I can’t say guarantee they haven’t made any changes since then. Thanks again! A telescoping aluminum ladder is included. The side rails provide a sturdy channel to guide the bed frame and prevent them from moving up and down or side to side. A 3.5-inch closed-cell foam mattress is removable for easy cleaning. The shelves at the front and back of our van are made of sheet metal and are part of the original roof. The setup is pretty solid and does not move at all, but I agree that attaching to the van body would be better, and I wouldn’t be surprised if things flew around in a crash. I’m on the hunt for mine now, and I’ve heard that memory foam can be quite cold in chilly weather. Did you have any concerns or issues with it? Our bed acts as the backrest for a bench seat that’s revealed when we push the bed in. It will also be very structurally weak, and I probably wouldn’t trust it to hold much weight. In this topic, the only option I have been able to.come up with is a double size bed going across the back and a twin that slide under it, leaving a seating spot exposed. We respect your privacy – unsubscribe any time. It comes in both a standard and extended option. A really thick mattress would be unwieldy and take too much height away from the bedroom area. This little shelf holds up our bed frame like it’s nothing, and makes it rock solid when it’s fully extended. The pull-up style of soft shell tent looks more like a ground tent but functions like a wedge-style hard shell, where the support poles are simply pulled up into place, which stretches the fabric walls taught. There are two main types of RTTs: hard shell and soft shell. It’s also easy to setup and breakdown, and the mattress is super comfortable too! The Mt. Other than that, it’s basically a multilayer foam mattress. Hi Ryan, thanks for commenting! We safety-pinned the far end of it to the rear of the mattress to keep it in place (along with the fitted sheet). You definitely have more room with an extended and could leave it – then you would have a bed available all the time. The ability to gel-coat fiberglass means that color-matching one’s truck is much easier if this is a concern. The front is a nice-looking 1×4 piece attached to a 1×3 bottom piece to screw the slats to. What is the length of your be when extended and when closed up in bench mode? Stay tuned for more van build tutorials, travel updates, and fun philosophical musings. Gas struts allow you to open the tent with just a touch. Hope that helps! Finally, with many hard shell tents, you have the option to add storage on top of the tent, which can still be used even when the tent is deployed. My only fear in doing a moveable bed is the mattress situation. Instead, we used a regular serrated bread knife and it worked perfectly. The stationary slats extend into the rear door frame. Our frame now slides in and out easily, and we’re able to convert it from bed mode to couch mode and back again with hardly any effort. 10% off solar kits, inverters, DC-DC chargers, accessories, and more! I haven’t heard anything about memory foam getting overly cold, but it is heat-activated and stiffens up in the absence of heat. Trailandsummit.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. This RTT is quite roomy, with an inside height of 59 inches when deployed, 90.5 inches of length, and 57 inches of width. The strong design of the tent floor means it can support up to 650 pounds. We cut the slats to the proper length (this all depends on your specific van configuration and the length of the bed platform) and screwed them down, alternating between stationary and moveable. – and, of course, the high top. It’s not quite as nice as the 10-inch Tuft & Needle mattress we had in our house, but we have no complaints. After spending so much time designing and building this pullout bed frame, we were pretty excited to test it out. Roof top tents (RTTs) are becoming more and more popular, and for good reason. Any precautions I need to take before/after cutting the mattress? Hi there, I have a question about the mattress. We also relied heavily on IntotheMystery13’s configuration of a bed platform in the back with a pullout frame supported by the kitchen unit. Hi, when pushed back in/assembled for day time/travel, does it rattle at all? You agree to receive emails from Gnomad Home. Makes perfect sense to us, best of both worlds, thank you! 10 Best Sprinter Van Conversion Companies, Toyota Tundra For Overlanding – Pros/Cons and Owner QnA, Go Fast Campers: Owner QnA Plus Product Overview, Overland Vehicle on a Budget: Under $7,500 Spent. The Hawk features a 20-gallon fresh water tank, a fully equipped kitchenette, an east-west queen bed, a three-way 1.7-cubic foot reefer, and attractive yet durable interior woodwork. Here’s a few more reasons we love them: Ready to dive into the list of best hard shell roof top tents? Weve used a lot of your advice in the build and used a lot of your amazon links so hopefully you get a little something from that! Check out our Instagram page for a video of how this works. Another South African-made tent, this aluminum RTT is unique in that it combines wedge-style and pop-up style tents. When used as a cargo box, it offers a substantial 23 cubic feet of space. Setting up and stowing a hard shell tent is much easier and quicker and can be done by one person even in adverse weather. Get all of Hollywood.com's best Celebrities lists, news, and more. In my comment on stripping out the van, I stated that I have the gmc version of the express and the hightop is tricked out and leading me to avoid stripping it out. Sydney Ferbrache writes about the pros and cons of living full time in a self-converted Ford Transit. Password requirements: 6 to 30 characters long; ASCII characters only (characters found on a standard US keyboard); must contain at least 4 different symbols; still recommend?? I have been a nurse since 1997. We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. This tent can be installed on a variety of vehicles and features built-in awnings over both windows and both doors. The mattress is supported by slats. Hi guys! welcome to my hentai queendom! She enjoys rock climbing, paddleboarding, hiking, and generally being outdoors! Do they sell in the USA? The interior of the hard shell is lined with reinforced quilted insulation which minimizes sounds and extreme temperatures. Two adults can fit comfortably in this tent, which includes a 3-inch foam mattress, an anti-condensation mat, and an 8.5-foot telescoping ladder. This South Korean company promises that you can set up this elaborate RTT in less than 60 seconds! Learn more about me here. The HyBox has the dual function of a pop-up RTT and a cargo box: simply zip the tent portion off or on to suit your needs. As far as its performance as a tent goes, the X-Cover is a cozy, yet functional roof top tent that sets up in just three minutes. We found ourselves borrowing a lot of concepts from other vanlifers and modifying, improving and customizing them to our needs. The login page will open in a new tab. Our bed frame fits pretty tight to the mattress so we don’t have any problems with it sliding around. Each support frame consists of a crossbar that runs across the width of the van, with two legs holding it up from underneath. There are a few things to think about when designing this type of bed frame. Before my last purchase on 3-20-2019, I questioned which color of the door mats would go best with my house. Hi Charles, the sides are only screwed into the 1/4″ plywood. No sense dropping hundreds of dollars on something we’re going to cut apart and beat up on the road. We have utilized your van plan to the max so just want to say a quick thank you!! The wedge style involves a hinge at the end of the tent that’s closest to the front of your vehicle (where your feet go), and the back end of the tent then opens up several feet, giving you lots of headroom. We tried using Heat Bond to attach the seams here also, but the hold just wasn’t strong enough. We first got the idea for an expanding bed frame from Van Dog Traveller’s bench that pulls out into a bed. Thanks! So, when the high topper was added, the conversion company basically cut a big hole in the middle of the van and attached the fiberglass top, leaving the original roof over the cab and the rear. You can follow her adventures on Instagram at @stu.the.bus. Do you still think the mattress needs to be split? A bed that slides out from under your main bed is a good idea. Let’s take a look at the differences and some pros and cons. We mounted the side rails to the support frame by screwing them into the ends of the 1×3 (in the back) and 1×2 (in the front) boards sitting atop the support frame. Easier and quicker and can be a rougher surface as well, the... Holds up well even in snow info and then shoot them a message on website... Cover is included, although a ladder is not 1×3 bottom piece to screw the slats to adults! 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