Hi all, I’ve got an interesting requirement of storing 2 bikes inside a van with easy access. My idea is to use a Super High roof, and instead of the classic elevator bed that you can walk under, I want to do a raised floor with the bed hidden in the floor towards the cab, and the sitting/lounge area above it. Attached is a render of an initial idea, the bed being blue (and in the floor) in the render.
This means with a standard height kitchen counter in the back of the van, plus the 6" raised floor underneath, we get enough height under the counter to put the bikes. It also means a full ceiling for fans where we want them, room for recirculating shower in the kitchen, and other under-floor storage for heavy things like batteries.
The challenge is the bed, as with that large of an area, a cover would flex and dip when standing in the middle, and there won’t be a lot of height to put cross beams if I want a 6" mattress. I’d also ideally want a way to “raise” the bed, but that’s secondary.
Anyone have ideas for this kind of build? Also, any thoughts on if the Super High Roof narrows more at the top than a High Roof? I haven’t seen one in person yet.
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Water and dirt follows gravity, so my immediate thought is that you’ll need to sweep grit out every day and never spill.
Yea, I have plans for a trough along the seam of the lid with rubber compressed seals to help with this. The bed won’t go to the very edge of the flooring, will be slightly raised, and removable for cleaning underneath.
Could you split the mattress in two with a removable support brace that goes in the middle when it’s stowed? Not ideal but always a compromise
Thats an interesting idea… I would probably want to do 3 so the splits are across the back and knees vs weight points when laying down, but the trick would be trying to do it without having to remake the bed. Hmmm
Very unique and interesting layout. I’d definitely have a good gasket / seal around the bed and floor panels to prevent debris and liquid egress. Theres some good thin memory foam mattresses that can save you height that can go towards stiffening the floor panels.
We hate memory foam unfortunately. We’ve been using normal high density foam in 3 layers (progressively softer) which we like.
Can’t you attach it on top or behind? This seems like it would be a lot of hassle.
Not really, unfortunately. Need to be able to get to them easily, and on the back is a problem for urban parking.
Murphy bed instead?
The key need for the raised floor is to fit bikes under the counter. So the bed underneath is intended to make use of the space.
When you use the bed where do the bikes go?
It makes so much more sense now. I thought bikes were going on top of the bed area.
They will stay under the kitchen cabinet, loaded from the back doors.
