bolts and anchor points

[james19000]

Hello,

I am helping out a friend here who wishes to add a suspended bed within his van.

His intention is to suspend a bed from the internal ribbing/ roof struts.

There are some holes already drilled out and we would like to use these if possible.

Considering the weight of suspending a light weight frame bed and a person, these holds have to be solid and secure.

Does anyone know of the type of bolts we should be using to anchor a pivot point to these holes?

The depth of these bolts is limited by the space available within the struts.

I have already proposed that we use some steel braided lanyard or some webbing to suspend the bed.

Any advise would be massively appreciated.

 

[Burnerman]

Bear in mind that internal van roof supports aren't usually welded in place but stuck....suspending weight from them may cause them to break free.
No matter, use 10 or 12 mm bolts but the great problem could be keeping the nuts captive. The van doesn't have any strengthen areas where a roof rack / bars go, by chance?
John

 

[Tigercubrider]

I would ask the van manufacturer. Hanging a weight from the roof isn't what they were designed for.
There are primarily to stop the sides of the van folding inwards

Why not just build a platform on legs ? Or use the sides at least to mount something that was intended for cargo tiedowns?

Apart from anything else, when low enough to sit up, it will swing around like a ship at sea

 

[Tigercubrider]

 

[mattylad]

Those holes are nice but totally useless to you as you cannot get the nut or bolt the other side of them.