Structure for Campervan seating/bedding

[mckinnon100]

hello. i am about to use 3" x 3" pine wood to create a structure for the seats/bed. am i working with the right material and do you have any tips to help me ensure a solid base.

the seating will be L shaped along the back of the van and down the side. 5' by 6' by 2' and 10" high to hold foam cushions.

thanks for your help.

 

[big-all]

way over engineered

the usual is somthing like 2x1" planed [or smaller]and 4mm ply

i suggest you use 2x1"[19x44mm] and 6mm ply form a box from the ply reinforced on all edges and joins with the wood
as long as the ply and wood is glued together and secured to the floor if opened bottomed you will have an immensly strong structure and plenty off top opening storage

assuming the box has no span bigger than 24" you should be ok with 12mm ply on top

 

[kevindgas]

all you need is
1. some wood
2. some petrol
3. a box of matches or a lighter

then you won't be out cluttering up the new forest roads

 

[xerxes]

I agree with Big-All.

You need to save weight where you can (otherwise you'll be paying for it in extra fuel) and maximise the available storage space. Appropriate thicknesses of plywood make ideal material.

 

[oilman]

Commercial stuff is done using a light weight ply with laminate surfaces. You could get it from the places that do van to camper conversions.

 

[mckinnon100]

Thanks to you all incl kevindglass. good sense of humour mate. i will do as you advise espclly big-all.

 

[kevindgas]

all said in jest
but seriously as others have said frame can be much lighter

 

[big-all]

Thanks to you all incl kevindglass. good sense of humour mate. i will do as you advise espclly big-all.

oilman makes a good point about "finnished ply"
may i make a suggestion that you shop around as the specialist supplies of "thin faced ply"will be very expensive a sheet of 8x4ft 6mm ply will be less than £10 thats why i suggested 6mm ply
they would usually use somthing like 3.17ply with 18x18mm battons my suggestion allows the cheapest solution with enough redundancy for errors in construction allowing you to still have full strength with minimal weight increse

i would suggest boxes of only 12mm ply or mdf without a frame but this needs care not to delaminate the sides and with mdf needs waterproofing especialy at floor level

any way if your in or near surrey pop round and i will make my suggestions for nowt
i have worked on a caravan a van conversion a dormobile and a sooty and sweep van