Advice on building false floor in T5 Transporter - surfing, camping

[downhilljon]

Hi all,

Stoked with the 2nd hand T5 I picked up a couple of weeks ago… first van, first VW, loving it

I've booked in a surfing road trip to Byron Bay, so now I have to get building to deck out the back of the van!

I've come up with a bit of a design to suit my needs, and it all seems fairly straight forward. Basically there will be a false floor around 300mm off the original floor, surfboards and similar plus spare tyre to go underneath this in 2 lengthwise compartments (slide the boards in from the back). Shouldn't need to support masses of weight, just 2 people sleeping and the bed, plus a bit of other stuff. Then I'll build a removable bed frame, to be used in single or double config, with some more room for storage tubs under that. A couple of magnetic curtains, and she should be right to go...

Just after some advice though on suitable materials for nice sturdy construction. Here is what I've planned, happy for suggestions...

- False floor will be 12mm ply, possibly structural grade if needed. This will be supported by a central beam/truss made from 70x35mm pine (kind of like stud wall construction with some diagonal bracing struts), and 6 of 70x35mm legs on the outside, bolted into the holes that held the D-shaped tie down loops. The 12mm ply is pretty stiff, so given it will be spanning 600-650mm, does anyone know from a similar setup whether that will be thick enough?
- Will cover the false floor with auto/marine carpet from Bunnings.
- The bed will use similar materials, although the framework will support the plywood sleeping platform a little better. But essentially all the load from sleeping people will go down through the bed frame, which will be supported almost directly over the false floor supports anyway. That's why I'm thinking 12mm ply might be enough...

Love to hear what others in this position have done...

Thanks!
Jon

[Sunny43.5]

Sounds like a good design the only information I will offer is to buy the carpet from a Motor Trimming supply company called Nolans UDA or Daleys Motor trimming supplies both are in Sydney they will be heaps cheaper than Bunnings by a mile .

[Rebuild]

I take it this false floor is easily removable, for when you want to fit large stuff in the full load space
If it's to be fixed in, i sorta like the idea of it,say, hinged at the side edges and split down the middle to fold up out of the way to the van sides when you want the full load space.Or hinged on one nearside edge.
Just a thought, not done it myself

[downhilljon]

Thanks for the tip Sunny43.5! Will look into it...

[downhilljon]

Good thought Rebuild...

I hadn't designed it to be removable, because I don't see myself needing that extra height. In a pinch, I could just unbolt the floor and pull it out… but I will see if there's an easy way to adjust the design to hinge up...

Thanks!

[Transporter]

You could also use the steel for the frame work instead of the wood and save some weight. Use plywood only for the top.

[downhilljon]

Thanks Transporter, I did consider steel briefly, but as this is a DIY job I need to stick with the tools and skills I have right now… that means timber!

[Gold Coaster]

I know it's not exactly what you're after but it might give you an idea.
DIY seat-bed? - VW T4 Forum - VW T5 Forum

[downhilljon]

Thanks Gold Coaster… very handy!

[Big Bug]

I have just installed this seat in my van. Back goes down forward or goes backwards for a bed. Or you can tilt the whole seat forward or take it out altogether. Has removable headrests but I haven't installed them yet as I'm not quite game to put a hole in the vinyl yet. I bought it because it had integrated lap/sash seatbelts.