I figure I will have a lot of questions so I should put them all in one thread :).I got a new van! Well, an old one, but new to me. It's in another state, and I won't see it in person for a few months, but I have test driven this same model, and local mechanic and friend approve this specific van. Now I am planning, and maybe buying parts. I wish I could post pics or tell you the make/model, but I have an online stalker who has been dangerous in real life, so I won't.First topic: BedI can often find a level spot by jockeying the van back and forth, but when I cannot, I think it makes more sense to level the bed then to level the van, if I'm only staying one night. I need a system that is easy on a sore back at the end of the day. I thought a lot about a motor-and-pulley system, but decided I did not want the bed swinging while driving.My best idea so far is to use 3 of those 12v motorized jacks, made for small cars. They are way overkill, of course. Do any of you know of something that is powered but lighter in weight?Somebody posted a link a while back to those giant airbags that lift buildings. I do have a 12v compressor, if a smaller air bag is available ;).

Wouldn't a memory foam gel mattress sort of be auto leveling when you are in it?

Why not do what most do and place a board under a wheel? If you attach a rope to it, it's easy to pull out and carry. Giving out inspiration and advice without knowing the model of the van is going to be difficult. I don't think posting that is going to be a severe security breach. It's not like a stalker can search for you in the millions of the model van produced. Or, if you're lucky, he/she will. That is, until he meets another camper that is also security minded and opens fire.

westend wrote:Why not do what most do and place a board under a wheel? If you attach a rope to it, it's easy to pull out and carry. That's what I do now, but it's tricky on rough terrain, in the dark, in the rain... It's worth it for a longer term stay, but for overnights I'd prefer to do just the bed.

Naio wrote:westend wrote:Why not do what most do and place a board under a wheel? If you attach a rope to it, it's easy to pull out and carry. That's what I do now, but it's tricky on rough terrain, in the dark, in the rain... It's worth it for a longer term stay, but for overnights I'd prefer to do just the bed.Throw a couple of hundred dollars at it and have an additional battery drain. Your choice.

Don't know if you've thought about or even if it would work...several months ago in a junk store, they had 6 old hosp beds that looked like they go every which way. They would need a lot of mods for size and elec, but when done I bet they would be very comfortable, flipping a button to level.

My new van buildout thread | Good Sam Community

96 Replies

Naio
Explorer II
Jul 23, 2016
westend wrote:
Naio wrote:
westend wrote:
Why not do what most do and place a board under a wheel? If you attach a rope to it, it's easy to pull out and carry.

That's what I do now, but it's tricky on rough terrain, in the dark, in the rain... It's worth it for a longer term stay, but for overnights I'd prefer to do just the bed.
Throw a couple of hundred dollars at it and have an additional battery drain. Your choice.

Well, I AM looking for a better solution! But I think the battery drain will be minimal.

My bed is not that heavy :). I use power now to pull my ice machine into the van and I cannot even get my charger to believe this uses any juice at all from my current single battery. Once I add my 4 new/used ones...
path1
Explorer
Jul 23, 2016
Don't know if you've thought about or even if it would work...several months ago in a junk store, they had 6 old hosp beds that looked like they go every which way. They would need a lot of mods for size and elec, but when done I bet they would be very comfortable, flipping a button to level.
westend
Explorer
Jul 23, 2016
Naio wrote:
westend wrote:
Why not do what most do and place a board under a wheel? If you attach a rope to it, it's easy to pull out and carry.

That's what I do now, but it's tricky on rough terrain, in the dark, in the rain... It's worth it for a longer term stay, but for overnights I'd prefer to do just the bed.
Throw a couple of hundred dollars at it and have an additional battery drain. Your choice.
Naio
Explorer II
Jul 23, 2016
westend wrote:
Why not do what most do and place a board under a wheel? If you attach a rope to it, it's easy to pull out and carry.

That's what I do now, but it's tricky on rough terrain, in the dark, in the rain... It's worth it for a longer term stay, but for overnights I'd prefer to do just the bed.
westend
Explorer
Jul 23, 2016
Why not do what most do and place a board under a wheel? If you attach a rope to it, it's easy to pull out and carry.

Giving out inspiration and advice without knowing the model of the van is going to be difficult. I don't think posting that is going to be a severe security breach. It's not like a stalker can search for you in the millions of the model van produced. Or, if you're lucky, he/she will. That is, until he meets another camper that is also security minded and opens fire.
darsben1
Explorer
Jul 23, 2016
Wouldn't a memory foam gel mattress sort of be auto leveling when you are in it?

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My new van buildout thread

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