Convertible Sofa/Bed

[OutWestBus]

As I was starting the build for my bus I scoured the internet for plans, or designs for a sofa bed that I liked. I wanted a full sized bed, not a single, in the front and I wanted it to be nice looking. I had decided on a futon for the cushion as that would be very comfortable whether you were sitting on it as a couch or sleeping on it as a bed. And of course, as with everything in a skoolie, space was a critical factor! I didn't want it to extend too far into the middle of the bus. I settled on this design:



The slats are interlaced so that when it pulls out into a bed there is still support:



And, because storage is so critical in a bus, the whole thing lifts up for storage:



I'd love to hear your feedback. And if anyone wants more detailed measurements etc, comment below and I'd be happy to share.

[DoubleO7]

You are a genius.

[NickyNicarter]

Originally Posted by OutWestBus

As I was starting the build for my bus I scoured the internet for plans, or designs for a sofa bed that I liked. I wanted a full sized bed, not a single, in the front and I wanted it to be nice looking. I had decided on a futon for the cushion as that would be very comfortable whether you were sitting on it as a couch or sleeping on it as a bed. And of course, as with everything in a skoolie, space was a critical factor! I didn't want it to extend too far into the middle of the bus. I settled on this design:



The slats are interlaced so that when it pulls out into a bed there is still support:



And, because storage is so critical in a bus, the whole thing lifts up for storage:



I'd love to hear your feedback. And if anyone wants more detailed measurements etc, comment below and I'd be happy to share.

Amazingggg! Is this for a queen ? And measurements please ? And if you have anymore pics of how to put it together that would be awesome too


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[DoubleO7]

the only thing I might suggest is the outer 1x12 going to the floor might need to be better secured. The horizontal 1x4 behind it might not resist the 1x12 from wanting to come loose?

[OutWestBus]

Originally Posted by DoubleO7

the only thing I might suggest is the outer 1x12 going to the floor might need to be better secured. The horizontal 1x4 behind it might not resist the 1x12 from wanting to come loose?

Yeah. I might add some metal corner braces if that gets to be a problem.

[OutWestBus]

Originally Posted by NickyNicarter

Amazingggg! Is this for a queen ? And measurements please ? And if you have anymore pics of how to put it together that would be awesome too

Hey Nicky- It's 32" deep by 75" wide. It will fit a full sized futon (54" x 75").

The platform is 12" tall and the slats are 1x4" slats.

[prof.fate]

when extended are the slats close enough together for it to work and not sag between the slats?

I can see getting my butt in a sling, so to speak.

[OutWestBus]

Originally Posted by prof.fate

when extended are the slats close enough together for it to work and not sag between the slats?

I can see getting my butt in a sling, so to speak.

LOL... I have a 6" foam futon on it... There's actually less space between the slats than in the fram I took the futon from...

I would imagine a thin cushion, like 3" or something would sag

[AlleyCat67]

That's about the only thing I would change there.... more slats, closer together... would add a little more weight but would also keep from getting posterior stuck in between them.... unless they're closer together in fact than they look when extended.

[OutWestBus]

Originally Posted by AlleyCat67

That's about the only thing I would change there.... more slats, closer together... would add a little more weight but would also keep from getting posterior stuck in between them.... unless they're closer together in fact than they look when extended.

I think they are closer together than they look in the photo. When its not extended there is about an inch on either side of the slats, and it's a 1x4 (which is really only 3.75", so the slats are about 5.75" apart when extended.

You could add more slats... You just want to make sure they are spaced so they slide in and out. If they get too close it's really hard to slide the couch out.

[Scooternj]

If you have an IKEA around, get one of their slatted bed bases. That can give you a good idea on slats, re: how far/many

[mysty]

Sweet! I have a design very much like this pinned on my Skoolie Pinterest board. I was thinking of expanding on it with some padded ottomans on wheels so that by day, I have a large u-shaped sectional, and by night, it pulls out into a double or queen sized bed, and the ottomans fit together to make another narrow bed for one of my daughters.

Imagine this, but with the back part pulling out like yours:

[AlleyCat67]

Oh ok they looked farther apart than that in the pictures..... that distance would be workable for my fat butt.

[DoubleO7]

Originally Posted by OutWestBus

LOL... I have a 6" foam futon on it... There's actually less space between the slats than in the fram I took the futon from...

I would imagine a thin cushion, like 3" or something would sag

If you had to you could put like seat belt webbing length ways over the slats. Light weight and does not ad bulk.
Maybe.

[OutWestBus]

Originally Posted by Scooternj

If you have an IKEA around, get one of their slatted bed bases. That can give you a good idea on slats, re: how far/many

yeah, that's kinda where I started... I originally was going to use this:
BRIMNES Daybed frame with 2 drawers - IKEA

But it extends too far into the middle of the bus even when collapsed.

[TAOLIK]

I approve of your awesome work. Like you took this idea and made it your own, I may take your idea and re-make it as my own. Awesome!

[WanderWoman]

Amazing! I've been looking for plans/ideas for exactly something like this!
Thanks for sharing!
Sandi

[GreenThunder]

How long is each slat? 30"?

[OutWestBus]

Originally Posted by GreenThunder

How long is each slat? 30"?

They are different lengths since some of the slats overlap the back cross beam. Those are 32". The rest are 29.25 (32-3.75 which is the actual width of a 1x4" board)

[Carytowncat]

Beautiful design!

Funny bed story;

When framing my bed i only had two 2x4s left so i ran one down each side and planned to get more... until i laid on the bed and the center sagged down like a craftmatic folding bed. It's like a cozy nest lol so i left if that way. Just to check my sanity; yesterday i added one down the center to eliminate that sagging, but nope- i enjoy it better with a nice sunken bowl in the posterior region. Sleep better and my back feels better. Granted i am only 145lbs, but i found my fit so to speak.