Correct me if I'm wrong, but I haven't seen this bed type on EOC yet (through my short time of browsing the forums). I did lots of searching to find a bed that is most likely going to fit my needs. My needs are as follows:
1. Able to have one rear seat in place while the bed is in the Element
2. Light enough for one person to move it (to use as an outdoor bench while camping)
3. Expands into a bed that is wide enough for 2 people to sleep (with just over 40" wide, you have to like the person enough to sleep that close!)
4. Long enough for leg room while sleeping
5. Able to store luggage underneath
(Please keep in mind, this is my first woodworking project ever. Aside from some stuck nails and confusion, I did alright. I also didn't have a drill, so that was a pain! If you have a drill and a good saw, you're one step ahead of me :razz
My plan:
A bench 21" wide able to fit snug on one half of the Element
1x2 rough lumber slats nailed to the frame, alternating which side it is nailed to, meaning when the 3rd seat is flipped up, the bed can expand.
The total length of the bed is 53" long, giving perfect space from the rear door to the top of the front seats when they are laid back. This means over 4 feet of bed (then let your feet rest on the front seat laid back OR slide the front seats up and build an extra box to fill the space to have an ~72" bed
Confusing? Kinda... Maybe my pictures will help!
![]()
Good look at frame (note two slats nailed)
![]()
Good look at the frame expanded (the slats came apart =O)
![]()
"Finished" product (You can imagine how it would look collapsed. I never took a picture of it like that, for whatever reason. But yes, the left seat does latch into place when the bed is collapsed!)
I say "'finished'" because I still want to stain/paint it and put some padding/upholstery on it somehow. I tried to stain it today but I don't think it looks too good, so I might take some nice Rustoleum spray to at least the frame and legs! Ideas for upholstery and padding would be greatly appreciated. I'm on a "soon-to-be-college-graduate" and "soon-to-be-teacher" budget (whichever way you look at it, it's a small budget! Haha!
1. Able to have one rear seat in place while the bed is in the Element
2. Light enough for one person to move it (to use as an outdoor bench while camping)
3. Expands into a bed that is wide enough for 2 people to sleep (with just over 40" wide, you have to like the person enough to sleep that close!)
4. Long enough for leg room while sleeping
5. Able to store luggage underneath
(Please keep in mind, this is my first woodworking project ever. Aside from some stuck nails and confusion, I did alright. I also didn't have a drill, so that was a pain! If you have a drill and a good saw, you're one step ahead of me :razz
My plan:
A bench 21" wide able to fit snug on one half of the Element
1x2 rough lumber slats nailed to the frame, alternating which side it is nailed to, meaning when the 3rd seat is flipped up, the bed can expand.
The total length of the bed is 53" long, giving perfect space from the rear door to the top of the front seats when they are laid back. This means over 4 feet of bed (then let your feet rest on the front seat laid back OR slide the front seats up and build an extra box to fill the space to have an ~72" bed
Confusing? Kinda... Maybe my pictures will help!
Good look at frame (note two slats nailed)
Good look at the frame expanded (the slats came apart =O)
"Finished" product (You can imagine how it would look collapsed. I never took a picture of it like that, for whatever reason. But yes, the left seat does latch into place when the bed is collapsed!)
I say "'finished'" because I still want to stain/paint it and put some padding/upholstery on it somehow. I tried to stain it today but I don't think it looks too good, so I might take some nice Rustoleum spray to at least the frame and legs! Ideas for upholstery and padding would be greatly appreciated. I'm on a "soon-to-be-college-graduate" and "soon-to-be-teacher" budget (whichever way you look at it, it's a small budget! Haha!
