Truck Camper Bed

A month later, the bed is made! I found some temporary drawers, have tested out the bed, the Buddy Heater and the connector (Kovea lpg adapter) for a large bottle of propane to my backpacking stove (MSR Whisperlite Universale). Everything works well except the propane connector and I'm planning to buy this Coleman Powerpack stove instead for convenience and safety and solidity.

I've temporarily installed MEC inflatable mattresses with egg crate foam toppers covered in MEC sheets for the bed/couch. This week I will check out 3" 2lb foam and egg crate topper, covered in poly-cotton for the permanent bed. Outgassing from the foam is a concern and if that turns out to be a problem, we will let it sit at home while on this trip and use our temporary set up.

I've been working in the living room. The bed is made up of interlacing slats. It slides together into a seat. I had some pieces cut at Home Depot and had some cutting to do with my precision miter saw. Every piece was planed. Things take time with hand tools, but there is much less sawdust everywhere in the living area.

Finally coming together using only hand tools

Pulled out into bed formation (before legs were installed)

Pushed back into couch mode

I built these supports to go over the wheel well covers to level the bed with the side "wings"

The shower curtain tension rod keeps the bed from sliding out on bumpy roads

There is a lot of storage area under the bed

Now for the legs

installing the legs

Legs installed, couch set up. The composting toilet is on the left and the drawers
on the top left were free from a neighbour who was moving 

Double bed set up. The Reflectix insulates the window against cold nights
and is mounted with magnets for easy removal.

A sitting room

I'm very happy with the cozy, quiet atmosphere this couch conveys, even on a dreary dark rainy November Vancouver day.

More pieces to assemble

Next are the shelves and counter for the right side by the door of the camper. They are lying in pieces on the living room floor.

Deadline shmedline

It is December 2. Our deadline for leaving is December 17. Will we make it? So much to do yet. The building is taking me so long because of job and health constraints, but the health is looking up and I'm hoping I'll have more time each week before we are to set off to finish the shelves and the counter, install the foam mattress, take care of health insurance, money, pack, and a myriad of other details.

We will play it by ear, leaving date has some flexibility. I will post as things progress.