How do you build a legal safe bench seat convertible to bed?

[Herbie]

The next incarnation of my interior build will probably involve a custom-built rock and roll bed, and my approach to "safe" will be to over-build the base and continue to use approved seatbelts, etc.

Since this thread is back, I figured I should update with my new bench/bed:

So I built what is, essentially, a Volkswagen "Rock-n-Roll" bed using reproduction VW hinges from Bus Depot. Instead of the wood seating that VW used, everything is framed in 1" steel tube. The big trick to making a rock-n-roll bed safe is to include a latch so that the seat won't pivot backwards in an accident. I used a Hot-Rod "Bear Claw" style latch for this.

The other important safety detail is to have proper head-rests. In my case I was able to cannibalize the entire top-bar from my conversion van seat and re-use the whole headrest mechanism, but you could also just harvest the headrests and "support tubes" from a junkyard vehicle and built the supports into your own bed. (VWBusShop in Germany also sells kits for this, but not cheap!) As with the previous bench seat (an RVIA-approved conversion van bench), it is fastened through the floor with six 1/2" bolts, each backed with a 3" fender washer.

The basic design/construction of the frame is fairly straightforward, which I complicated with some extra design criteria. Full details starting here in my build thread.

 

[WVI]

That's slick!

 

[dahlers]

Great design - I was planning on doing something similar. I loved my various Westies, and in my new Ford Transit I'm building a bench seat with high platform bed behind it. The bench back lifts up to extend the bed. For headrests, the platform bed is high enough that the seat back is already at head height. What gauge steel did you use - 14ga, or?

 

[Binky]

For my Astro, I found a bench seat from a conversion van that folds out flat. Then I built a fold-out table and a parcel shelf for the back to make a bed big enough for two. The bench has a steel frame and mounts to tracks bolted to the floor. I think with the factory belts, it would be as safe as the stock bench. I can clear everything out in about 5 minutes for hauling larger items.

 

[wantahertzdonut]

What are you guys using for your cushion/mattress material?

 

[Corneilius]

Buy a foam mattress/topper local or from amazon and cut it down to size. BEWARE memory foam gets really hard in cooler temps and takes a while to soften up even with a heater. Lots of RTT guys make that mistake

 

[Coachgeo]

Who exactly do you think is going to check your seat to make sure it's legal?.....

yeah old question but since this was resurrected thread...... the answer is...... THE INSURANCE COMPANY!!! It is NOT so much about legality as it is about who is liable / responsible. if your vehicle is in an accident and the person in that seat is injured.... your insurance will deny paying for it cause it is not a factory seat and install. Insurance companies have a whole bank of "pre-paid" lawyers and they will use them to legally (i didn't say ethically) to save every dime they can for the insurance company by finding legal twist to support denial of a claim. Now your home made seat just cost your whole life's income up to date and all your income in the future after your injured friend's insurance company sues you cause that Ins. company too has lawyers whose job is to aid their company in avoiding paying claims.

these days rarely is it the individual that sues.... it is the insurance company.

 

[Bearded Hooligan]

I know this is an older thread, but I am hoping someone will chime in with something they have used recently. I am looking to add a bench seat that folds to a bed in my E350 EB. Anyone use something similar to something like this https://shop4seats.com/van-seats/sofas-and-benches/all-sofas-and-benches/princess.html

 

[Bikersmurf]

I know this is an older thread, but I am hoping someone will chime in with something they have used recently. I am looking to add a bench seat that folds to a bed in my E350 EB. Anyone use something similar to something like this https://shop4seats.com/van-seats/sofas-and-benches/all-sofas-and-benches/princess.html

I’ve got one similar. It came out of an ‘89 Ford conversion van. It has a platform behind the bench that makes for the top third of a queen sized bed. It’s reasonably comfortable… for a car seat. It’s better than most sofa beds. With a memory foam topper it’s pretty good.