Cheap Child's Cot Alternative

[bac914]

Here's a few pics of a cot I made for my van. I used 2 inch pvc pipe for the main span and 1.5 inch for the cross pieces. Sewed sleeves in the fabric and slipped the pvc through and connected the pvc together. Then ran rope through the long pieces and through a hole in 1.5 inch pieces that are used to prevent the rope from slipping back through the door closure. Store it in the pop top gap up top when not in use. So far, the 6 year old loves it. Now we can sleep 5 comfortably.

[Steelhead]

clever! thanks for sharing.
(just remember not to open the doors when there's a kid sleeping...but you've already considered that). You could also use rubberized hooks and hang it from the drip rails. That would allow you to open and close the doors.

With only one todler, I figure I've got at least 7 years to work out something similar. If I do the math on the likelyhood of me having 3 kids, this project may never see the light of day.
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'77 Bay Window / '89 Caratsburg (aka. the Stormtrooper)

[jacob.]

I wonder if I could hang a hammock lengthwise in my van. That would be kickass.
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[reluctantartist]

That is totally kick ass! How much weight do you think the PVC frame can handle? What kind of fabric did you use?

That is really cool!
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1982 Westy, 1974 412 Variant... Yes, Aircooled's are great! Oh and I do have modern computer controlled vehicles too, but I just don't care about them.

[thewump]

Nice job!

This looks exactly what my parents describe as the device they used to put me in while DRIVING when I was a baby - except it conveniently went from front to back. More of a launch pad than a safety device.

K
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87 Weekender

[Crughy]

[jacob.]

[errolprowse]

Awesome!!! very crafty setup. simple, strong and cheap, my favirote things
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'89 Vanagon GL
The ultimate kiteboarding/surfing/skimboarding van!

[climberjohn]

Dear Bac,

Brilliant!!!
Thanks for sharing this clever idea.

-CJ
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'86 Westy, 2.5 Subaru power
Know your limits. Exceed them often.

[pioneer1]

I really like your idea-especially having the toggles out the door for support. Does the plumbing come apart for easy storage while driving?
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"Always waiting for tomorrow ruined everything"

'85 Porsche 911 Targa

'76 Westfalia project

[bac914]

[bac914]

Just adding some clarification on a few points that I was PM'd about:

The rope I used is one piece and runs through the long tubes. On each end there is a "stopper" made out of smaller pvc sections that provides more support for the bed on the door and makes for quicker setup. I simply drilled holes through the "stopper" pipe, threaded the rope through, and then tied a knot.

heres the pics:

and

If I recall correctly, the pvc long pieces are about 50" long and the shorter pieces are about 29".

I didn't use any adhesive as the friction of the fittings holds it together just fine. If I did glue it, I'd use the standard pvc pipe glue found at home depot with the pipe. I imagine in a few years (if I'm still using it....my youngest is only 11 months...so probably) I will have to glue it as I am guessing the joints will loosen. Having it glued in one piece shouldn't be a problem b/c I've just been storing it up in the top bunk all put together.

Brian.

[ccdn]

Thanks for the added detail!

[josh_w]

One improvement you could make- use a piece of radiator hose instead of PVC for the "stopper" that goes outside the door- it won't mar the paint. I have bow straps for my Kayak that use it to secure the straps under the hood and rear hatch.

[DAIZEE]

Way way way way back in the bus days they had a cot for the front. I don't know what it looked like but I've heard about it. Yours is marvelous and innovative
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'09 2.5L Jetta 5 cylinder, 5 spd, super turbo, see thread in H2O Cooled Jetta, etc...
83.5 Vanagon L Riviera Model with 98 1.9L TD AAZ 4 speed Daily Driver 3 out of 4 seasons (sold)
84 Vanagon GL Wolfsburg Westy WBX 4 speed (sold)

[Zero419]

How hard is it to convince your 3 year old to sleep in it?
I'd make one if I knew he would take to it.
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1987 Westy Auto Bostig 2.0 Ztec

[mikey9]

Benefit of this arrangement - You get to use the kitchen and front seats after the kids go to sleep.

We put a towel over the catch net (in the second pic) to keep the light out and give the baby a cosy nest....If they wake in the night - you just sit up and comfort them back to sleep.

Disadvantage - apparently we sleep upside down (i.e. head to the front) but this makes it easier to put the kettle on from the bed...

We now have on (19 months) on this shelf - with the other upstairs in the HiTop. - it works wonderfully well and the kids LOVE it and sleep there better than at home most days!

[reluctantartist]

mikey9, what did you use for the safety net?
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1982 Westy, 1974 412 Variant... Yes, Aircooled's are great! Oh and I do have modern computer controlled vehicles too, but I just don't care about them.

[DAIZEE]

? a small cargo net, or a doggie preventer me thinks
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'09 2.5L Jetta 5 cylinder, 5 spd, super turbo, see thread in H2O Cooled Jetta, etc...
83.5 Vanagon L Riviera Model with 98 1.9L TD AAZ 4 speed Daily Driver 3 out of 4 seasons (sold)
84 Vanagon GL Wolfsburg Westy WBX 4 speed (sold)

[mikey9]

@reluctant artist.

The net was made to measure by these guys http://www.allplaz.com/ over here in the UK. It is the same netting as used for lobster pots...

We also got one for the sliding door hole so we can let the boys play in the van - with the door open - without fear of them falling out when they get bored playing with the refrigerator switches...