Cheap Child's Cot Alternative

[Spreader]

Leaving some info here for future reference. The pre-manufactured fabric posted above (referenced as 502R-GY) is no longer available. I contacted the company regarding it and here is what they responded with:

[VicVan]

If you're worried, put a piece of something over the tubes where they touch the paint. GLue some fabric, put a couple layers of duct tape...
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'90 Little Blue Truck, 2WD auto, FAS GenV 2.0 NA (AVH)

[Spreader]

Hello! Necro!

How has the paint been holding up on the outside of the door? I'm considering buying the BusDepot cot for the front of my van. But I'm "screw adverse" and I also don't know if the B-pillar mounts will interfere with the 3pt seatbelts being added to the rear facing Weekender seats.

Has the PVC damaged the vans at all?

Edit: Too bad that 502R-GY isn't available as posted in the last post above. Pre-made fabric would make this project even sweeter. Anyone have any other "replacement" cot tops that work?

[grambo]

[dsdunbar]

Bringing this post back from the dead...

so I am tackling this project and have asked a friend at work to sew the cot for me. Below are the dimensions of the PVC piping:

and of the Cot material:

The person I am asking to sew this though seems to be unsure of the best way to tackle it. As I am not a sewer I am not really sure what guidance to provide. I basically said to over cut the fabric (like an additional 8-10 inches) and roll it around the pipe, mark it where to sew and then sew it, then repeat for the opposite sides (thus sewing all for "pipe-ings").

What should be done though in the corners to prevent tearing?
Also I only am adding an extra "inch" of fabric so the cot isnt taught (tight) instead it will have 1 inch of droop, which should allow some bit of sag for my kid to sleep in to help prevent him from rolling out, but not as much as other pictures of cots posted... but who knows. I figure if 1in isnt enough i could trim down the PVC cross members.

Thoughts?

edit: 8/8/2017 I have the cot all sewed together and installed and working great. I do not think you can get too much wider or longer than the dimensions I posted above for the frame (assuming you have stock seats/steering wheel).
Here are pics of the final product, the frame is "crooked" because I didnt properly adjust the webbing straps for the pic, for i wanted to test it quickly after it was completed)

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'89 2WD Westy "Grey Goose" - Manual 4spd
Crozet VA
Vanaru EJ25, Peloquin

[cheekoman]

Hi Everyone!

I ended up finally getting around to building my son's cot for the van. I'm pretty stoked with how it came out. It pulls apart and rolls up well for storage and I tried a different method for holding it up which I'm really happy with.

I used these: http://www.lowes.com/pd/Gladiator-3-in-Gray-Steel-Utility-Hook/3051817

I tied the 200lb test straps to them and wrapped them up in foam and electrical tape and they work beautifully. Best of all, you can still open the doors while the cot is up. It does drop an inch or so for the door frame, but that's fine with me...

I bought some grey canvas and had some help from the mother-in-law for the sewing. She did a killer job and it's really beefy. I wanted it to sag a bit so my little dude doesn't inadvertently roll out and I think we're in good shape.

Here are some pics:

[nemobuscaptain]

[denwood]

Awww... Now that's a happy little guy

[WestiCoast]

[BetaVan]

[Curtis.Allison]

Thanks again brother...who knows how many people you have inspired

[Welchmaster]

Agreed I like the OP design too...

[bac914]

Wow. I can't believe it's been almost 4 years since I posted this....boy number 1 is now in the top bed, boy 2 now sleeps in the cot, he's probably going to graduate to the top bunk at the end of this season, then boy number 3 will move to the cot....then I'll have my own bed!!! Or maybe we'll let my wife and daughter come with us. Hmmm, maybe I can rig another cot below the top bunk but above the lower bed....or maybe not, we do have a few nice tents too.

The cot itself has held up fantastically. I've not had to do anything to it. We've not had issues with water or any other evils sneaking in. No rips or other issues.

I'm glad others have found this useful.

Brian.

[Curtis.Allison]

I loved the OP's design. That ingenuity was so inspirational. I didn't want to use 1 1/4" PVC piping for the frame of the child's cot. I went to Home Depot, bought two 10 foot sections of 3/4" EMT steel piping (used by electricians for residential/commercial work) and purchased 4 90 degree 3/4" elbows to create the frame. The elbows are 2.5 inches in length, and add 5 inches to each length and width of the frame. I cut the EMT 3/4" piping into 2 46 inch sections for the length, and 26 inches for the width. So my grand total is 51 inches length and 31 inches wide respectively. The 90 degree elbows use screws to clamp down on the EMT piping to hold it in place. I took the elbows, turned them upside down so the smooth side was exposed and the screws were face down (so no injuries to my little one while she rolls around) and drilled holes in them to run the poly rope up to the PVC piping which I cut into 4 inch length pieces. I made sure the rope has a hanging length of 13 inches from the door to the frame. I felt the PVC piping would be best used for the anchor points outside of the door as it will not damage my well-aged ivory paint. The cot material I used was a bottom layer of light duty canvas and a top layer of medium duty upholstery material that was multi shades of blue. This ensured that I could have a capacity of at least 150 lbs ( even though my 3 year old is no where close to that). The poly rope, at each of the four corners, has a combined test of 500 lbs, so I have no worries about dropping or load failure. To finish it all off, I have used a rattle can of light yellow rust-oleum pain/primer for the rails, elbows, and PVC so it looks a little less sterile. I'm no good with spray paint, but who cares, it's for my family and it makes me happy. The best part is, the elbows separate with the aid of a flat head screw driver, and the whole assembly can be wrapped up like a tent and stored between my mattress and rear passenger bench. I have a tintop with the ASE interior, so I don't have the benefit of overhead Westy storage. I am really indebted to the OP for his genius idea. I really liked to the kit I found online, but I just didn't have that kind of money. Using the EMT piping was more expensive, and I didn't skimp on the fabric, but I'm sure I've got durability here that will last for years. Thanks again!

[tam_shops]

Mine's done. Pictures will have to wait.

I'm going to point out two obvious with hindsight things. Another textiles teacher and I were discussing how I should finish the corners. I serged them (machine that edge finishes), but figured they should have seam bias on them also (thin strip of fabric cut along the cross grain that wraps the fabric). Neither of us like using seam bias and since no one here used it, we were debating the strength of the fabric...when she opted to pull on it to determine it's strength and you guessed it, it ripped! ROFL So, don't pull on it! LOL I added an iron on patch, there and to all four corners and then doubled up on the fabric along the length. Unlike everyone else, I didn't use Canvas. I used a piece of old denim I had laying around...

And, since I didn't have any 3/4" PVC around, I used a scrap of the 1.25" and processed the fact that it meant it wouldn't fit through to slide it out. Did I process the fact that it would mean I then couldn't take it apart? NOOoooooo, I did not. So, since we're leaving for camp after work, I put the entire thing together, beside the bikes, which are beside the fridge b/c I've got to pick up my bike rack on the way! LOL

Two questions, what did you do with the rest of the 3/4" PVC tube?

Why is 1 1/25", actually 1.5" in diameter?

Wonder if I could have used 1" PVC, this is just so biggggggg?

And, finally, remember that person that made a bed right on the seats?

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3...p;start=20 Why doesn't that board flip forwards w/ nothing under it. AND, why couldn't I make a SECOND cot, the same way, with longer straps and make it a double decker one? One kid on the top bunk and one on the bottom? My dh rolled his eyes at me when I suggested it. But, you should have seen his face when I put my cot in the Vanagon and it worked. Was completely impressed that someone came up with the idea in the first place! So, thanks for dh. I was going to make my 4yo sleep on his Dora bed, on the floor and we were all going to trip over him! LOL

tam
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1987 Vanagon Westfalia GL Automatic

Making it special:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=545885

[tam_shops]

You are the *best*!!! Thank you so much!

I took your wonderful list to the plumbing outfitter and handed it to the guy at the store and said, "I need these things, please". The guy at the store was not so smart and couldn't figure it out. Lucky for me there was a very kind nice plumber there that was smart AND helpful. The very nice and kind plumber was even nice enough to take his saw and tape measure and cut it to SIZE for me! I'll have to remember to bring along a bag of cookies next time I go there, as I'm sure I won't get that lucky again and the pvc pipe wouldn't have fit in my car with out him cutting it!

One question, the very nice kind sweet plumber told me I should use PVC glue, but you'd said you hadn't used any--which I prefer b/c it comes apart and is easier to store...Thought I'd double check to see if you (anyone else's) had come apart with out the glue?

Onto the sewing!!

Thanks for the great idea and helpful instructions!

tam

[geo_tonz]

[bjrogers86auto]

I think ratchet straps would work pretty good. The thing you have to consider with going outside is the possibility of water wicking in on your straps. That was one of the reasons I went with the interior set up. PLUS...I can pack it all up without opening doors as well as open the doors if need be when the little one is sleeping!

Just my thoughts..

Brian
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86 Vanagon GL Westfalia 2.1
18 Nissan Frontier Pro 4X
19 Honda Civic Hatchback

A little rudeness and disrespect can elevate a meaningless interaction to a battle of wills and add drama to an otherwise dull day. Calvin and Hobbes.

[WestiCoast]

I used a short section of 3/4" schedual 40 PVC. I cut a slot big enought to pull the flat webbing strap thru and out one side of the pipe. Then I tied a knot and pulled the strap back thru so the knot is inside of the pipe. I can re adjust the hight by retieing my knots but I have been happy with the height so far.

[geo_tonz]