Camper van Beds, Folding camper beds, Slide out camper beds

 

Sometimes life takes you in a direction you had no idea existed

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Several years ago summer was approaching finances were a little tight, so flying away to sunny climates was not an option. Not a huge issue as the kids loved camping and were at an age were they had their own tent.

The van was our living space near enough to the children but with a level of privacy.

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Another summer adventure approached well at least that’s how we sold it!

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So off to the back of the garage digging out the camping gear.

In one of the boxes i found my home made compressor receiver fire pit, yea that’s cool.

In the box next to it the classic scary campfire story book.

Ok camping’s not that bad. Hopefully the weather will be good, this could be another cool trip.

Then I found it! Optimism dropped, it was just laying there in the bottom of a plastic storage box uncomfortably bursting out of its impossible to ever get into again cardboard box.

The Airbed!!! Guaranteed not to hold air. It must have been our 3rd or 4th and not a single one we  had ever owned had lasted through the night.

I could never understand it. When I was a kid my parents had an airbed for camping it was brilliant it would stay inflated for ever. I’m pretty sure you could have gone Whitewater rafting on that thing it was indestructible. 

 

That’s it I thought not this year! I’m going to make a bed. "I’m going to make a bed" I shouted to the next room. “ I don’t know why you haven’t made one before” came the response! Ummm oh ok Its was a good point! 

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Now I was  big fan of the murphy style beds they use out in the US. The problem was they were usually used in huge trailers, made of wood and designed to basically fit the mattress of your bed in.. A little big for what I wanted plus steel was my preferred material. Slimline is what I needed. I didn’t want to have to keep taking the bed out. A rock & Roll bed meant I couldn’t use the van for work. So I made the first Flatout Bed as we now call them.

I have to admit it wasn’t the best. Brush painted and underneath covered in some spare carpet from a neighbour. The legs were box section and rattled more than a Lada on cobbles! But hey it folded away, didn’t deflate and was lovely and comfy

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That summer camping someone saw the bed and asked where I got it from. I told them I made it and got my very first order!

The beds have developed massively since then. From powder coated finishes to luxury upholstery and lockable height adjustable legs amongst many other changes. I’m exceptionally proud of the finished products we make these days. It's been hard work but fun. Amazing sometimes the direction life takes you.