Building a Sleeping Platform for My Minivan

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Steph really enjoys kayaking, hiking, and camping. Recently she decided she would like to try camping in the MDP van. We still need to be able to haul stuff in it so whatever "conversions" she made had to be easily removable.

​Here's how she made some small adjustments to the van to make it into a camping space.

Materials/Tools:

• Plywood (Home Depot)


• GeilSpace 1in × 28in Pre-Cut Black Metal Pipe (Amazon)


• 1in Heavy Duty Black Floor Flange (Amazon)


• Sunshades for Chrysler Pacifica 2017 (Amazon)


• Mesh Sunshade (Amazon)


• Kreg Panel Carrier (Amazon)


• Pack Gear Hanging Organizer (Amazon)


• Makita 18V X2 LXT Lithium-Ion (36V) Brushless Cordless 6-1/2 in. Plunge Circular Saw (Home Depot)


• Makita 55 in. Plunge Saw Guide Rail (Home Depot)


• Makita 39 in. Plunge Saw Guide Rail (Home Depot)


• Makita 18V LXT Sub-Compact Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless 2-piece Combo Kit (Driver-Drill/Impact Driver) 1.5Ah (Home Depot)


• DEWALT Carbon Fiber Stapler/Tacker (Home Depot)


• Husky 72 in. W x 24 in. D Adjustable Height Black Worktable (Home Depot)


• Xena Steel-toe Boots (Xena Workwear)

We already knew the van would fit a sheet of plywood, so Steph started by buying two sheets to create the sleeping platform. She recently purchased the Kreg panel carrier which makes it easy for one person to lift and carry a sheet of plywood.

Here Steph is determining how long she needs to make the board to fit comfortably. She settled on making the plywood sheet 70 inches long. Plenty of length for someone 5' 3"!

The sleeping platform will be held up with metal pipe. Each of the two pipes are 28 inches tall and has a flange on each end. She added sticky felt to the two sides that will be on the ground of the van.

She cut the plywood to 70 inches with our Makita track saw.

Here Steph is finalizing the placement of the "legs". The other end of the platform is supported with the folded down back seat which we did not want to remove.

Here the flanges are screwed into place.

Here is the platform in place resting on the legs and backseats. Although two sheets of plywood were purchased, only one was deemed necessary for adequate support.

Here's the ramp side view of the platform in position. We are calling the area underneath, the garage.

To give the sleeping platform a finished look, a water proof blanket was stapled into place.

Putting the newly upholstered sleeping platform into place.

Attaching the legs to the platform.

Perfect fit!

Rather than try to make something to block out the light, Steph found a set of blackout shades that are made specifically for the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica van.

This camping gear line is useful to store what needs to be close by.

Steph added a leftover piece of G-Flooring (that we put down in my garage many years ago) to make the back area easy to clean.

Here it is all ready for a good night sleep at the campsite!

Steph was very excited when she realized her bike would fit in the garage area!

All loaded up and ready to head to Ochlockonee River State Park in the Florida Panhandle.

There's lots of stuff stowed in the "garage" under the sleeping platform.

You can see more of Steph's adventure in the van by clicking on the above video. 

Please note: This is not a sponsored post.
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FYI: We are not professionals, and we don't claim to be. This is what we found worked for our project. Yours may need a little different approach. Safety first!

FYI: Affiliate links are being used on this page. Purchasing via these links help support MDP.

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