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We Built an Elevator Bed in our Van

Jimmy & Natalie

121,070 views

We want an elevator bed in our van conversion, but bed lifts can be expensive and hard to find. So we’re building our own system that works just as well, for only $200 (see below for links)

We’re also insulating our van using Havelock wool 🐑

Episode 174 | Filmed March 2025 | Van Build Ep. 4

Bed Lift
Motor - https://www.ebay.com/itm/165751668991
1/2” EMT (drive shaft) - https://www.homedepot.com/pep/Wheatla...
Half Channel Struts (x3) - https://www.homedepot.com/p/Superstru...
Shaft Coupler Adapter - https://amzn.to/3ZcH59w
M4 Set Screws - https://amzn.to/3EW6fm4
Up/Down Switch - https://amzn.to/4jSmL5K
Ratchet Straps - https://amzn.to/3EUlR9J
Pillow Block Bearings (x2) - https://amzn.to/4iV6BHk
Adjustable L-Brackets - https://amzn.to/3EZQzhD
2-Hole Plate Connector - https://amzn.to/42SGwEl
4-Hole Plate Connector - https://amzn.to/4jQB4YD
Swing Hook (“pulley”) - https://amzn.to/3St0TSl
M8 Plus Nuts - https://amzn.to/42VS4Fw
M8 Hex Screws - https://amzn.to/44OU05t
3/8” Channel Strut Nuts - https://amzn.to/42Rp4QD
3/8” Hex Bolt - https://www.homedepot.com/p/3-8-in-16...
3/8” Lock Washers - https://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt-...
3/8” Flat Washers - https://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt-...
3/8” Hex Nuts (x8) - https://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt-...
Insulation
Havelock Wool - https://havelockwool.com
Tools
Jigsaw - https://amzn.to/4i7Yt65
Circular Saw (brushless) - https://amzn.to/43GIFDY
Sander - https://amzn.to/4hZ0LEs
Router - https://amzn.to/4li2WpD
Masks - https://amzn.to/3Ykoh7P
Overalls (women’s) - https://amzn.to/43Ihs3B
Overalls (men’s) - https://amzn.to/3YnEbOT

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Instagram: jimmyandnatalie

📸 Vlog Gear
https://www.amazon.com/shop/jimmyandn...

💚 Support the Channel
https://paypal.me/jimmyandnatalie

Chapters
0:00 - DIY Elevator Bed Lift
1:26 - Havelock Wool Insulation
3:10 - Elevator Bed Parts
5:47 - Fluffing Wool Insulation
8:11 - Spray Foam vs Wool
9:06 - Fun with Sheep's Wool
10:24 - Elevator Bed 1st Test
11:32 - Worm Gear Motor
12:26 - Natalie’s Early Morning
14:20 - Baling Twine Blues
15:51 - Bed Lift Fixes
17:18 - Havelock Wool Fire Test
17:53 - Elevator Bed Final Setup
18:48 - The REAL Test
20:16 - Elevator Bed Safety
23:00 - Load Bearing Tape

#vanlife #vanconversion

20 Comments

@faithtravelers 1 year ago

Hey y'all, as a very experienced fabricator and traveler, I'm not trying to undermine the math that Jimmy did, but I would consider replacing that conduit with chromoly steel. It's cheap and much much stronger at that diameter. The conduit is already flexing, and I know it feel like it works great, but it's going to wear out those bearings pretty fast if I had to guess. Also I'm sure you intend to move the insulation behind the exothermic electric motor, but here's a reminder to just in case. Bless!

@PinkyRing23_o7 1 year ago

Havelock Wool van insulation…brings a whole new meaning to counting sheep when going to sleep. 🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑

@tmurt4619 1 year ago

Jimmy, please replace the hose clamps with a split collar with no sharp edges. The hose clamp is going to cut the straps. Also agree with replacing the conduit with a stronger and more wear resistant material. Coming from a machinist/welder/fabricator it will fail quickly if left as is. You guys have great ideas and keep it going with a few tweaks 😉

@partyflockske 4 days ago (edited)

i must admit, this is the first time ever that i skipped what the girl was doing and only watched the guy's parts :p because this bed contraption is so awesome, super interesting in esthetic view ( much more stealth than car straps other systems use ) as in build qualtity ( t it looks superthough, sturdy yet.. still lightweight )
This was a very enlightening, inspiring video.. thanks :)

@b00bala64 1 year ago

I love the bed! One thought. Since it can sway while driving, maybe have a pin/lock that holds it in place when driving so it doesn’t loosen anything. I hope that makes sense. Also thanks for lighting the havelock wool. I wondered but didn’t test it. Looking great! ❤

@dmwi1549 1 year ago

Nice setup.
You may have already considered and completed this: Might want a fuse to protect the wire and motor.
And a relay to allow the switch to carry low amp draw 12v while load is carried through relay, not switch.
Prevents switch from overheating.

@PaulBauck 1 year ago

Fishing line also is liable to wear on metal edges. Plastic coated wire used for hanging art works would be a stronger and more permanent lashing.

@alanhat5252 1 year ago

17:19 have you ever seen a sheep on fire? It's fire resistant!

@johnlambert654 1 year ago

You can pinch the havlock wool between the inner wall and the framing

@williamolliges2622 1 year ago

I’m guessing that the twine the horse people were referring to is hay twine. Takes a pretty sharp knife to cut the stuff. However It’s kind of a “b” to tie knots in it that stay tied. Love the elevator bed. Has me thinking about the sleeping situation in my cargo conversion.

@LadyTSurvival 3 months ago

there are insulation hangars.... its a sticky backed spike that adheres to the metal of the van and has a spike that goes through the insulation. then there is a keeper that slides onto the spike to sandwich the insulation then you take some side cutters and nip off the excess spike materiel so it doesnt interfere with your final covering of the wall.

@alaskanight940 1 year ago

Good choice on the wool. Urethane made my Ford van go up like a gasolene torch, so fast I barely got off the road and my panicing dog out. Thirty foot flames kept the firemen busy. Unreal how fast it catches and spreads. 🔥

@feathers352 1 year ago

There is nylon coated stainless steel fishing line (Sevenstrand) which has lot of stress factor (27#) but it would last forever.

@christip20 1 year ago

Natalie, you should go look at some gloves, I was shocked at how they had changed & now there’s thinner ones etc. (that will keep you from getting cut up) I think I would’ve used thin nylon twine, it’s really strong , it’s probably 1/16 of a inch and a huge twine kind of needle. Nylon will last longer, especially with getting wet, warm, etc. Anything you use that’s plastic, should be out of the Sun, it takes the plasticizers out over time which makes it very Brittle and it just shatters into tiny pieces one day. That twine won’t last long if it’s the same as used to bale any kind of Hay or grass. I’ve got horses too and when it’s not picked up & thrown away, it gradually turns black and kind of disappears, especially in Wet or Moist Weather. I’m excited to see how the Wool works out, it’s such a great idea over anything normally used & insulation usually “stinks” to me. It may have formaldehydes in it, like is used in Mobile Homes.🍀

@anneparrish2247 1 year ago (edited)

Ouch! ❤ Maybe some sort of a stuffing stick would help with putting wool in tiny holes?
Oh! Yeah! A crochet hook, just the thing, 😊.

@wild13hawk 1 year ago

Wool is great for moisture control, too.

@zakadam154 1 month ago (edited)

OMG you are a blooming GENIUS - have you got a step by step instructional video on how you put the bed mechanism all together?

@madisonbusman7688 1 year ago

Great ingenuity Jimmy! We used Havelock Wool on our 31Ft schoolie build. Once we installed it, this notably cut the sound down muffleing noisewhiledrivingandwhenparked. This insulation has proven to be very comfortable in temperature control as well. We think you made a good choice!