Converting your minivan into a comfortable, mobile CAMPER!
The GoneCamper is designed to provide an alternative to sleeping on the ground. You don't have to set-up a tent, lay out thin pads and sleeping bags, or inflate an air mattress. You don't have to worry about things crawling around you at night. You aren't going to wake up in the middle of the night with a root or rock digging into your back. You stay warm and dry. In the morning you don't have to roll up pads and sleeping bags. And you never have to pack up a wet tent again!
The full-size bed in the GoneCamper minivan conversion
But all these benefits would not be acceptable if the bed wasn't easy to set up. Here is a short video that demonstrates how to set up the full size bed in the GoneCamper conversion:
That was easy! Plus, you can also use the retracted bed as a couch! Just fold two sections of the mattress vertically as a back rest and sit on the third section. You can enjoy a picnic lunch or a quiet spot for reading or pass the time in the evening if it is raining outside!
The Tri-Fold mattress positioned as a couch on the fixed rear section of the bed
Contact us to day for more information and to schedule the delivery of YOUR GoneCamper conversion. You can be Camping in Comfort, Traveling Efficiently, and Living Frugally, too!
August 2019 Updates to this original post:
The basic GoneCamper retractable bed for minivans remains the same. However, we have made a few "tweaks" in the last two years after tens of thousands of miles of travel and MANY nights on the road and in distant campsites.
The full-size bed still has these same standard features:
1. The fixed rear section of the bed has room below for storing camp chairs, a folding table, tools. and other smaller items. In the Dodge Grand Caravan GoneCamper, the cord for the 12-volt Coleman cooler also runs under this section to the outlet near the left passenger door.
2. The bed is extended by attaching three legs to the fixed rear section. The front legs provide 8-inches of storage under this front section. As shown in the top photo above, we use four totes under the bed as our "suitcases" and for storing miscellaneous camping gear.
3. The 4-inch foam mattress folds in thirds. It forms a stack of three sections when folded flat for travel. Or it can be folded into a couch or futon, as shown above.
The changes to the full-size GoneCamper bed are the following:
1. The front two pieces that form the front bed platform are now hinged together. You simply unfold this platform and drop it in place. You don't have to position the two plywood panels individually. As before, this platform has reinforcements below that also line up with the bed legs to perfectly position it square with the rear section of the bed.
We have found that it is easier to make the bed and retract the bed if we store this folded front platform ON TOP of the folded mattress. Rather than slip the plywood pieces under the mattress (as shown in the video), just place the folding front section on top of the mattress AND the window covers. Using the tie down strap over this plywood panel helps compress the mattress and window covers into a secure and neat stack.
The Tri-Fold mattress and front bed platform secured for travel
2. You can specify the height of the bed. While 8-inches is the STANDARD storage space under the bed, it can be raised an inch or two to accommodate larger items. Of course, every inch that the bed is raised also subtracts an inch from the headroom above the bed.
3. You can specify the size of the bed. The standard size platform is 48-inches wide by 74-inches long. Combined with the rear kitchen galley, the bed fills up the full length of the minivan floor - so you need to move the front seats forward to add the legs and fully-extend the bed. However, if you and your partner are short and don't need a 6'2" bed, you can have it built shorter. Unfortunately, there is no way to make the bed longer within the space limitations of the minivan without eliminating the rear kitchen.
3. Likewise, you can also order a SINGLE bed. Instead of the STANDARD 48-inch wide bed, a single 30-inch wide bed is an option for the solo traveler. The single bed requires only two front legs to fully extend the bed. However, the bed can be left extended on the passenger side. You don't have to retract the single bed for driving. You also have an area about 6-feet by 18-inches alongside the bed for shelves, totes, a dog bed, or even a bike! The single Tri-Fold mattress still folds flat for storage, or converts to a chair.
The GoneCamper single bed for minivans. PERFECT for SOLO van travelers!
Contact GoneCamper with any questions or special requests. Since each unit is built to order, there is no extra cost for most changes to dimensions.