The small NV200 van I purchased is basically an empty box. I plan to get it converted to a camper van, but that will be months from now.

An empty van is not very comfortable to sleep in, so I decided to build a platform to support a comfy mattress. That would also give me space underneath the platform to store camping and travel gear.

As I wanted the platform to be hinged, I had to figure out where to make the cuts in the plywood. I used a single 4′ x 8′ x 3/4″ piece of plywood.

I cut the plywood so that approximately 1/3 of it could be hinged and folded back. This would give me easy access to place larger objects inside the van, when the bed is not in use.

I added 2″ x 3″ frames around the two pieces of plywood to attach the legs.

I decided that when the hinged piece of plywood is folded back, the 11″ legs should fold down. I rounded off the top of the legs, and added a bolt, washer and nut. I glued and screwed the other four legs to the larger piece of plywood.

I installed the two sections of plywood and secured them together with a piano hinge to allow the smaller section to fold back.

Here is the tri-fold mattress layed out.

Wow, very comfortable. Ready for a mini road trip!