After a bit more work on the van, and a lot of contemplation as to how things need to fit together, we finally have a place to lie down on. Well, if you're short at least:) This is the lower section of the bed that will slide out providing the front half of the bed. This needed to be light, and stiff. The oak boards that it runs on span 136cm across necisitating something light. I orginally thought some composites would be the way to go, but was unable to find any locally. Then I turned to a product called light ply, it has was seems to be balsa layers sandwiched with a harder wood, possibly mahogany. No one at the lumber yard could tell me the exact make up of this stuff, but I can lift a 4x8 sheet with one hand pretty easily. This was then laminated with 1x4 pine boards with an oak face plate making it a very stiff built up bed that easily hold both of us with only a couple cm's of flex.

The next step is to run 1/8in aluminum angle down each side to affix the rear, unmoveable section.

There has also been much discussion about heating options: air, hydronic, propane or diesel. I think we've settled on a solution that will not only keep us warm, but add amazing atmosphere when lit. It's the Newport Propane Fireplace from Dickinson. Its a stainless steel fireplace and should use about 30lbs of propane per month. We're still thinking about diesel fired though, for its simple fueling requirements.