Scarlet JoVanssen

Scarlet got some new accessories. The possibilities abound!

MOLD!

I knew this would probably happen. I just wasn't prepared for the speed with which the damn mold has infiltrated our dear Scarlet!


I blame the partially shut front passenger door and the leaky window seal on that side. This is the first winter we've had the van out here, but clearly I can't assume it's not going to be an ongoing problem without tightening up the seals and adding vapor barrier.

I shudder to think what's going on with the seat fabric. Or the vents. Ugh.

If only this were a story about having a built out van and all that was left to do was pick a direction and drive... but it isn't.

I've been letting the thoughts about how to proceed with the initial framing of the bed platform so that it can accommodate having a second bench seat. Really, the goal is to have a platform that can be torn down and taken out in less than 30 minutes, without the need for tools.

This seems like a tall order, with conflicting parameters. I want a sturdy frame, yet one that can be removed with minimal effort for the purpose of having that space available. We don't have the luxury of owning a single purpose vehicle yet. I need to be able to haul stuff (Scarlet is my pickup, for all intents and purposes), and people, in varying proportions. I struggle with the prospect of reducing function in one arena by putting more emphasis on another.

I only want it all, is all.

So, to achieve this flexibility of function with Scarlet, I've been looking at …

I might have an Amazon Wishlist problem.

As I research more options and strategies for Scarlet's build, I have found that I keep going back to Amazon to add various items and materials to my wishlist. The problem is that it only highlights the fact that I cannot afford to buy all this stuff NOW. Instant gratification bring-down!

Not being able to afford to buy stuff does help me refocus on what I can do now to prepare for the time when I do have a little disposable money to invest in Scarlet's transformation.

For instance, I've not yet finished stripping out the headliner, plastic trim, and carpet. I know that fuming over money is unproductive and just breeds resentment, so I am trying to put that energy towards the prep. I still need to do a thorough wipe=down of all the surfaces that have been covered by the plastic and remove the build-up of dust over the 20 years that Scarlet has been in service.

I also need to measure things out... like REALLY document the dimensions …

I thought initially that there might be enough room on the bed platform for me and the wife and our toddler. After my initial voyage with the bed platform in place, I realized that wasn't going to make for restful nights while sleeping all of us in the van. So...


I will try a simple piece of plywood to go over the seat, and some way to block access to the front if/when the monkey gets up and starts to "explore" before we are up. On any given morning he is awake about 5am. I am hoping we can get him to sleep in longer, as our campground neighbors are probably not going to appreciate a kid running around before the sun comes up.

Some dimensions to take into consideration:

crib mattress 29" x 53"width of bench seatheight of bench seat topdistance from bench back to back of front seatswidth between front seats

Deconstruction and bed platform/storage
This is the foundational effort, removing the brittle, cigarette-smoke-infused, 20 year old plastic covering on the walls, the carpet, and headliner.
With the carpet and plastic wall covering removed, I built a platform for the bed. I wanted the frame to accommodate the height and width of the 27 gallon storage bins I buy at Costco for storage under the bed platform. I also wanted the platform to have hinged lids that made the space under accessible, and which allowed the middle section to be made open for walking through.
The bed platform ended up being about 75" long by 71" wide when all the pieces came together. The space underneath is about 20" high. The frame is attached to the van body at several points and is very sturdy. The storage bins can slide under the platform out through either end of the widest part of the platform, or be lifted out of the middle or right (looking from the back of the van) sections with the lids op…