Glad it worked and you’re loving it. Digging it up just gives more people a chance to enjoy it.
Happy hanging.
Happy hanging.
Hammocks and hanging Chairs
I thought this would be a good thread for those of us that use Hammocks and hanging chairs to throw around some ideas.
In my van I do have the stuff to make a bed but I wanted a quick way to throw a Hammock up if I was hauling bikes and needed a quick nap.
I have used these removable anchor bolts in the past and decided to utilize them in my build.
![]()
Sirius remote for scale
![]()
![]()
So in the rear door area if you look up near the lights there is a good area to locate these with large fender washers to help distribute the load.
So I popped the lights out and I had just enough room to slip a 1 1/8 wrench through the light hole to tighten the nut. I used stainless safety wire through the fender washer , lock washer and nut so I didn't lose any of them down inside the panel itself. It was tedious but it works.
![]()
So in the end you are left with something you'd never even notice without the eye bolt threaded in but an amazing spot to anchor off your hammock and then tie it off to the grab handle by the sliding door.
I tested my hammock on the weekend (oops no pictures) quickly and it works perfect but got me thinking of other uses of these mounts and I came across the ENO hanging chairs and the fellow in the store even let me take it out and try it.........wow two of them are now on order.
![]()
Imaging the rear doors open and relaxing in the breeze even if you don't have a tree to hang them from.
Anyone else fitted anything for a swinging chair or Hammock in their vans yet?
In my van I do have the stuff to make a bed but I wanted a quick way to throw a Hammock up if I was hauling bikes and needed a quick nap.
I have used these removable anchor bolts in the past and decided to utilize them in my build.
Sirius remote for scale
So in the rear door area if you look up near the lights there is a good area to locate these with large fender washers to help distribute the load.
So I popped the lights out and I had just enough room to slip a 1 1/8 wrench through the light hole to tighten the nut. I used stainless safety wire through the fender washer , lock washer and nut so I didn't lose any of them down inside the panel itself. It was tedious but it works.
So in the end you are left with something you'd never even notice without the eye bolt threaded in but an amazing spot to anchor off your hammock and then tie it off to the grab handle by the sliding door.
I tested my hammock on the weekend (oops no pictures) quickly and it works perfect but got me thinking of other uses of these mounts and I came across the ENO hanging chairs and the fellow in the store even let me take it out and try it.........wow two of them are now on order.
Imaging the rear doors open and relaxing in the breeze even if you don't have a tree to hang them from.
Anyone else fitted anything for a swinging chair or Hammock in their vans yet?
5
21 - 37 of 37 Posts
Inspired by this thread and delivery of my Van from Crossly Ford (would reccomend), I'm ready to install the eyebolts for my hammock in the rear doorway frame where pictured.
I need to pop out the cargo lights to get in the retaining hardware and backup wrench and this is where I could use some advice and encouragement. I'm pretty ham fisted and am good at breaking stuff. How to carefully pop these out?
EDIT UPDATE:. I did pop these off with a Needle nose pliers no problem. Next challenge is getting in backup hardware and wrench, I will be using the wire and magnet tricks!
![158592]()
I need to pop out the cargo lights to get in the retaining hardware and backup wrench and this is where I could use some advice and encouragement. I'm pretty ham fisted and am good at breaking stuff. How to carefully pop these out?
EDIT UPDATE:. I did pop these off with a Needle nose pliers no problem. Next challenge is getting in backup hardware and wrench, I will be using the wire and magnet tricks!
I should note I ran into some challenges getting the passenger rear eyebolt on. Instead of a simple hole like on the driver's slide, there is a slot and the shoulder of the eyebolt requires a washer on the underside.
![158713]()
![158715]()
But a 1/2" ID (12.7mm) washer is just too small for the threaded bushing to fit thru, needs like 13mm or 9/16"! So I used a stepped drill bit and enlarged the ID. Re-primed the washer and problem solved.
![158718]()
![158719]()
Also, I couldn't get my arm into the access hole to reach and start the backup nut and washers the inside the rear frame channel. Fortunately I had a neighbor with skinnier arms who would reach in there. Once you get them started, need a 1" crescent wrench to hold them while you tighten the eyebolt.
But a 1/2" ID (12.7mm) washer is just too small for the threaded bushing to fit thru, needs like 13mm or 9/16"! So I used a stepped drill bit and enlarged the ID. Re-primed the washer and problem solved.
Also, I couldn't get my arm into the access hole to reach and start the backup nut and washers the inside the rear frame channel. Fortunately I had a neighbor with skinnier arms who would reach in there. Once you get them started, need a 1" crescent wrench to hold them while you tighten the eyebolt.
Thank you for sharing!! This is what I wanted to do in mine until I can devote time to building everything out. Question thought, your second row seating how did you install that?
Sorry to dig this thread up from the grave, just wanted to report that this thread worked wonders! Got 4 eye bolts installed and can fit a couple of hammocks in the van now for impromptu naps
I used the mounting locations in the back covered by Haulin's instructions. I also used some in the front under the lip of the headliner. I have a medium roof and it has a crossmember in the appropriate spot for mounting another two eyebolts.
Here are some pics of the install:
View attachment 130484
The holes I chose are right on the ends of the headliner, the longer holes inboard just BARELY fit the 1-1/4" box end wrench I used to hold the nut. I chose to just push the retaining clips off and bend the headliner down, though it probably would have been easier to remove it.
View attachment 130485
I ended up having to cut the bolts a little shorter. I only realized this after I trapped my box end wrench on the bolt and couldn't remove it though!
View attachment 130486
Same setup using a wire to locate the hardware around back. I ended up using magnets to ensure the hardware did not fall too far, the front was narrower and more sloped than the rear.
View attachment 130487 View attachment 130488
I ended up notching the headliner and the foam to make clearance for the eye bolts.
View attachment 130489
It works!
edit: Two years later and those bolts @EddieZ used are still the ones I used. They are on Amazon now too for $12: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00029NA5G
I have an ENO chair (SO, SO comfortable!) and had been wondering if there was any way I could hang it in or from a Transit. I'm a MR fan, so that makes it a bit tougher (looks great in the rear doors of the OP, but that's a high roof so the doors are higher). Wonder if the sliding door area would work (it's not any higher than the MR rear doors, but would just be a better location for me). Anyone tried it? (Not extended out like the pick below, but just hanging straight from the door perhaps attached above the door on the inside - more like how the OP's chair is hanging from the rear door.)
I saved this screen shot from a video put out by a company I can't remember right now (IIRC a commercial fan upfitter in Europe or the UK, doing fancy - maybe not always practical - gorgeous expensive upfits). They have apparently done things similar to the pic below in a number of their vans (they referred to it as a "signature" item for them). This would be great if it were actually solid, but I don't know.... the leverage must be huge. I can almost feel myself falling when those rails snap, but I'm not an engineer.
(If anyone else is interested, I could go back and figure out the upfitter)
![Cloud Sky Plant Vehicle Shorts]()
PS: Edited to add: Someone mentioned above that the roof rack points are only supposed to have 70# "worst case loading" -- as a clue to what the beams might support. Am I on the right track in thinking that that is as low as it is because roof rack loads are going to be there in dynamic conditions (stopping fast, wind, corners, accidents). If that's true than the figure could be higher for something like a chair where you are only going to be hanging while the van is parked (so you are still dynamic but the large possible G-forces of a dynamic van are not going to happen). (?)
I saved this screen shot from a video put out by a company I can't remember right now (IIRC a commercial fan upfitter in Europe or the UK, doing fancy - maybe not always practical - gorgeous expensive upfits). They have apparently done things similar to the pic below in a number of their vans (they referred to it as a "signature" item for them). This would be great if it were actually solid, but I don't know.... the leverage must be huge. I can almost feel myself falling when those rails snap, but I'm not an engineer.
(If anyone else is interested, I could go back and figure out the upfitter)
Since this thread came back up naturally (so I'm not dredging from the past just for this), I just thought I'd mention that McMaster has changed, and now they do show the shipping price before you place your order. I've ordered from them for years despite not knowing in advance, but for those of us not just putting it on the company dime it's a great improvement.
PS: Edited to add: Someone mentioned above that the roof rack points are only supposed to have 70# "worst case loading" -- as a clue to what the beams might support. Am I on the right track in thinking that that is as low as it is because roof rack loads are going to be there in dynamic conditions (stopping fast, wind, corners, accidents). If that's true than the figure could be higher for something like a chair where you are only going to be hanging while the van is parked (so you are still dynamic but the large possible G-forces of a dynamic van are not going to happen). (?)
I do realize the pics were a little odd showing where the mounts are so I just pulled over and snapped a few more.
They are actually in the header above the doors. One on each side.
The first is without the eye bolts threaded in , you will just see the insert to the outside of each light.![]()
With eye bolts installed.
![]()
As soon as the chairs show up I'll post a picture , if I get a chance today I'll post up a pic of the hammock up.
Super thankful for this thread. Ordering my hammock chairs today! Thanks for sharing, everyone. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07SYNPCNH/ref=ewc_pr_img_3?smid=AF9TBKN2QYQXQ&psc=1
i use an magnet extension tool for seating nuts in hard to reach spots, it can be a delicate operation but it works.
21 - 37 of 37 Posts
