80/20 Aluminium profile

[Otter Spotter]

Has anyone used the above to construct cupboards /bed frames etc. In their vans and if so can they suggest a good supplier?
I have been watching ‘Humble Road’ on utube along with Thomas Heaton and I am considering replacing the existing bed frame and wall cupboards to reduce weight.

 

[Gromett]

Just had a big discussion with Wissel about this a week or two ago. He has a good supplier.

80/20 is an american tradename for one brand of aluminium profile.

Most other places call it by it's dimensions. 2020 is 20mm x 20mm 3030 is 30mm x 30mm etc etc.

Seen loads on ebay and amazon, but the prices are almost double what some direct suppliers do it for.

This is the company I was looking at for 3030 for making my bed out of. Was initially going to use 2020 until Wissel told me about 3030. 4040 was too big for my use case I thought.

30 X 30 Aluminium profile

We supply 30 x30 Aluminium Extrusion at a maximum length of 6000 mm. With an 8mm T slot. Ideally suited for Enclosures, Frameworks, Test Rigs and Protective Screens. Manufactured by KJN Aluminium Profiles.

www.aluminium-profile.co.uk

 

[68c]

Cannot help you with the alloy profile. However I am interested in your weight reduction ideas. Although they use lightweight plywood I cannot wonder more modern construction could be lighter. Modern aircraft interior trim is amazingly light, a Kevlar and carbon fibre skin with a honeycomb interior. OK that costs but could open up a new world of motorhomes, fire resistance and moulded shapes so we are not stuck with the boxes most vans seem to have. And an end to all those loose self tapping screws.

 

[Wissel]

Just had a big discussion with Wissel about this a week or two ago. He has a good supplier.

80/20 is an american tradename for one brand of aluminium profile.

Most other places call it by it's dimensions. 2020 is 20mm x 20mm 3030 is 30mm x 30mm etc etc.

Seen loads on ebay and amazon, but the prices are almost double what some direct suppliers do it for.

This is the company I was looking at for 3030 for making my bed out of. Was initially going to use 2020 until Wissel told me about 3030. 4040 was too big for my use case I thought.

30 X 30 Aluminium profile

We supply 30 x30 Aluminium Extrusion at a maximum length of 6000 mm. With an 8mm T slot. Ideally suited for Enclosures, Frameworks, Test Rigs and Protective Screens. Manufactured by KJN Aluminium Profiles.

www.aluminium-profile.co.uk

Yep, love this companies products. Built my solar rack out of it and hoping to talk my next builds owner into using it as framework

Going to build some of my workshop with it as well as a bit of a showpiece.

Another good example of building vans with the stuff is here:

80/20 Extruded Aluminum Van Cabinets - OurKaravan

Build 80/20 Extruded Aluminum Cabinets for your Van. 80/20 is strong, safe, lightweight and easy to work with and perfect for use in a van!

ourkaravan.com

It's where I first saw it used well, and likely where Humble Road did as well

 

[Gromett]

Wissel you still haven't told us where to buy it from

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[Wissel]

lol, it was the link you gave - KJN

KJN Aluminium Profile

www.aluminium-profile.co.uk

They sell loads of different sizes and tons of accessories.

 

[Gromett]

lol, it was the link you gave - KJN

KJN Aluminium Profile

www.aluminium-profile.co.uk

They sell loads of different sizes and tons of accessories.

That was just the first one I found on google

 

[Jamesh]

Van vs Pickup

www.fordtransitusaforum.com

Look on here the yanks are all using it! some even call thier vans a 80/20 camper!!!

 

[Otter Spotter]

lol, it was the link you gave - KJN

KJN Aluminium Profile

www.aluminium-profile.co.uk

They sell loads of different sizes and tons of accessories.

Funny I emailed KJN with drawing and dimensions asking for costings but received no reply, I think I will have to try them again.
I know it is expensive but I want to reduce the weight in the van as much as possible and make setting up the bed at night as easy as possible, currently I have 2 bench seats made of square section iron (!) which are a pig to pull together at night. The guy that made them is used to making Rock&Roll beds for VWs.

Also my wall cabinets are made of voringer ply screwed together and they are heavy, I worry that they will pull away from their wall fittings if I go over a pothole

 

[jp11]

I got most of mine from RS. I used 2020. In hindsight 3030 might, just, have been better. It's hard to work out how much bracketry and fixings to order. I got mine from suppliers of fixings.

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[Detnor]

I discovered a lot of the availble profile was all sourced from Bosch Rexroth. I found their distributors pretty good, offering either cut section or fabrication.

 

[jp11]

RS also do own-brand, but lengths are only up to 2 metres. The Bosch Rexroth can come in 3 metre. Everything is sent by ParcelForce at no extra cost.

 

[tacr2man]

Biggest saving when using can be made fabricating your own angle joiners .

 

[jp11]

Toilet compartment under construction. Roof lining re-installed (framework secured to roof ribs), panels being fitted (IKEA wardrobe doors). However, if I want into the roof void again the toilet has to come out!

 

[STEVE4SONN]

Yep, love this companies products. Built my solar rack out of it and hoping to talk my next builds owner into using it as framework

Going to build some of my workshop with it as well as a bit of a showpiece.

View attachment 526160

Another good example of building vans with the stuff is here:

80/20 Extruded Aluminum Van Cabinets - OurKaravan

Build 80/20 Extruded Aluminum Cabinets for your Van. 80/20 is strong, safe, lightweight and easy to work with and perfect for use in a van!

ourkaravan.com

It's where I first saw it used well, and likely where Humble Road did as well

Hi.
Where did you get the Light Bar from, love the Solar Panel Rig you have made.

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[Wissel]

Hi.
Where did you get the Light Bar from, love the Solar Panel Rig you have made.

It was just an eBay job:
<Broken link removed>

And thanks

 

[Gromett]

Toilet compartment under construction. Roof lining re-installed (framework secured to roof ribs), panels being fitted (IKEA wardrobe doors). However, if I want into the roof void again the toilet has to come out!

Are you using the 2020? 20mm x 20mm stuff?

 

[jp11]

Yes 2020. When used in long lengths it appears a bit flimsy, but when you attach the panels it becomes OK. The next size up is 3030. Because it's basically sold by weight the cost increases proportionately. But there's a better range of fixings at that size.
Just as an aside, if you look closely at the picture you'll notice one of the uprights has a smooth finish on two sides (rather than profiled). You can get an assortment of finishes including quarter round and bevelled. I was experimenting with this as I knew this one would be very visible at the external corner.

 

[Gromett]

Yes 2020. When used in long lengths it appears a bit flimsy, but when you attach the panels it becomes OK. The next size up is 3030. Because it's basically sold by weight the cost increases proportionately. But there's a better range of fixings at that size.
Just as an aside, if you look closely at the picture you'll notice one of the uprights has a smooth finish on two sides (rather than profiled). You can get an assortment of finishes including quarter round and bevelled. I was experimenting with this as I knew this one would be very visible at the external corner.

Thanks

I was considering 2020 for my non bed stuff then 3030 for the bed or perhaps 2040 for the bed upper frame and cross bars.

 

[jp11]

I see where you're coming from. 3030 would obviously be stiffer for the higher loads. 2040 would only be beneficial if you used in the correct orientation (if you used it flat it wouldn't be any benefit).
I have a transverse single in the back, supported on 2020 at each end. The bed beams are IKEA "SKORVA" adjustables, sitting on the 2020.

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[Wissel]

I see where you're coming from. 3030 would obviously be stiffer for the higher loads. 2040 would only be beneficial if you used in the correct orientation (if you used it flat it wouldn't be any benefit).
I have a transverse single in the back, supported on 2020 at each end. The bed beams are IKEA "SKORVA" adjustables, sitting on the 2020.

I like this method for a bed (done a few this way).

Easy, cheap, light and strong. From memory, the IKEA Cross members are about £10 each?

 

[jp11]

Yes. If attaching them to a vertical surface you need the additional IKEA brackets. But the ends of my beams just fit into the 2020 profile. They stay there by gravity, haven't moved.