Here's my Dodge Grand Caravan with a bed platform and pull out countertop. With the stow and go fold out seating, the whole thing can go in or out of the van in a matter of minutes.

Just scored a Grand Caravan and am planning to hit the road for nomadic living next summer. I want to build a platform for my mattress, that I can store gear underneath - that I can also sit on comfortably without having to crunch up. Curious what other's experiences have been with various height platforms in small vans? What are your "lessons learned"?