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My Simple Sleeping Platform

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by MoonCrawler, Sep 12, 2014.

  1. Sep 12, 2014 at 11:17 PM
    #1
    MoonCrawler

    MoonCrawler [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I got this idea from Malcolm Daly over at the MountainProject forum.
    It's extremely simple to build, easy to install and remove, allows tons of storage space, and is cheap and fairly light. It requires a hi-rise camper shell.
    You can use only half of it for a single person or add an optional piece for two people (or one big person).


    I have a leer 122. It's one of the highest shells available. My truck is currently stock. That will change soon.
    1 truck.jpg


    I've got a bed liner and a rubber mat that keeps things from sliding all around.
    2 liner.jpg


    This is what my basic platform looks like out of the truck. Very simple. 3/4" plywood, kiln dried 2x4, shelf brackets, screws, latching hardware.
    3 basic platform.jpg


    The platform sits on the lip of the camper shell and uses it as support. Because of this, j-hook style clamps are the best, though you could notch the the platform to work with regular c-clamps.
    4 j-hook.jpg


    Installed.
    5 platform 2.jpg


    6 platform3.jpg


    The triangle ledges are to support the optional piece to make a full bed. It rests on those and the lip of the shell on the other side.
    7 ledges.jpg


    To keep it from sliding around, you strap it to the hooks in your bed.
    8 platform strap.jpg


    Re-enforce the 2x4 legs with shelf brackets. Why them? They interfere with storage space the least.
    9 shelf suport.jpg


    Optional piece.
    10 piece 2.jpg


    In this pic, it's not sitting flush because it was built for a diff. camper shell and I need to cut 1/8" off to let it drop down.
    11 piece2in.jpg


    A rod with a hook lets you pull stuff to you from underneath.
    12 hook rod r.jpg



    You can make each side equal. I didn't. Why? If I'm going solo, I want a bigger bed than half the truck. But also, a futon mattress from IKEA fits the Tacoma perfectly and it's two pieces are different sizes. I based things off their sizes.
    13 cushions packed.jpg


    As you can see there is not a lot of headroom with the platform sitting on the bed rails and those high cushions. But I favor storage and ease of getting to things over headroom.
    In the pic you can see my camp stove, ammo box (tools), marine cooler, crates for food and dishes, and levelers are all immediately accessible. I can pull over and eat when I want. Cook on the tailgate. Make coffee, etc. If I want to nap or sleep I can climb up into the bed area. No need to shuffle anything. I keep my bedding in the cab. I can pull off on the road or trail and do what I need to do while still being discreet. And there's still tons of storage space behind those things for gear and accouterments.


    I recommend levelers.
    14 levelers.jpg



    15 buttes.jpg

    12 hook rod.jpg
     
    Last edited: Sep 14, 2014
    Burro, rtwbound and Hamer95USA like this.
  2. Sep 13, 2014 at 12:09 AM
    #2
    4WD

    4WD cRaZy oLdmAn

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    Grey wire MOD, deck plate, diff breather MOD, 2nd gen. OME 883# on Tundra 5100's, OMD custom 3" leafsprings, rear shock relocation, Ivan Stewart TRD rims w/285/75/16's, '02 bumper MOD, Famous Fabrications sliders , LED interior/exterior lights, bed bar, Custom tube bumper, Old school KC day lighters,Red Ring 8" HID flood, Kenwood vhf 2M.. umm some other shit I'm forgetting right now
    ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

    We used to have an almost exact same thing when I was a kid in my Dads Ford, very practical & tons of storage underneath.... nice job...:thumbsup::thumbsup:
     
  3. Sep 13, 2014 at 12:49 AM
    #3
    Trowbocop

    Trowbocop Adventurer

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    Awesome write-up. This is exactly the inspiration I need right now! Looks very economical. Can't wait to get my top and build my setup. Repped. :taco:
     
  4. Sep 13, 2014 at 1:18 AM
    #4
    MoonCrawler

    MoonCrawler [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Thanks. The small size of the Tacoma bed kinda dictates how things have to go. I started out trying to make something out of PVC pipe, with legs everywhere. But simple is always better.

    I miss the bed of my Chevy that I had as a teen. It fit a twin mattress easily between the wheel wells. I had 6x9's wired back there and spent many a comfortable night down at the lake.
     
  5. Sep 13, 2014 at 1:21 AM
    #5
    MoonCrawler

    MoonCrawler [OP] Well-Known Member

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    It was under $100 for everything.

    2 sheets of plywood
    2x4
    hardware
    box of screws
    straps
    shelf brackets
    beer
     
  6. Sep 13, 2014 at 10:39 AM
    #6
    MoonCrawler

    MoonCrawler [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Didn't get the rep?
     
  7. Sep 13, 2014 at 11:12 AM
    #7
    Trowbocop

    Trowbocop Adventurer

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    I tried, but it said I have to spread rep to somebody else before I rep you again lol. So as soon as I can, I'll rep ya. Didn't know it was a limited feature.
     
  8. Sep 13, 2014 at 11:14 PM
    #8
    MoonCrawler

    MoonCrawler [OP] Well-Known Member

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    A few more points about this design:

    - You can use shorter cushions for more headroom. I just like the IKEA ones.
    - Since it rests above the lip of the shell, water is not an issue. Lots of carpet kits are ruined by leaking shells, an inevitability.
    - you can fit large storage bins from Walmart or Home Depot under this. It helps to have your stuff in bins so that when it does rain and your shell leaks, your stuff doesn't get wet.
    -if you remove the optional piece, you can fit a bicycle in there standing upright.
    -there's room underneath for jerry cans, a fire extinguisher, water tank, jack, etc. If your truck is lifted, you know the stock jack is worthless. You can even mount a high-lift jack underneath and across the wheel well.
    - the small sleeping space retains heat better
     
    Last edited: Sep 14, 2014
    Hamer95USA likes this.
  9. May 10, 2021 at 9:13 PM
    #9
    jnossoff

    jnossoff 2000 Xcab Pre-Runner with Leer 122 shell

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    Great ideas, and a really nice write-up. Much appreciated.
    Get the Leer 122 with Windoors, makes life so much easier.
    Leer 122 Camper shell with WinDoors.jpg

    For retrieving items stored under the bed, Camco RV Telescoping Awning Opener :

    Camco RV Telescoping Awning Opener.jpg

    Wire a 12 volt outlet ("cigarette lighter"), always "on", to power a 12 Volt Electric blanket to preheat sleeping bag or bedcovers. (But don't leave it on all night as it may completely drain your truck battery.)
    12 Volt Electric Blanket.jpg
     
  10. May 10, 2021 at 10:01 PM
    #10
    jnossoff

    jnossoff 2000 Xcab Pre-Runner with Leer 122 shell

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    My dad did this too, in a 1956 Ford Station wagon. You may have been in my Dad's "other" family!! :homer:
     
  11. May 10, 2021 at 11:22 PM
    #11
    otis24

    otis24 Hard Shell Taco

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    That's a nice light simple set up. Reminds me of the 1st sleeping platform I built.
    My 2nd one was 3/4" plywood with drawers. It was crazy heavy. I turned it into a campfire.
    The 3rd one was aluminum and about 40 pounds and crazy strong. That one is a shelf in the shed now.
    The 4th one weighs about 18 pounds but it took 50 hours to make it. It's fiberglass and epoxy over foam. But the frame to hold up the platform weighs around 1,000 pounds and has taken 600 hours to build it to 70% done.
    There is something to be said for simple.
    Nice truck pic.jpg
    I think I have that blanket. It's so nice. I run it all night long if it's cold enough. I have 115 usable amp hours from the camper batteries.
    Most of the time preheating is plenty.
     
    Area51Runner likes this.
  12. May 11, 2021 at 7:58 PM
    #12
    coldaccord

    coldaccord Well-Known Member

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    I'm so jealous of these. I have a snugtop shell and wish they made pop outs for it
     
  13. May 11, 2021 at 9:26 PM
    #13
    otis24

    otis24 Hard Shell Taco

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    I used to have a snug top hi liner. They made windoors for that one.
     
  14. May 12, 2021 at 8:41 AM
    #14
    coldaccord

    coldaccord Well-Known Member

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    I have the “super sport” so there’s a break (a pillar)where the rear quarter pop out glass meets. Good point though I should see if they make one for the large front section. Love the visibility of this camper shell

    594C549C-6DC8-4F60-98A2-D1329A432239.jpg
     
    Hamer95USA likes this.
  15. May 12, 2021 at 9:38 AM
    #15
    otis24

    otis24 Hard Shell Taco

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    Ah, I see what you mean.

    I was going to add the windoors to my Hi Liner but I ended up getting rid of it and the bed and replacing everything with a flat bed pop up camper.
     
    coldaccord[QUOTED] likes this.

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