Let's see your 3rd Gen Platforms

Will start it off with light weight simple platform I installed two weeks ago:
3/4" plywood split down middle(2 sheets), full carpet wrapped, 2-1"x3" hollow steel beam cross support (20' beam- cut into 4 (2 extra for heavier loads), 06 gauge), Velcro secured. (Home Depot, Miller lumber yard, Swift Steel Co.) approx cost $130

 

Looks good, Alex! This will be one of my next projects. I want to seal up the canopy (the bed and tailgate, really) from the rain as much as possible first though. Some weather stripping should be mostly what I need. (Sub'd.)

 

Wanted something super simple and easy to remove. Used a piece of plywood I had lying around, and spent about $20. When I'm alone I'll just cover half the platform (as shown below) so that I still have room for gear and coolers. I can always add another piece of plywood to make a full platform if needed. I use a Exped Megamat for car camping so I didn't see a need to get all fancy and carpet the platform...

 

This is very similar to what I'm planning on doing, although I was planning on wood cross supports and a single perpendicular vertical support down the middle. I didn't even think of hollow steel beams. How are the ones you're using holding up, any flexing?

 

Wood cross support at 1" has way too much flex. 2" wood works great, but then you end up losing head space, especially if you're planning to sleep back there.
I'm using .06 gauge steel, which my girlfriend and I can sleep on fine with gear (combined weight both of us 270lbs). Since its 1x3, you can also place 2 side by side next to each other in the cab's 6" divots to double down on strength as they sell steel beams in 20 foot sections(had it cut in 4, but using only 2 works fine). Decided on hollow to save weight, but still keep strength.

 

Thanks for the info! I'll start looking around for a steel yard.

 

Is that made to fit there or does it just fit? Do you have a model# or link?

Thanks!