Tall guy / Short Bed camper setup

Brief background.

I'm 6'2" and drive a 2013 Off Road, so yes it has the short bed. Truck is great in every aspect and is not bad to sleep in the back with a platform. I built the platform out of aerospace honeycomb composite. It is an inch thick and needs zero support over the width of the bed. It is actually very comfortable to sleep diagonally.

For a topper it has a softopper for maximum versatility. I do not really want a hard topper or one that is raised, but clearance for someone 6'2" sitting up is really not an option.

I am considering selling the platform and start over with a bit different concept gaining some height hopefully saving my old man back. I have searched the web and this forum for ideas. Wanted to ask and hopefully get some insight from other tall individuals who use their truck as a camper.

 

check out jack's plastic paco pads - they're made in NM. We've got two silverbacks we're planning on throwing back there - don't currently have a camper, am planning on looking into it.

 

Pics and a link to the composite?

 

Have you looked at a full Bedrug (Not a BedMAT from the same company) ?? I had one in my old GMC Sonoma and it was very very comfortable - although I'll have to admit I had not slept on it .....

http://www.bedrug.com/products/bed-liners/bed-rug.html

 

Hey Crux, where did you get the honeycomb composite material. I have a '14 access cab w the 6' bed and was looking into options for a bed platform. I thought that the honeycomb material would be really light and strong. I have the SnugTop Sport Highliner shell. Thanks for any info or pics you could provide.

 

Woodyc, I got the panels from Plascore (http://www.plascore.com/pdf/Plascore_Board.pdf) Panel #: AA3.6-80. All said and done the topper and panels added less than 100 pounds to the truck.

 

Nice. Some pics of your project?

 

Sorry about reviving this 2 1/2 yr old thread. ...What have you ended up changing in your bed's set up?

Just curious because I plan on working on something soon and am about 5'11" with a short bed. So it'll be fun trying to sleep back there.

 

Initially it was a soft topper with a composite platform that was very light weight, problem was my height. Both in terms of sleeping and attempts to sit up.

Since I went with a custom bed cage paired with a hardshell roof top tent. This set up can sleep three in a pinch. What I've found with this set up while comfortable sleeping the gear is exposed and forget stealth camping.

I'm thinking about going back to the platform set up, but have a few things to figure out. First is do I really want to do this. Second, is how to fit the fridge with the platform set up and still be able to sleep back there.

 

I saw that someone that raised their platform a little higher to fit more stuff underneath, but I doubt that would work well with the height issue. They also had a mid-rise camper shell.

I will probably stick to the camper shell route. What I'm wanting to do may require a good amount of nights spent in parking lots along the way. Would be much more simple and quicker by myself.

I am still interested in your honeycomb platform as it will save a good amount of weight. I don't see any pricing or a way to directly order from the site you listed. Do you remember about how much it cost you?

 

Do not recall the cost, but know it is a bit expensive. Is it worth it? That all depends upon how much weight you want to carry.

I'm kicking around the concept of rebuilding one currently. If your local, or driving through the southwest there are multiple versions between all the tacoma climbers that you could check out

 

Not local to you at all. Have a brother in AZ tho, lol.

Well I figure after armour, basic living needs, recovery gear, tools, topper, bike, kayak, etc it'll be getting decently heavy. Though saving 40+ lbs in wood is something I need to decide if it's worth it.

I'll do a little more research before bugging you more, lol.