Show us your truck bed sleeping platform/drawer/storage systems

I've always dug those doors but wondered about the versatility compared to just having a tail gate. My dog would really appreciate it I think

 

Advantages and drawbacks. Easy quick access. Slower full access.
If I was offered money for it ........ I would think about it, and possibly go back to tailgate. I kept the tailgate wrapped in cardboard in the shed.
Pyrite Mica color matched. It is purty on the truck.

 

Ya thats what I figured, I really do like the idea of them but it just seems like a better idea to have the tailgate. The extended roof is goof y too

 

Extended roof??

 

When you have the hatch up.

 

It's just like a giant SUV if you open the hatch.

I much prefer the walk-in over the old tailgate. I can't use the old tailgate at loading docks with the swingout rear tire carrier anymore anyways, so it's actually an increase in functionality to me.

The cost is the only downside. It's over $1000 to add it on to the cost of the topper. I spent $4200 on my ARE MX with all the options I have, then put a Bajarack on top and am building out the interior. By the time it's done, I could have bought a GFC or Flippac, but they're ugly in comparison to an MX (in my opinion at least), not as well insulated, and not as weatherproof or stealthy for camping.

 

with this type of operating system, why so many top bearings? I can understand a few to keep the drawer from tipping, but the previous picture of just the bearings installed against the carcass seem to indicate there's more afoot that I can fathom. thanks

 

I mostly went off of others experiences. Having used this system now for a few months, I will say it works very well. The top bearings def support the rail as it slides out. My drawers are full of tools so they are quite heavy. Also I am in and out of them all day, so to have them smooth and easy to use is nice.

 

You could probably do with an assymetric approach to spacing since very few are needed at the front end(cab) when at or nearly fully closed with progressively more needed the further out it extends until at max extension the bearings are adjacent. This goes for both top and bottom bearing spacings but not necessarily exactly the same since the bottom load is maxed at the opening but the top load might be a foot or so in from there wherever the back of the drawer is stopped. This would also be true of the rail attachments though they would be concentrated towards the cab end off the drawer.

 

That’s basically what was done on mine and any Pask Makes style box. I actually added even more bearings on the bottom at the front.
The biggest problem I see is the tolerance. Unless these are done with a cnc, most people are leaving a 1/4” of space in between. I went with 1/8”, and got lucky. You have to be incredibly careful even with a jig.

 

1/4" between the drawer rail and bearings?

I'm working through this now:


I didn't leave any gap, the slide is a nice snug fit on the bearings currently.

 

I left 1/8 on mine when I built it, but on a humid or rainy day it was enough that they were sticking (you can see the rub mark on the left side of the left drawer). So I took the drawers apart and recut them to leave 1/4 instead. Seems to be working better so I'll probably paint everything, carpet the platform, and put a real face on the drawers instead of my current ghetto handles.

 

This is my new favorite thread. Buying a topper in the next couple of weeks. Lots of great ideas on here!

 

That's awesome!

What package did you get, and how intense was the install? If you want to take your topper completely off, is it difficult with the EZ lift? Definitely considering this.

 

I'd guess super easy to remove the cap. Just use the lift to create a gap to the bed rails and slide some supported 2x4's under the edge or rope if you can hang from rafters.

 

True, wondering more about disconnecting the EZlift part.

 

It would be relatively easy but then you have 4 actuators to disconnect and thats not as easy nor worth it. I think i'll eventually get a different topper, not super happy with the leaking on the rear window and the front bulkhead flexes a lot so it moves when lifting up and down and is never is the same spot like it should

 

Appreciate the feedback, sounds like the design isn't 100% at the moment.

 

Yea I would say that for sure. I really don’t care if the topper can be removed entirely because I have no use for that, but there are other issues I have with the tent design

 

Simple, light, removable, and effective. Probably around 50 nights in the back of this over the past year. Little buddy heater and insulation on the windows for winter camping. Most gear underneath in sliding containers. Thought out well before buying the truck, and haven't wanted to make a single modification to it.