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

The pics are of a roadhouse tarp

 

Correct, Roadhouse tarp. The satellite tarp is smaller one. The Roadhouse one is the one with reinforcement over the end near the cap and has adjustable straps to tie to the rear wheel spokes. I bought mine from Moosejaw, and it was on sale at $85 late last month.

 

The retractable rooftop awning is also a good setup and faster to deploy and put away. The tarp takes about 15 min for me to get setup, and is a compromise, since you just can't quickly setup and retract it. It took me 8 minutes (I was timed) to take down. But the tarp (to me) gives alot more shade toward the back of the truck where I wanted it the most. I also liked the price of the tarp better too.

 

It does look like a nice setup. AND .. What is the hurry if you are going to sit under it?

 

^^^ Good point!

I just bought a couple of Kelty camping chairs that came in today...a place to relax under, sit, and have a cold one.

 

Where'd you find it for $85 bucks?

 

It was on clearance sale at Moosejaw for $85 late last month. Now the cheapest I can find is Amazon for $99.

 

Still not a bad price compared to the other awnings available. Thanks!

 

Anyone have a solution to closing the tailgate when your sleeping back there?? With the new platform its kinda hard to reach all the way over and pull the tailgate closed.

 

Some nylon bolted to the inside of the tailgate.



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I put a harbor freight 4-1/2" suction cup on the inside back window of the cap to pull that closed. Rather then tugging on the bars that lock it.

 

That's exactly what I'm looking for! I'm assuming you used a washer or something to sandwich the nylon?

 

Great ideas here. Already changed my plans a couple of times.
Stand by for news ..

 

My design plans changed a lot during the build mainly because of this thread lol

 

Here is my first sleeping platform. For now. It is primarily used for my trips at work, as I travel for work in some beautiful northern Canadian areas, 10 days at a time.

The plan is for it to be used for sleeping and not much else, as I use tent sites with a few other guys from work. My site setup includes a 10x10 pop up canopy, 3 tarps for walls, and all the standard camping stuff you can setup on a picknic table. The canopy saves me the use of a tent, and eventually stealth camping will be a thing.. Especially when we’re in the rainy areas of Prince Rupert.

Mattress is a twin LUCID brand 4” memory foam topper, ordered from Amazon.

** Next steps: - curtain, eventual drawer setup, more storage on passenger side. **

 

Got mine done this weekend. Made it 3 pieces so I can configure it for a cooler or whatever else I want.

 

After much contemplation, I went with the super simple setup. It took about 4 hours total.

WOOD=$75
1 12' 2x8", cut in half (actual measure 7.5 so I trimmed .5 for nice 2x7 snug fit)
2 4x8' 3/4" plywood, 2 pieces for easier install/removal (I'm 200lbs, no ply bowing at all)
lil 4x4 post so platform doesn't move when enter/exit

FABRIC=$150
4yds fabric (54" wide) - I went higher end for durability but you can do it for much cheaper
2" hi-density foam (good but not great, 3" prob best)

 

We have a small teardrop trailer and 2 young kids, which means many nights camping my wife is warm and cozy with the kiddos and I'm... in a tent or hammock outside... sigh. So I was wanting something simple, inexpensive, and easy to build that would also remove easily and could be put aside for when I need the full truck bed for hauling something.

What I decided on is a version of a bed I built for my '86 Toyota pickup back in 2002. It's a simple, stackable, 3-piece carpeted platform, that lays flat for sleeping or stacks out of the way for daily use, and can be completely removed in a few minutes. Best of all, it cost me less than $100.

I started by bolting 2x4 rails on the side. I hung them from metal brackets bolted into the bedrail with T nuts I found online. The height of this rail is up to you. I wanted to be able to fit my gear boxes below the bed platform, which are around 13.5" tall.


Next, from 5/8" plywood I made 3 rectangular bed sections, about 56" across and 20" wide each. I used two 2x4's laid flat to support each one. There is no center leg, but in my experience, this is plenty strong enough for anyone willing to climb into such a small space to begin with. I had to cut notches in each of the sections to accommodate the clamps holding down my cap, and test to ensure they stack as desired.





Finally, I found a roll of RV carpeting and just stapled it on. The sections needed a little more trimming to make sure everything fit and stacks the way I need it, and then I added a few trap doors for reaching small items stashed down below when the bed is laid flat. I also used some 3/8" plywood on the floor of the bed as a poor-man's truck drawer, that I can pull out a few feet, helping me reach stuff way in the back under the bed.




I plan on using a sleeping pad to make it more comfy for camping. When I had a 6' bed and taller canopy, this design was perfect for 2 adults and a medium dog no problem, but with my present truck, it's just right for my 2 kiddos or as a back-up sleeping nook for me (laying diagonally). It's also a bit of added security laid flat, as no one can see the gear below.

I hope you find this inspiring!

 

K.I.S.S. is real

 

Was hoping to get some assistance from anyone who's used the heavy duty locking drawer slides -- I've got one drawer without issue, and one drawer that opens/closes no problem but the locking mechanism is much harder to unlock and lock.