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

I have a pulley on the front cross bar that lets me haul my drawer up tight to the bed front with a cleat to tie off the rope at the back.

 

I let the platform hold them but that has it's own problems for me. My containers are plastic and twice I've hit rough spots, holes, bumps, what have you, that has caused the boards & containers to jump. I carry a loose shovel, axe and other implements of destruction and they slid under containers causing the distribution of weight on the containers to not be even and they cracked. My platform isn't one piece but 4. Currently I'm looking to make a center brace(s) that will hold the weight rather than the containers.

 

I useRubbermaid bins. The bins are zip-tied together to make a long tray. To keep them from sliding around, I have a curtain rod spanning the bed at the tailgate end. Because I don't need to be In them every day, it isn't a big issue to take out the rod whenever I need into the bins.

 

This is what I did. 1"x12”? (Maybe wider)boards that I interlinked into a "cross" near the front of bed where I had plans to out a second battery there.

It's good enough for me but not super sturdy.

 

Made a "2/3 platform" from a Thermoplastic Panel. Had to notch three small sections on the passenger side in order for it to drop down because of the SnugTop. 14 lbs. overall and no need for a middle support.

 

Interesting!
Why only 2/3?

 

Because I’m not sleeping in the bed, but using it more for organization. My kids can sleep there though, side to side.

 

Nice! Where do can I find panels like this on the retail level? Most google returns are for decorative panels of minimal thickness.

 

I would look on the Plascore site for a dealer in your area. They usually stock the 1" stuff. I think shipping one panel would be cost prohibitive.

 

https://fiberglasssupplydepot.com/Plascore-Board-for-Boat-Building.html

$136 for a 4x8 sheet of 1"

 

Anyone ever bolt a support directly onto the bed rail to rest a sleeping platform on? I want to do something similar to what Dragons Love Tacos did, but instead of hanging the 2x4 supports down a few inches from the rail, just bolting them flush with the bed rail using t-nuts. I know it will be snug above the platform, but I want as much room as possible for gear below. I figure I'll be mostly using it to quick camp when fishing/hunting (no need to break down a tent at 4am), and other than sleeping won't be spending much time in there.

 

I appreciate it but they only sell in 2x4 sheets from what I can see. That won't cut it on a 57" span.

 

How many inches you looking to add?

What if you put a 2×4 on its side sitting on top of the bed shelf, then screw the plywood down into the 2x4. This will gain you 3.5" over the normal. If you want more height a 2x6 or however much lift you want.

 

I put a spacer below the cross bars to raise my platform and got about 11 inches.

 

Where did you get the tent part to cover back?

 

If you read the site, they will sell 4x8. They say it's not economical to ship.

 

Ok.

 

That's why I would check with regional Plascore dealers and ask them about the specifics of the application. Make sure the panel has oriented or chopped glass reinforced polypropylene facing both sides.You might be able to pick up a sheet and avoid shipping fees.

 

Ideally I'd have the platform at or just above the height of the bed rails. Putting risers off the bed shelf wouldn't get me that high (would have to sit under the bed rails presumably).

 

Do you have it secured down?