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

There’s a made to fit thick rubber mat for the Tacoma.

 

Yeah looking for something to cover the top of the platform.

 

Check out a local farm and ranch store for wide rolls of various rubber or rubber/? sheeting.

Stores near me have this in varying thicknesses.

 

horse stall mats work great

 

@Fishing Grizzly

It’s not rubber but...This is what I use on top of my platform. It is comfortable, durable and fits approximately 90% of the top of my platform. You can buy two sets or a larger mat whichever is cheaper and cut to fully fit. Which is what I will be doing soon. I bought mine at Costco for a comparable price. I can pull it out hose it down and let it dry, plus I can store it easily in a stack of 2’ squares when the system is out of the truck. Hope that helps.

$30 ProsourceFit Puzzle Exercise Mat ½ in, EVA Interlocking Foam Floor Tiles for Home Gym, Mat for Home Workout Equipment, Floor Padding for Kids, Blue, 24 in x 24 in x ½ in, 24 Sq Ft - 6 Tiles

 

Didn’t even think horse stall mats, that should work good. heavy duty and easily cleaned. Thanks for the input guys!

 

Horse stall mats are heavy AF.

 

Hell yeah they are.. def not a good idea for a full time set up in a truck.

 

For my current setup I went to a local carpet store and they had some 2’x2’ squares of low carpet for $1 each. I used that and it’s worked well.

 

Lots of good idea above. Could also look into garage flooring rolls? Something like this would weigh less than the horse stall mat: https://www.homedepot.com/p/G-Floor...inyl-Universal-Flooring-GF55LV510MB/303800695. Can also get them thicker, and with diamond plate texture, etc.

Also, good outdoor carpet can totally be hosed down or even pressure washed when muddy, so I wouldn't completely count that out.

 

Loving all the pictures on this thread. Giving me a lot of great ideas for my build.

wondering if you guys are weatherproofing (stain/paint/etc) your wood at all? If so, any comments on how it held up or things you’d do differently?

I was planning on using shop grade birch plywood but also live in a very rainy area and expect some water infiltration

thanks

 

I used this from Home Depot. Cant speak to its effectiveness at this point as mine is newly installed and I live in phoenix...

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Olympic...rent-Wood-Stain-and-Sealer-55176-01/305542067

 

Ok great, that’s kinda what I was leaning towards so glad to know others are using it too.

Pretty stinky stuff? Has the smell (if any) gone away? Not thinking my HOA would love if I do that in my parking garage haha

 

Finally got my sleeping platform/drawer system done. I still wanted space in the bed for other storage so only made the platform half the width. After a weekend camping with my dog I realized I need to add a little extra room so am going to add about 6 inches to the side that I can flip up when sleeping and have them down when I have stuff loaded.

 

Why not just waterproof the bed?

 

Yes. I used shop grade birch and laminated pine to build mine. I live in the Seattle area...lots of moisture in many forms. In fact topper had a screw in roof track that failed so carpet liner and platform were both soaked after a downpour. It’s been 2 going on 3 years now no issues, no delamination, no warpage. I will eventually prime 2 coats Kilz oil base inside/out and then use an airless to spray 2 top coats in/out with a Valspar oil enriched product that cleans up with water. Good luck it’s a great modification and will give you years of enjoyment if you do it right.

 

from what I’ve heard, the taco beds are super hard to make water tight. I’m going to try my best to make sure it’s sealed up but living in the PNW, some seepage might be expected

 

I had some leaking in my cap when I got it from rain, but more leaks when I would go to the auto car wash.

Here is the steps I took to overcome those steps.

Seal bed rail caps

I maybe had the tiniest of leaks from the car wash, but rarely. I had a unlimited wash and used it 3-4 times a week and vary vary rarely saw water after sealing up my bed, and never from rain.

 

Excellent info. Many thanks hawk

 

Hey, I like this setup! Can you quickly provide the size of the lumber you used? What is that drawer you have...self-made?