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

Thanks! Roughly 150lbs total...I can get the frame out solo but it’s not the most fun task haha

 

Thank you all for the amazing ideas!!! Just took so many screenshots, and will check back in with my progress in a couple of months.

 

Have fun with it. It is one of the best mods I’ve ever done! BTW welcome to the site. Enjoy the journey!

 

How have 3rd gen owners been securing to the bed? Are the factory bed bolts long enough to hold down 1/2 ply?

 

More pictures/detailed thread to come.

The main platform is made of 1/2” sanded plywood. The plywood sits on three slats running across the bed (two 2x3 and one 2x4). The slats rest on some 1/8 angle iron brackets I found at Ace. The brackets already had holes in them. I attached the brackets to the bed rails using 1/2” carriage bolts.

I made an extension out of scrap wood from the original platform. It makes the platform just over 6’. I used Steeltek structural pipe (Lowe’s) for the legs. Steeltek makes fittings for the pipe. Oh and where the legs are I stiffened up the plywood by gluing a few layers together so it’s 1.5” thick there. The extension pushes in so the tailgate can close. It is supported by the main platform on the cab side.

I took a memory foam mattress I had in my guest room. Will get a probably paint it all black so the look is clean.

I made a tent out of tarps the covers the sides so when the EZTopper is up I’m all sealed in.

 

Subd. Mines still very much a work in progress but I’m sure there’s some good ideas in here

 

Did you take off the shell to get the top piece in?

 

I did not, and had to shave 1/2” off to get it past the initial ribs by the tailgate. No topper it would have been easy to drop in. Bummer as i milled it precisely to fit in but then ended up having to edit it

 

I don't know if this has been posted, but this is a fun write up of a design that is elegant in its simplicity:

https://www.adventure-journal.com/2017/01/test-jh-campnotes-truck-living-room/

FWIW: AJ is a great read for outdoor adventure folks

 

I just finished this. Fun project to make. It's on a 2012 tacoma with a fwc project m top.

 

Lots of good ideas!

 

Just installed mine. Have some details to finish up yet but they’re mostly done. Pretty happy with how it turned out.

 

Old post, I know. But does anyone know where the frig I can find those little threaded grommets/screws that are screwed into thr bed and can be bolted to. Want to do a drawer build and those look perfect for securing the plywood/drawer rails to the bed.

 

Check McMaster-Carr.

They are called rivet nuts. https://www.mcmaster.com/rivet-nuts

 

Amazon. I just got this set with the install tool. Solid and works like a charm. $50

$40 RZX 16" RIVET NUT TOOL Hand Blind Riveter,RIVNUT Riveting Tools with Nut Setting System M3 M4 M5,m6,m8,m10 M12, 10-24, 1/4-20, 5/16-183/8-16,totally 11 mandrels+110PCS Rivets Nuts (17" RIVET GUN)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07P7M4BKF?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

 

Ignore the pee bottle and the dude wipes my father-in-law gave me. Built this last week, last minute, to replace my old platform which was not split lengthwise. I only use the platform solo, with my wife we will tent it, so therefore only one side extends to full length. I wanted to be able to have more headroom on one side to sit, pee in bad weather, etc...So I remove one leaf and set it the way you see in the picture or slide it under the sleeping platform (a little too tight, should have made the sleeping leaf .5-.75 inches wider). I made an I-Beam to support the center of the platform with holes drilled and tapped with t-nuts so that I can bolt down the platform and keep the I-Beam from walking about while I drive. When travelling I keep the platform whole and use the Costco yellow and black bins on top, I have a Snugtop Sport HiLiner so I can fit two of these bins stacked towards the passenger cab. I need to figure out what to do in inclement weather because when I use a tarp it flaps around so loudly that I cannot sleep. I got the idea for the flip-down extender from @bprout and I may have to look into his shell tent (see post #9523 https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/lets-see-your-tacos-in-scenic-places.300429/page-477). Here is my photodump...

 

I'd seriously consider countersinking those bolts or at least switching to crown heads; even if it doesn't damage your mattress stuff will still catch on them or worse, if you're like me, you'll crawl in and kneel on them.

Switch to a Nysil or similar tarp, they're a lot quieter than those plastic tarps. I've had to get up in the middle of the night to take one down the darn thing was so loud flapping around.

 

@Bajatacoma Thank you for the suggestions! Yes, I knelt on the bolts and it did not feel well. When I tried to slide my bins around they would catch on the bolts and I would have to reach in all contorted to lift them making me feel as if I would pull a muscle. I have added that to my improvements. I just looked up the tarps you are referring to and that seems like the way to go for now. The tarp I was using sounds like cellophane when you handle it, haha.

 

Nice build. I’m glad you’re looking into flush mount bolts. That will be a huge win for you. Here is another option for you to consider instead of a tarp. The DAC mid size fits Tacoma’s. They are about $160 on eBay or a little more on some other sites. Google truck canopy extension tent.

 

Yeah, ask how I know about leaving bolt heads sticking up or hanging down. As I get older it sure seems if there's a way for me to hurt myself I'll find it.