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

I guess I should post this here, too.



Edit - A further explanation:

Got the plywood cut into four 2'x4' pieces. The three intact ones are resting in place and can pop out easily to get at things. The strip in the middle is affixed to the middle supports.

 

I'll add one tool to this list, which really isn't needed, but you'll smile every time you use it. A mitre saw.

 

I got a mitre saw last weekend after only using a circular saw for the last year and a half. holy shit. if you're doing a bunch of cuts at the same length, a mitre will save you so much time.

i dont even have a table for it. just screw the base into some 12 ft 2x4s, put it on some cheap saw horses i got. easy. i just clamp wood to the 2x4s to use as a stop block.

 

"it's a process"

 

The main advantages of a good saw stand are light weight and compact size so you have still room for other stuff but there’s nothing wrong with a good “at home” set up. The Dewalt unit is great for me.

 

Anyone regret selling their bed platform

buddy wants it. Easier to just hook him up than do a build.

potentially remake a second later

used 5/8” smooth plywood not sure if that’s the best
Or something thinner and weatherproofed

 

Is the mattress cut that way for sleeping diagonal in a short bed?

 

yes
If you are curious here are the details
Used it myself, left pocket had WaterPort DayTank
Right front had stuff like Heater Buddy and two big water cans

unfortunately no rack to hold things
Don’t know if I can justify $1100 for one Sherpa

would be cool if I figure out sewing a case.
4” foam from a military surplus store. They also had 1 2 3”. Some people lay that down first on the wood and then glue carpeting.

said buddy who wants it has GF camping so I will tell him another option is bigger foam, tent extension over the shell window, and wooden folding feet platform extension for length.

in my case had to have the option of stealth camping with a closed shell so I made it diagonal.
Diagonal makes the 5’ bed really 6’.

while I could do OBW (onboard water) or mount a WaterPort elsewhere, doesn’t really change body position whether that pocket is used or empty.
If not those things I’ve also got a Badlands jack to carry and no swingout atm.

cut was to make the main piece fit
Then threw the trimmed off pieces back in as shown in pic instead of throwing away.

HEST has a truck bed mattress but that shit is $500 and foam is not. Even okay real large bed mattresses don’t cost that much and the HEST is likely mostly or entirely foam, with a cover (not made of diamonds)

if I remake one I want to research what 4” foam is cheaper and how big of a size it comes
Would be cool to have a big one covering the entire size
Making a cover for that shape would be easier too

I wonder what cheaper places are to get wood.
If I find it cheap awesome. Will make buddy one and rather spend a couple bucks on a jigsaw to get corners right
Shit is expensive at Home Depot, at least 5/8 smooth plywood is.

 

Interesting set up at an angle like that. The struggle is real Stealth camping in my 5' bed. I've gotten good at the fetus position. Wood and cheap are no longer talking. I built my platform/drawer out of 3/4" Baltic birch and for what it cost may as well have been built it out of furniture grade walnut.

 

fetus positon? Fetal?
Man I didn't even want to try that.
Diagonal was able to stretch out...

I think 5/8" might've been too thick, and if I remake another would consider going thinner like 1/2" or less. I think 3/8" is another one people do

would probably try even splinter-chipped, if not treated lumber, to paint. As treated is heavier than non-treated due to the resin.

I mean you can try angled like that before committing to foam first. It fits. Then if you're satisfied look for foam.

 

1/2" is strong enough, but can slightly flex under load (sitting near an unsupported edge, for example.) I built mine from A/C 3/4" interior grade, and varnished the top, then laid Bed Rug carpet down. It is quite comfortable, even without a foam pad.





For a mattress/padding, I use a ThermoRest backpacking pad. Comfy enough, and rolls up out of the way.

 

I like your design around the fridge. There when you need it, but not when you don't. I did urethane coating for weather proofing, and high quality Baltic birth to minimize the glue used between the ply's, and to avoid voids. That can mess things up pretty good with temp fluctuations.

I've gotten accustomed to the FETAL position (thanls for the correction @TacoTuesday1), and have even worked out a system with my matress where I am slightly propped up allowing me to stretch out. I use an Exped megamat. My platform was built to its width of 27".


When I'm not trying to be stealth, I have an extension that sits on my drawer that makes my sleeping platform 7' amd doubles as a table/work surface.

 

Where'd you get the tailgate netting and how well is it working out?

 

It is for a French door. Got it off of Amazon. At first it worked out ok. Then I was able.to make a few garage alterations and now it's the bees knees and is now considered an essential part of my truck kit.

 

I'd love to mirror that same setup with the net. Would be great to leave the tailgate and topper window open overnight without bugs.

Can you share details how you mounted it to the topper and stuff like that?
Does it roll up out of the way?

 

I’m also interested.

 

Thats the best part. It comes with velcro around the perimeter. I have velcro strip around the inside of the cap opening, and the screen attaches to that. The center opening has magnets so it closes shut after opening. It is way longer than anything I need so I cut off peices from the bottom and made small wings on the sides to seal any other openings. When I'm not using it, I remove it and roll it up for storage.

 

which side is the "grippy" side of the velcro on? I have carpet on the inside of my topper so it would be ideal if the grippy side was on the screen and not the adhesive door strips.

do you have a link to the one you got?

 

It can be on either side, but the velcro on the screen is the loop side so I use 2 sided hook velcro. Sticks to my carpet and the screen sticks to the other side.

This is the one I bought. I did some adjustments but it is available in different sizes.
Yotache Reinforced Sewing...

$29 Yotache Reinforced Sewing Magnetic Screen Door Fits Door Size 50 x 80, Screen Size 52" x 81" for Sliding Glass Doors and French Door

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07QTKHJHP?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

 

How many of those Front Runner boxes can you fit under the Bam Boards? I also have Bam Boards and I'm just using 9 gal Rubbermaid tubs but have been considering switching to the Front Runner boxes.