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

Mine was cheap and shoddy but I made it so that it was easy to extend a shortbed to a sleeping surface long enough for a 6'2 person to sleep in a non-fetal position, fit a queensized sleeping setup that I could just tuck/fold up in there for the day while we drove around and then flop it down and set up the extension. I think this is the cheapest DIY full length bed platform option but not necessarily the nicest or the lightest. Also my feet stuck out past the flap when closed but I survived a few trips. Kinda snug with 2 little kids, kinda cozy when it was just the wife and I (no further questions your honor). It was cheap and mostly scrap from other projects. under the plywood I had some 2X6"s for reinforcement. I liked it - actually just sold it with the topper last night.

 

I originally wanted to do something just like that but found it seemed to restrictive so ended up tweaking it to more of (2) widths between the wheel wells and cubbies front and back of the wheel wells on each side.

I made the permanent sleeping platform a little wider, around 24-26" from the side of the bed (on top of wheel wells) which fits a lot of the "single" size folding mattresses on Amazon. That leaves you around 18" wide drawer underneath. The open aisleway/feet area is also wider which I would highly advise if you ever use your truck for other stuff. Mine is 22" wide which is just barely enough for pretty much everything it needs to fit. Cooler, toolbox, 4 pairs of skis, leaf blower, etc. are the recent things that have come to mind. It makes sitting on the mattress side feel a little roomier having more foot space as well. You don't lose as much storage space as you'd think since you get a compartment in front and behind the wheel wells.

It works really well to swap a single folding mattress with the full folding mattress when my wife joins or I want some luxury space.

 

Thats funny. thanks for that

 

Yes, I am thin that, too. And room for feet.

 

Finally got around to organizing my kitchen drawer.
I think I'm going to make some DIY TrekPak for the front compartment to hold all the loose bits.

I have a trip coming up in a few weeks to test how it works and what I might need to change.

 

Respect that! I was a “wood kinda guy”, then taught myself to weld (badly) on YouTube videos and Amazons cheapest stick welder, specifically to make a sleeping platform.

I’ve realized that the combination of wood/metal/plastic (in the right combinations/spots/etc.) lead to the best outcomes, so may as well get semi-familiar with all of the above.

Apparently there is no single right answer…

Best,

B

 

Yes. I was thinking about that and yours as well as others prompted the idea for wider walkway.
24" leaves 33" to be divided into seating/walkway.

24" on the left allows 5 Hefty Hi-Rise 18 Qt clear totes under it. They are what we use to organize. Coffee kit, kitchen, camping/fire, stoves, etc.

16"/17" will easily allow the 2 Scepter 10L to lay, plus a tote with lights.
Room to spare for odds and ends.

 

@bodean
@Canadian Joe
Would you please measure from the front of the bed to the closed door of your DCU? 72 inches?
I have the same style cap coming. I want to have the platform done before arrival.

 

Ditched my Diamondback for a bed rack and needed a storage solution. Built this with 3/4" plywood coated in bedliner. Measures 16" wide x 60" long x 12" high. Found the shelf idea on YouTube, works great.

 

Wish I could help, but I sold my cap earlier this year.

 

I use to have a custom draw unit I built using 80/20, but since I picked up my GoFast Camper I redid the "living area". Pretty happy with how it works out. Side boxes open up for storage, drivers side has some electrical in it. and still room to move around with the bike in it. This is a 6' bed.

 

LOL
I had to use the 4Runner to bring home 8ft long boards for making the platform for the 6ft bed in the Tacoma.
That's funny.

 

Part way

 

Reminds me of the https://bambeds.com/products/solo-platform produced by another TW vendor forum member. I like the original full width Bambed platform and bed sliders that I trimmed and sealed to fit with the full height bed stiffeners by Ben Davis. He's now produced a work desk that is a fit for many steering wheels, a great lap desk for the driver in beautiful bamboo plywood.

 

@Charlie Bravo
I am building a full width platform with a 'walkway'.
More to come later.

 

Driver side

Passenger side.

 

Turnbucles?
Are there such a thing as a turnbuckle that has a 'snap' handle to lock, and not just threads?

 

https://www.mcmaster.com/products/adjustable-draw-latches/

Not quite a turnbuckle, but some flavor of “adjustable over-center draw latch” might work for ya?

 

Thanks

I'll add a lock-nut to the right hand thread of the turnbuckle