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

Seems like bumping tunes is a priority to Sir @wrmathis. I don’t see what’s wrong with storing the fridge up front while sleeping in the back. It all comes down to what you’re willing to compromise. I’m working on my own setup which is set up around the idea of clearing my sleeping area every night. Sure it’s a bit more effort but I’m willing and able and I want my stuff when I go on trips.

 

I dont know if this helps, but during the texas freeze feb, my house got down to 35F, and my tempurpedic bed turned into a rock, so it's possible. It took some time for it to soften up

 

I took the simple is sexy approach to mine. Center runner and 2 top boards. Used heavy duty furniture hinges to fold the center runner to one of the boards when out of the truck. Then used some of the same hinges to support the other board from underneath. Really happy with how it came out and how it stows away nicely when out of the truck. Also really like being able to run it one-sided if i want the dog to ride in the back but still keep stuff out of reach underneath the platform. I will be making 1ft bed extensions here soon.

I keep a couple shallow totes underneath with which ever gear (usually surf related things) i need for the occasion. Got a great 4" foam topper from Amazon. I use it on my actual bed when not in the truck.

I did heaps of research before i made mine and determined that since i still need to drive my truck everyday, i didn't need something pertinent and over the top. I wanted something i can take out and stow easily and without a large footprint. Mine gets the job done and im stoked.

 

This is some pretty beefy hardware on the last picture. Is this locking your plywood down?

 

yea, they are locking hinges. Strong stuff.

 

This is a really nice set up. I hadn't thought about locking hinges. Could you spec them, and shoot a photo of the rig folded up? Looks like 3/4 ply; just exterior or some thing esoteric?

 

from the picture it looks like only the left side of the top is supported by the center runner. Is the right side connected by the hinges? Digging the design as I'm also thinking of something that isn't permanent and can easily be removed

 

I might be stealing your idea...i really like the simplicity of it!!

 

Going for a simple set up since I'll be using this primarily for storage and dogs. I'll be mounting a roof top tent but need to get my internal support system installed. Still a work in progress but it's coming along.

 

Looks great! Can you post a link for the hinges?

 

Very happy with the way my short bed build came out! Happy to go into more details if anyone wants to build a similar look! The roller system works great for camping and backcountry hunting - and you save $$$ if you just use skateboard bearings for the shelve rollers.

A lot of builds go with the 2 drawer system but they seemed too small for me, added more work, and wasted a few inches of storage space. I went with one drawer and it's been great.

 

Can you link the bearings, because when I look into them it seems pricey. $2-3 a bearing multiplied by (30?) plus the price of steel. Maybe I’m seeing it wrong.

 

I'm in the process of redoing my setup and was wondering what size tubing you went with for the slides? Also do you have any pics of how you did the drawer stops?

 

$12 50 PCS 608-2RS Skateboard Bearing, 8x22x7, Sealed

HERE are the bearings I bought, Amazon has some great deals - 50 bearings for $14. Maybe not the best for an optimal skateboard setup but great for custom drawers lol.

The steel definitely wasn't cheap but just make a few calls to local shops. Steel was super expensive at Home Depot and any local hardware store. I called ahead to a steel distributor and they cut me a smaller piece at a fraction of the cost. They laughed when I picked up my small order - Look for a metal machining shop for a lower price.

 

I used 1-inch square metal tube, it's super sturdy stuff!

The drawer stops are super simple if the drawer is a snug fit in the frame. I took two smaller pieces of scrap wood (2 inch X 2 inch), decided where I wanted the drawer to stop in relation to the frame, then screwed one piece on the drawer frame and one on the drawer itself. When you pull the drawer out the two pieces smack each other making it so the drawer can't come further - I did this on both sides of the drawer. I did all of this above the rail system.

 

What size tubing did you use?

 

1" x 1" x .120" walled

 

I bought some small pieces from home depot, and my welder could not make proper welds on the crap.
Went to a local metal seller and bought 3/4" square tube. A 20' piece Was like $20-30 i think(was 3-4 yrs ago). They cut the piece in half and were super cool.
When I told the worker what I was doing with it he asked me to come back when I got it all done for him to see.
Saw a older guy there that looked super familiar. Turned out he was the owner, and was my varsity hockey coach from 15 yrs prior. He took me in his office and showed me a picture of our team hanging on his wall.

 

Yeah make sure you aren’t trying to weld galvanized steel

 

Wasn't galvanized. Just cheap Chinese steal with some weird coating. I welded the good stuff I bought from the metal shop no problem.