GarlicFart's "Let's make this truck useless for everything but camping or road trips" build

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/camping-setup-in-a-5-footer.607111/page-2#post-24996165

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/sleeping-in-cab.780854/#post-27924061

I can't find the post but I've seen someone that made similar to what you're talking about, but it was high up. They went over the center console, I THINK the passenger seat was either one of the fold down ones, or if it was reclined all the way, they could sleep over it. It was using similar to the metro racks in the first link, they went from the rear driver to the front passenger, and laid diagonally in the cab.

With the 6ft bed though, there's a lot of options if you want to be back there. Just seal up the bed better, the turd gen beds are nowhere near sealed. You'd be fine for rain coming down pretty easily, but dust gets in there REAL bad.

 

I had sealed my bed when I got my GFC Topper back in January. Bought tailgate and another seal for dust and water. I have the link to my build in my signature.

https://youtu.be/pSJSTk5TJuU?si=Mm4l07nQEEMapIn2

https://youtu.be/SUvBJhJyBCw?si=mpyI3-Fz1Qtrb3ji

 

Patch collection.

 

@RockfishTaco ^^^ that's my platform.

 

Are you still using this platform?

I am looking to potentially do this for weekend camping trips. I absolutely hate setting/taking down a tent LOL.


Have you been disconnecting the battery every time you remove/add the passenger seat back in? Mine would be out for a weekend then going back in most of the time.

I already have my rears out for the dog platform, so it would be pretty easy to remove the front passenger seat then add a platform that matches the heigh of my rear platform.

 

That's exactly (sort of) why I did it.

I did a cross country trip and slept across the back seats. I saw someone do something similar, for in cab setup, and then just went from there for another cross country trip, and it was so much better. For single or w/ dog, it's great. I now have a fridge to contend with, so TBD on how amazing I think it is going forward But it's awesome, show up to camp, and you're already set up! No tents, it's water tight (as long as you close the windows), blocks out a lot of the noise, etc.

PS - The windows comment - I had a set of the screen door cover window condom things, so you can drop the windows and it's like a tent window. They're great, BUT they'll wick in water if it's raining. So, those are not exactly rain-proof. I have the rain guards on my windows so I can crack them, I did that in the rain and no rain came in through the window crack, but it seeped in through the netting.

Battery - Do as I say, not as I do. I have NOT disoconnected the battery. I may have one time, I can't remember. But I'd absolutely recommend you do such a thing instead of being lazy like me.

Weekend setups - I have a RTT as well, and I can attest that taking the RTT on and off (with or without the bars as well) is more difficult than doing this. If you have somewhere to stash the seat, it comes in and out lickity split. The first time takes a few minutes to figure out WTF is going on, get the beauty caps off the first time, etc etc. But after that, super easy. Bring the seat all the way forward, tilt it forward, and then take it out through the BACK door.





I actually built a second (and third) platform in the same idea.

First one was for the dog behind the driver seat.



Then earlier this year I bought a fridge, so if I have wife next to me, dog behind me - fridge goes behind PX seat. I actually just expanded the dog one off to the passenger side, same height. So it's kind of the same idea as what you probably have, rear seat platform.

The issue I NOW have, is the sleeping platform is a different height. I have storage space underneath it, it goes toward the back wall, etc etc. I am thinking maybe next year or something, depending how this year goes with the RTT, rebuild the whole shebang at one height and completely modular so I can have any combination of platforms in. I also MAY look at using 1/2" or 3/4" PVC so it's less bulky, if it's strong enough.

There's two types of PVC tools. I have the first type, the ratcheting cutter. I can't say which one would be better, but my cuts aren't always clean and flush. Works though. And it was a lot easier/cheaper than using wood/saws.




I'd say take some measurements, plan where you want the PVC, and then cut, place, recut as needed. My initial builds are always cut a bit long, then trim them down to get them where I want as I am test fitting them into the truck.

This picture shows pretty good - I basically have these two boxes, and then connect them together and then the rear sits on the rear bulkheads



And when fully set up, I can stash bags, 24 packs of water bottles, etc under the platform



Compared to the picture of the dog platform above, it's a lot lower, so I don't have as much storage space if I lower them all down. TBD what I do with all that next year.

 

Thanks for the info! I'm gonna see if I can knock this out over the weekend and then test it out the following weekend. Your thread gives me some good ideas to go off of.

 

Well, I did it. Got my platform all made and the seat out. Ready to go camping on Friday!
I ended up just using some leftover wood I had for the legs instead of making another trip to HD. Working out well so far. Got a sleeping pad that fits perfectly as well. Stoked!