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

try and source that from a local metal supplier, its far cheaper. Also a much larger selection

 

Definitely this; if you have a metal recycler, they can be even cheaper. HD, Lowe's, etc tend to be really expensive on metal. Even Metal Supermarkets, if you have one locally, is less expensive than the big box stores.

 

Here's what I ended up going with. I'll probably tweak and change it down the road but I wanted to start off with something simple, cheap, & removable. Build time was only about 2hrs (most of that being measuring) and about $150 in supplies from Home Depot. I want to say all the ideas I probably got from this thread.















After a couple of months with this setup here's my general thoughts on having a cap/platform combo. This is all pretty obvious to those of you already with caps/platforms but find it might be helpful for someone curious about doing a setup like mine.

-Install/removal. I can remove or install the platform easily within 90 seconds (have to go in through the side doors), with the platform extension added/removed in an additional 30.

-Security. I can keep camping/shooting stuff under the platform away from prying eyes. The tailgate & cap locks are obviously pretty easy to break into (locks only keep honest people honest) but are better than an open bed for obvious reasons. Fortunately I live in an area where I don't have to really worry about smash n' grabs and work in a gated facility with people I trust.

-Organization. Currently I've just been using 2 simple duffels (1 for sleeping bag, 1 for misc camping stuff), and 2 Pelican cases (shooting stuff, misc vehicle/breakdown stuff) but it's worked out well. Easy enough to access things when I need them & remove everything if I'm gone more than a night or 2 from the truck (which is common for me). Originally I was going to add drawers but I like having an undivided bottom part for now and being able to easily unpack everything.

-Comfort/weather proofing. As someone who's 6'4, I have no regrets sticking with the 5ft bed. If it's just me in the truck I can sleep diagonally and *barely* fit if it's pouring or I want to "stealth" camp, or pop open the back & extension with a tarp or mosquito blanket if it's nice out. I added some 550 cord tie-downs to the side windoors & back hatch so that when I want to sleep with them open I can have a downward angle for rain runoff (haven't tested yet). For the windoors I cut screen material that I just tape in place with one-wrap velcro strips. I can have add the extension, set up the bed, and add the screens and tarp in about 3 mins. The carpet is nice for the clean/sleeping area and helps with noise reduction/tight fit. The extension stores easily & also can be used for more comfortable tailgate seating. I might find some plastic material for the under side of the extension to use as a camp kitchen/prep table that cleans easily.

 

I have a cheap bed shell I just bought and its bare fiberglass. What should I use to insulate it?

Might make a thread of how I will re do the whole thing including paint job

 

Sneaking onto the 2nd gen section to post in this thread..
I was originally going to build the "old school camper" like a few people on here have done, but out of 1" t slot aluminum from 8020.
After debating the accuracy of my measurements, I decided to try it out of 1" treated wood (which I already had sitting in my shed) first, to avoid messing up measurements and wasting money if I got it wrong for the aluminum.
This is as far as I've gotten. Probably going to use 1/2" MDO to cover the sides, and 3 sections of 3/4" MDO for the center platform.

 

Made some more progress today. Still need to cut access doors on the top of the side sections, put in eyelets to attach turnbuckles to the tie down points, maybe do a few cup holders, panel the open sections on the sides, and seal everything.
Debating on whether I should carpet it or not. I feel like the edges might just get torn up with all the sliding pieces going in and out.

 

Cut in some little doors to access the cubbies and tie down points and notched the passenger side top panel to fit my quickfist mounts.
Just need to seal everything and it should be done.

 

made some cabinets for inside. for frees up space in the drawers. gonna use it for socks/underwear and other light things.

 

What are you guys using for inflatable mattresses? I don't want to go foam since I want to retain cargo capacity for non-sleeping trips and don't have a ton of storage space for a mattress in my garage/house.

Exped has a sweet double mattress that would fit (57"W x 73"L for LB) but its like $300. I want something insulated for spring-ish ski trips so no wally world specials...

 

I've been using the Klymit Static V-Luxe insulated for several years. Just used it a couple nights ago. Two of them fit well between the bedsides for two people. I made a video of how to inflate them cheap and easy. I've gotten good deals on their ebay site when they have "make an offer" options.

 

How do you inflate them? I’ve been considering purchasing that exact pad.

 

Make sure the valve is the outside type like a nipple and not imbedded in the pad. I got a different Klymit pad and it had a flat roating type that didn't extend from the pad.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fmzj81amuY

 

Just helped my buddy finish this up.
It’s in a 2020 OR4x4 DCSB.
SnugTop shell.

 

Does anybody in here run bedside hi lift Jack/shovel mounts with a sleeper set up?

 

I did before I sold the platform to you.

 

And everything fit? Shit I need the info for those mounts lol

 

couple months ago i added some 3030 to give some extra height to the Leer DCC. Works great so far

 

Interesting. Do you have a side photo? There must be a gap above the tailgate right?

 

Not me. My hilift is underneath the drivers side wrapped in a moving blanket. I don't want to sleep with it by my side.

 

sure, just used some aluminum angle/c channel/1.5x3L to close the gap + some more angle alum w/ weatherstripping to keep the water out. For everything between the bed rails and 8020 i used a heavy duty bulb seal, cut down in half, and inserted into the 8020 channel. Does a great job of keeping the water out. Only a couple small leaks i'm hunting now. It took a bit to get to that point though lol