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

@Paddlinpilot I built a dog platform inside my access cab - sleeps a big GSD pup fine (he’s much bigger than photo now and still fits comfortably):


My platform in the shell is modular, so you can just stack the back panel on the front for your dogs to sleep on and keep the back open if that’s what you want (center support is only really needed when it’s 2 hoomans plus dog). Just 2 cross support boards, 1 center support board, and 2 plywood panels - none of the parts are screwed/bolted together so easy to change the arrangement and deploy/tear down. Last photo shows the 2 panels stacked up front under a moving blanket and no need for center support. Pup either sleeps in his crate outside or with us, he’s still too drivey to trust alone without the crate:


And because doggos:

 

Pretty puppers

 

That's a nice setup. The kids are too cramped with the dogs on them in the back of the double cab. Thinking I may do the something like what you've got. Just gotta pull the trigger on a shell first.

 

Starting to brainstorm a drawer system. Once place I’m stuck is where I have my Rotopax fuel canisters mounted to the front bed rail. My initial idea is to just make the drawer/platform short enough to clear the canisters and their takeoff and removal, but I’d be loosing ~6-8”. Wondering what other idea people have done to solve this.

 

Move them up after you build the platform, might have to modify the brackets.

 

Yeah thats likely the best option. Wondering if there’s any pictures / ideas on a mount to fab up somewhere I could copy.

 

rotate the brackets you have 180 degrees?

 

Hey fellow Poughkeepsian!

If I did that I’d need a spacer to push them out past the lip of the cap and I think it would put a lot of strain on the brackets.

 

I know there are several members from the Kingston area, but haven't seen any Poughkepsie people on here.

Is there enough room to rotate the brackets 90 degrees, use that spacer to bump out a tad and have the cans resting n the bed platform for support from below?

 

If I rotate the cans 90 degrees they’d be lower. I’d need to rotate the drop down brackets 180 degrees. I figure I’ll build the drawer system full size and deal with mounting the canisters after the fact.

 

I'm going to text you an idea for your rotopax with pics that I did with mine.

 

updated:
Mounted my traction boards. I had them opposite of the snow shovel but they rested on the canopy window so I moved them. It worried me it might break and those windows aren't cheap. I will need to go buy a cheap socket set to remove the boards, but I honestly should have one in the truck at all times anyway. This also leaves me room to mount a hi lift jack in the future

 

Was it an issue getting the panels in the bed of the truck with the canopy? I want to do this design as I want flexibility for storing gear, but have read it is difficult to fit the panels horizontal.

 

I have similar design (3 full width top sections) and admit it is hard to get the top sections in and out. Depending on how tight they fit side to aide, you'll likely need a section where you have nothing attached to the rail in order to get them out. Luckily I have a softopper so it's easy to get out of the way. If you intend to keep the platform in the truck most of the time, I think the benefit of easy storage near the tailgate is worth it.

 

Where'd you get those H Profile Brackets?

 

They’re plywood clips for roof ply. They’re used in between rafter spans of 2’ to keep the surfaces aligned and to gap the sheets. Get them at the lumberyard.

 

Bought a used ARE cap yesterday, decided to make a small sleeping platform. 31” wide, 69” long. 2x4 up rights on the outside edge and a piece cut to close it all in. I just have to find some of that carpet you guys are using and a mattress to put on it. The small drawer holds my vamp stove, a propane bottle and sits on the tailgate as a table. Going to test it the weekend as is. See how it all works

 

Wanted to share this one. This is how I stow my inflatable sleeping pads in-between campsites. Make sure if going from low to high elevation to let out some air prior to the move. Air expands with altitude and will burst the pads.

 

I can see you're in San Diego, I got them at Dixieline in Solana Beach. I'm sure they're widely available though.

 

Nice, i'm just down in PB so not too far.