Truck bed sleeping questions

So many options to choose from that you guys I appreciate all the info will be useing these ideas before spring I also may even go with the suv tent idea also would be good in the sourthen states I’ll be turkey hunting then have to sleep diagonal when it’s colder with everything closed up

 

If you are worried about winter camping in your truck, get one of these- they burn clean as it’s a forced air heater. I keep mine outside and run the hot air into our RTT with a dryer hose:

VEVOR Diesel Air Heater All in One, 8KW Diesel Heater 12V, Fast Heating, Diesel Parking Heater with Black LCD & Remote Control for RV Truck, Boat, Bus, Trailer and Motorhomes

VEVOR Diesel Air Heater All in One, 8KW Diesel Heater 12V, Fast Heating, Diesel Parking Heater with Black LCD & Remote Control for RV Truck, Boat, Bus, Trailer and Motorhomes

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08MVNYT57

 

Canvas Cutter bedroll

 

https://softopper.com/?s=camper+tent

 

I went a similar route as you on my 1st gen tacoma years ago and feel it is the way to go. When building out my 3rd gen short bed, I decided to try the 3 piece method as my interpretation of the Bam Beds style. The reason I went that route was to avoid the 2"x8" underneath, but I'm not sure if it was worth it as there is about an inch of deflection with my weight on it.

Once I cut the two 56.75" x 20.00" pieces I was left with an awkward scrap that I hated to look at in part to me being cheap, but also just seemed wasteful for such a nice piece of ply (birch). With that said-- its undeniable that buying an additional half sheet, thus making it more uniform with the first two pieces, would be best. I basically screwed/glued the third piece (closest to tailgate) 28.5" x 19.5" to the 56.75" x 8" cross support to be one piece. This is where the aluminum C-Channel came in to strengthen it all up and clean up the highest wearing edge.