05 Frontier sleeping platform/storage setup

[stevet47]

I am in the very preliminary stages of making my 2005 Nissan Frontier King Cab expedition-ready. After a lot of consideration and looking at some other people's setups I think I decided how I want to setup my sleeping platform with storage underneath.

I'd appreciate any input on the setup I am considering. Let me know if you see any better use of space. My goal is to keep as much out of the cab as possible. Also, I will have a roof-basket for things like my hi-lift, shovel, axe, gas can, etc.

The drawing represents and areal view looking down on the bed with the tailgate down. The 2 shades of grey represent the bedfloor and wheelwells.

Everything is drawn to scale. There would be plywood dividers/supports between some of the storage areas to keep things from moving around and to support the sleeping platform, which will be 8" off the bed floor (just above the wheelwells).

The entire platform will be flat for sleeping with the exception of the CO2 and Fire extinguisher coming though the sleeping platform.

The unused areas on either side of the water tank will be for loose storage and will be accessed though hinged doors in the platform. The space to the right of "B." will remain empty for a convenient place to slide in my boots, and small personal effects when I go to bed.

The plan is to leave the front open so that when I drop the tailgate everything is there, and I don't have to mess with unlocking a door to expose all the storage bins. I always keep my tailgate locked, so I figure that will serve from keeping anything from getting stolen.

Let me know what you think!
(sorry for the long post).

 

[goofiefoot]

This looks very well thought out. Do you have a camper cap, tent setup, or will you be sleeping under the stars?

I love my Xterra, but recent repairs got me thinking about what my next vehicle might be, and your setup is the best option I've come up with. I will be following your progress, just in case.

 

[stevet47]

Thanks.
I'll either be using a Softopper, or a Bestop, preferably a Bestop because it has windows and allows you to drop the tailgate without opening up the back of the topper.

 

[The BN Guy]

I have a Softtopper and can drop the tailgate. I can leave the flaps down or roll them up and lock them in place.

Nice looking setup. Am considering going back that direction. Again.

 

[stevet47]

I have a Softtopper and can drop the tailgate. I can leave the flaps down or roll them up and lock them in place.

Nice looking setup. Am considering going back that direction. Again.

The rear part of the Softopper velcos to the tailgate though, correct? So you would have to un-velco the rear of the Softopper, then open the tailgate, unless you always leave the rear flaps rolled up.
With the Bestop, there is a aluminum pole that goes through the rear part of the Bestop level with the top of the tailgate so that you can drop the tailgate without touching the Bestop.

Bestop:

Softopper: Must un-velco these flaps first.

 

[The BN Guy]

Those rear flaps I usually roll them up with the sides and then roll the rear flap up.

If I'm just loading something from the store then I simply unvelcro and drop the tailgate and load. Were you talking about loading stuff with the tailgate down or running with the tailgate down in general?

 

[stevet47]

Those rear flaps I usually roll them up with the sides and then roll the rear flap up.

If I'm just loading something from the store then I simply unvelcro and drop the tailgate and load. Were you talking about loading stuff with the tailgate down or running with the tailgate down in general?

lol, I think we are making this a bigger deal than it needs to be. All I meant was that I like how the Bestop doesn't velcro to the tailgate.

 

[articulate]

Okay, cool. Sliding counter top. Sweet idea.

With the under mount drawer slides, is this going to be bolted to the bed or the tailgate? If to the bed, how does that work with the CO2 and fire extinguisher when you slide it back in?

You found some really cool stuff to use. I have to admit, though, that our 14 gallon water tank is a little small for taking showers and regular washing and cleaning. Just a little. Conservation is the key. Although I'm moving to a new dispensing unit, which might cut down on over-consumption.

What are your intentions for dispensing water from the tank?
I think this is going to be great to watch your progress.

 

[stevet47]

Okay, cool. Sliding counter top. Sweet idea.

With the under mount drawer slides, is this going to be bolted to the bed or the tailgate? If to the bed, how does that work with the CO2 and fire extinguisher when you slide it back in?

You found some really cool stuff to use. I have to admit, though, that our 14 gallon water tank is a little small for taking showers and regular washing and cleaning. Just a little. Conservation is the key. Although I'm moving to a new dispensing unit, which might cut down on over-consumption.

What are your intentions for dispensing water from the tank?
I think this is going to be great to watch your progress.

The drawer slides will be bolted to the inside of the tailgate, and the UHMWP sheet will be bolted ontop of them. The slides are 1/2" thick, and I will likely be using 1/2" UHMWP.
To use it I would simply drop the tailgate and slide it out. Then I would just slide it in and close the tailgate. It would take up 1" of depth into the bed when closed, so it would not get in the way of the Fire extinguisher or anything at all.

Originally I spec'd a 20gal. water tank (and it fits) but decided to cut back due to weight savings. I intend to use river/lake water for showers whenever possible, and only use the tank water when necessary. Also, I don't go on extended expeditions, 4 days would probably be max without coming across a place to re-fill, it would be 2 of us using the water. I haven't figured out exactly what I want to do as far as dispensing the water yet. I want a small (very low flow) faucet towards the rear of the bed. I'm thinking on a flexible hose and magnet so I can stick it to the outside of the bed. I am hoping this can simply be done by gravity/siphon, but I doubt it. If not, I will probably go with a small 12V submersible pump.
Also, I will be using a larger in-line self-priming pump for showers that will also incorporate a heat-exchanger utilizing the trucks cooling system. The reason I want to go this way instead of simply using 1 pump is so that I can use lake water when available. As you can see, I haven't worked all the details out yet, but it will come together. Anything you recommend?

Today I started on another project; maximizing the storage space behind the seats in my King Cab.
Before: (old pic, its not nearly that clean anymore, lol)

During:

The after is still yet to come.
I plan on covering a piece of plywood with matching fabric and attaching it to the back wall. I will also be building a floor-box level with the top of the hump that the KC seats folded above. This will give me a perfectly flat floor with a perfectly flat back wall making a lot easier to store large things (coolers now, fridge later). The floor will have a hinged lid on either side so I can use the space between the truck floor and the raised flat floor for more storage of small things.
Progress will continue this week.

 

[articulate]

I love it. When I saw your idea about the cooking/cutting board, I immediately thought that a sliding action bolted to the tailgate would be really clever and space-saving.

So, when it's extended it will have two levels? One level affixed to the tailgate, and the second level slides outward? I'd love to see some more about that. May have to do something similar.

About the water, you can see how Jonathan made a gravity-fed magnet mount dispenser here: http://expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1852

I don't see any benefit to installing two 12v pumps, and adds complexity. The in-line pump can do it all - concerned about contamination in the pump? If you're mixing lake water with potable water, the tank would be contaminated to ... ?

Anyway, for simplicity reasons, I'd only install one electrical pump in addition to the the gravity-fed faucet. Or split the supply line from the 12v pump to get a line to the shower and one to the faucet. It seems to me that if as soon as you put lake water into the tank, you'll want to flush the system anyway before using drinking water in there. Or is the faucet for cooking/cleaning?

 

[tdesanto]

I am in the very preliminary stages of making my 2005 Nissan Frontier King Cab expedition-ready. After a lot of consideration and looking at some other people's setups I think I decided how I want to setup my sleeping platform with storage underneath.

I'd appreciate any input on the setup I am considering. Let me know if you see any better use of space. My goal is to keep as much out of the cab as possible. Also, I will have a roof-basket for things like my hi-lift, shovel, axe, gas can, etc.

The drawing represents and areal view looking down on the bed with the tailgate down. The 2 shades of grey represent the bedfloor and wheelwells.

Everything is drawn to scale. There would be plywood dividers/supports between some of the storage areas to keep things from moving around and to support the sleeping platform, which will be 8" off the bed floor (just above the wheelwells).

The entire platform will be flat for sleeping with the exception of the CO2 and Fire extinguisher coming though the sleeping platform.

The unused areas on either side of the water tank will be for loose storage and will be accessed though hinged doors in the platform. The space to the right of "B." will remain empty for a convenient place to slide in my boots, and small personal effects when I go to bed.

The plan is to leave the front open so that when I drop the tailgate everything is there, and I don't have to mess with unlocking a door to expose all the storage bins. I always keep my tailgate locked, so I figure that will serve from keeping anything from getting stolen.

Let me know what you think!
(sorry for the long post).

Excellent desing. Well thought out. I really like the sliding counter top. Easy, quick, convenient; well done.

May I suggest trap doors covering the unused space on either side of the water tank? Seems a shame to waste the good space for storing tools, spares, anything heavy, since that location is between axles--best place to stow the heaviest items. Kudos for putting the water tank there, since the water alone will weigh more than 107#'s.

Seeing great truck setups like this make me envious of trucks vs. SUV's. You have all that space and can design exactly what you want; plus, with the right setup you can even sleep in there without a ground tent and without the extra weight and expense of a RTT.

I can't wait to see how this turns out.:jumping: Please keep us posted on the progress.

 

[stevet47]

About the water, you can see how Jonathan made a gravity-fed magnet mount dispenser here: http://expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1852

It seems to me that if as soon as you put lake water into the tank, you'll want to flush the system anyway before using drinking water in there. Or is the faucet for cooking/cleaning?

That is where I got the idea for the faucet thanks.
I wasn't planning on putting lake water in the tank. I would use the tank water for the faucet, and shower when necessary. Otherwise I would use lake water pulled directly out of the lake for a shower, I would not store the lake water.
I dont know.. I've got a while before I need to figure that out.

I'll keep you guys posted.

 

[stevet47]

May I suggest trap doors covering the unused space on either side of the water tank?

Yep, that is what I will have. All of the storage you see will be covered by a platform 8" above the bedfloor, the platform will be smooth all the way across the bed except for where the CO2 and Fire extinguisher stick up.... so yes, trap doors.

 

[tdesanto]

...and will be accessed though hinged doors in the platform.

I see it now. I should've read more closely.

Again, can't wait to see the build.

Good Luck!

 

[stevet47]

Well, I haven't started the sleeping platform yet, but I did make some good progress on improving my interior space.

On Saturday I cut off the bracket that holds the stock jack and jack tools, then sprayed the back wall (avoiding my mounting points) with sound deadener. I did not do this to make the truck any quieter, I only did it to not make the truck any louder, as the stock plastic that I am replacing had some foam mat of the back to reduce sound.

Today I did all the main wood working. It is all 1/2" MDF. I still have to cut the 2 doors that will be in the floor on either side, finish up a couple details, glue/screw and carpet everything.

It is built so that the platform just clears with the seats all the way back (how I always have them) and reclined at whatever angle you want.
I know some of you would have done it with some curves and stuff to make it look nicer, but I wanted it to be as utilitarian as possible to make it as easy as possible to store lots of stuff like coolers, my action packer, etc.

Here are the pics:

That gap isnt poor workmanship, its just because its not glued together yet.

Try fitting a 35gal. Action Packer in your KC without this mod! IMPOSSIBLE!