Bed project/sleeping area ideas?

[Martinjmpr]

Well, I've finally got a garage (yay!) and a few power tools (look out! ) and I think it's time I replaced my falling-apart, bought-it-on-craigslist-for-$50 carpet kit with something purpose built for my needs.

So I'm throwing this out here for the whole group (not brand specific since I'm sure these ideas could fit almost any vehicle.)

My needs are as follows: Needs to be able to sleep 2 adults as comfortably as possible in a Toyota Tacoma (i.e., needs to be able to use the full width of the bed above the wheel wells.)

Should be relatively easy to remove (I can take my carpet kit out in 5 minutes.)

Should be able to store as much camping gear as possible without having to pile stuff on top of the sleeping area (my pet peeve since it makes it more difficult to use the back as a sleeping area.)

Should be constructed out of easily available materials, in my case, wood since I don't have the ability to weld or shape metal.

I know I've seen a few threads on this topic but I'd like to see what people have come up with.

Not trying to steal anyone's ideas, I just hate to reinvent the wheel! Any input is appreciated!

 

[eugene]

I always thought about buying one of those cheap futons and mounting it along one side of the bed so it could lay flat or be folded up on one side where if it was raining I could sit inside of a tall cap.

 

[2008F450]

I made a set up similar to this for my old Ford F-250. I used a one piece center board but this is very close to what I built. Also look at Elmontecamper.com. Look at the Lee Anderson carpet kits. These are the type of thing I based mine on. It was pretty comfy with 2 of us in sleeping bags

 

[dustboy]

Maybe you've looked at this already, but I'm really happy with my platform. It's built in two lengthwise halves so it can come out without lifting the camper shell. It would take more than 5 minutes, but I haven't had a reason yet to do so.
One feature to note is that the deck lids are not hinged, so they can easily be slid out of the way rather than unpacking everything on top. All my essential camp and recovery gear lives underneath, except the sleeping bags which are too bulky for the 8" height. I could probably find a way to fit them in if I didn't have the water tank.

see my signature for the link

 

[grahamfitter]

I've banged my head inside a Toyota topper enough times without a sleeping platform so I can't imagine what it would be like with even less headroom! A 2 feet deep plywood shelf at the front of the topper that rests on the side walls of the truck is helpful for piling stuff onto at night and doesn't seem to get in the way of ones feet. The idea of partitioning the back of the truck sounds good though - could some stuff be moved to the sides?

Cheers,
Graham

 

[dustboy]

I've banged my head inside a Toyota topper enough times without a sleeping platform

True, and I'm 6'3". My shell is a high rise, that helps a bit. But the amount of sleeping space gained (esp. for 2 people), and the storage underneath is well worth it. Now when I leave for a weekend most of my gear is already packed and organized!

I thought about making a mechanism for lifting the shell 10" when camping, with collapsible canvas sides..like a pop top.

 

[ntsqd]

I considered and then discarded the idea of a platform on top of the wheel wells. Just not enough room to be comfortable pulling on shoes etc., and I have high rise shell. There is enough room for my GF & I to sleep between the wells so I've worked towards storage along the sides rather than under a sleeping surface. My initial idea was to build full length in-bed boxes that were the width of the wells. On further consideration I concluded that sleeping between them would vaguely feel like being in a double width casket. So I've decided to instead add footman loops and Fastex buckled straps as everything is already in some sort of container, I don't need to carry a 'container' for all of my already contained stuff. I'll build dedicated spots for certain things like the tools bag and the shovel and I may extend the top of each well to act as a longer shelf. Otherwise the goal is to allow flexibility in strapping stuff down.

I recently made curtains from some fleece throws that Albertson's was selling. I folded them in half and then sewed them like that. Added a strip of velcro across the top of each to mate with a strip just above each window and the rear hatch. A couple spots along the bottom pulls them over the to shell wall. Made a large difference in comfort, from both a privacy and from a warmth stand point.

 

[truck mechanic]

I had a platform in fs chevy back in 03. went as far as Durango Co. with it. It was built with 2 x 4s and 1/2 in plywood. the 2/4s framed to fit between the wheel wells. then had the plywood on top, cut into 3 sections front to back and hinged. I had plunty of room under it for all my camping gear and with an 8 ft bed I had room at the back of the bed on both sides to lash lugage to the side. Worked great for my and my then 14 year old god son to see some cool things in a fast paste 3 week run out west and back.
Paul

 

[Prybry]

The side tool box idea sounds like this...

I considered and then discarded the idea of a platform on top of the wheel wells. Just not enough room to be comfortable pulling on shoes etc., and I have high rise shell. There is enough room for my GF & I to sleep between the wells so I've worked towards storage along the sides rather than under a sleeping surface. My initial idea was to build full length in-bed boxes that were the width of the wells. On further consideration I concluded that sleeping between them would vaguely feel like being in a double width casket. So I've decided to instead add footman loops and Fastex buckled straps as everything is already in some sort of container, I don't need to carry a 'container' for all of my already contained stuff. I'll build dedicated spots for certain things like the tools bag and the shovel and I may extend the top of each well to act as a longer shelf. Otherwise the goal is to allow flexibility in strapping stuff down.

I recently made curtains from some fleece throws that Albertson's was selling. I folded them in half and then sewed them like that. Added a strip of velcro across the top of each to mate with a strip just above each window and the rear hatch. A couple spots along the bottom pulls them over the to shell wall. Made a large difference in comfort, from both a privacy and from a warmth stand point.

I've got a tool box system I ordered with my Dodge Power Wagon... I't called a Activgate system. See it here...
http://www.activgate.com/activeplus.htm

I'll take some pictures if you like, The moveable gate part works really slick... keeps packages from sliding clear to the front of the box. The tool boxes are neat but hard to get into on my truck since it sits so high.