irish_11
Explorer
Exactly! Thats what I was thinking when I saw it.I keep thinking of folding down the middle or making it so the middle would move out. I never thought of the sides.
Hey look, another sleeping platform
- Thread starter Louisd75
- Start date
Exactly! Thats what I was thinking when I saw it.I keep thinking of folding down the middle or making it so the middle would move out. I never thought of the sides.
Louisd75
Adventurer
I actually had to tone it down, originally I was going for a W style but figured it'd be too much of a hassle, though it would open up tons of space if need be. I also looked at triangular panels, but figured it'd be too awkward for storage.
Regarding the handlebars, if I turn them sideways the bike is too long to close the back window on the shell of the truck. If I need the space, I'll probably just take the handlebars off entirely and toe-strap them to the top tube, kind of like how bikes are shipped.
Gotta run, bunker barge is here.
Louis
tanglefoot
ExPoseur
Wow--really great design! That looks like it does it all.
irish_11
Explorer
Any updates to how yours is holding up? How was the carpeting? I built mine last night and it is a sweet design. I have modified it slightly since my canopy has a single door and everything has to fit in and out. I'll post up some photos later in the week when I'm not stuck at work. How are the edge supports? I'm trying to figure out a solid way to do mine. Also while I am asking questions, how is your center section supported underneath? After building mine I've noticed some deflection that I am going to have to shore up with cross members. I was thinking just some 1/8" steel to maximize space underneath.
Louisd75
Adventurer
So far it's been holding up great, though in all honesty I haven't been able to use it as much as I'd like. We got a couple of nights on it in the Sawtooth's before I crunched up my truck. It spent a couple of weeks in the shop and then I had to ship out for a few months. We took it with us on another Sawtooth trip last week, but it was a bit too cold for my fiance to be sleeping in the truck.
I did cover it with $10 worth of fabric from JoAnns and it looks like this now:
The edge supports have been working well, as hokey as they are. I've still got the 1/2" strip of wood screwed to the underside of the wings that rests on the wheel well and the ~8" piece of 2x2 at the aft outboard corners. The 2x2's are loose, and I usually only put them in place when we're sleeping. They tend to migrate while driving around. I've been trying to think of a slicker way of doing the job, but I think that the KISS method is going to win out here.
The center span between the rails isn't really supported by much other than six 3" metal brackets from a hardware store:
No problems with the center sagging yet, but usually when we're both sleeping in the back the sleeping pads are over the supports and there isn't much weight centered over the middle. I'm not expecting any problems with it so long as we keep the pads off to the sides. Hopefully I'll get more chances to use it before I have to go back to work, but I think the long road trips are on hold til we get our wedding stuff planned out.
I look forward to seeing what you've come up with
-Louis
irish_11
Explorer
Thanks for the update! I finished the center and wings of mine. I am still trying to figure out a good side support, but here is what I have so far.
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=823053&postcount=24
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=823053&postcount=24
Thanks for the inspiration! Here is how i have modified your design for my needs. It uses plywood with cutouts for weight savings and has a little more storage height as well as ice chest cutout. It also folds flat in the bottom of the truck if not needed Trying to pay back the sharing!