KidMechanic
New member
Check page three, post #26
LATEST PROJECT - Truck Drawers/Sleeping Platform
- Thread starter roadtripcrazed
- Start date
Check page three, post #26
jtpaintball70
Adventurer
Thank you! OP, I am starting to design a shelf/drawer thing for the bed of my pickup... How long are your drawers? I'm really considering putting a platform across the entire thing at the level of the wheel wells, and use in front of and behind the wheel well as storage on each side, including for a marine deep cycle battery w/ a lead running to the dual batter setup up front.
yamahawarrior
New member
As a thank you to all of those EXPO members that have posted their ideas in the past - I give you the following in hopes that others will be able to gain as much from me.
...
My wife and I are heading to Alaska for three weeks this season. An incredible road-trip to say the least with some biking, paddling, climbing and some serious relaxing thrown in to keep it all interesting. We are both very experienced backcountry (hiking) travelers, but we wanted something faster and more convenient this time around. Hence, I turned to EXPO to see what you are all up to.
Wow! So many options. Drawers, fridge slides, showers, etc. What to do?
I spent MONTHS scouring websites and making notes. Drawing plans and erasing plans. When it all came together, I decided to design and build a fully custom truck drawer/sleeping platform system that would house two 4.5ft drawers, on-board fresh water (hot & cold), AND a canopy heater just for good measure!
Here are the results of my efforts - and your inspiration!
FINISHED PRODUCT
THE GUTS
The workings of the on-board fresh water tank and the accompanying pumps, heat exchangers, valves, etc. were all built into one unit behind the cab, bolted to the utili-trac for security. I managed to find an 18 gallon (72 litre) polyethylene tank that was a great contender. Everything was really built around that. All battery power and coolant lines from the engine are securely routed along the passenger-side of the chassis and enter the box through a grommet in the corner.
To give a better idea of what is happening, the engine coolant enters the box, goes through the canopy heater on the far right (controlled via the thermostat sitting at the top of the picture) then through the dual-helix heat exchanger to the left then returns to the engine. The water comes from the tank, pumped via the 12V pump and then splits - half to the heat exchanger to continue to the hot water faucet, the other half directly to to the cold water faucet. The red valve in this picture is the drain for the tank.
Tight quarters ... The braided hoses on the right are the supply lines to the faucets.
I did everything I could to keep everything space-efficient and neatly organized. All the electrical systems are fed from the terminal strip you see here. The water pump receives a constant (fused) 12V supply and the canopy heater only receives ACC power when the truck is running.
The heater itself is a 24,700btu unit which moves nearly 300 cubic feet of air per minute. This should be MORE than enough to keep the chill off this winter and keep our dog warm back there! In this shot you can see where the coolant lines enter the box of the truck. Standard heater hose is fed to and from the engine and all lines in the box are 1/2" copper.
THE DRAWERS
The structure of the drawers was built from 3/4" birch plywood and again bolted securely to the utili-trac system. I fabbed up a pair of turnbuckle braces to secure the side walls just in case. Turnbuckles allowed for micro-adjusting to ensure the walls were as square as possible.
Detail of turnbuckle system.
I decided to build roller-bearing slides instead of commercially available slides. This should provide years of solid use! 1" square tubing was bolted to the drawer sides to run between these bearings.
The drawers are made with 1/2" birch plywood with 3/4" fronts. Lever-action catches hold them securely in place and I built up some dividers which can be placed in grooves spaced every 6 inches.
Continued ...
Regards,
-=Doug
well SOB!!!!!! how crazy is this **** here. i am looking for sleeping platform and storage ideas and your truck pops up almost matching my damn truck. i have a 2005 dodge dakota quad cab. the truck has a snugtop xtr the topper with built in tube rails. i also have the kuat bike rack. i am currently contemplating getting the kuat vagabond x rack for the top. last but not least i am working on a sleeping platform and storage too. just not as technical as yours but hopefully i get mine finished off as nicely.
i love the bed and the similar setup we both have going on. you must have bought your truck to actually use and enjoy on many adventures keep it up you real truck owner
roadtripcrazed
Observer
I was apprehensive to run extremely hot engine coolant through pex. I have not experienced any issues with the copper fittings. Normal heater hose was run from the engine to the box. I would not hesitate to run the fresh water via pex, but didn't own a pex crimper at the time. The flexible water lines have not been an issue either.
Finally got around to adding an auxiliary coolant pump into the coolant loop. This has eliminated the low coolant flow at idle which was causing cool water and low cabin heat output.
I also made the mistake of letting the heat exchanger freeze last winter - with water still in the system. This caused a rupture and allowed coolant to enter the fresh water system. Argh! An expensive lesson which took a while to resolve. Issue is now fixed after I managed to source an identical heat exchanger.
My apologies for being a bit absent from the thread for a while. It appears that most questions that have been asked have been answered by others. Thanks!
We are looking forward to another summer of adventures!
Hi saw your bed slide box and bed can you send me plans let me know dadg78s80@yahoo.com or 423 237 8799 then I will give you my address love to talk to you about your box thank you. Jerry
roadtripcrazed
Observer
There are no plans available. Every truck has subtle differences which would effect the design. Feel free to post any questions that you may have and myself, or other members of this forum will point you in the right direction.
-=Doug
-=Doug
NaturesRhythm
New member
Doug! You sir, are the inspiration behind my storage platform. Take a look if you are interested, I pay homage to your inventiveness and skill.
Tip of the hat (and a beer or four) - George
Tip of the hat (and a beer or four) - George
portillagee
Observer
Hi Doug, amazing looking build out, it shows great skill. I'm a furniture builder but I think I may have to get my cabinet maker friend on this job with me.
Wondering about headroom and what shell you have. I have a Snugtop Hi-Liner. Do you have any pictures of the whole truck, or do you know how tall your shell is?
Thanks.
Wondering about headroom and what shell you have. I have a Snugtop Hi-Liner. Do you have any pictures of the whole truck, or do you know how tall your shell is?
Thanks.
Trailboss82
New member
I was wondering what you ended up using as your cooling pump and how you hooked this into your system.