Need ideas for sleeping platform with fridge

[FurthurOnTheFly]

I've been pondering and pondering and now I turn to the Expo crew for ideas....can't hurt right?

Right now I've got the 4Runner set up just perfect for camping with me and dog. Some of you may remember my set-up:

Its light, its easy and its not anywhere near a permanent set-up. Well we are going to be transitioning from the FJ as our main camping rig to my 4Runner, so now I have to cram two of us and a fridge in there. And no more dog.

-I'd love love love to have something that is not a built in sleeping platform, but honestly I don't think there is anyway to get around that. I am not interested in continuing with the RTT either. I may live to regret it, because I love it and it is comfy, but the weight on the roof is too much for me and we have nowhere to store it.

-We have thought about trailers, but we are trying to go back to being simple campers. (well with a fridge :sombrero

-I do like those Oztents, but we'd rather not go back to a ground tent if we don't have to...especially for the price.

-I was sold on the SOAZ method until I stopped by Mr. Tims house one day and noticed that the way he was able to fit his fridge in the backseat crevice and under their platform was by cutting away parts of body to get it to fit! :Wow1: That is too scary for me.

-Then I started looking at the Sabercat (RWAR!) method of the platform built for the fridge...which I actually like...but the other half says that puts the fridge 'too high' and harder to get in to.

So I turn to you kind Expos to tell me...have you overcome this situation yourself? How so? Or what ideas you may have to offer? It seems like most folks here are either camping by themselves so its not an issue or they build a platform for 2 people and have no fridge? HELP!

 

[Cackalak Han]

I've been contemplating the same between RTT, trailer, and came to the conclusion that for now, the good ol' ground tent is the way to go. Minimal storage space, quick set up (5-10 min?), and cheap. I'm tossing around the idea of making some sort of collapsable plywood footprint to even out the ground so the Mrs. doesn't complain...much.

When I get more funds, I'll be going to trailer RTT route for those trips where I'll be at the same camp site for a few days. But for those trips where I'll be camping along the way, I think the ground tent makes more sense.

 

[FurthurOnTheFly]

I've considered going back to a ground tent, which is why I was looking at the Oz Tents...but we swore we'd never go back to a ground tent after the RTT, and I still feel that way. However, thats not to say that if I couldn't find one of those Oz Tents for a sweet deal I wouldn't consider it. :ylsmoke:

The things I like about sleeping in the truck (especially as a woman traveling alone at times) is the added security from the elements, the crazies and the animals, being able to start the truck and turn on the heater when its cold, and the ability to pull into a parking lot if I need to and just climb in the back to sleep..

 

[Cackalak Han]

Well, you can still sleep in the truck when traveling alone and ground tent it when you're with your man. I can't see stuffing two people in there with that fridge. Maybe you can just leave the fridge outside. Better the fridge getting eaten by a bear than you, right? I do have concerns about the crazies and the animals, though (especially camping with the wife and kid). But I feel better when I make a pee circle around the camp site to mark my territory.

EDIT: What about this nifty item?

 

[mtnbike28]

move the fridge?

Can you make your set up with the fridge in the back, and just move it the front seat for the night when traveling with two?

the best I have seen is building a permanent platform around the fridge and the tailgate end and sleeping in a V with your feet at the tailgate end.

I think wagongear.com has a picture of his set-up

hth

 

[Martinjmpr]

Well, Heidi, I think you've listed some mutually exclusive conditions.

The way I see it:

* 2 people

* Ability to sleep INSIDE

* Fridge

Pick any TWO.

 

[tdesanto]

Well we are going to be transitioning from the FJ as our main camping rig to my 4Runner

Heidi, I think it's a bit funny how this has transpired. Start with the FJ, then Josh doesn't like you driving it all the time. You get your own truck, and now it's becoming the primary rig.

I say make him sleep outside; problem solved.

 

[Ryanmb21]

Could you attach a longer power cord to the fridge and set it on the ground while you sleep? Maybe make an umbrella for when it rains? I see folks with them in the back of pickups so the must be reasonably weatherproof. (Not sure how heavy they are full but I would imagine lighter than a huge cooler full of ice which I lift now)

In my 4runner I love the space to sleep two without a high platform to rob the head room. I haven't posted any pictures but my setup will be 4 large pelican cases that I take out and put on the ground and sleep in the back with a platform where the back seats were.

 

[Desert Dan]

What about the dog?

 

[goodtimes]

When I used to sleep in my Jeep (wrangler), I just pulled everything out and slid it underneath the Jeep at night. Duffel bags with clothes went into the drivers seat, along with other important bits (cell phone, flash light, book to read if the weather was crappy, etc).

 

[Dave Bennett]

well, heidi, i think you've listed some mutually exclusive conditions.

The way i see it:

* 2 people

* ability to sleep inside

* fridge

pick any two.

lol!!!

 

[FurthurOnTheFly]

Well, you can still sleep in the truck when traveling alone and ground tent it when you're with your man. I can't see stuffing two people in there with that fridge. Maybe you can just leave the fridge outside. Better the fridge getting eaten by a bear than you, right? I do have concerns about the crazies and the animals, though (especially camping with the wife and kid). But I feel better when I make a pee circle around the camp site to mark my territory.

EDIT: What about this nifty item?

I have looked at those before but I think I'd rather go the OzTent route if I'm going to do a ground tent.

Can you make your set up with the fridge in the back, and just move it the front seat for the night when traveling with two?

the best I have seen is building a permanent platform around the fridge and the tailgate end and sleeping in a V with your feet at the tailgate end.

I think wagongear.com has a picture of his set-up

hth

Moving the fridge to the front seat may need to be the answer, I already have extra plugs up there to run it. My concern is weight of lifting and moving a heavy fridge, but very possible.

Well, Heidi, I think you've listed some mutually exclusive conditions.

The way I see it:

* 2 people

* Ability to sleep INSIDE

* Fridge

Pick any TWO.

That seems to be it! :smilies27

Heidi, I think it's a bit funny how this has transpired. Start with the FJ, then Josh doesn't like you driving it all the time. You get your own truck, and now it's becoming the primary rig.

I say make him sleep outside; problem solved.

**WINNER**

Funny how these things evolve, isn't it!

Why do you think I bought the motorcycle!

Could you attach a longer power cord to the fridge and set it on the ground while you sleep? Maybe make an umbrella for when it rains? I see folks with them in the back of pickups so the must be reasonably weatherproof. (Not sure how heavy they are full but I would imagine lighter than a huge cooler full of ice which I lift now)

In my 4runner I love the space to sleep two without a high platform to rob the head room. I haven't posted any pictures but my setup will be 4 large pelican cases that I take out and put on the ground and sleep in the back with a platform where the back seats were.

I think I stand a better chance convincing him to move it to the front seat rather than outside, but thanks for the suggestion!

What about the dog?

Well thats another issue, but basically the dog can't come camping with us if we both go. He's old, and he doesn't travel real well...I have a bit more patience with that and like to take him for company and protection, but he isn't the kind of dog to just lay down in the back seat and take a nap. He can be a little much to deal with when he is drooling and panting all over you. In our current set up we can't take him because there is no way to get him up into the RTT, and nowhere for him to sleep in the FJ. Even in the 4Runner I don't think there would be room for all 3 of us.

When I used to sleep in my Jeep (wrangler), I just pulled everything out and slid it underneath the Jeep at night. Duffel bags with clothes went into the drivers seat, along with other important bits (cell phone, flash light, book to read if the weather was crappy, etc).

This is the method I use now when I'm by myself, and may be what we need to use in the future.

 

[1leglance]

I have noticed on the Oz forums that a number of folks have extension cords for the fridges and set them on the ground without any worries. Of course bear country would make a bit of difference

 

[BLKNBLU]

Check with member xpdishn. On our AZ Strip trip Gary and Paula pulled their fridge out each night and had a really nifty securement and release setup, but I don't remember the details exactly. They set it up on a stepstool outside of the truck and probably had some sort of cover available. (don't remember exactly)

I think they used a basic rubbermaid stool but here are some ideas.
http://www.acehardware.com/product/index.jsp?productId=1378227
http://www.acehardware.com/product/index.jsp?productId=1287579&clickid=prod_cs
http://www.harborfreight.com/step-stool-working-platform-66911.html

All that said, would there be room in the rig width-wise for 2 cots?

 

[yubert]

The height of the 4Runner looks high enough, you might be able build a bunk bed or maybe a split-level bed platform where the second level rests against the top of the fridge.