Do you have 3rd row seats? I'm thinking you do. I do to and that set up does not fold flat. There's a bump between the cargo area and the folded 2nd row and the 2nd row has a bit of an angle to it.

Sorry, I failed to mention I do have the 3rd row seat option.

Anyone use a fold out table as a leveling platform? Seems about the right size/thickness.

I have a Lifetime foldable 4' table that, when folded in half is 3.1" thick. The ideal leveling platform is 2.5". I use a lightweight cot on top so the height difference doesn't really make much of a difference to me. If you have the right sleeping pad, it might be ok as well.
Most of the other folding camp tables that I have seen are about 2" thick. Throw a blanket on top of that and you should be golden.

Lots of great ideas in this thread.

These are the two most interesting designs I've run across in the forums here:

https://www.toyota-4runner.org/2914800-post30.html

https://www.toyota-4runner.org/2454694-post600.html

I'm going to start working on something similar next month. I think the one thing I've not figured out yet is the best way to attach to the vehicle so that the structure doesn't shift around.

Situational for me.
Alone, cold weather: Just a one person air mattress in the back.
Alone, hot weather: Small ground tent.
Moving everyday: RTT.
Staying put: Big ground tent.

I just finished mine this weekend. Here's how I attached it; can shoot you measurements if you decide to go this route:

Cargo area "flat plate" mod bolt holes

I built a storage/leveling platform. There are several posts here to take inspirations from. Mine is based on the one @dieck built and customized for my needs.
I don’t advise using a roll on Berliner. It smells.


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TRDORP with sliding rear cargo tray

Remove the 2nd row seat bottom to increase the length of the back (I'm only 5' 9", but even at that, you need the extra length)

Put a plastic bin in the rear footwell that is roughly the same height as the back of the vehicle -- to fill the gap so that you're supported on that end

Queen-size 3-inch memory foam mattress folded in half lengthwise ($100 at Costco) -- making a 6-inch mattress that fills about half of the back (side-to-side); put a sleeping bag and pillow on top of that

This leaves you less storage in the back, of course. But I managed a 3-week trip last fall this way and had enough space. It was perfect, just pull up somewhere to park for the night, climb in back, and sleep.

I did work out some ropes in the back to hang towels as curtains to block moonlight. Next time I'll work out something a bit more sophisticated to block moonlight on all four sides.

I do have fabric screens for the rear windows, but my trip was in fall when it was cool--so no need to crack the windows.

@tahoe.nick -- that looks great. where is the hidden compartment and is it easy to access (but not easy if you don't know how to use it??)

I'd love to hide computers and camera gear not immediately in use...

I own an Exped for tent camping and a memory foam mattress for sleeping in the back of the 4Runner. While I love the Exped, the memory foam is better.

Slept in the back on a twin air mattress with a few sleeping bags and I was comfy.

Been meaning to build a little sleeping platform to level out the hump when the seats are folded down but I didn't even notice with the air mattress blown up. Maybe it was all the whiskey

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Please do - I'm trying to figure out the easiest way to attach to the vehicle. Thanks!

Also, right behind the rear seats, there is a piece of plastic that angles down that covers the back of the seats and creates a small ramp down to the actual back of the car. Did you have to remove that, or does your platform just sit on top of it?

Here is a stripped down sketch showing the bolt locations I used and overall size of the plate. Keep in mind, I have no KDSS/XREAS/3rd row or factory cargo plate.

I ended up keeping that ramped piece in place. In the pictures on the post I linked to, you can see where mine starts and stops. There isn't room to go any wider. If you shift it toward the front any more, the rear seats won't fully recline. If you shift it toward the back, it is getting close to the lift gate, and then you start to create a gap between the plate and the rear seats. The thickness (height) of the whole unit will depend on whether or not you remove the carpet/foam underlayment. Good luck!

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Thanks - that is great.

I'm still trying to figure out if there's a way to not disturb the carpet. I wonder if anyone has tried to use the 4 stock tie-down points with the D ring removed.

It looks easy enough to expose the mount for those just by removing a bit of trim and a screw:





I guess the question is if those are sufficient to hold wood + whatever is on the wood in place on a bumpy road.

PS Thanks to @alpinecowboy ... I borrowed those images from one of his mod posts.