Cargo Sleeping Deck (idea)

[wdlsmaerw]

Okay I need someone smarter than me to help me out. I'm thinking scraping an old folding table to use as a "sleeping deck" in the cargo space. My reasoning vs just a blow up mattress is the fact I currently have Antman's Rear Cargo storage box in the back and would want to have access to it during the day (say on a 4-wheeling trip). The raised sleeping surface would allow me to store things underneath, say a cooler or gear and still use the storage box to get my recovery gear out. If I were to have a blow up mattress, when's its in use...where would I put all the gear? The table would be one that is already built as a folding table. I live in a condo so don't have storage to build a wood platform, trying to keep it light and easy.

This may be more of an excuse to put something together and honestly play with Sketchup, but wanted to get some feelings.

Plan was to cut down the tables legs so the platform is a little lower and gives sleep for laying down (obviously).

Don't mind the table legs hanging out the bottom, couldn't get them to chop off.

 

[Gerdo]

A few thoughts. Maybe pull the rubber cap/feet off and pop them on the new ends. Also with the wider feet cut off, will it want to tip when moving on it?

 

[wdlsmaerw]

I'm still working on the drawing but I would use the hooks in the back, and the "child safety" tie down on the back of the seat. That way there would be a point front and back.

 

[Gerdo]

Also, Please make sure that it is secured down so it doesn't shift while driving or become a projectile if in an a accident.

Let me tell you a little story http://www.toyota-4runner.org/off-r...115284-strap-before-you-flop.html#post1066222

 

[Qjake]

What do you do with the table when not in use? I think an extension of the cargo box so its all level would be best.

A couple of ideas for you Here and Here

 

[Okki]

You may want to draw in the roof as well so you get a feel for how much height you have. With a raised bed, add the height of the matres, I don't think you have a lot of room left to slide yourself in; never mind you and a spouse / girlfriend.

I would also download a person model and scale it to your dimensions.

Sketchup rocks.

Okki

 

[wdlsmaerw]

What do you do with the table when not in use? I think an extension of the cargo box so its all level would be best.

A couple of ideas for you Here and Here

Awesome ideas! I was thinking about the wood with hinges and well. The table was just easier to build (buy). But my other thought is like those threads but with two equal size platforms. That way If I'm single camping I can use one and still utilize the single seat or if the Ms. comes along I can throw in the other half and use the whole cargo space.

My problem right now is a place to store all the parts. A table I can put in the closet or under the bed. Too much wood and the Ms. will think the house is my new garage. Antman's storage box already makes the cargo space flat the folded down seats so building a whole new storage system would negate that.

Thanks for the ideas though, definitely something to work with!

And Gerdo, if nothing else there will be more strap-downs then comfort and luxuries.

 

[wdlsmaerw]

You may want to draw in the roof as well so you get a feel for how much height you have. With a raised bed, add the height of the matres, I don't think you have a lot of room left to slide yourself in; never mind you and a spouse / girlfriend.

I would also download a person model and scale it to your dimensions.

Sketchup rocks.

Okki

Yeah I had it in and kept doing things from the top view and you have to either zoom in "under" that plane or draw and move (amateur skills). I "jaws of life-d" it and scooted it to the side for now.

Worst case the Ms. can always sleep outside for giving me a hard time on all these ideas.

 

[Gerdo]

Take a look at my build thread, I built a storage unit/sleeping platform.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/107707-gerdos-rig-build-thread.html

 

[Corbet]

Table idea is clever but depending on where the legs hit the floor there will be a lot of force applied to something. Personally it seems and inflatable something would be easier to deal with and store while camping.

 

[Ryan1975]

I've been daydreaming / sketching different designs for my sleep platform. I think you're trying to do the exact same thing that I'm dreaming of.

I get back from Afghanistan this week, I pick up my new 4Runner on Thursday. I might go ahead and drop it off at a fabrication shop next week week to see if they can make one one or two of my 4 or 5 designs work.

*If* one of my designs works and works well I'm going to go ahead and order 3 or 4 of them to offer to board members right off the back. (no profit, just think there's people that will be interested) and it will be easier for the shop to knock out more than one copy at once rather than trying to remember what they did months back.

 

[Ryan1975]

sidebar...if you had those images of your back end without the table on them, I might be able to MSpaint a concept of a few of my ideas...if I have time before I leave on tuesday.

 

[Okki]

Yeah I had it in and kept doing things from the top view and you have to either zoom in "under" that plane or draw and move (amateur skills). I "jaws of life-d" it and scooted it to the side for now.

Worst case the Ms. can always sleep outside for giving me a hard time on all these ideas.

Stick the top section in a different layer and then you can simply turn off the visibility of that layer when you are doing top view stuff

Okki

 

[Ryan1975]

Stick the top section in a different layer and then you can simply turn off the visibility of that layer when you are doing top view stuff

Okki

I swear to god I'm getting an engineering degree after I retire from the Army. You guys do some cool ****.

 

[limamike]

I swear to god I'm getting an engineering degree after I retire from the Army. You guys do some cool ****.

Do it while you're in the Army. You'll regret waiting until you retire.

 

[wdlsmaerw]

sidebar...if you had those images of your back end without the table on them, I might be able to MSpaint a concept of a few of my ideas...if I have time before I leave on tuesday.

Check out my Photo Album. Uploaded a couple without the table.

 

[Ryan1975]

Do it while you're in the Army. You'll regret waiting until you retire.

I'm getting my Masters this summer (I'm an officer)

The alternative of getting a BS in Engineering later is that I get to take a few years off and double dip retirement pay / GI Bill (E-5 pay) for a few years and not really have to work. Hmmmm

 

[Ryan1975]

I need to restart, but I'm leaving now to try and get a flight out of here Tuesday. I'll probably end up doing this in the morning:

My thoughts center around removing the rear seats (though this idea doesn't really necessitate that if you're willing to redesign)

What I'm thinking of is a modular design that could be adapted to anyone's needs and if I find the right person who can design it, the plans can be shared to give to a fabricator near you.

With the seats removed you could open a vast storage compartment that was previously unavailable to you.

Another feature that I'm going to work around is the sliding tray. SeattleMike's initial design allowed him to retain the tray. I don't want to keep the tray, but I want to retain the sliders and use a sliding out drawer under the bed.

Lastly I envision fold out wings that lay down over the wheel wells that provide access for placing your eyewear, wallet etc etc while sleeping.

I'm re-doing the drawing now.

 

[limamike]

I'm getting my Masters this summer (I'm an officer)

The alternative of getting a BS in Engineering later is that I get to take a few years off and double dip retirement pay / GI Bill (E-5 pay) for a few years and not really have to work. Hmmmm

Sorry to derail a bit, but I'd still do it while you're in if you can and have the free time. Northeastern has a good online program, and I think they offer a couple of engineering programs at the BS level. They have a couple of online advanced degrees, too. Also, the Naval Postgraduate School offers some advanced engineering degrees if you have a technical degree already. GI Bill pays you E-5 BAH, but not E-5 pay. I hope the Army is paying for that second degree!

 

[wdlsmaerw]

[Figured I would use my old thread instead of ANOTHER new thread]

So I've been redesigning the box (sorry Antman) and trying to implement a slide out (or in?) sleeping deck. Need some feedback. The storage I had put in just doesnt hold what I need and instead of spending money on $1000ish ARB drawers that can be used for a new bumper, I figured a little wood work wouldn't be too bad.

The idea is that the top of the box will slide into the 4R towards the folded down seats. It will have legs that fold up for when its "closed" and come down for support when it's extended. The deck is high enough and long enough that it will use the folded seats for support as well. I also made the box a touch smaller width wise so I can fit camp chairs along the side but under the deck on the left (to explain what you see in the pictures).

I also have some storage in the rear that could hold sleeping pad/bag that is concealed when the seats are up and accessible when needed.

Feelings on using wood channeling for drawer slides vs true HD metal ones?

Front top right angle:

Front left angle:

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