full size bed in the back?

[Nuttymopar]

Howdy, thinking about adding/converting the back into a camper, somewhat. Looks like if I build a platform about 10" high that would be equal in height with the 2 rear fenderwells and run it the length to the front with the back seats down. I should be able to put a full size mattress in there. They are 54" x 75" so I might need to remove the rear seats, 4 bolts, and have it go to the back of the front seats. Has anyone tried this before?

Purchased a Rightline SUV tent that attaches to the back and would rather sleep inside the 4Runner then in the tent. Plus it would allow some storage underneath this platform. I know a twin would fit, just not sure a full mattress would fit. It won't fit in the back door but just a mattress should allow some bending to get it past that spot.

SUV Tent | Minivan Tent | Camp Right - RightLine Gear

 

[youkefei]

This is something I did like you said. You don't have to rip the second row.

I put a board on top and made it flat like a bed. I didn't use it as a bed, but it could be. I took the measurement, it's about 55"x70". It is light weight but very sturdy.

 

[Nuttymopar]

Cool. my rear seats are slightly different. The bottoms fold up and rest against the back of the front seats, then fold the back down to make them flat. Not any space to place anything on the floor like you have. So I loose about 10" of space with the bottom folder forward. Hence me thinking of just 2 bolts per side to remove. Figured, going camping, remove seats and leave the bed in the back if we go shopping or whatever.

But the wood design was about the same like you have. Looks easy in, easy out when I'm not using it.

thanks.

 

[Sandpiper]

Bed

I did something similar this summer and it worked fine. I spent a month on the road last summer and spent most nights in the back of the 4 Runner. I used a sheet of higher grade plywood and cut it so I only needed to remove the back right hand seat cushion to allow me to stretch out that way I still had a seat for a friend to use. I used some 2 inch wide (2" X 1/2" glued and screwed) strips of wood glued underneath the beef up the plywood. I made some 2 X 4 struts to raise the front and rear ends. I measure the height ( about 10") of the Tupperware storage containers that I used for storage. Give yourself at least 1 inch of extra space so you can easily slide things around. I don't have the third row seating or slide out tray so I needed to make the rear struts 2-3/8" taller than the front. I would not like the ideas of being much higher because people walking by can possibly see you, just me. I sure like the fact that all the interior lights can be turned off or on as you wish while camping. I used to sit in the driver seat and read and listen to the radio at night using the dome lights only, etc.

 

[Nuttymopar]

Thanks. yeah, since wife and I will be tenting I was going to make it for both rear seats. I measured last night and it is about 11" from floor to top of those fenderwells. But like you said, when you add another 8" mattress, you are almost at the rear window level and I also hate having people just looking in while you are laying there. Maybe some velco'd curtains might be the answer and they should attach to the headliner. Think I'm going to try to build something this weekend and see where it takes me.

Thanks again.

 

[Sandpiper]

Bed

I slept on a 4" self inflating mattress and found that there is not much room left height wise. Also, think about how you will get in and out. Its not easy.

 

[Nuttymopar]

I have considered the in/out factor. Even thought about how to pull the back down if we do need it down, since the tent will be on the back, may just leave it up. Thought putting the window down, close the back, put window up.

But granted, not much room to move around. And that is only using a tape measure seeing what it would look like. Usually a lot BIGGER once you get wood and mattress in there....lol

 

[Turn_down]

Hmm, that's wierd that you don't pull the seat bottom out first before you fold the seats flat. I wonder if that's a Canadian edition thing. If so, WTF?? Why isn't ours like that?? LOL

 

[kmiller8821]

Hmm, that's wierd that you don't pull the seat bottom out first before you fold the seats flat. I wonder if that's a Canadian edition thing. If so, WTF?? Why isn't ours like that?? LOL

I'm thinking (based on the lever I can see in the picture) that this might be one of those equipped with 3 rows of seats. That might be how those work? I know I don't have that lever on my 2nd row. Plus, if not mistaken, all Limited's in Canada have 3 rows. I'm pretty sure that's why.

 

[Nuttymopar]

I don't have a handle either, just pull the strap in the middle of the back seat, fold that up against the front seats. Then release the rear seat and fold it flat. I didn't want the 3rd row seats as all the kids are grown and have their own kids now. Not much room in those 3rd row seating, in my mind. But anything to make them money on the people that wanted it.

 

[youkefei]

I'm thinking (based on the lever I can see in the picture) that this might be one of those equipped with 3 rows of seats. That might be how those work? I know I don't have that lever on my 2nd row. Plus, if not mistaken, all Limited's in Canada have 3 rows. I'm pretty sure that's why.

Right, all the Canadian Limited have 3rd row, that's why the 2nd row folds like that to be level with the folded 3rd row. I've took the 3rd row out, 'cause it's not useful for me right now.

 

[Nuttymopar]

Decided not to go with the full mattress (true bed mattress) as the little reclining hooks would rip the sides some, possibly. Found a great memory Foam (3 parts) in a full size and it was only 5" thick compared to a mattress being about 8" thick. Built the back without a problem and then glued exercise mat to the plywood for some cushion. Then wrapped a cover over the whole thing and glued/stapled it. That fit perfect in the back with a little padding. Then placed the mattress on top. Getting a fluffy topper mattress pad to go over the complete thing for some protection. Thing is almost as comfortable as our tempurpedic mattress in the house. LOL

Raised platform sits level with the rear fenderwells so I have about 10" of space of storage under the whole thing. Sit laying a little below the rear windows and can roll over without a problem.

I'll grab some photos when I can.

Thanks.

 

[simonpsu]

In laws camped like that in their Honda Odyssey and they had cardboard they cut specifically that they used to "black out" the windows in the back to keep people from looking in.

Not nearly as cool as curtains, but functional.

 

[Egstyle]

I got a 10" thick memory foam matress and trimmed off the excess length to fit it in the back, without any other platform building required. The top of the foam sits about even with the top of the rear seats when they are folded up, so it allows a couple more inches gain. I also use a memory foam pillow, so I don't feel any irregularities from the seats. I am 5'10" and can almost fully stretch out with this setup, but not quite. If you are my height or taller, I wouldn't recommend this approach unless you are OK sleeping on your side. Trimming the foam was pretty easy, I just used a big, sharp knife and eyeballed it.

The downside with this setup is that during the summer, the foam can be pretty warm. The upside with this setup is that during the winter, the foam can be pretty warm Another added bonus is that the foam does a pretty good job on muffling the fuel-pump noise that goes off at about 3 in the am. It is pretty easy to pull it out or fold it up to gain access to the rear seating again if needed. The platform is a pretty cool idea, but I don't know if you would have room to sit up at that point, though you will be better off with total bed length/width.

 

[SeattleMike]

The downside with this setup is that during the summer, the foam can be pretty warm. The upside with this setup is that during the winter, the foam can be pretty warm Another added bonus is that the foam does a pretty good job on muffling the fuel-pump noise that goes off at about 3 in the am. It is pretty easy to pull it out or fold it up to gain access to the rear seating again if needed. The platform is a pretty cool idea, but I don't know if you would have room to sit up at that point, though you will be better off with total bed length/width.

They make a perforated 1" thick latex foam that will keep you cool during the summer. We ordered it for the RTT and it's gotten rave reviews.

 

[Egstyle]

They make a perforated 1" thick latex foam that will keep you cool during the summer. We ordered it for the RTT and it's gotten rave reviews.

Cool! Thanks, Mike, I'll check it out.