Has anyone built a modular platform setup?

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kaitlyn2004

New member
I have basically no woodworking skills, so I already feel like I'm in way over my head but I was thinking of having a modular platform system to support (What I can think of, so far) 3 main usecases where I'd need to sleep in the car before/after activities:

- Basic road trip/car camping
- Ski touring
- Backpacking

With ski touring, for example, I'd like to be able to store the skis underneath. They aren't tall but are long, so I'd need to raise the platform to maybe 5 or so inches.

For backpacking, I may need more space as I think my backpack alone is about 13" thick given the frame/padding... and likely thicker when full, which is likely how I'd have it - "ready to go".

And then for basic roadtrip is a huge mix of stuff probably in multiple containers that maybe get stored underneath the platform, and/or in the passenger footwells + moves to driver+passenger seats.

And maybe the platform has no rise (just leveling) to provide maximum comfort + headspace when sleeping/sitting up, etc. A nice bonus would be a shelf of sorts, sort of where the cargo cover goes which still allows sitting up as well as storage "above" the legs.

Has anyone tried making a variable-height platform? With seemingly most people making their platform systems out of wood, I can't imagine how it could be variable height... but maybe if it was steel/aluminium rail type it could more easily adjust to various heights, but then it seems making these systems out of aluminium would be both much more expensive + harder to work with?
 
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Not modular in the height adjustable way, but I do have three pieces that interlock (see signature for links and someone else's video on the general wood working required 'skills'... also other ). One piece is for the main rear cargo area, and two separate forward pieces depending upon forward seating requirements. Note that the 2nd row middle seat (at least on two row 4-runners, maybe not those with a third row like the limited and optioned 5th gens), does drop down to accommodate long items such as skis/boards while maintaining a four seat configuration. Height adjustable adds complications. It works well for sleeping and storing gear, but you can't really sit up unless you're short. It is secure and has held up to a good number of off highway usage. If you're solo sleeping in the vehicle, then you could make a platform lower on one side and modular on the other, but you are limited in tie-downs to the rear cargo area unless you remove the rear seats or cushions (not difficult, but can be cumbersome). It would be possible to 'build' off of a lower platform, but it is all extra weight/cost/manufacturing/parts. Good luck and post up your results.

google search "platform site:https://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/" for other ideas.
 
I made a frame using 80/20 rails and parts. Allows me to attach my slider and provides adjustable tie downs. Super easy to remove as well. Not cheap stuff but check out their web page for ideas. Lots of options and they cut to length.

Why not use a ski rack or ski length box on top? Box would give you some extra storage as well. Or there are low profile ones made for skis

Then there are a couple companies making shelves that attach to molle panels that address your storage above your legs. Like Rago

Also check out
Toyota 4Runner 5th Gen 2010-Present – Goose Gear
 
Last edited:
SnowYeti said:
I made a frame using 80/20 rails and parts. Allows me to attach my slider and provides adjustable tie downs. Super easy to remove as well. Not cheap stuff but check out their web page for ideas. Lots of options and they cut to length.

Why not use a ski rack or ski length box on top? Box would give you some extra storage as well. Or there are low profile ones made for skis

Then there are a couple companies making shelves that attach to molle panels that address your storage above your legs. Like Rago

Also check out
Toyota 4Runner 5th Gen 2010-Present – Goose Gear
Click to expand...

80/20 rails are both significantly lighter AND stronger than 2x4+plywood systems, yeah? Where did you get your rails from? It seems there are tons of... variations of rails including the square extruded tubing, some with T slots, square hollow rails, etc...

I generally wanted to avoid roof storage because... well, I've never used roof storage. haha
 
As a reference you could probably build something like this (or just buy it from them). It's 80/20 frame and birch plywood. Big enough to slide ski's underneath and also at an angle if you need to. When I spoke with the they said the platform was about 14" tall. You can definitely fit bins and containers underneath but could add a drawer if you wanted to.

SS1 - Platform - 5th Gen 4Runner
– Air Down Gear Up
 
kaitlyn2004 said:
80/20 rails are both significantly lighter AND stronger than 2x4+plywood systems, yeah? Where did you get your rails from? It seems there are tons of... variations of rails including the square extruded tubing, some with T slots, square hollow rails, etc...

I generally wanted to avoid roof storage because... well, I've never used roof storage. haha
Click to expand...

Stronger, lighter, straighter and more functional. I designed mine and ordered directly from them. Then it was just assembly time.

I wanted something that kept everything in place, the slider and easy to remove because my big dog likes the the entire back if possible.

We ski a lot. I think a ski box is the way to go. Keeps sharp, wet skis out of your car, hidden and free of road crap like you get with just a ski rack. All that road stuff and salt is not great for your bindings or edges.


If you are an REI member you can use your once a year 20% off on one.
 
SnowYeti said:
Stronger, lighter, straighter and more functional. I designed mine and ordered directly from them. Then it was just assembly time.

I wanted something that kept everything in place, the slider and easy to remove because my big dog likes the the entire back if possible.

We ski a lot. I think a ski box is the way to go. Keeps sharp, wet skis out of your car, hidden and free of road crap like you get with just a ski rack. All that road stuff and salt is not great for your bindings or edges.


If you are an REI member you can use your once a year 20% off on one.
Click to expand...

Have any pics/writeup on your 80/20 build?
 
I built a platform to level (for sleeping in vehicle when doing dispersed camping - works well - just did 5 days in Hell's Canyon) + tie downs + pull out table.

Sleeping Platform - V1.0 Complete - Now w Plan

There are plans and dimensions in there if helpful

I agree that skis should be in a box up top, not in the car.

I'm sure it would be an easy mod to add an optional spot for a backpack, but if there is only one person sleeping in the car is it needed - I just sleep next to the fridge I haul when I'm out camping.

kaitlyn2004 said:
I have basically no woodworking skills, so I already feel like I'm in way over my head but I was thinking of having a modular platform system to support (What I can think of, so far) 3 main usecases where I'd need to sleep in the car before/after activities:

- Basic road trip/car camping
- Ski touring
- Backpacking

With ski touring, for example, I'd like to be able to store the skis underneath. They aren't tall but are long, so I'd need to raise the platform to maybe 5 or so inches.

For backpacking, I may need more space as I think my backpack alone is about 13" thick given the frame/padding... and likely thicker when full, which is likely how I'd have it - "ready to go".

And then for basic roadtrip is a huge mix of stuff probably in multiple containers that maybe get stored underneath the platform, and/or in the passenger footwells + moves to driver+passenger seats.

And maybe the platform has no rise (just leveling) to provide maximum comfort + headspace when sleeping/sitting up, etc. A nice bonus would be a shelf of sorts, sort of where the cargo cover goes which still allows sitting up as well as storage "above" the legs.

Has anyone tried making a variable-height platform? With seemingly most people making their platform systems out of wood, I can't imagine how it could be variable height... but maybe if it was steel/aluminium rail type it could more easily adjust to various heights, but then it seems making these systems out of aluminium would be both much more expensive + harder to work with?
Click to expand...
 
I just built this with very little wood working skills. Sliding drawers coming soon, I can store bulky items under the platform for the mean time. I built this because sleeping in the car with that bump as we all know is not the business. This will definitely work for what I use my runner for.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/h7SgZuKENxU?start=1" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
 
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