my sleeping platform - cargo drawer

[crazy larry]

I looked at lots of sleeping platform threads on here for inspiration. I came up with something unique (I think) that borrows from lots of posts on here so I thought I would share.

I was only interested in sleeping for one and I wanted to take up only half the cargo area. I built a frame with the front & back open and drawer that slides either way. If I want to use this for sleeping I have to remove the passenger side rear seat bottom, but that's easy. Just two bolts. The passenger front seat is all the way forward. The drawer slides forward about 2/3 of the way and the forward half of the sleeping platform rests on top. I screwed plywood strips onto the bottom of that part of the platform that fit into the top of the drawer to prevent it from sliding around. I don't have a picture, but the drawer can be pulled out the back and the platform extends out of the tailgate. I imagined using that as a work surface for cooking or whatever. I'm need to finish the wood with some kind of waterproof sealer and then I was thinking of gluing PVC shower liner to the top surfaces to protect it and give it some grip. I tested it out on a trip to fish the Upper Delaware this weekend and it worked perfect. Sunshades for bug screens worked well. I was careful to never leave the doors open and the cargo lights on (this time). Here's the pics:

 

[crazy larry]

one more

drawer in use. I cut some ovals instead of using drawer pulls. also, forgot to mention that I did this all with just one sheet of 3/4 plywood and a couple 2x3s from the scrap bin. Some combination of 3/4 and 1/2" would have been lighter and made the drawer a little more spacious, but I didn't want to buy more wood. all joins are just glued, nailed and reinforced in some places with dry-wall screws. it's just wood on wood (no drawer slides) but functions perfectly. I made it a tight fit so the drawer wouldn't drop down when pulled out.

 

[alirawk]

Clean, functional, and well made. Good work man.

 

[Atomic6]

Looks good! Fits your needs without going overboard :thumb:

 

[JZiggy]

Very cool, and nice work. A friend of mine built a one-man sleeper platform like this for his Camry... removed the front seat and had it extend into the trunk. I kept telling him a 3rd gen 4Runner would be a much more comfortable option.

 

[ryanlord43]

That looks pretty well built, first time I have seen a one man sleeping platform. Definitely different than most that cover the whole rear area.

 

[greatape]

Camped next to a guy at overland west and he had a sweet solo platform on his FJ55.. perfect for solo

 

[the walrus]

Looks good. I need to build a drawer/platform one of these days. Until then, I have discovered that a twin air mattress ($7 at wally world) fits perfectly in the 4Runner with the rear seat bottoms removed. I have used it a few times this summer already. It's so nice to be able to sleep in the truck and stretch out.

Thanks for the inspiration for a future project!

Justin