Sleeping comfortably in a 2017 4Runner
- Thread starter tomdez
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This is interesting because I had a 15 with the cargo deck in the rear and it made a completely flat sleeping surface. When I ordered my 16 got it without the sliding cargo deck because I wanted more room but ended up ruining my sleeping camping arrangement. I tried several foams and use to fold extra blankets up to try to make it level but it really never worked out for me. So the next when I get will have that cargo deck again.
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beast_master
New member
TETON Sports Somnia Lightweight Camp Cot fits great in the back of the 4runner.
cdiset
New member
What he said! The sliding cargo deck makes it totally flat when the rear seats are folded down. Perfect fit for a twin air mattress.
Darren
Member
Specifically, look here, or below.
That is the cleanest, lowest profile option I've seen. Since the sliding deck wasn't an option in the color I was after, the guy in that linked thread had the next best thing. I was rather happy that my finished piece seemed to come out just as good as his. It is a perfect fit between the wheel wells and to the tailgate, and simply lift it up and out to remove, if desired. I still need to come up with something to level the side areas out.
The Home Depot nearest me had two options in a 4'x4' plywood: 15/32" (which is what I got, and 23/32", which would also work great. The supports are 2x2s (1.5"x1.5"). 15/32" plywood sits slightly lower than the back seats, but any sort of sleeping pad will negate that effect and you'll never know it isn't perfectly flush.
Cut perfectly to fit at 41x43". Actually, I think I kept an additional ~1/4" over the 43" width for what I wanted. Measure for your own preference. I measured the supports to end just before the plastic trim piece at the tailgate so that they sit on the carpet and not the trim. Extending it would still work, though.
The carpet is The Home Depot's ebony one, or the only black carpet they carry, at least in stores. Note that it isn't a perfect match with the factory carpet, but still great. The ebony is a true black, whereas the factory has a bluish hue. I stapled the carpet and allowed about a 2.5" or 3" overlap on all sides underneath. I never did take a picture of the underside with the carpet on, which I should.
My sleeping pad and bag setup served me awesome in my 2002, where I slept in that for 677 nights. Only two in the new one so far. Many more to come. Just as comfortable in this one, but I don't like the power seats for this purpose--they're not fast to slide forward (letting precious warm air escape), and the seat backs don't go forward like a manual one. I knew this going in, at least the slow part, but it still works well enough for me.
My ExtremeAire compressor with a couple of kneeling pads level things out for my head area
Yeah me too, I would like to know. Guess I could call the dealer.
I didn't realize that folding the seats will create an uneven surface, and I thought the cargo deck would be higher then the rest of the "floor".
??
Im eventually going to do drawers and a sleeping platform, but for now I just throw down a sleeping pad. With my head down by the tailgate having my legs slightly elevated doesn't bother me at all. The other way around however is very uncomfortable. I also removed the seat bottom to give more room. It's very easy to do, just two bolts.
MeefZah
New member
My setup is essentially [MENTION=16]Darren[/MENTION] 's setup, though my measurements are a little different. I used 2 sheets of 1/2" plywood to make a 1" thick top, which is perfectly flush. I also didn't carpet it because it's always covered with gear when I'm camping. Here's my install notes and photos from my Smugmug gallery.
CURRENT SETUP; The purpose for this pallet is to make it more comfortable to sleep in the back during camping trips. It was built to be exactly 2.5" high, 43.5" wide, and 38.5" deep. It drops right into the recess in the cargo area and provides a slightly raised, flat floor. In this manner, when the rear seats bottoms are removed (4 - 14mm bolts), the seat backs are folded down / forward, and the fascia panel in the middle of the cargo area is removed (2 - 10mm bolts) the entire floor area from rear hatch to back of the front seats is almost perfectly flat. Without this, there is a 2.5" drop in the middle of the floor, right where the rear seats fold forward, and right about hip-level when lying down. To maximize the available sleeping area, slide the front seats all the way forward and place Rubbermaid Action Packer model 1170- 8 gal totes in the rear passenger foot wells. Note that my 4R is the non-3rd row model. 3rd row models have a fold-flat floor / backseat.
CURRENT SETUP; The purpose for this pallet is to make it more comfortable to sleep in the back during camping trips. It was built to be exactly 2.5" high, 43.5" wide, and 38.5" deep. It drops right into the recess in the cargo area and provides a slightly raised, flat floor. In this manner, when the rear seats bottoms are removed (4 - 14mm bolts), the seat backs are folded down / forward, and the fascia panel in the middle of the cargo area is removed (2 - 10mm bolts) the entire floor area from rear hatch to back of the front seats is almost perfectly flat. Without this, there is a 2.5" drop in the middle of the floor, right where the rear seats fold forward, and right about hip-level when lying down. To maximize the available sleeping area, slide the front seats all the way forward and place Rubbermaid Action Packer model 1170- 8 gal totes in the rear passenger foot wells. Note that my 4R is the non-3rd row model. 3rd row models have a fold-flat floor / backseat.
That's not the sliding cargo deck, that's a add on to go with your already existing sliding cargo deck.
4RnR Grl
New member
You don't need a platform. Get a truck Bedz Air mattress (with wheel well cutouts (Amazon)). Fill the mattress and let out just enough air to close the hatch. Climb in through the passenger rear doors. You will have the best night of sleep of your life.... no boards, no mats, no building anything, and it resolves the "hump" issue.
MeefZah
New member
Have you tried this, with the hump? I built my platform a year ago because the first time I tried sleeping in the back, with a full size air mattress over the "hump", I felt it and actually found myself slumping towards the back of the truck all night long. It was pretty miserable. I can't believe that a mattress by itself will be as comfortable as having a flat base with the mattress on top.
4RnR Grl
New member
It was perfectly comfortable.... the Truck Bedz mattress is thicker than most normal air mattresses and I never noticed the hump. Both my husband and I slept in the truck this way without issue.
MeefZah
New member
Groovy
By "truck", are you referring to your 4Runner ?
