Sleeping Platform/Storage
- Thread starter MStudt
- Start date
MStudt
official vendor
Can't believe I never updated this thread. I'll post some finished pictures in a minute or two.
MStudt
official vendor
Everything is good. Our last piece of debt is our house, and that's going up for sale in a couple months. We plan on hitting the road in June of 2017 to travel for an undisclosed amount of time. We're shooting for around 2 years before having to return to reality. Who really knows how it'll turn out when we're actually out there though.
I like this. I am researching a sleeping arrangement for my fiance and I. We are taking a long road trip towing a tear drop camper which my kids will sleep in. The woman and I are planning on sleeping in the 4runner. We definitely won't be living in it. But will be out and about for about two weeks.
MStudt
official vendor
Depending on how tall you two are you might fit better with the seats removed. Mine is currently set-up to leave the seats in, but I'm only about 5'10".
mtbtim
Elite Member
I admire people like you who are able to realize your dreams and not let the fears of the future stop you. I went the normal traditional route in life with the reliable job, pension, house, etc. Quite often, I think guys like you have it right and people like me have it all wrong. Being tied down with a mortgage and having less money and time to do more awesome adventures sometimes makes me think I made the wrong choices. I do get out there and I've had my share of kickass adventures but I would like more time and money to travel and experience more.
Anyway, good for you to pursue your passions.
MStudt
official vendor
It's only a matter a being able to support yourself. With us having zero debt (once the house is sold), and no kids it's pretty easy. Plus the getting paid to hike thing will fuel the traveling. As long as we're hiking we're getting paid.
97Run-Man
New member
I designed a drawer system for my truck, similar to yours, out of aluminium, but finding a way to weld it is going to cost me an arm and a leg. What were the sizes of the steel you used to make yours?
Also, assuming they cost the same could I get a metal sheet that was just as rigid and not as heavy as wood?
Thanks so much for any help you can offer. Really appreciate it.
MStudt
official vendor
I used 1/2x1/2 box tubing on mine, but next time I'd go with 1x1. The 1/2" is just a tad small to work with. It's still plenty strong, but the 1" would have made attaching the top easier. I paid $90 for all the metal used on this platform.
I was going to go with aluminum the first time around, and wish I would have. When I build my next one I will be using aluminum.
97Run-Man
New member
What wall thickness did you use/would you use?
Why do you wish you had gone with aluminum? Right now, I have mine designed with 0.75x0.75x0.125 wall 6063-T1 Aluminum.
MStudt
official vendor
I used .065 wall on the 1/2", and on the 1". I only wish that I would have gone with aluminum for the weight savings. I'm not sure how much I would have saved, or if it would have even been worth it. I'm going to research the weight differences to see if it's even worth it pretty soon.
97Run-Man
New member
The steel you used is .39 lbs/ft
The aluminum I was looking at is .37 lbs/ft (.75 x .75 x .125 square tube)
In my opinion it isn't worth it when it comes to wait savings, the amount is negligible. Unless you go with a thinner wall and I am afraid a thinner wall would not hold two grown adults.
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MStudt
official vendor
That's some great news! I personal would not go thinner on the aluminum unless you plan on putting in some supports. At that point you're going to add more weight, and then it's not really worth it.
I came across a deflection calculator once that you could plug all your information in to, and it wold tell you where the weak points would be. I'll see if I can find that, and post it for you to see. I think 80/20 may have something similar to a deflection calculator too.
97Run-Man
New member
If you could share that it would help me wrap up this whole design up and start fabing.
I'm gonna lay may hands on some .5" square tube to see how hard it's gonna be to weld. I could have this done begin of next month with as cheap as steel would be.
Would you be willing to sell me some drawer slides?
I'm gonna lay may hands on some .5" square tube to see how hard it's gonna be to weld. I could have this done begin of next month with as cheap as steel would be.
Would you be willing to sell me some drawer slides?
MStudt
official vendor
97Run-Man
New member
My biggest thing is something that they will hold themselves open so they don't just close on me.
