Sleeping platform
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gshadow325
New member
Wouldnt a thick air mattress pumped up while it was inside accomplish the same thing?
a coleman queen is 78"L x 60"W x 18"H.
i camp and i wonder how the platforms work
a coleman queen is 78"L x 60"W x 18"H.
i camp and i wonder how the platforms work
CrimsonCountry
New member
^This. I also frequently use a simple inflatable mattress as it conforms to the interior quite well as long as it isn't 100% inflated. I have even used thick memory foam on the bottom and actually preferred that to the mattress given the lower height and increased headroom. I hated having my head up near the roof.
As other's have said, at the very least, I would add a wider footprint to those 2x4s so you don't cause any damage.
txclimber
New member
What you guys are failing to appreciate is all of the room UNDER the platform for storing all of your gear. Just inflating a mattress would require you to unload and reload all of your crap every night, perhaps leaving it in less than perfect weather.
CrimsonCountry
New member
If you do need the room, that's true. My response was more towards a lighter camping trip with 2 people. For me and my wife, our outings are normally close-by and quick so no need for tons of gear. Worse case, I cram stuff in front of the truck. However, if you do need the room, there's no way around needing the extra room. Nearly all the overland, excursion type guys have similar setups with the bed being up high and storage under the platform.
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97BlackAckCL
Elite Member
Holy crap that thing is high
A_HuL
New member
I really dig the storage space underneath i would get some different supports though like stated above, ive always thought about doing this but then i made a pallet in the back of the 4runner on an offroad trip and it got under 20 degrees and needless to say it turns into a metal freezer:smow: . Ive been a tent guy ever since.
I just bought some foam insulation to put under my sleeping platform when I eventually make one. It doesn't seem like it could get that much colder than a tent? Though with uninsulated plywood and airflow underneath, you will lose more heat from your back than being on the ground in a tent.
If it gets too cold you can run the engine for a while. It sounds like people estimate it at about 0.5 gallons per hour in this thread: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/24717-how-long-can-you-idle-tank-gas.html . I wouldn't recommend sleeping with the engine running, though. Maybe get a carbon monoxide detector if you plan to idle while sitting inside a lot. The catalytic converters should take care of most of the CO once warmed up, but better to be safe.
Martinjmpr
New member
Nice job, but...
Looks good, but I have a couple of recommendations/suggestions:
First, IMO that's too high. You're going to have a hell of a time getting in and out of that and you won't be able to sit up at all. It's going to be like sleeping under a bed.
The reason your platform is so high is to clear the bottom cushions of the back seats when folded, yes? OK, you can take those cushions out in literally about 4 minutes with a ratchet and a 14mm socket. Seriously, 4 bolts, 4 minutes max. That will let you drop the platform a few inches and not lose any length.
Second, you really should consider some kind of cross-bracing for the "legs." There are several different ways you can do that, just use your imagination.
3/4" plywood is going to be VERY heavy! I used 9/16ths (1/2) on mine and it seems to work fine. Is there anything holding it down to keep it from bouncing around? I guess if you don't go off-road this isn't an issue.
You can invest in some of those long plastic tubs to slide underneath the platform for "drawers." Makes it easier to get your stuff out.
You can check out my build if you want some ideas, I also built a platform last year and it works pretty well. The link is in my signature and the platform build starts about halfway down page 3.
Looks good, but I have a couple of recommendations/suggestions:
First, IMO that's too high. You're going to have a hell of a time getting in and out of that and you won't be able to sit up at all. It's going to be like sleeping under a bed.
The reason your platform is so high is to clear the bottom cushions of the back seats when folded, yes? OK, you can take those cushions out in literally about 4 minutes with a ratchet and a 14mm socket. Seriously, 4 bolts, 4 minutes max. That will let you drop the platform a few inches and not lose any length.
Second, you really should consider some kind of cross-bracing for the "legs." There are several different ways you can do that, just use your imagination.
3/4" plywood is going to be VERY heavy! I used 9/16ths (1/2) on mine and it seems to work fine. Is there anything holding it down to keep it from bouncing around? I guess if you don't go off-road this isn't an issue.
You can invest in some of those long plastic tubs to slide underneath the platform for "drawers." Makes it easier to get your stuff out.
You can check out my build if you want some ideas, I also built a platform last year and it works pretty well. The link is in my signature and the platform build starts about halfway down page 3.
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He has four turnbuckle type things to the cargo tie down points in the trunk.
Taking out the seat bottoms is actually not a bad idea. I hadn't considered it because I wanted the convenience of folding, but it probably takes more than four minutes to get the sleeping platform from the garage, install it, and secure it. It almost negates the need for a platform if you don't need to carry a lot of stuff and don't need lots of room for sleeping. If it's just me I only need to take out one seat bottom. I think I'll see if I can get by without a platform now!
If I make one, I'll definitely use 1/2" or thinner plywood. I think if I build a light, thin frame (maybe 1x2 lumber which is actually 0.75 x 1.5) I can get enough stiffness with less weight. Plus with enough support legs, very little stiffness is required. Or make it out of Ikea LINNMON table tops for a cheap and light weight design.
LINNMON Table top - black-brown - IKEA
It feels like these things are made of cardboard, and that's actually not that far off!
Table top:
Top: Fiberboard, Acrylic paint, .
Frame: Particleboard, ABS plastic
Filling material: Paper
Bottom: Fiberboard
Width: 23 5/8"
Height: 1 3/8"
Length: 39 3/8"
Weight: 13lb
Martinjmpr
New member
I did that the first year I had my 4runner. It was easy, and provided better headroom than with the platform. On the downside, with the seat bottom cushions off, there is a gap of about 10" between the top of the folded-down seat backs and the back of the front seat. If you're planning on sleeping with your head down there, you'd need to have some kind of platform to rest your head on.
Sleeping with your head by the tailgate would remove the need for that, but the problem there is that the seat back cushions don't lie flat, they lie at an angle, meaning that your feet will be higher than your head - not good for sleeping.
It's too bad the 4runner doesn't have a completely flat load deck. I wish more manufacturers paid attention to things like that when they designed their vehicles but I have to admit the number of people who plan to sleep in SUV type vehicles prettt much puts them in the minority and so the auto manufacturers don't have much incentive to cater to them.
I forgot about the slope. I was planning on putting my feet in the gap where the seat bottom was. It's so close, it seems like they really could have made it flat. The optional cargo shelf may actually make it flatter since it's a bit over an inch thick, but I think it's still not completely flat. It also adds an unfortunate rounded edge down towards the hatch that helps stuff roll out. It wouldn't be too hard to fill the space left by the seat bottom. Or maybe I just need to park on a hill!
Vehicles I know of with a flat sleeping platform include the Honda Odyssey (and probably most minivans) and the Mazda CX-9. I'm sure there are others, too.
Also, in case anyone doesn't know, the front seats have a "sleeping mode". Slide the seat all the way forward and remove the headrest, then the seat back can fold level with the rear seats. It even works with power seats. It's not very useful because the seat bottom is not level with the seat back when folded flat, and because it's not really long enough to sleep on. Maybe sleeping sideways along the rear seat with your legs on one of the front seat backs would work?
Vehicles I know of with a flat sleeping platform include the Honda Odyssey (and probably most minivans) and the Mazda CX-9. I'm sure there are others, too.
Also, in case anyone doesn't know, the front seats have a "sleeping mode". Slide the seat all the way forward and remove the headrest, then the seat back can fold level with the rear seats. It even works with power seats. It's not very useful because the seat bottom is not level with the seat back when folded flat, and because it's not really long enough to sleep on. Maybe sleeping sideways along the rear seat with your legs on one of the front seat backs would work?
