My first attempt at a sleeping/storage platform

[ELLLLLIOTTTTT]

I decided to tackle this project based on a few ideas I've seen on Expedition Portal and elsewhere. There are no plans or documented measurements as I just designed this on a cocktail napkin and constructed in the parking garage of my apartment (0/10, wouldn't recommend). I chose to use doors, instead of drawers, to keep the cost and weight REALLY low. The current iteration weighs less than 40 pounds and can be remove in less than 2 minutes. I plan to add a detachable platform that will allow a full size air mattress to be used while camping, that should be the easy part. Most materials are 1/2" birch with some very strategic supports to increase strength but again, keeping the weight minimal. Would love to hear any feedback as this is my first attempt at wood working (I'm generally more comfortable with metal fab).

[Ken L]

Looks good. Seems short for a full size air mattress, but I'll believe you. What vehicle is it in, WJ?

[K2]

What do you plan to do the spare tire well? Is your spare staying there? You were planning to get larger tires right?

[ELLLLLIOTTTTT]

Looks good. Seems short for a full size air mattress, but I'll believe you. What vehicle is it in, WJ?

The rear seats fold down where a (nearly completed) extension will attach to make plenty of room for a full size air mattress. Will post pics of that when it's finished.

What do you plan to do the spare tire well? Is your spare staying there? You were planning to get larger tires right?

Yah, I'll be building a rear tire carrier of some sort to house the spare. Something along these lines:

[BigDaveZJ]

Glad to see you getting back at it! GSW?

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

[K2]

The rear seats fold down where a (nearly completed) extension will attach to make plenty of room for a full size air mattress. Will post pics of that when it's finished.

Yah, I'll be building a rear tire carrier of some sort to house the spare. Something along these lines:

What will you put in the well? I did the shelf thing and then upgraded to drawers. Drawers are awesome! I got sick of digging things out from under the back (front of Jeep) of the shelf.

[ajmorell]

Nice. Looks like you'll have plenty of storage for a few dead hookers in there

[Stealth Crawler ZJ]

If you can find totes that fit you can save time and weight! This is going be wj slam west before to long haha!

[ELLLLLIOTTTTT]

Glad to see you getting back at it! GSW?

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

I'm only 12 hours away now! Not as close as in Denver but a helluva lot better than VA.

What will you put in the well? I did the shelf thing and then upgraded to drawers. Drawers are awesome! I got sick of digging things out from under the back (front of Jeep) of the shelf.

What do you mean the wells? The foot wells will hold the legs of the platform and some accessory gear. The wheel wells have already been addressed.

Nice. Looks like you'll have plenty of storage for a few dead hookers in there

I typically just put them on the roof rack. Maybe this will work for the bigger ones.

If you can find totes that fit you can save time and weight! This is going be wj slam west before to long haha!

I thought about that. I'm also seriously considering GSW... but I do have a honeymoon coming up in June sometime, so we'll see.

[K2]

Spare tire well. The large space your spare usually resides but will be empty once you put the spare on the rear. This will be covered by your platform and difficult to access once you are rolling. Mine is useless at present due to my drawers and I am looking for ideas on what can go there that is not needed often but worth bringing. I have seen a second battery and oba in there.

[ELLLLLIOTTTTT]

Spare tire well. The large space your spare usually resides but will be empty once you put the spare on the rear. This will be covered by your platform and difficult to access once you are rolling. Mine is useless at present due to my drawers and I am looking for ideas on what can go there that is not needed often but worth bringing. I have seen a second battery and oba in there.

Oh I see. So the platform is held down by a couple of turnbuckles that can be undone in just a second to access the tire well. When the spare is on the rear carrier, I'll probably fill that space with emergency essentials (straps, spare parts, etc) that will not regularly be needed.

[fpkites]

Honeymoon in Moab!! Duhhhhhhh!!!!

[ELLLLLIOTTTTT]

Thought I'd update this post with some finished photos. I took it out "Urban Camping" in LA over the last 3 days. Surprisingly LA has loads of campgrounds on the outskirts of the city that made this really fun.

Original position, with the rear seats up and cargo cover.



Fold seats down, move platform extension into place.



Inflate air mattress.



Enjoy the sunset and a quiet nights sleep, all without setting up a tent.

[JordanA]

Looks good, Elliot.

[Kraqa]

sick!!! i like it.

[BigDaveZJ]

Looks good man! And LOVE that sunset pic. There's a neat campground we found in Huntington Beach, just south of the pier. It's basically just a parking lot that they turn into an RV park in the offseason, but its right up against the sea wall. We stayed there on our RV trip through CA a few years ago and really enjoyed it.