on: function (event, callback) { $300.00 $199.95 (Save 33%) We hope that you enjoy the video. Folding Platform Mattress Base PB3_(MT)(2000 Lbs Weight Capacity)(Multiple Sizes) Our metal platform beds provide a reliable frame for your mattress without the hassle of a box spring. Product Title Rest Haven Rollaway Folding Guest Bed with 4-inch Memory Foam Mattress- Multiple Sizes Average Rating: ( 4.4 ) out of 5 stars 135 ratings , based on 135 reviews Current Price $189.99 $ 189 . The sleeping platform needed to be slightly above at the exact same height as the top of the cooler. If you’re not sure of the exact item or size, most stores accept returns with a receipt. These functionalities will determine how you design and build your SUV sleeping platform. Consequently, the 4″ side of the board will create a taller “wall” and this will avoid shifting of the larger items, such as the cooler. Grab your pencil, saw and sander, and etch out those last details of your SUV sleeping platform. Honestly, my friends, it wasn’t that bad. It is simply impossible to be more inexperienced than I was prior to starting this project. event : event, window.mc4wp.listeners.push({ Only a few final details have to be taken care of. If you have read the entire article to this point, I’m pretty sure you know we took the latter option. Right now, you’ve reached a fork in the road. If you just need a cheap solution for having guests sleeping over, these simple fold-away beds are a good choice. All CategoriesAmerica   Mexico   USA      AlaskaTravel GuidesTravel Resources, All TagsRTW Trip JournalTravel BloggingComprehensive Travel GuidesMini Travel GuidesOff The Beaten PathPractical TravelCamper LifeRoad TripsNational ParksOutdoorsSmall Towns – RuralHikingCampingAccommodationWildlifeNorthern LightsArctic CircleSUV camper conversion, Copyright © 2018 – 2021 | The Beating Road | All rights reserved, Sleeping under the Northern Lights in Arctic Alaska, Car camping on the beach in Homer, Alaska, Waterfront views from our SUV sleeping platform. There is no doubt about it. Another example is the surface underneath the water jug. You are almost there! Using screws, secure the plywood vertically onto the B frame as pictured above. First off, a sleeping platform within your vehicle will remain dry when there is wet weather. 00 It was painful at times, but mostly a very enjoyable process. Crossbar 3 is a very important part of your SUV sleeping platform, as it is going to be the separator between the storage area and the kitchen. 99 Free-standing Sleeping Lofts. Convertible Chairs into Beds, Single Folding Sleeper Chair Sofa Bed with Pillow, 6 Position Adjustable Backrest, Modern Sleeper Couch for Living Room Bedroom, Blue 4.0 out of 5 stars 26 $135.99 $ 135 . $100 SUV Sleeping Platform 2.0 You could have a dresser and a bed in one with this design. The remainder of the time it will be resting on top of board 3. It worked, and very well. Safe and resistant. The height of these items will condition the height of the structure. Queen Larissa Metal Bed Bronze - Room & Joy. A well built portable tent platform should … For now, we’re going to leave board 4 aside. For durability purposes, be sure to use heavy duty hinges and screws. It is wise to mention that you should be measuring from the widest angle of the reclined seats (the part that sticks out the most) to the outer edge of crossbar 1 (subtracting 1 1/2 inch). Board 4: Cut in half. AND WISH YOU ALL THE BEST ADVENTURES IN YOUR NEXT ROAD TRIP!!! A double panel will provide enough space to have a separate cooking and dining area, which is pretty amazing! Of course, be safe. We wanted something simple and inexpensive, but also sturdy and durable. Divide that line in 4 equal parts and drill holes in positions 1/4 and 3/4, that are big enough for a paracord rope to fit through. Go to the hardware store with your design in-hand. If your SUV sleeping platform goes straight into a flat surface at the exact same level as the trunk’s frame, forget about all this. Can you imagine the freedom you will have after building a sleeping platform, and converting your SUV into a house on wheels? Who knows… maybe our paths (and campers) will cross in our next road trip! The materials you need are: 2×2″ studs and triangular door hinges. All of them! Back to index. All of the design sketches that I worked so hard on before removing the seats and containers became obsolete. A folding cabinet bed includes a cabinet of sufficient size to enclose a standard size folded futon mattress, and allows the mattress to be deployed as a bed. if (!window.mc4wp) { Look for other minor details that could be improved. Accept the fact that you’ll probably have to make multiple trips to the hardware store. REPLACEMENT MESH SLEEPING PLATFORM ONLY . As you plan how all of your items will fit inside the vehicle, be sure to keep in mind how accessible each item needs to be. The space we gained after removing the storage containers was significant, but this meant we would have to work with an uneven floor surface. ... Dupont Tufted Upholstered Platform Bed - King - Black Espresso - Sleep Revolution. This made sense as the water jug and cooler would be accessed more frequently than the cooking utensils. Board 3: Cut in half. Jun 8, 2016 - building a folding sleeping platform for an suv - Google Search. I then layed the outdoor carpet down, sprayed it with 3M spray adhesive, and positioned the board in place, folding up the edges and stapling on the under-side. Determining the measurements and functions of the bed board are essential for moving forward. People have been building sleeping platforms in the backs of pickups and vans for decades. Let’s take a look at what you will need for this project…, – Power drill (2 better than 1!) Do you remember that one of our priorities was having an easily accessible kitchen and storage area? From a climate standpoint, the sleeping platform is also warmer than a tent or other outdoor sleeping equipment, helping you get better sleep. Always use gloves and protective eye-wear when using power saws and other potentially dangerous tools. Board 2: Core of the bed’s structure. In both cases, it is relatively easy to transport a portable tent platform and set it up each night for comfortable accommodation every evening. Adequate storage is required for our backpacking gear, as well as for our day-to-day items. Subtract 1/2 inch from the total measurement to ensure it won’t be too tight of a fit; here you will have the length of board 4. This will allow for these larger items to be easily transported in and out of the vehicle. As your guide, I’m going to share with you everything you need to create your own project. Once you have a direction, you know what to pursue. This holds the folded plywood in place when the platform is in bench mode. The features I needed in my platform were as follows: – Must be able to fold over so that the back seats can be used during the non-sleeping times. Space optimized. Instead, they lay in a separate space at ground level, and they lift up when needed. If you like authentic, off-the-beaten-path adventure, and being in total control of your time and decisions while you’re on the road, you’ve come to the right place! STORAGE CONTAINERS: Our Hyundai Santa Fe has two built-in, removable storage containers in the back (see image below). Adventure seekers, this is the perfect post for you. Join our mailing list and receive the latest adventures and travel resources from The Beating Road in your inbox! You’ll be needing them constantly. From the bottom side of each board, insert one end of the rope through the first of the two holes and do the same with the other end of the rope and the remaining hole. If the crossbar interferes with the seats, try placing it closer towards the trunk. We saw several instances where people built pull-out drawers into their structure; something like this can help to optimize space even more. Check out this video. In this guide, you will find all the information you need to build a sleeping platform in your SUV. That’s for you to create. With this information, you can purchase a few standard sized boards and ask that they be cut according to your calculated dimensions. The drawer optimizes kitchen space and allows us to have a designated area for our utensils. We built folding tables, which extend outward from the trunk and the SUV sleeping platform. We saved so much time having the boards cut at the hardware store. Take a ride with the sleeping platform inside of your SUV before venturing off on your first road trip. Will I have to remove all the back seats for this purpose? With the structure resting on top of the storage containers, they would hardly be accessible and thus, not very useful. First of all, you’ll have to ask yourself a series of questions: – How many people/animals will my camper need to accommodate? Makes sense, right? Well, the bed board is what is going to deliver this. Take measurements and start sketching! Folding Bed for Car Camping: My wife and I like car camping and road trips. Look for strengths and weaknesses inside your vehicle. With this being said, it still has been completely impossible for me to get into the details of the many special features of our SUV sleeping platform. Take into consideration that board 2 is the core of the whole SUV sleeping platform; therefore, don’t be cheap when buying the hinges to be used on both of its sides. We took the hard path in terms of construction, but we were confident that our decision was going to pay off. Do I plan to bring (you name it) a surf or snow board, skis, camping gear…? Always keep the basics in hands-reach: pencil, ruler, notebook and sketches, tape measure and framing square. Low-Waste Platform Bed Plans Have you tried building your own SUV sleeping platform? This area opens up and offers a hidden compartment with two storage levels: the bottom compartment for tools and the top compartment for tea, herbs, and condiments. These decisions are going to condition everything you do from here on out. A useful tip is not to make this piece too long, as when you are folding it up, it can be difficult with things in the way. While at the hardware store, speak with the experienced workers of each department. I can assure you that things are not the same when you’re working in your garage, than when you try to make the structure work inside the car. forms : { Guess which option we chose…? Exploring the Canadian wilderness – Lac La Hache, BC, Canada. Have the bed be as roomy as possible, without sacrificing the much needed storage space. The only way to take advantage of the tailored service mentioned above is to know the dimensions of what you need: side bars, cross bars, legs & bed boards. It will only be unfolded while sleeping. Let the images speak for themselves. Happy adventures! Consider that everyone has their own particular needs and preferences, and every car is going to have different dimensions and features. You’ll only need a couple of chairs to enjoy homemade meals in the most remote and picturesque locations. ** You may find that some of the door panels don’t completely open when the SUV sleeping platform is installed inside your vehicle. It is time to begin designing! Hinges and screws are the most important components for a functional SUV sleeping platform. inside the vehicle, you will want to lay the 2×4″ board flat on its wider side. As I mentioned earlier, it is extremely important to know the exact measurements of all your boards before going to the store. But for more comfortable sleeping, you must always have a bed frame. Let’s see how this looks in the real life. A crucial tip: NEVER use nails. Though a PVC sleeping platform like the one above does require the use of storage bins to store and organize your gear, this does allow you to store your gear under the platform in a slightly more organized fashion while truck shell camping.. If these folding beds aren’t your taste, or if you’re looking for something else that has a bit of a better look and style to them but don’t want to compromise the limited room you have, our daybed and murphy bed selections are a great alternative. The best thing about mistakes… we learn from them! For now, look at the diagram 1 to visualize your foundation. We used the frame of the trunk as a natural (and incredibly solid) support system. A quick sum up of tips I’ve been introducing throughout the post, along with some new suggestions…, … and if you have accomplished all the steps suggested in this comprehensive guide…, I HOPE YOU ENJOY YOUR NEW SUV SLEEPING PLATFORM. Board 4 folds onto board 3, which remains folded while driving and unfolded while sleeping. – Must be wide enough for two people. Now that you have an idea of how the bed board functions, let’s see how to take measurements in relation to the base. The feature with the sliding desk and the folding side is a fun detail. Stuff just went everywhere at the first turn. We used the frame of the trunk as a natural (and incredibly solid) support system. Like a house, start with the foundation. Let’s measure the length of the boards. Shortly after beginning the design process with the thought of leaving the storage containers in place, we became aware of the cons.  The extra storage space they offered, compared to the space they used, was incongruous. The goal is to find that extra space and use it to your advantage. Another indispensable tool: a bubble level to ensure that all surfaces are even, because nobody wants a crooked bed. } Measure from crossbar 1 to the end of crossbar 3 and subtract 1 1/2 inch from the total. Furthermore, I’m going to share with you the biggest mistakes I made during my process, so you don’t repeat them. If you want to learn more about these small, yet significant details, there are plenty to see in the in-depth video… which has a second part that focus on the main features of the whole sleeping platform: kitchen, bed and storage space. You may opt to upholster the bed boards with materials that provide insulation. Now, on to the next step: analyzing the cross bars. Placing the legs on top of the side bars is a space saver, but you’ll need extra hardware (corner braces and tie plates) and it will never be as sturdy. – Power circular saw – Hand saw – Tape measure – Framing square – Bubble level – Safety glasses – Gloves – Pencil, Optional – Screwdriver – Power sander – Hammer, – 2×4-inch boards – 2×6-inch boards – 2×2-inch studs – 3/4-inch plywood panels (2 of these should be enough) – Wood screws (different measures – (take a look here) – Corner braces and tie plates (find what fits your project before going to the hardware store) – Door hinges. We divided our kitchen into three main parts: stove + kitchen utensils, large water jug, and cooler. Your vision will soon become reality…and that is very exciting! Knowing this in advance will help you embrace this as part of the learning process. Hopefully, all of this will result in your own successful camper conversion. She is named after one of the most mysterious and illusive characters from the greatest television show of all time… Yes, we are hardcore Twin Peaks fans. Like I said at some point in this article, they are part of the learning process. It is a good idea to make the center leg also useful for board 4, since it would give support to both halves of it at the same time. Dalton Highway Arctic Circle: A Survival Guide, Copper Canyon Chihuahua: A Comprehensive Travel Guide, Driving the Dalton Highway: A Comprehensive Guide, Hatcher Pass Alaska- A guide for exploring the Mat-Su Valley, Nayarit Beach Towns: The Ultimate Guide For Finding Your Ideal Beach Town. Decide how complicated you want to build your structure. Home → Travel Resources → SUV Sleeping Platform: A Complete DIY Guide. We also have a dog, which can make road trips challenging (try finding a vacancy in a pet-friendly hotel during … In addition to assuring that the structure will fit, you will also need to measure the height of the larger items that you plan to store in your vehicle e.g., storage totes, cooler, stove, etc. While the other is that camping sleep platforms are the lesser known half of the camping sleep systems and come in various styles: cots, air mattresses, sleeping pads and hammocks. This mattress is made with high-density foam, whose foldable mattress assures a high level of support and comfort and would be perfect for small get-togethers with … ), over rivers, along rocky beaches, reaching some of the most remote places on the continent. Assemble the sleeping platform. When you are taking the measurement from the margin behind the reclined seats to crossbar 1, subtract 1  1/2 inch (read note below). 2. Do it right: remove the seats before taking measurements for your design. We hope to help inspire your next big adventure! Notice how we added a very important part to the structure: a 2×6″ board that fits perfectly between the 2×6″ legs. In other words, we needed this project to be affordable for us (less than $200). When you add the ladder on the side you have a sleeping loft. The last step of this section. This took some cutting and folding to get things right. An extension panel attached to the front wall helps to create a sleeping platform that accommodates the mattress. Be ready to make lots of mistakes. We created a wider door for the cooler and water jug, and a smaller for the cooking area. We knew how much road we had ahead of us and safety was non-negotiable. A flat surface vs. an uneven surface; straight interior walls vs. curved interior walls; solid anchoring points vs. minimal to no anchoring points. Sleeping on a folding bed sounds and feels a lot better than sleeping on the floor. The situation is… we need additional legs for board 3 and board 4. Regarding functionalities, we knew we wanted a lot of storage room that would be easily accessible from the rear doors, as well as a fully-functional kitchen and dining area that would extend outward from the trunk. The in-depth video will provide an explanation of these details, as well as show the set up process, and the final result of our project. We needed a specific structure to keep it safe, stable and accessible from the front seats. Be sure to account for all of your gear and equipment before getting your hands dirty. Include all the basics of a home: bedroom, kitchen, pantry, storage room, wardrobe. In most cases, crossbar 2 will rest parallel against the center console, unless the crossbar interferes with the two front seats. Choose from contactless Same Day Delivery, Drive Up and more. Easy to build and set up. I made sure that two RidgeRest sleeping pads can fit side by side. We wanted something for the long-term: a space that we could comfortably live out of for an extended period of time, a place to call home! Find the right spot for the legs of board 3, so, when open, they fall exactly on top of the sidebar. Close your eyes and imagine how you want your vehicle to look. Important feature 2: Maximize accessibility from the rear doors. You don’t need to create sophisticated blueprints, but the more developed your plan is, the smoother the building process will be. $300.00 $99.95 (Save 67%) J-Tex™ is made from PVC coated woven polyester, a specially engineered technical fabric designed to be stretch resistant and offer long term durability. But this pre-fab version is reasonably priced and saves some time with the skill saw. After all, this was going to be our home for the next 3 months. When sleeping, put your front seats forward and fold this board out, to give you extra space. Once the project is finished and the sleeping platform is installed in your SUV, you can continue to tailor your project according to your style and needs, the possibilities are endless! You can check this out in the video. 11. If you plan to fit a long item (board, skis, etc.) Join both ends by tying a strong knot, so that they create a triangle. Linenspa 14 Inch Folding Metal Platform Bed Frame - 13 Inches of Clearance - Tons of Under Bed Storage - Heavy Duty Construction - 5 Minute Assembly - Twin 4.7 out of 5 stars 7,572 $64.99 $ 64 . Hinges on the front wall of the cabinet enable the front wall to fold down vertically. First, for each seat, attach a carabiner to one of the metal bars connecting the head rest to the seat. For the last step, slide the driver and passenger’s side seats forward and upright as much as possible.  Measure from the end of board 3 to the edge of the seats. There are two possible directions: one is easy and simple and the other more complex (just a bit). This style of platform bed is an excellent choice for a smaller bedroom. How to make them? I am perfectly aware that this is a very long post. Once you install the back rest and seat cushion to the hinge sets this will align everything to work as intended. – Must be long enough for me (I’m 6′ 2″). Before putting your drawing skills to the test, or start using the power saw like a sick villain in a horror B movie, you’ll have to make some important decisions. Jun 8, 2016 - building a folding sleeping platform for an suv - Google Search. Half of the sleeping platform is in place. As you can see in the first image, the legs of board 4 are not attached to the boards. The extra wide legs plus the 2×6″ board will support board 2, as well as board 3. Solid Wood Folding Bed Frame 797_(KDFS) Brilliance is easy to come by for some and this Stow-a-way bed is a perfect example of one man s great idea to help others reclaim lost space. Take care of the final details: For a high quality, smooth finish use a power sander over all of structure’s edges and corners. The box and table assembly rests atop the same support structure as the sleeping platform, and fits into the space between the sleeping platform’s edge and the driver side wheel well. Like I mentioned before, at the beginning of this whole process, we brainstormed functionalities and features that our SUV sleeping platform would possess to best fit our needs. After this, we will determine the right position for the legs. SEATS: It was my first construction project and I was eager to get started, to say the least! Jun 8, 2016 - building a folding sleeping platform for an suv - Google Search .. Answering these (and probably other) questions is the true beginning of your project. For example, I realized I could build a drawer on top of the stove. South Whales Single Folding Platform Bed | Portable Bed for Sleeping | Beds for Guest | Camp Bed | Tool-Free Assembled | Under-Bed Storage - Random Color (Niwar Bed) … I’d open the rear door with a cart full of groceries, only to find the space under the platform was filed with gear, forcing me to set plastic bags on a flat, relatively smooth surface (the platform). Don’t forget to have boards 1, 2 and 4 cut in half. Before jumping into the bulk of the content, let us introduce you to our beloved SUV. I retrieved my notebook, measuring tape and went to work. Following the line set by the previous diagrams, it will be very easy to define the strategic placement for all the legs of your SUV sleeping platform. Connected with hinges to board 1 and board 3. After hours of hard work, it is really frustrating to encounter these issues at what you thought was the very end of your project. Two main points must be considered: where to position the legs and how to attach them to the base of the structure. Their length should be the exact distance between cross bar 1 and 3; their height should be the exact height of the legs to create an even surface. So you can do the same or, if you are a symmetry addict, plan it all in advance. Needless to say, I can be considered the exact opposite of a handy-man. Don’t worry about the rest, I’m going to guide you. Two 2×4″ on each side and one 2×6″ in the center. Watch the video for more details on this. The only disadvantage of this design is, that you get to sleep very close to the floor, so make sure you clean often. This is what we did. China Folding Outdoor Camping Hiking Tent off Ground Oversize Cot for Camp Fishing Sleeping, Find details and Price about China Camping Cot, Sleeping Platform from Folding Outdoor Camping Hiking Tent off Ground Oversize Cot for Camp Fishing Sleeping - Dongguan Camford Outdoor Products Co., Ltd. Multi-functional. Create a detailed list of all the materials you will need. (function() { This platform bed is not only a place to sleep but also a place to store things. It only takes one extra board on each side, and since they fold up, they take no extra space in the car. However, there is good news…there is actually an easy fix to all of this! Do you have a different set up in your camper? Ideally, it should be slightly longer than 1 and 3. We built folding tables, which extend outward from the trunk and the SUV sleeping platform. We had no idea that they offered this incredibly helpful service, so be sure to inquire at your local hardware store. $357.99. Lets get started! After positioning the seats, leave a one inch margin behind the seats and measure from that point to crossbar 1. Let me start by saying that this guide is meant for everyone in need of ideas or inspiration, but it’s specifically geared towards beginners. After all the important issues are solved, you can focus on the aesthetics and last minute details of your SUV sleeping platform. **Hinge bracket may extend past the metal round stop on the frame before the sofa and back rest are installed. 10. I have even included an in-depth video for the visual learners! } Always test as you go. For us, it was the size of the cooler that conditioned our whole design. Given the items we placed in the kitchen area and the divisions we made, we wanted the cooler and water jug to be accessible on one side, and the cooking utensils to be accessed on the other. Want to see an example? For board 4, there is a very easy solution. Jowday and her brand new sleeping platform took us from Seattle, all the way to the Arctic Ocean and many places in-between. The people who know me best still can’t believe that I built this with my own two hands, and despite all of the evidence, they still have their doubts! I must admit, the positioning of the legs was the result of inexperience and sporadic improvisations. Just add three more legs. In a tent, there is a risk of flood in case of natural disasters making you vulnerable to illnesses. If this is your first construction project, you will undoubtedly make plenty of mistakes along the way. Bottom line: if I was able to build the sleeping platform on my own, you can too. It might look complex, but it is really quite easy to build…. This is what I call using the car’s own structure to your advantage. One for pre-drilling and the other for drilling. Imagine sleeping in remote mountains, by enchanting lakes, sunny beaches, under the stars… or even surrounded by the Northern Lights! Watch it here! This was our list of priorities, which I dare to say will be accepted and embraced by the average reader: Cost effective. 4.8 out of 5 stars with 12 reviews. Connected with hinges to boards 2 and 4. callback: callback I recommend connecting a 2×4″ board standing on the 2″ side. If I had to give just one piece of advice: test the sleeping platform inside the SUV before advancing to the next step of the building process. Decide the width of each table. Lift your spirits with funny jokes, trending memes, entertaining gifs, inspiring stories, viral videos, and so much more. Nonetheless, I’m going to discuss both. Don’t be afraid to dream big. Why have a simple and mundane camper when, with just a little inspiration, you can take it to the next level! Be sure to reach out with any questions you may have! Embrace them, learn from them, and consider them a necessary evil to the process. Purchase what you think you will need, try it out on your project, and if it doesn’t work, exchange the item for what you need. Place the platform in your vehicle. We found that everyone we spoke to about our SUV sleeping platform had a wealth of ideas and knowledge pertaining to the building process. In this section I am going to explain all the steps you must follow to ensure a frustration-free design process. – Why am I building a sleeping platform in my SUV?  Is it simply for weekend getaways, or for long term travel? Our first thought was to keep the storage containers in place, as they provided a flat surface for the SUV sleeping platform to rest- a huge pro! Our vision ultimately determined our final product. } I was obsessed with open spaces and ease of accessibility; therefore, I came up with the idea to design a leg system that would allow the legs to be hidden when not in use. If the resting surface is not completely even, you’ll have to figure out some tricks to build your SUV sleeping platform so that it is completely uniform. However, there is one thing that I cannot give you: your own project. The first product to try is the Classic Brands Hercules platform heavy duty metal bed frame. Zinus. This is my recommendation: read the guide, watch the video, and start designing your very own SUV sleeping platform. If you go for this option, you’ll have to engage your creative side and figure out what works best for your SUV sleeping platform. Apr 4, 2015 - Discover the magic of the internet at Imgur, a community powered entertainment destination. Positioning of the front seats – the passenger’s seat should be positioned in a way that allows the copilot to rest comfortably; the driver’s seat with enough space for the tallest person to reach the peddles.