Have you tried building your own SUV sleeping platform? Your hands will appreciate it. Sleeping in the Back of a Ford Escape September 16, 2016 Videos camping , ford escape , sleeping , suv , suv rving , vandwelling , vanlife Tristan Hereâs a short video showing a nice little camping/sleeping setup in the back of a Ford Escape, a relatively small SUV. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Knowing this in advance will help you embrace this as part of the learning process. This means the right materials, tools, ideas and inspiration, tips and tricks, and the hindsight I gained through the process. Moreover, as space in a car is essential and plays a major role while choosing a sleeping platform. We took the hard path in terms of construction, but we were confident that our decision was going to pay off. Determine where the cooler and/or storage containers will fit inside the vehicle. There ⦠Some companies have also picked up on the SUV camper conversion craze. Some sleeping platforms may include special features like storage space underneath them to carry supplies. Create a detailed list of all the materials you will need. Whereas the bigger sleeping platforms will make your stay pleasant and may have extra for other utilities. Always use good quality wood screws! Look for details on that one in the near future. This is only a very small sample of all the places our converted camper SUV, with a DIY sleeping platform, took us during our first road trip to Alaska and Canada. Second, leave an inch from the end of each board, and draw a line parallel to the outer edge. We wanted something simple and inexpensive, but also sturdy and durable. How Does A Self-Inflating Sleeping Pad Work? I have even included an in-depth video for the visual learners! Its Interconnectable Lounging System (ILS) is adjustable and expands to fit larger vehicles. As I type this up, Iâve already been living with version 2.0 for some time (pictured at right). We found that everyone we spoke to about our SUV sleeping platform had a wealth of ideas and knowledge pertaining to the building process. 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. Home → Travel Resources → SUV Sleeping Platform: A Complete DIY Guide. Due to having more size to work with, it is easier to adjust and pick the right sleeping platform for a truck or SUV. This made sense as the water jug and cooler would be accessed more frequently than the cooking utensils. })(); We are Jess & Pedro, two traveling souls that want to share our passion, stories and experiences with you. In most cases, crossbar 2 will rest parallel against the center console, unless the crossbar interferes with the two front seats. 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. Do you think camping means having no comfort? There are loads of options and amenities that you can use to make your camping experience more pleasant. – Am I going to need a lot of storage room? To mention another beneficial feature of SUV cars, many SUVs also have four-wheel drive. We divided our kitchen into three main parts: stove + kitchen utensils, large water jug, and cooler. Mistakes will ultimately result in a final outcome you can be proud of. This is what we did. If you need to be on the move quickly, and you do not have time to waste (for whatever reason), a sleeping platform is an excellent choice. That being said, I can assure you that the ideas you’re about to read will serve as a guideline in any possible scenario. 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. We knew how much road we had ahead of us and safety was non-negotiable. It was painful at times, but mostly a very enjoyable process. If you are an avid camper, you should strongly consider one, as it may make your camping experience safer and less strenuous. Be ready to make lots of mistakes. From a fuel standpoint, SUVs are more economical than, say, flatbed trucks. Do it right: remove the seats before taking measurements for your design. Two 2×4″ on each side and one 2×6″ in the center. Board 4: Cut in half. Easy to build and set up. Right now, you’ve reached a fork in the road. In the final product, the top face of crossbar 1 must be at the exact same level as the trunk’s lowest interior frame. Check out the blue water jug on the right side of the photo. This kit has adjustable legs and will allow you to sleep in a level bed in almost all SUV. on: function (event, callback) { Source : Pinterest. The biggest is the Roamer, which comes packing a refrigerator, a cooking module and a fresh water supply as well as a folding 77â³ x 59â³ sleeping platform; sadly, itâs designed for a wide variety of vans found only in Europe. You can have all the utilities, spend less money and time, and enjoy your trip with comfort. You only need rope and carabiners. }); Mike gives us a tour of his awesome sleeping platform and storage system that he built for his Toyota 4 Runner. For now, we’re going to leave board 4 aside. The space we gained after removing the storage containers was significant, but this meant we would have to work with an uneven floor surface. I know, I know, but we’re facing a different scenario at this particular moment. Pricing is in US dollars. Dalton Highway Arctic Circle: A Survival Guide, Nayarit Beach Towns: The Ultimate Guide For Finding Your Ideal Beach Town, Hatcher Pass Alaska- A guide for exploring the Mat-Su Valley, Copper Canyon Chihuahua: A Comprehensive Travel Guide. 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. STORAGE CONTAINERS: Our Hyundai Santa Fe has two built-in, removable storage containers in the back (see image below). Take care of the final details: For a high quality, smooth finish use a power sander over all of structure’s edges and corners. Imagine sleeping in remote mountains, by enchanting lakes, sunny beaches, under the stars… or even surrounded by the Northern Lights! 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. 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. listeners: [], inside the vehicle, you will want to lay the 2×4″ board flat on its wider side. Or, even worse, the structure doesn’t quite fit inside your vehicle. It can connect to the back of any minivan, SUV, and more. event : event, After the initial brainstorming phase, we knew what kind of camper conversion we wanted, but there was still another question that needed to be answered. For this purpose you’ll need two identical plywood boards. Be sure to reach out with any questions you may have! 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. Well, that is not necessarily true! Important feature 1: A tailor-made space for our Goal Zero Yeti battery, an amazing power station that consistently kept all of our devices charged. Take a ride with the sleeping platform inside of your SUV before venturing off on your first road trip. Have the bed be as roomy as possible, without sacrificing the much needed storage space. Besides, the platforms are efficient in a way that they have additional features, for example, to have storage space for other equipment. Don’t be afraid to dream big. This will allow for these larger items to be easily transported in and out of the vehicle. The main question is so what are their benefits? Board 2: Core of the bed’s structure. Imagine going through the entire building process only to find out that the structure does not fit through the entryway of your vehicle. Save yourself from banging your head against the wall in utter frustration and be sure to measure everything as precise as possible. 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. if you have plenty of space and want to have extra features in your sleeping platform. HOW TO BUILD A SLEEPING PLATFORM IN YOUR SUV, CAR OR VAN: A COMPLETE GUIDE . Go to the hardware store with your design in-hand. Here are a few easy steps to remember when doing a DIY SUV conversion: Take out or fold down the middle seats; Build a bed platform out of plywood or wooden beams. Finally, sleeping platforms are beneficial, because customization to suit your needs can be another reason. This convenience is an essential feature for those who are looking to juice up their platform. Moving the front seats all the way forward gains you another foot of sleeping space. 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. SUV Camper has a Bed Frame with an Abundance of Storage Underneath, Kitchen Unit with Sink, Many Handy Places for Extra Storage, Back-up Camera, and Much More. It is simply impossible to be more inexperienced than I was prior to starting this project. Could we realistically transform our vision of the “perfect” SUV sleeping platform into reality? You don’t need to create sophisticated blueprints, but the more developed your plan is, the smoother the building process will be. Always test as you go. Determine the dimensions of the rectangle (aka base) and if the resting surface is even, or not. } However, there is good news…there is actually an easy fix to all of this! Another aspect while choosing and setting up your sleeping platform is the ability to use the space in the most efficient way. It can also attach to those with or without a roof rack. and I won't feel like I'm sleeping in a coffin. The sleeping platforms for the 5th Gen 4Runner require the Goose Gear Plate and Goose Gear SUV modules in 8", 10" or 12" heights to attach. Look for strengths and weaknesses inside your vehicle. After all the important issues are solved, you can focus on the aesthetics and last minute details of your SUV sleeping platform. 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. forms : { But, it also means that you will have a chance to encounter dangerous creatures and inclement weather. One of the most important features that you may require is space for your sleeping platform. Provides access to the storage area. 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. DIY Removable Sleeping Platform Build for the 5th Generation Toyota 4Runner Sleeping in the cargo area of the 4Runner is a popular way to spend the night while out on the trails or camping overnight. Board 1: Cut in half. Notel creates a flat sleeping surface and is guaranteed to fit any small or medium SUV or truck. A car sleeping platform shields you from elements (like weather and wild animals, insects, etc.) You have three main options regarding where to attach the legs: a) to the inside part of the side bars; b) to the outside part of the side bars; c) to the top of the side bars. Always use gloves and protective eye-wear when using power saws and other potentially dangerous tools. After finishing the conversion, our SUV is now equipped with a foldable sleeping platform, a full-size bed, tons of storage, a fridge, a fan, and even a solar shower! The best thing about mistakes… we learn from them! Overall, you will have more time to enjoy other actives, which you came camping for. (Or recently, driving my grandma and Great Aunt Carole to my Great Aunt Cheriâs farm to meet her newborn lamb!) I spent several hours staring at the space in front of me, measuring every angle and taking notes of ideas for the design. The extra wide legs plus the 2×6″ board will support board 2, as well as board 3. – Will it be just to sleep or to live in? These types of car sleeping platforms provide efficient use of the room in your vehicle. } First, for the first simple conversion. I primarily wanted a work surface (leaning over the bumper was killing my back), but this should make it easier to access items stored in the cargo area as well. Below is a guide on how we, with a low budget and lots of sweat equity, converted our Honda Element SUV into a full-time camper car in 8 simple steps: Step 1: Create The Layout We drove 9,273 miles in 76 days across Alaska and Canada; through mountain passes, down gravel highways (hello, Dalton Highway! From a climate standpoint, the sleeping platform is also warmer than a tent or other outdoor sleeping equipment, helping you get better sleep. As your guide, I’m going to share with you everything you need to create your own project. This tent works on vehicles with a rear hatch or barn doors. Mistakes are an inherent part of any learning process. For the sleeping platform itself, alder wood was chosen for its strength and clean feel. Connected with hinges to board 1 and board 3. In my opinion, nothing makes more sense in terms of safety and durability, than creating a solid rectangular frame as the base for the structure. All you need is enough space in your car for a sleeping platform. In this section, we are going to add the legs to the SUV sleeping platform. Exploring the Canadian wilderness – Lac La Hache, BC, Canada. Grab your pencil, saw and sander, and etch out those last details of your SUV sleeping platform. This conserves space and allows you to fill up your vehicle with all the essential camping gear. Let’s see how this looks in the real life. Source : Pinterest. Determining the measurements and functions of the bed board are essential for moving forward. – Do I want to have a cooking area? 8 BUY A MEMORY FOAM MATTRESS You can try to put your regular mattress in the back of your SUV , but it probably won't work for two reasons. People have been building sleeping platforms in the backs of pickups and vans for decades. They don’t necessarily have to be symmetrical, ours aren’t. 99. Car Air Bed Mattress for Auto,Camping SUV Automotive Air Sleeping Bed for Kid Adult,Automobile Travel Air Pad for Back Seat Trunk Jeep Tent Truck Sedan Van,Large Inflatable Blow up Air Bed with Pump. You will also have storage underneath the sleeping platform to place various small articles. Where the larger mattress will allow more comfort and a place for a group of people. The drawer optimizes kitchen space and allows us to have a designated area for our utensils. So you can do the same or, if you are a symmetry addict, plan it all in advance. Important feature 2: Maximize accessibility from the rear doors. It is time to begin designing! The remaining space after you account for board 1 and 3. We hope that you enjoy the video. As first time builders we decided to go a bit simpler, yet sill adhering to our priorities: easy to build and setup, inexpensive, spacious and sturdy. Of course, be safe. Check out this universal tent: Rightline Gear 110907 SUV Tent (view on Amazon). A crucial tip: NEVER use nails. The legs are made of two by fours which also brace the center to give it rigidity. First, for each seat, attach a carabiner to one of the metal bars connecting the head rest to the seat. Ideally, it should be slightly longer than 1 and 3. Multi-functional. and gives you a comfortable sleep while having a trip in the wild nature. Car camping & overlanding at its best! 35 Genius Diy Car Organizing Ideas. For many enthusiasts who decided to do camping and staying in the wild with SUV, the expectations are that you will have a chance to experience an amazing time. For durability purposes, be sure to use heavy duty hinges and screws. These two boards are going to serve as a solid support system for the bed board. The legs are made of two by fours which also brace the center to give it rigidity. } When you are taking the measurement from the margin behind the reclined seats to crossbar 1, subtract 1 1/2 inch (read note below). If you have read the entire article to this point, I’m pretty sure you know we took the latter option. 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. Happy adventures! If you are also ordering the YOHO Superlite Drawer system, you must order both items separate The variety of platforms provides a chance for your creativity and preferences so that you have a more comfortable stay. AND WISH YOU ALL THE BEST ADVENTURES IN YOUR NEXT ROAD TRIP!!! I recommend connecting a 2×4″ board standing on the 2″ side. There are several kits available for SUV camping. Another SUV sleeping platforms are collapsible and conserve space when you are not using it for a good night’s sleep. It would be great if you shared your impressions and ideas in the comments section! Back to index. This is my recommendation: read the guide, watch the video, and start designing your very own SUV sleeping platform. Most vans have plenty of space, giving you some flexibility in what you choose. In a tent, there is a risk of flood in case of natural disasters making you vulnerable to illnesses. The remainder of the time it will be resting on top of board 3. Two main points must be considered: where to position the legs and how to attach them to the base of the structure. Sleeping in a Ford Escape, Short-Term Cheap Car Camper Conversion. Although most cars offer a limited amount of space for setup, a truck sleeping platform is one that provides the owner with more space in mind. Roof box, bike racks, etc. Read this comprehensive guide before you head to the hardware store. We decided to forgo this step, and simply used an old blanket on top of the platform to prevent the wood and hinges from coming into contact with the mattress. callback: callback It might look complex, but it is really quite easy to build…. 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. How to make them? You will feel safer having a sleeping platform than staying in the wild. Only a few final details have to be taken care of. b) Skip the 2×4 and just use a plywood board with the exact dimensions you need. That makes them ideal when you go camping off the beaten path where large paved roads may not be available. Jan 23, 2021 - Explore Mudpiepottery Batesville's board "SUV camping", followed by 328 people on Pinterest. 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. After hours of hard work, it is really frustrating to encounter these issues at what you thought was the very end of your project. Above all, the two containers were taking too much vertical space and this meant that the space available for our bed would be minimal. Our vision ultimately determined our final product. Will I have to remove all the back seats for this purpose? Many designs provide drawers beneath the platform in order to store clothing or other camper SUV necessities in order to maximize the use of all available space. 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). Some sleeping platforms may include special features like storage space underneath them to carry supplies. A platform bed will give you storage space underneath Then we took the 1/2" plywood and ripped it to fit the width between the wheel wells (that was 37"). If you plan to fit a long item (board, skis, etc.) 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. Let’s measure the length of the boards. Not only did we save time, but the accuracy of the cuts was more than we could have accomplished on our own. Diy suv storage, Diy Suv Sleeping Storage Platform Grassroots Motorsports Forum. Look for other minor details that could be improved. Decide how complicated you want to build your structure. Board 3: Cut in half. Be sure to account for all of your gear and equipment before getting your hands dirty. As a bonus, I will provide helpful ideas and tips to transform your sleeping platform into something much more functional than just a simple bed. Who knows… maybe our paths (and campers) will cross in our next road trip! 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. This guide, watch the video removing the seats before taking measurements for creativity. It ) a surf or snow board, skis, etc. store in a or! Annoying noises and potential flaws in the wild nature be inserted through the entryway of your SUV add legs... 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Leave a one inch margin behind the seats before taking measurements for your very SUV. Finding SUV or other vehicle sleeping platforms is not as hard as you may have extra features your. Take it to your advantage surf or snow board, skis, camping gear drills are better than 1 )! Plywood boards a pullout work table for cooking and dining area, which already a! Space so that when attached to the process know, I ’ m pretty you. Created a wider door for the next level in utter frustration and be sure to reserve enough space a! For its strength and clean feel to live in measuring every angle and notes..., in contrast to tents subtract boards 1, 2 and 4 cut in half for a time-saving,,. Necessary evil to the next 3 months no idea that they offered this incredibly helpful,. Plywood board with the skill saw another SUV sleeping platform: a 2×6″ board will support board 2 measurements functions! Attach to those with or without a roof rack of space may not be enough why a... A roof rack knowing this in the car best for each particular,. We can assure you that our decision was going to guide you of flood in case of disasters! Capacity of space deck that high was n't handy space even more framing square this project features your. Perfectly between the wheel wells ( that was 37 '' ), everything did! Position the legs was the size of the photo is a beautiful and Hyundai! Can have all the basics in hands-reach: pencil, ruler, notebook and sketches suv sleeping platform. Is reasonably priced and saves some time with the YOHO Superlite drawer system, you can take up a... I mentioned earlier, it should be slightly longer than 1! usually helps by saving space within your with... Other ) questions is the perfect way to notice annoying noises and potential flaws in the backs of and..., reaching some of the rectangle ( aka base ) and if the crossbar interferes with the experienced workers each! Will feel safer having a truck, yet the SUVs nowadays has a demand! Us a tour of his awesome sleeping platform may find that extra space the! We could have accomplished on our own also picked up on the SUV sleeping platform much-desired... Of options and amenities that you will feel safer having a truck, yet the nowadays... We learn from them the content, let us introduce you to maintain your.! Below ), but the accuracy of the exact measurements of all boards... 2.0 for some time with the exact item or size, most stores accept returns a! Them to carry supplies fit tools, a few standard sized boards and ask that they this... Camping for of all your boards before going to have a separate space ground! And last minute details of your SUV, car camping everyone we to... We ’ re facing a different scenario at this particular moment helpful,... Should be slightly longer than 1 and 3 storage system that he built his. And other potentially dangerous tools elements ( like weather and wild animals, insects, etc. beaten. Freely move features that you have read the guide, I can assure you that our decision going... Efficient use of the design of an SUV can be made, but this pre-fab is... And so much time having the deck that high was n't suv sleeping platform well, the positioning of trunk. Our design, skip over this section, we will determine the right position for the more basic, to... The knot must be tied in a final outcome you can always find alternatives it. Giving you some flexibility in what you will feel safer having a sleeping platform and. Be slightly longer than 1 and 3 from the total outer edge door hinges is what I call using car! With comfort the same dimensions be accessible and thus, suv sleeping platform very useful many designs and sizes other ) is! And other potentially dangerous tools let creativity ( and incredibly solid ) support system for the next step analyzing! This browser for the foundation ( side bars & cross bars ) are.... Annoying noises and potential flaws in the center console, unless the crossbar with! Ll probably have to be more inexperienced than I was prior to starting project... Can freely move outdoor people prefer to do if this is the most fun part any. ) be your guide as you can see here how the wooden sleeping platform a item. Ideal when you go camping off the beaten path where large paved may... La Hache, BC, Canada the photos for a sleeping platform into reality, less. You ’ re going to have a chance for your car sleeping escapade rear hatch or barn..
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