truck bed sleeping platform

mesha

By endurance we conquer
Location
A.F.
After I sold my dodge I picked up a 98 chevy 2500 with a 454. The truck runs amazing and is a very comfortable ride. I tows great and really the only downside is the mileage. I really like this truck and for my needs like camping, towing, hauling lumber, dump duty, etc it is perfect.

I have been wanting to build a sleeping platform in the back of my dodge for a long time, but never did because it just didn't seem worth it in a short bed and I didn't have a shell.

I picked up a cheap shell and after the miller motor sports run decided it was time. I had a plan in my head of what I wanted from reading a few threads online, but most of them seemed way to complicated. I checked out Steve's in the back of his Toyota and it was much closer to what i had in mind.

I started by building a frame work that was just taller than the wheel wells. I wanted it above the wheel wells to maximize sleeping area. I decided to make it rest on the wheel wells themselves to add strength and reduce the weight a little(not that it is light). I didn't want it any higher because I didn't want my nose to be touching the top of the shell.

On the ends of the frame I notched out the wood so it would sit flat on the bed. I built the frame out of 2x4 because they are cheap and easy to work with. Also, if you are careful which pieces you choose(low moisture/sap content) they can be pretty light.

I built places to hold removable 2x4 cross boards to give some strength to the plywood.

The sleeping section was made out of a high grade plywood. I chose the higher grade because the wood is more uniform and in my experience it holds up a little better than the cheap stuff. I chose to cut the plywood into 4 equal pieces so if I need to get to something underneath the platform I can move on 2 foot section and not whole thing. I also made it so the sides came out far enough into the bed that the plywood could be left 48 wide and I wouldn't have to make additional cuts.

Here are some various pictures. I know it isn't perfect and I didn't bother bolting it to the bed, because it fits pretty tight in there.

I still need to figure out what I am doing for the tops on the sides. I might put them on hinges or I might just have them sit in place. I don't even know if I am going to carpet the sides or not. It all comes out in about 3 minutes and none of the pieces are too big to easily store in my shed.

slats platform.jpgplatform side.jpgplatform end.jpgplatform.jpgplatform before.jpg
Any questions or suggestions are welcome. please let me know if you need any more info or anything.
 

sixstringsteve

Well-Known Member
Location
UT
that looks perfect. I'll be doing something similar soon (once I decide how to cover the back of my truck). Be warned: it's pretty tough to want to set up a tent when you can just climb in and fall asleep. It's especially handy on rainy/snowy days.
 

I Lean

Mbryson's hairdresser
Vendor
Location
Utah
Looks perty nice! I'm wondering one thing though: You said you made it taller than the wheelwells for more sleeping room, but you left the plywood 4' wide. Why not go the wider way, and use more wood? (but have a larger platform)
 

jeeper

I live my life 1 dumpster at a time
Location
So Jo, Ut
I had a few different carpet kits when I first started my camping.. Both of them had storage compartments, beds that folded into seats, soft padding, and were very comfy..
Is there a benefit to building your own vs the kits that have already been made? It seems much easier to me to buy one from KSL for $100ish and be done.. So I am much interested in the benefits of making one..
 

MOODY

Bald Guy
Location
Sandy
Nice work. I just had a Leer 180 put on my truck today. I really like the idea of a platform. We will have to chat about it this weekend.
 

mesha

By endurance we conquer
Location
A.F.
Looks perty nice! I'm wondering one thing though: You said you made it taller than the wheelwells for more sleeping room, but you left the plywood 4' wide. Why not go the wider way, and use more wood? (but have a larger platform)

When the sides are finished the whole area will be sleeping platform. It will be the full width of the bed. My post was just a little confusing. The 4 foot part is not including the area of the sides. It will actually be more like 6 feet n
 

DOSS

Poker of the Hornets Nest
Location
Suncrest
When the sides are finished the whole area will be sleeping platform. It will be the full width of the bed. My post was just a little confusing. The 4 foot part is not including the area of the sides. It will actually be more like 6 feet n

I like it, now you just need a shower on that "expo" rig... :) Don't forget to drill some finger holes to make it so you can lift up the sections when you want to get under them.
 

mesha

By endurance we conquer
Location
A.F.
^ finger holes are a must. I am a little worried that my carpet tacking skills wont be up to the task of a round hole...

The rear window is missing on the gate. I called around and they want 375 freaking dollars to get me one. I guess I will just do plastic.
 

sixstringsteve

Well-Known Member
Location
UT
^ finger holes are a must. I am a little worried that my carpet tacking skills wont be up to the task of a round hole...

The rear window is missing on the gate. I called around and they want 375 freaking dollars to get me one. I guess I will just do plastic.

I'd be happy to help you with the carpeting with those holes. Just cut a * pattern in the middle of the hole, and tuck the mini triangles in.
 
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stimmie

Registered User
Location
Roosevelt
You're going all out... when I read sleeping platform in the title I didn't expect "carpet kit".... I expected seeing you cut the 2x4s to the bed width and drop them in the pre-built pockets on the sides and slapping some plywood on top to put your pad on... Looks much nicer than I was expecting.
 

mesha

By endurance we conquer
Location
A.F.
You're going all out... when I read sleeping platform in the title I didn't expect "carpet kit".... I expected seeing you cut the 2x4s to the bed width and drop them in the pre-built pockets on the sides and slapping some plywood on top to put your pad on... Looks much nicer than I was expecting.

Well, thanks! Most of the carpet kits I have seen are all padded and have seat backs in the side and stuff. I think they are comfy and pretty awesome. This one is kinda in the middle between the two I guess.
I am excited to sleep on it. My son has been out helping me with it. He uses his little kid leather gloves so he doesn't get slivers:) Most of the time he is driving cars in the piles of saw dust, but he thinks he is out there. Every night he asks, "dad can we sleep in the truck yet"?
 

BCGPER

Starting Another Thread
Location
Sunny Arizona
On the one I built, I used nylon straps as pull rather than any kind of hand hole for opening the covers. On that same note, you'll want some kind of hinge to hold them in place, or they'll bounce off. I used that same nylon strapping for a "hinge" and it worked rather well, plus it was cheap and easy.

^ finger holes are a must. I am a little worried that my carpet tacking skills wont be up to the task of a round hole...
 

mesha

By endurance we conquer
Location
A.F.
On the one I built, I used nylon straps as pull rather than any kind of hand hole for opening the covers. On that same note, you'll want some kind of hinge to hold them in place, or they'll bounce off. I used that same nylon strapping for a "hinge" and it worked rather well, plus it was cheap and easy.

Nylon for the hinges is a super good idea. I think I will do that on the side lid things. Especially since I have a few hundred feet of climbing webbing.
 

mesha

By endurance we conquer
Location
A.F.
Got one of the pieces carpeted last night. I think it will work out pretty well. I didnt staple down the carpet in the hole to help avoid a cold spot. I just cut the carpet so my fingers can stick through. I stapled it down with a super cool retro stapler I found in my shop. My grandpa had all sorts of cool old stuff in there. Notice the replacement staples are 59 cents!stapler.jpgcarpet.jpg
 
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