My Cargo Box/Sleeping platform
- Thread starter Ric
- Start date
Ric
Adventurer
HMR said:
thankx,,, I personally would NEVER put a spare on the roof, I want to keep the weight closer to the ground
But Im planning on replacing the rear bumper next year with a swing out tire carrier.
And where the spare "went" we are planning and storage there also, a compressor (hopfully and Oasis compressor) a tank, and a Jerry can.
Overland Hadley
on a journey
I am six foot four and trying to do the same thing in the back of my truck....consider yourself very VERY lucky!
I like the 100% slides.
I like the 100% slides.
Schattenjager
Expedition Leader
People can what they want about the Element, but there is no denying they are mega versatile.
Rezarf <><
Explorer
Ric-
Good looking drawers man! That sure is a purdy truck bud!
Drew
Good looking drawers man! That sure is a purdy truck bud!
Drew
Mark's Tacoma
Observer
Overland Hadley said:
Very lucky indeed! I would love to build something like that when I get my cap, but there is no way that they wife and I can fit in there comfortably. I can fit by myself if I sleep diagonally across the bed and a little bit crunched.
I think your platform and storage space came out nice. That looks like it was a fun build!
FourByLand
Expedition Leader
Very clean build!
Ric
Adventurer
1leglance said:
well a little of both, I use to carry a blue Rubbernaid box, with stuff that I may need on the trail, that was when all I did was day trips, so we made sure that all that stuff would fit and then some.
Now Im into the expedition stuff, been wanting to do 2-3 day trips, adn the box holds more than a thought. With more storage under the sleeping platform, I bought a tote that fits there.
yeppers, thats next year, cant wait, lol
Thankx for all the compliments all.
paulj
Expedition Leader
I built my platform by trial and error. Essentially I started with the idea that I wanted to carry a full size spare, and have space for several 8 gallon Rubbermaid boxes. Since these are both about 9" thick, nominal 10" pine boards worked well as the vertical supports.
I use good quality 1/2" plywood as the top. 3/4" is stiff enough to span the roughly 4' between supports, but is much heavier. But 1/2" combined with 5 boards is stiff enough. I use 2' wide panels rather than one 4' for ease of handling.
The next business was how to join the sides and top. I looked into angle brackets and such, but ended up using slotted steel and 1/4" hardware.
The initial length of 4' was determined by the ready availability of boards and steel in this length. It was accidental that length and position of the platform was just right to be used in conjunction with the lowered front seat backs.
In a much later step I realized that with the platform in place, I did not have easy access to the original compact spare tire well. So I made a replacement cover for the well, and filled the well with recovery gear.
paulj
I use good quality 1/2" plywood as the top. 3/4" is stiff enough to span the roughly 4' between supports, but is much heavier. But 1/2" combined with 5 boards is stiff enough. I use 2' wide panels rather than one 4' for ease of handling.
The next business was how to join the sides and top. I looked into angle brackets and such, but ended up using slotted steel and 1/4" hardware.
The initial length of 4' was determined by the ready availability of boards and steel in this length. It was accidental that length and position of the platform was just right to be used in conjunction with the lowered front seat backs.
In a much later step I realized that with the platform in place, I did not have easy access to the original compact spare tire well. So I made a replacement cover for the well, and filled the well with recovery gear.
paulj