Sleeping platform with storage

Alright, I needs pics of platforms for long bed 1st gens. I've seen the other thread. But I need 1st gen specific. I have a 6' bed with topper and want to have it geared up ready to go.. appreciate it.

 

No one's done it???

 

I can get better pics soon, but here is my setup.

I kept a foot or so open between the end face of the drawers, and the tailgate. I wanted to be able to keep buckets, boxes, etc there down low.

I used 3/4 inch square tube and skateboard wheel bearings for the slides.

 

Might be a start in the direction you are wanting to go:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/1st-gen-bed-platform-build.511181/

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/show-me-your-diy-sleep-platform.508654/#post-16089802

(this one here got me thinking - interesting approach)
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/show-me-your-diy-sleep-platform.508654/#post-15975877

Several good ideas in this one:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/adventure-camper-shell-build.459898/

(Good point on measurements to look at, regardless of GEN)
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/platform-measurements.497410/#post-15435434

 

Thanks guys.. homework time

 

updates when you decide on a design, interested in results...

I do recall from my early research (year+ ago), several opted not to use particleboard due to chemical off-gassing/release when cutting. I would think something heavier (and yes, more expensive) would be better.

Not the carpenter at all so I'm curious what you finally go with.

 

No particle board. Some nice plywood.

 

Not an 1rst gen ,but after much thought this is what I came up with. When I was designing mine I looked at every photo I could find . Good luck

 

Damn, that's the set up..looks amazing.

 

@Area51Runner , did you shell come with the rack or did you install it? And how's your tube/ rocket pod storage, watertight?

 

When I picked up the shell, it had the tracks already installed.

Initially, I purchased:

Yakima Jetstream 50" Crossbars

$270 Yakima Set of 2 Roof Rack Crossbars, Rooftop Car, SUV, or Truck T-Slot Bars Compatible with StreamLine Tower – Bars Only, 50", JetStream

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B0171A6FFA/

Yakima Locking Brackets

$75 YAKIMA 1.05 Pound Locking Brackets Hardware for Securing LoadWarrior, MegaWarrior, and SkinnyWarrior Rooftop Cargo Basket, Set of 2

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B0009XCA3S/

Yakima Loadwarrior

$529 Yakima LoadWarrior Medium Sized Heavy Duty Steel Cargo Basket Roof Rack with Universal Mounting Hardware for All Yakima StreamLine Crossbars, Black

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B0009XAMTM/

Yakima Loadwarrior Extension

$279 YAKIMA, LoadWarrior Extension for Cargo Basket

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000ANJ37/

I had it set up like that for about a month and decided I hated the way the basket sat - it was just too high off the roof for me, looked 'off'. Ended up removing it completely. Was going to look at other rack/basket options and then I found this:

https://expeditionportal.com/forum/...mounting-option-for-roof-rack-on-shell.61639/

The Jetstream crossbars are now hanging in the garage (really need to toss em' on CL someday) and I couldn't be happier. Sure, I'd love a fancy Prinsu but we make do with what we have.

Ordered two of these chicken flooring panels and trimmed to fit the Loadwarrior. Attached with about a gazillion zip ties (lol).
https://www.farmtek.com/farm/supplies/prod1;;pgha2215_HA2217.html

Finally, x1 of the 42" Plano cases. Mounted it to the flooring panels and it currently holds, reflectix window coverings, ratchet straps, jack, misc emergency tool kit, flares, couple of emergency lights, etc.
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00E2217I6/

As for the fishing Rod Holders, water tight yes, so far - ended up taking them down though. Not sure if I was happy with the mounting. Definitely stable, just figured I would look at it again....

 

Going to try to hit home depot on way from interview tomorrow and grad so 72" 2x10's.

 

I hate how complicated, heavy and space-wasting most people build theirs. So I made a stupid-simple sleeping and storage space out of scrap 2x8s and 3/4” plywood. The drawer looks shallow but fits my hi-lift jack, compressor and camp stove without gobbling up all the head room in the shell. I’ll dig up some more photos tomorrow.

 

Cool..

 

Do you have a cab height shell? I do so a giant platform wont work. I'm digging your set up.

 

Nice!

 

Gorgeous pup

 

One thing to keep in mind is weight. I see a lot of platforms made out of 3/4" plywood that are heavy. Aluminum while costly is going to weigh far far lessweight.

I've made three platforms for my truck.

My 1st platform was 1X10's, 3/8" plywood and no drawer. It was super simple and fairly light. But I wanted drawers.

My 2nd platform was all 3/4" plywood with two drawers. It weighed about 250 pounds...crazy heavy. I screwed it together with a kreg jig and glued it. I mounted it to the bed with turnbuckles and stainless eye bolts. It got destroyed in Baja after a few thousand miles of rough dirt roads. Probably the build quality was no good.

My 3rd, current and last platform is 1"x.063 Aluminum square tube, .060 aluminum sheet metal, brackets and rivets, 3/8" plywood for the decking, vinyl flooring and
weighs 60 pounds with one full length drawer. I might rebuild the drawer to reduce weight further. Minus the drawer it's 40 pounds. A spare tire and my fridge live on top of it.
It's survived a 2 week Baja trip and a whole lot of other trips to Wyoming, Utah, Nevada, Death Valley etc.

I don't really sleep in the back anymore. It's kinda cramped. Now I just sleep on the ground.



Edit: What I usually do is pull the drawer out and put my stove on top. The fridge slides out over the drawer. The fridge slide has a 5# propane bottle on the back and I just run a propane hose to the stove.

 

I saw the bed frame link and found an adjustable bed frame at goodwill today for $5. Gonna try to put some adjustable legs on it so I can store stuff underneath.

 

Take pics...I'm kicking myself in the ass. I just dumped 2 bed frames a few months ago.