EricGagne
Adventurer
I'm sure I am not the only one around who wants his daily driver to be just that when he's in the city but turn it into sleeper when going on a week-end camping trip or a 10 days backcountry adventure. I wanted something that I can easily install when needed and can be just as easily removed and stored when not. After searching the internets for a solution I found a youtube video from this guy who built a sleeping platform for his jeep.
I found the concept interesting but I didn't like the hinges in top, I like a completely flat surface. Also, I'm a big guy and I didn't feel 1x6 boards would take my weight without bending when I sleep. And last, I wanted a more height for the storage as a 1x6 really is only 5.5" which isn't that much. So I designed something based on his idea and came up with this. I know, it's not all painted yet, but it won't be for another few weeks as I am running out of time and I wanted to take pictures and do this write up while installing before hitting the road in 2 weeks.
First I put a moving blanket in the Jeep to protect my sub-woofer and the back of the rear seats.
For the frame I used some 2x8 lumber. That gives me a storage height of 7.5" which is great. I doubled the front end boards which gave me two 1.5" surfaces to put 3/8 inserts to screw the covers on. You can see those inserts in the boards on the right hand side on this picture.
Here's the frame inside the Jeep. I only gave it two coats of primer, I saw no need for painting it.
This board is screwed on top of the frame using those inserts I mentioned. I used machine screws because I happened to have a bunch of them, hex bolts would be just as good but the machine screws add a nice touch. The underside only has primer, like the frame. The top has two coats of 100% acrylic latex paint.
The rest of the frame has 2 removable covers to get access to the inside. Like I said, I want a flat top so I just put some braces inside to prevent them from sliding around. The only things that keeps them down is their own weight and whatever I put on top. Again, just primed inside and painted outside.
... 10 files limit. Continued in the next post.
I found the concept interesting but I didn't like the hinges in top, I like a completely flat surface. Also, I'm a big guy and I didn't feel 1x6 boards would take my weight without bending when I sleep. And last, I wanted a more height for the storage as a 1x6 really is only 5.5" which isn't that much. So I designed something based on his idea and came up with this. I know, it's not all painted yet, but it won't be for another few weeks as I am running out of time and I wanted to take pictures and do this write up while installing before hitting the road in 2 weeks.
First I put a moving blanket in the Jeep to protect my sub-woofer and the back of the rear seats.
For the frame I used some 2x8 lumber. That gives me a storage height of 7.5" which is great. I doubled the front end boards which gave me two 1.5" surfaces to put 3/8 inserts to screw the covers on. You can see those inserts in the boards on the right hand side on this picture.
Here's the frame inside the Jeep. I only gave it two coats of primer, I saw no need for painting it.
This board is screwed on top of the frame using those inserts I mentioned. I used machine screws because I happened to have a bunch of them, hex bolts would be just as good but the machine screws add a nice touch. The underside only has primer, like the frame. The top has two coats of 100% acrylic latex paint.
The rest of the frame has 2 removable covers to get access to the inside. Like I said, I want a flat top so I just put some braces inside to prevent them from sliding around. The only things that keeps them down is their own weight and whatever I put on top. Again, just primed inside and painted outside.
... 10 files limit. Continued in the next post.