Building A Sleeping Platform: Camper Shell Diy Project

how to build sleeping platform camper shell

Building a sleeping platform for your camper shell is a great way to save money on accommodation and gives you the freedom to go wherever you like. There are many ways to build a sleeping platform, from a simple air mattress in the bed of your truck to a more complex wooden design with built-in drawers. The cost of building a sleeping platform varies depending on the materials used and your level of expertise, but it is possible to build one for as little as $90. It is important to measure your truck bed carefully and to cut your materials accurately to ensure a good fit. You can also add features such as a removable cover, insulation, or a locking system to secure your valuables.

Characteristics Values
Cost $90-$100 for wood and storage bins
Time 2-3 hours to build
Installation 5 minutes
Tools Circular saw, jigsaw, drill, impact driver, Skilsaw, Kreg Jig Kit and Clamp, speed square, table saw
Materials Wood boards, plywood, storage bins, mattress, carpet, Kreg Jig screws, drawer slides, self-tapping screws, PVC pipe, glue, varnish, bedliner

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Measure the truck bed and cut wood to size

Measuring the truck bed footprint is the first step in building a sleeping platform for your camper shell. This will allow you to calculate how much space you have to work with and how much wood you will need.

To do this, simply measure the width of your truck bed and cut three 2x6 beams to that length. You can use a circular saw or any other tool you have available. Then, lay the beams in the notches of your truck bed to make sure they fit. It's important to measure all the spots you plan to put a beam, as some truck beds have slightly different dimensions for the notches in the front and back.

Next, you'll want to measure the corners of your truck bed and cut the plywood to fit. This step is optional, as you could just cut the plywood into rectangles, but measuring the corners will ensure that items you drop will not fall to the bottom of the bed. You can cut two pieces of plywood of different sizes to save material, or cut them to be the same size to make them easier to stack and access the lower storage area.

Once you have your measurements, cut your wood to size. You will need:

  • Three long drawer supports cut at 7" tall x 71" long
  • Three short driver-side supports cut at 7" tall, with two at 11" long and one at 13 1/2" long
  • Two short passenger-side supports cut at 7" tall and 13 1/2" long

After cutting your wood to size, you can begin assembling your sleeping platform following the steps outlined in the sources provided.

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Cut and lay plywood on top of the wooden beams

To build a sleeping platform in a camper shell, you'll need to cut and lay plywood on top of wooden beams. Here's a detailed guide on how to do this:

First, measure the corners of your truck bed. Cut the plywood sheets accordingly, ensuring they fit snugly around the corners. This step is important as it prevents items from falling through the gaps and becoming difficult to retrieve. You can cut the plywood into rectangles, but fitting the corners will provide easier access to the lower storage area.

Next, lay the plywood sheets on top of the wooden beams. You can use 2"x6"x104" wooden boards for the beams, which you can find at hardware stores like Home Depot. Ensure the beams are secured in the notches of your truck bed. These notches are usually present in most truck beds, but their dimensions may vary slightly, so measure all spots you plan to place a beam.

Once the plywood is in place, you can add storage bins and fill them with your gear. This will help keep your camping equipment organised and readily available for your next trip.

Finally, add a mattress on top of the plywood platform. You can find free or affordable options on Craigslist or buy a new one. If needed, you can also resize the mattress to fit your truck bed perfectly.

With these steps, you'll have a functional and comfortable sleeping platform in your camper shell, ready for your next adventure!

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Add storage bins and fill with gear

Once you've built your sleeping platform, it's time to add some storage bins and fill them with gear. This is one of the best parts of having a camper shell—your gear can live there permanently, so you're always ready to go camping!

There are a variety of storage bins available for purchase online. Amazon offers over 2,000 results for "RV storage containers", including stackable plastic bins with lids, collapsible fabric baskets, and clear plastic containers with handles. Target also offers under-bed storage bins with latches.

When choosing storage bins, consider the amount of gear you plan to store and the space you have available. You may want to opt for stackable bins to maximize space, or choose collapsible bins that can be easily stored when not in use. Clear bins can also be helpful for quickly locating items.

  • Food and water
  • Cooking equipment (stove, pots, pans, utensils, etc.)
  • Camping gear (tent, sleeping bags, lanterns, etc.)
  • Clothing (including extra layers for cold weather)
  • Toiletries
  • First aid kit
  • Games or entertainment

Remember to pack efficiently by utilizing all available space and grouping similar items together. With a well-organized storage system, you'll be able to enjoy your camping trips with ease and comfort.

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Add a mattress

Adding a mattress is the final step in building a sleeping platform for your camper shell. You can either find a camping trailer mattress for free on Craigslist, as one user did, or buy a new one. Alternatively, you can buy a memory foam topper for the mattress. If your truck bed happens to be the size of a queen mattress, you won't need to resize the mattress, but for other truck bed sizes, resizing may be necessary.

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Go camping

So, you want to go camping? You've come to the right place. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to build a sleeping platform for your camper shell, so you can enjoy the great outdoors in comfort. This is a detailed, direct, and instructive guide, so grab your tools and let's get started!

Planning and Materials

First, you'll need to measure your truck bed. This is crucial as it forms the foundation of your sleeping platform. Measure the length, width, and height available, and don't forget to account for the wheel wells and any other obstructions.

For materials, you'll need wood (typically plywood and 2x4s or 2x6s), basic carpentry tools like a drill, saw, and screws, and, optionally, some storage bins and a mattress.

Building the Frame

Now, it's time to build the frame that will support your sleeping platform. You can use wood or PVC for this. Cut the wood or PVC to size, following your measurements, and create a rectangular frame that fits snugly inside your truck bed. If using wood, drill holes and join the pieces with screws to form a sturdy frame.

Adding a Platform

Next, you'll want to add a platform on top of your frame. Measure and cut a sheet of plywood to fit the frame. This will provide a flat surface for your sleeping area. Secure the plywood to the frame with screws, and test its durability by climbing on top and giving it a wiggle to ensure it's sturdy.

Storage and Comfort

Now, let's add some convenience and comfort. You can install storage drawers or bins underneath your platform to keep your gear organized and easily accessible. This is a great place to store your camping essentials, like a sleeping bag, pillow, and any other gear.

Mattress and Final Touches

Finally, it's time to add a mattress. You can use an air mattress, a camping mattress, or even a memory foam topper. Make sure it fits your platform and provides a comfortable sleeping area.

And there you have it! You're now ready to go camping with your very own custom sleeping platform. Don't forget to test out your setup with a short camping trip to ensure everything works as intended. Happy camping!

Frequently asked questions

Building a sleeping platform for your truck bed has several benefits. It saves you money on hotel rooms, eliminates the need for setting up a tent, maximises storage space, and gives you a weatherproof place to sleep when paired with a camper shell.

You will need two-by-fours (enough length to complete your bed frame), one 4' x 8' sheet of plywood, a drill, an impact driver, a circular saw or table saw, and measuring tools.

To build a PVC sleeping platform, you will need two-inch PVC pipe, side outlet and T-shaped PVC connectors, one 4' x 8' sheet of plywood, measuring tape, and a speed square. Measure your truck bed dimensions, draw your platform design, and cut and assemble the PVC frame. Place the plywood on top of the frame and add an air mattress.

BEDSLIDE offers sliding truck bed platforms that can be used for sleeping or storage. They have different models to fit various truck models and weight capacities.

In addition to basic woodworking tools, you will need a Kreg jig kit and clamp, a circular saw or table saw, a drill and impact driver, and a hole saw kit for creating curved openings for the drawers.

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