Building a truck bed sleeping platform...

The very first thing you need to do is take some measurements. Actually measure the amount of space you have to work with.

2: Figure out how much space you need to sleep comfotably. Lay on the floor and have someone measure your width and height with whatever clothes you woudl wear in the winter.

3: Figure out the depth of storage units you need at minimum.

4: How do you want it to function? Do you want to be able to remove it? What if you want to resell the truck?

5: Come up with a construction plan.

If you do these steps you will have a better product. You could wing it and get something that is still awesome, but planning can maximize awesomeness. Plus telling someone about the amount of detail you put in to your design makes you sound intelligent.

As far as constructability, keep it as simple as you can. I don't know how experienced of a builder you are, but you don't want to bite off more than you can chew. You be the judge of that.

If I were to do soemthing like this I would use angle steel. I'd build a frame and rivet seat belt material across the span with some slack. Make sure you sew each over lap point so the load is always distributed through all the rivets.

Structure wise I'd get some 2 1/2 steel framing members. Frame out a shell. so that I could put some insulation between the inside and the outside. Since I measured myself and my requirements for storage I know how much room I can spare for wall thickness.

The floor I'd do you could lay 1/2" strips of plywood and sandwich them with a layer of 1/2" plywood sheathing securing through the bottom plywood strips.

Figure out how small of a door you can deal with. Frame the tail section on the ground with door opening and lift in to place. Secure with bolts, not screws. That way in the future if you need to do work on the inside you know you can get good access. Shouldn't happen all the time so just having the ability is a good idea. Then for 99% of the time you have the smallest door, which is the best if trying to prevent heat loss.

And screws penetration need to be sealed. Everything should have silicone on the seam. Especially under the bed.

Exterior wise you'll need something water proof and can handle being driven on the highway. Corogated galvanized sheet metal is what I'd use. I'd have a clear coat put on also.

Finance_genius said:

Any idea of a rough budget number for the plan fromBig Blzn?

Click to expand...

I don't as I have only posted this on several other hobby forums I'm on when members have asked similar questions about truck storage systems.

One the first page of the link is shows that the cost for the project is approx $50-$100. I assume that is for standard 1/2" plywood, glue, nails/brads, screws and any pull handles for the drawers, etc.

Here is my take.

I tend to overbuild projects. Bigger, stronger, better, etc. If I had the need for a storage system in my truck i would do this one but use better and more expensive materials. (I have seen many times in pickups a modified version I like better but can't find any Internet pics of them, it's a DIY project also and real cool.)

I would use 1/2"-5/8" marine grade plywood for mine. Roughly 50% more expensive but IMO much better than a CDX ply and gives better finish product. If you want marine grade look for AB Douglas Fir marine grade plywood. Looks like current prices are around $45-50 per sheet. You can also get a CDX Sanded One Side for approx $30/sheet. Also, instead of using a professional wood glue as many would use I usually only use Gorilla Glue, epoxy type. The brown stuff that expands to look like a foam when dried and is water proof. Like i said, I over build.

My initial list of materials if I had nothing to start?

-3 sheets 1/2" marine ply. = $140
-5 lb box 1 5/8" galv course thread screws. = $18
-1 pint or so of gorilla glue. = $12
-Misc galv metal bracket and handles = $20+\-
-Paint, what ever you choose.
-carpet for top sleeping area.

Remember, you have four corners of the bed of the truck that are approx 9" wide by 16" long in front and behind the wheel wells in the bed. Ruses spaces are great for additional storage aside from the drawers.

You will save probably save 20-40% I'd you used non-marine grade plywood and if you have screws, etc you can probably get this project done for less than $110. A huge savings over any prefabbed or bought kit and you can build it to your own design.