Tent on top of 4x8 Plywood in bed?

[mbush91]

Morning All,

As spring approaches I sip my coffee, daydream about all the Jeep things I want to do this summer and lots of camping will be involved! I'm imagining using the built in supports to put a 4X8 sheet of plywood down then putting a tent on top of it. This would get me off the ground on a flat surface but I wouldn't have to commit to and pay for a RTT. I'm wondering (a) if anyone has tried this and (b) knows of a tent that could work??

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[Alans17]

That’s going to put a lot of strain on the tailgate cables, but maybe it can handle it. I also expect the wood to bow, without much support underneath. And I don’t know a tent that could fit those dimensions.

why not something like this?

Rightline Gear Truck Tents https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FSBE7C8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_SS4PSCTX6PSAK2XEVCWM?psc=1

 

[mbush91]

That’s going to put a lot of strain on the tailgate cables, but maybe it can handle it. I also expect the wood to bow, without much support underneath. And I don’t know a tent that could fit those dimensions.

why not something like this?

Rightline Gear Truck Tents https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FSBE7C8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_SS4PSCTX6PSAK2XEVCWM?psc=1

Yeah, I figured some supports under the Ply may be required, I've looked at the Rightline tent as well but it seems to me I will want to be above the wheel wells for the extra space with the wife.

 

[Alans17]

Yeah, I figured some supports under the Ply may be required, I've looked at the Rightline tent as well but it seems to me I will want to be above the wheel wells for the extra space with the wife.

You won’t be gaining as much as you think with the plywood approach.... 4” at most, but that’s only if you find a tent that goes all the way to the edges of the plywood without going over and only if you like sleep pressed against the side.

It’s pricey, but they do make air mattresses that fit the shape of the bed and inflate to just above the wheels to maximize space.

https://www.quadratec.com/p/airbedz/inflatable-air-mattress-gladiator-jt

 

[LostWoods]

Literally 4 inches gained since it's 44" between the wheels... plywood is still not even a full size mattress so I'd personally want something wider for two. Though instead of the dedicated air mattress idea, I'd just do two sheets cut down to maximize the space in the bed with a centerline and toss any air mattress on top of that. You could use boards across the notches for support but a vertical would also be needed to prevent sagging and you'll need a system to prevent the plywood from shifting.

Truck bed sleeping platforms are a pretty common project so you will likely find inspiration if you search YouTube.

 

[Alans17]

Literally 4 inches gained since it's 44" between the wheels... plywood is still not even a full size mattress so I'd personally want something wider for two. Though instead of the dedicated air mattress idea, I'd just do two sheets cut down to maximize the space in the bed with a centerline and toss any air mattress on top of that. You could use boards across the notches for support but a vertical would also be needed to prevent sagging and you'll need a system to prevent the plywood from shifting.

Truck bed sleeping platforms are a pretty common project so you will likely find inspiration if you search YouTube.

I love DIY, but in this case, the mattress collapses when you don’t need it (99% of the time), is easier to deploy, takes up comparatively little bed storage while in transit to camping, and works right out of the box. The only real objection I can see is that it’s overpriced, but that’s likely due to having no competition and low sales volume.

EDIT: The truck bed isn’t long enough to sleep in. It needs the tailgate to be long enough. Building a box for just the bed would be too short. That’s fine for one person than can curl up or sleep diagonal, but not gonna work for two people stretched out lengthwise. So any custom box will need an addition to rest on the tail gate. The air mattress comes with this.

 

[Blade1668]

If nothing else good thinking outside of the "box store" ? purchase. Trying something like that is a cheaper option than dumping a load of $ to try it out and then not liking or want it. On U-tube I've seen someone that made a platform for his vehicle with plywood for a ground tent. I think it was folding.

 

[Munkey Boy]

I must admit that topper tents and bed tents are pretty damn cool; however, there's nothing wrong with a ground tent and a big ol' air mattress. Just another perspective that's extremely easy and inexpensive. The dog prefers it too. The real dog, that's not what I call my wife. Never lose any storage space in the bed and don't smack my head on any overland rack. Plus it allows for more tooling about in the truck while having a base camp where I can keep the beer cold. High priority in my book. And my wife's. The dog doesn't care for beer. Ground tents aren't confined to the bed width as well which allows for the wife AND the dog to still steal all the bedding. Plus, when you're done camping, storing a tent and mattress takes up almost no room. Don't worry, the beer never makes it home. There's also a considerable amount of weight to factor in, with ground camping you'll gain maybe 30#. Which, as you may have already guessed, allows for more beer.

Not trying to discourage any DIYing on yours or anyone else's part, I love customized rigs that suit personal preferences and can't wait to see the results. I just see that a large tent and mattress will only set you back a couple hundred bucks max total and require zero effort. Which means that more money can be devoted to purchasing beer and more time invested in consuming it. Cheers!

 

[Alans17]

I must admit that topper tents and bed tents are pretty damn cool; however, there's nothing wrong with a ground tent and a big ol' air mattress. Just another perspective that's extremely easy and inexpensive. The dog prefers it too. The real dog, that's not what I call my wife. Never lose any storage space in the bed and don't smack my head on any overland rack. Plus it allows for more tooling about in the truck while having a base camp where I can keep the beer cold. High priority in my book. And my wife's. The dog doesn't care for beer. Ground tents aren't confined to the bed width as well which allows for the wife AND the dog to still steal all the bedding. Plus, when you're done camping, storing a tent and mattress takes up almost no room. Don't worry, the beer never makes it home. There's also a considerable amount of weight to factor in, with ground camping you'll gain maybe 30#. Which, as you may have already guessed, allows for more beer.

Not trying to discourage any DIYing on yours or anyone else's part, I love customized rigs that suit personal preferences and can't wait to see the results. I just see that a large tent and mattress will only set you back a couple hundred bucks max total and require zero effort. Which means that more money can be devoted to purchasing beer and more time invested in consuming it. Cheers!

Priorities ?

 

[obrianmcc]

Interesting idea .... building a platform with the necessary support would not be that hard ... people do it all the time for basic drawer systems. You would need to drop the gate and slide out an extension to the flatform. With the right tent it might work ... get some sheeting and start experimenting.

 

[aprez27]

To the people with the bed tents. Where the hell do you keep all the rest of the camping gear?

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