Bed camping

[SwolebaFett]

Has anyone built a bed camping system in their gladiator? Looking for some ideas for hunting.

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[1Badazraptor]

following

 

[Retriever_Rob]

I saw someone built a diagonal platform in their bed but it’s a small space so I think that’s tight even at 5’11”. I’m trying to figure out something too so interested to see ideas.

I don’t understand the tent in the bed with the tailgate down. Might as well just pitch a tent in the dirt but to each their own.

 

[A 2]

Here’s my quick, simple solution.

 

[Mr Miami]

Do you normally sleep in the fetal position?

 

[ItsmeMrWright]

Here’s my quick, simple solution.

That's a nice cap.

 

[Retriever_Rob]

Not sure if anyone is still interested in this but I ended up building this platform after a lot of R&D. I’m now on my second iteration which shed 15 lbs.

sleeping diagonal at 5’11.5” I can fully extend. I’m a side sleeper so in the end I don’t need all that room. Supplies would be:

• 1 sheet of birch 3/4 ply
  • Have Home Depot rip it to 54.5”. Then tell them you want a piece 30”x54.5”. You’ll cut the rest at home but take all pieces with you.
• 4 packs of 8” folding legs (4 per pack)
• 1/2” number 8 screws

You’ll want a table saw, hole saw, router and jig saw, drill, and an electric turkey knife (you’ll see!)

The most forward piece will need to be trimmed for the gas tank cut out but you’ll use the 18”x54.5” scrap. The gas cap cut is the only one you need to make on this piece.

the middle piece is the 30”x 54.5” piece that HD cut for you. You’ll want to figure out what works best for you, mine works well for having a power bank and propane tank attached to my molle panel with room for me to sit hunched over and put my shoes on. I threw a 32 Yeti in for the pictures as it may be more meaningful to most of you.

attach these two with the piano hinges and then you cut the last piece to size. It shouldn’t be more than 12” and likely is a smigde less. If you’ve been doing the math then you’ll note everything folds on top of itself flat making this easy to store.

I spaced my support legs to sit in the recessed grooves of the bed so I can slide a 15x48x7.5 storage bin beneath it.

Buy a 4” foam mattress that folds from amazon. I found mine for $60. Take it out of the case, lay it flat on the garage floor with the soft foam down, put the platform faced down on top of it and use an electric turkey knife (told you it would come up) to trim the foam to size. Get a stretchy full size sheet from Amazon ($15) and “Retriever_Rob’s” your uncle!

I just camped out while steelhead fishing for 3 days and it was perfect! This took me a few months to get right and a few iterations, but it really is incredible and packs up to 5”x30”x54.5”. Just lean it against the garage wall until you need to roll!

I also included a picture of V1 in case you want to go all wood. It’s a lot heavier and a pain to get in and out but it’s cheaper. Just buy a 2x8x16 and cut legs to fit.

 

[Retriever_Rob]

Pics

 

[Bandit’s Lair]

Do you normally sleep in the fetal position?

Only when thinking about the price of Jeep upgrades……

 

[Jaxmax]

Nice job Rob! I like the weight relief holes in bed platform and flip and fold design. I’ve slept in my bed turkey hunting and surf fishing , have a mattress that fits next to the big fridge. I have plans with a set of four foot drawer slides , planning on building a lightweight frame that a propane stove and pop up sink slide under.
Only room for me , I sleep on
side so it was not a problem. The arb fridge takes up a lot of room , but side benefit is in Gobbler season it gives off heat in cap, planning on insulating at least the roof. Even found a very small porta pottie to have inside , with the idea of meeting”Self Contained” requirement for surf fishing in Jersey you can sleep in park parking lot if your self contained. I like the jumping in back of truck feeling and not having a heavy setup, the platform I will make will slide out easily…..Jack

 

[Retriever_Rob]

That’s the ticket Jack, there’s nothing like waking up where you’re fishing. I grew up fishing for stripers and blues in LI Sound. Great times!

The games a little different out here with all the public land so we have some nice spots to post up. I have a Sunster Diesel heater I pipe in the window and it’s almost too hot!

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