4Runner: Sleeping Platform

4Runner: Sleeping Platform

Sleeping options; at right is the completed sleeping platform.

Having done a year of service as a grocery-getter, dog-hauler and triathlon support vehicle, the next phase of the 4Runner's life with us will take on the additional duty as an off-road capable overlanding rig.  The plan is to use it as a base for camping.

One of the most basic needs of camping is somewhere to sleep.  Three options come to mind: (a) a normal tent, (b) a rooftop tent, and (c) a sleeping platform.  You've probably already guessed which one I chose.

The drawback of a tent is the need to set up and break down a tent at every campsite, and finding an appropriate site for a tent.  A rooftop tent is expensive and puts a lot of weight very high up on the vehicle.  Finally, a sleeping platform seemed to be the a very good compromise.  While it added weight to the car, it is fairly low.  There's nothing to set-up or break down at camp, but it's also without certain drawbacks too.

L: Fuel filler notch;
R: Cut for passenger reclining

With a good friend, we built the sleeping platform approximately nine inches above the cargo floor, in order to clear the wheels (and most of the fuel filler on the driver side).  This allows a nice four foot wide sleeping platform, more than enough space to sleep two people.  For this fairly basic platform, we cut a semi-circular notch for the fuel filler and then took off two inches at the front of the platform behind the passenger seat.  The notch for the fuel filler was necessary since a nine inch height wouldn't clear the fuel filler; this was purposefully done in order to maximize the space available above the platform.  The two inches behind the passenger seat was cut out to allow the passenger to be able to recline the seat a bit while driving.

The sleeping platform itself is a 3/4" thick slab of plywood, mounted on three longitudinal supports with two cross supports.  Using existing D-rings in the 4Runner, the platform is held securely in place at 6 different points.  Total cost of the wood, screws and related hardware was just under $150.

Big thanks to my friend BK for the help building the sleeping platform.

Top: The support structure
Bottom left: Ratchet straps at the front.  Seat bottoms removed.
Bottom right: Using existing D-rings to secure the platform.