Just got my first Tacoma (2002 TRD 4x4) and I couldn't be happier. Its my outdoor adventure truck and I have slept in the bed on my first camping trip. Well, the wheel wells and the gear were OK, but not the most suitable for sleeping for more than a night or so. So i built this platform today so gear goes below (I have a full bed worth of gear i can haul) and me, dog, and company sleep on top

Construction:

*2x4 (5 count) to span the width of the bed and rest on the lip of the bed/camper shell

*3/4" plywood sections laid on top

*Outdoor carpeting cut and wrapped around plywood

All the materials are a snug pressure fit and have to be gently persuaded with a fist into place leaving it secure for rough driving conditions. Nothing is bolted down which makes it easy to leave in and quick to take out if you need to haul something. all the 2x4s and plywood stack nicely and tightly into the bed of the truck. This style of construction leaves the entire bed unobstructed from support beams etc = more stuff to bring

Here are some pics, excuse the quality they were taken on my phone.

 

Looks good. Have you slept back there yet?

 

i havent slept on the new platform yet. next weekend im takin a trip to AZ and i'll be back there for a few days ill post how it goes

 

it's gonna be HOT!!!!! lmao even if the nights are relatively cool...you better open all them windows while going down the roade to cool it down before hand!


always remember, it's EASY to keep warm outside (no matter the temp......generally) but it's relatively hard to keep cool!!!


i once idled my '86 for around ~4hours to keep me warm while sitting in line at a refuge gate for duck season (don't ask....)...i started the truck to warm up for a few mins...then i fell asleep, woke up around 3.5hrs later cuz one of my friends was knocking on the window , ran a little under 1/4 tank of gas out...and the temperature never climbed past normal operating temp.!

sorry for the long post....

i like the sleeping platform!!! i now have a 2nd gen 4Runner..so i got lots of sleeping room

 

when i slept in the bed about 2 weeks ago i FROZE my ass off - windows of the camper shell were closed. Summer time just open the windows

 

any ideas how or what to construct around the rear cab window to protect it from breaking if stuff is back there and i hit the brakes? i'm specifically speaking of my dog who rides back there so i can keep her separate from all gear and want her safe and not going through the window if i have to hit the brakes hard....