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Foldable sleeping platform

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190K views 24 replies 15 participants last post by  norlich307  
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#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
Hello All,

Newbie here, both to the forum and the vehicle. We (my wife and I) bought a brand new 2010 E about a month ago and I immediately started brainstorming ideas to make it a more comfortable camping rig. I needed the ability to always have room for three so I decided to build a folding platform that rests where the rear driver's side seat is and will fold out to cover both the other rear seat and the front seats, either one or both depending on need.

I used a combo of ideas acquired here and some original thoughts.

Material used:

2- 23" x 48" 3/4" thick plywood
1- 24" x 46" ply
1- 48" piano hinge
2- 12" piano hinge
5- threaded floor plates (steel)
5- 1 1/4" thread to slip PVC fittings
5- 13" legs made from 1 1/4 Schedule 40
20- 1/4" dia. bolts/nuts/washers for mounting floor plates
2- 10" turnbuckles

Pics:
 

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#6 ·
LOL I didn't read the pic heavy part until rol pointed it out. I was actually going to ask of one more or maybe 2 more pics....seriously.

one with the rear seat up taken from the drivers side with rear door open.

and one from center between the two front seats, kind of like what you would get by looking in the rear view mirror.
 
#15 ·
That is really cool! does it flex much at the hinges when you are lying on it? I really like the modular design of this. Nice work!
 
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#17 ·
Sorry for the lapse in time. The only flex I notice is at the front most edge of the platform when I scoot all the way towards the dash to climb out that way. It is quite minimal though. I can't remember what tent that is but I know I bought it through Amazon and it was relatively inexpensive. I do remember that it was advertised as a minivan tent.
 
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#19 ·
sleeping platform legs

We did a similar platform but used 2 inch dowels that screw into table leg brackets. The dowels have a wood screw thread piece and on the other end of that piece is a machine screw that goes into the bracket.

Yours looks like a good solution also.

We did end up doing away with the small panels that folded forward and seems to still work just fine.
 
#22 ·
I just followed this thread to make this platform. It is a wonderful design. I used PVC legs and they only lasted two nights before they snapped off but I found milk crates that are exactly 13 inches wide so I put those on instead. They are laying on their sides so I also get 2 little cubbies for storage. It is extremely stable now and I have no concerns of it moving or breaking. The only other addition I made was to add a little latch between the front left panel and the base panel so that when I move forwards in the car it does not bend as much. I will take pictures soon and upload them here. Over all it is a great design. Thank you for the inspiration and instructions.
 
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