I'll try to keep this short but sweet. I finally got around to building a platform that will let my wife and I use our E as our home when we go camping. I took ideas from several of the platforms on the forum, but the majority is borrowed from Bike Zen http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=44879. Mine is pretty similar (even the Velcro hinge, which works great!), with some major differences. I used 3/4" plywood instead of 1/2" (I'm glad I did, the thing didn't move at all. Very solid.). Also, I wanted the overall length to be enough for us (I'm 6'4" and she's 6'). So, instead of hinging the front portion so it can be folded back, I made the front piece so it can be unattached and slid back on top of the rear portion of the platform. The length ended up being about 6'3", which worked great.
K, picture time.
The three 2x4 braces
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The center section
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The center and rear sections
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The whole thing!
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Supports for the front end. Should keep the seats from being damaged.
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Notice the turnbuckles that keep the front section tight against the back half. Works great!
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Paint!
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It stacks up nicely!
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All loaded up.
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All set up for our first night! Coleman SUV Airbed with a sleeping bag on top. Very comfy!
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I also made some window screens that attach with magnets, and the Reflectix window covers. I was very impressed with the Refletix! I got this all put together for our road trip from Indiana to Acadia National Park, in Maine, and had no major issues with anything.
We had an amazing time.
![Image]()
Our first night sleeping in the E, we woke up in the morning to Thunderstorms! I wasn't sure that it would be possible, but the two of us somehow managed to switch from sleeping mode, to driving mode, with both of us and all of our gear, without opening a door! I only bumped the horn once.
.
K, picture time.
The three 2x4 braces
The center section
The center and rear sections
The whole thing!
Supports for the front end. Should keep the seats from being damaged.
Notice the turnbuckles that keep the front section tight against the back half. Works great!
Paint!
It stacks up nicely!
All loaded up.
All set up for our first night! Coleman SUV Airbed with a sleeping bag on top. Very comfy!
I also made some window screens that attach with magnets, and the Reflectix window covers. I was very impressed with the Refletix! I got this all put together for our road trip from Indiana to Acadia National Park, in Maine, and had no major issues with anything.
We had an amazing time.
Our first night sleeping in the E, we woke up in the morning to Thunderstorms! I wasn't sure that it would be possible, but the two of us somehow managed to switch from sleeping mode, to driving mode, with both of us and all of our gear, without opening a door! I only bumped the horn once.
.
