Wow amazing work!!!

 

Welcome, Hotelement. Best introductory post ever.

I'm especially gratified that you included dimensional drawings and cut specs. That's ever so much more helpful than just photos.

 

Thanks Ramblerdan . I am a data geek. I know how irritated I get when I see something cool and the steps, BUT WHAT ARE THE MEASUREMENTS!! haha

Of course I was showcasing, but I can be helpful at the same time. Haha

 

Thank you!! This is my #1 mod priority and hope to start it soon. This makes things much easier. =D

 

Just to throw this out there. I am 5'11" and I have the seat moved up one notch. So the seat is not all the way back. If you are taller, adjust accordingly. Shave off about an inch from the total length.

 

Amazing work, it looks great!

 

Finish

So, I decided to stain the tops and add a urethane coat or three. I used General Finishes Gel Grey Stain and General Finishes Gel Urethane. I made it look kinda shabby chic. I think I made it too pretty. Whatevs.

 

Very nice job. Is the Black wing nut to secure two parts together?

 

Zenbuilder, yes. I didn't really need them, but the helped keep it level.

 

Wonderful job, that is the best I have seen, I am tempted to change my platform to this. Bravo!

 

Amazing! And the floor?

This is EXACTLY what I was looking for! Thanks a million for posting all the specs. For a wood working novice like me the plans are going to make things SO much easier to visualize during the process.

I want to make some access doors into the storage areas so I don't have to fight against a mattress when the bed is set up. Additionally, I think I'll make one set of boxes a bit narrower than the other in order to create a bit more open floor space.

Question: what did you use for the floor of the boxes? It looks like wood in the bottom, but those panels are not in the plans.

Again, THANKS!

 

I want to make some access doors into the storage areas so I don't have to fight against a mattress when the bed is set up. Additionally, I think I'll make one set of boxes a bit narrower than the other in order to create a bit more open floor space.
Question: what did you use for the floor of the boxes? It looks like wood in the bottom, but those panels are not in the plans.

Again, THANKS!

Hello, I used 1/4 melamine panel. I cut a dado about 3/4" up from the bottom. IF i didn't have the tools to do this, i would have used a full plywood bottom. Luckily my buddies shop has EVERYTHING. :-D

As for the narrower cabinets, this means I wider middle, which means a potential to bow over time. IMHO, you do no gain that much more floor space. I had that thought too, but after it was said and done, I am am glad i did not. I would like to see the access doors. I thought about doing that as well. I settled for the top.

 

Nice work !
Especially appreciate the cutting diagram

Ed

 

Very nice!

 

Too cool! Nice work.

 

Amazing! This is exactly what we have been looking to do.

Looks easy enough to move out if required as well?

 

It is easy. Breaks down to basically 6 parts.

 

Brilliant!

 

Such a cool platform

 

Nice work, thank you for the plans and dimensions.

 

beautiful.
wondering how much this weighs? 3/4" birch or maple cabinet ply is pretty heavy.
then fill it with camping gear, a bike on a rack on the back or a kayak top..
i know many say they ignore the 650lb limit and have no problems...
just wondering

 

It took almost 2 sheets. At about 65lbs a sheet. Close to 115lbs I would guess.

Lighter than my kids, especially when the seats are out.

 

Still my favorite.

 

Just finished this build (with less cabinetry skill and a couple modifications for my needs) and LOVE IT. Hotelement, your diagrams and directions were awesome. My entire art studio and camping/travel supplies now travel with me and there's room to spare.

If anyone is looking for cushions for this build, I found some that fit. They are even modular enough to become bench cushions for if you want to use the boxes as seating with the platform in the middle removed, or to sit on the tailgate. A friend was selling the dinette cushions from their 2004 CCD Airstream travel trailer and they fit this sleeping platform build in my Element PERFECTLY. I believe all of the Airstream models that were of the CCD design series and also had the dinette configuration came with cushions of this type.

It was a happy accident that we figured it out. Hope this helps someone else out there.

 

Do you have a link to the size and type you use? How comfortable are they?

 

Beautiful work and fantastic plans a big thanks for that

Love the paint choice, I was looking for refinished in Element Grey - they dont have it. Quick question - do the seats still fit in the Element with the boxes in place? Both ways I mean, folded up seat with boxes in bed position, or with 4 passengers and boxes stacked in back.
Also, why did you attach them to themselves, for noise reduction?
Love these plans but Id like to modify one of the long boxes to have two drawers - one for a double burner stove, and one for kitchen equipment so I can cook right out of the car, or relocate and cook. Any tips on a drawer mod to one of the boxes? I know its kinda a big deal in the cabinet world...
Thank again so much for your plans, SOOOO helpful Im off to the lumber store!

 

Love the paint choice, I was looking for refinished in Element Grey - they dont have it. Quick question - do the seats still fit in the Element with the boxes in place? Both ways I mean, folded up seat with boxes in bed position, or with 4 passengers and boxes stacked in back.
Also, why did you attach them to themselves, for noise reduction?
Love these plans but Id like to modify one of the long boxes to have two drawers - one for a double burner stove, and one for kitchen equipment so I can cook right out of the car, or relocate and cook. Any tips on a drawer mod to one of the boxes? I know its kinda a big deal in the cabinet world...
Thank again so much for your plans, SOOOO helpful Im off to the lumber store!

Do the seats still fit in the Element with the boxes in place?
No

Why did you attach them to themselves, for noise reduction?
I attached them because I had the the hardware. Then I found out it keeps the whole thing square, even, and no lid chatter.

Id like to modify one of the long boxes to have two drawers - one for a double burner stove, and one for kitchen equipment so I can cook right out of the car, or relocate and cook.
I can think of a few ways. I would roll it out length wise on a rail kit, BUT you would need to reinforce it with a backing plate. I am actually in the process of a Chuck Box that I put on my tailgate to "Lengthen" the total sleeping space. I have an SUV Tent add on that will keep me bug free.

On a sidenote, cannot edit my original post. SO, for everyone reading this, read posts 14 and 15 because my cut list did NOT include the bottoms.

 

dimensions have no bottoms

Hay So I took your plans and now Im trying to put it together and realize theres on bottom to the design. Am I missing something?
HELP!

 

Hay So I took your plans and now Im trying to put it together and realize theres on bottom to the design. Am I missing something?
HELP!

See post 14 and 15 for info on the bottoms. There is not a cut sheet for them.

 

Awesome work. Thanks for the detailed cut info too. Even though I may never do this, I still appreciate the write ups. Someone, somewhere will find this useful. You have given me something to think about though!

Berz out.

 

Just thought you should know your plans didn't include the bottoms of the boxes, much to my surprise, and frustration. We assembled them over the weekend and will get the remaining wood monday when the lumber shop opens. May want to tell people using your plans the box plans don't include a bottom and they will need to modify your plans if they want your results.