My Honda is identical. Its warmer and more secure than a tent and surprisingly not too tricky to turn into a camper! Could you give me the exact dimensions so i can reproduce it on my CRV ? Measure the distance from the top of the passenger seats to the back of the front seats when they are pulledand forward. STEP 1. It is our policy to not let customers wait for their money. This is great thanks for sharing. This . . Easy DIY Platform Bed from Shanty 2 Chic. Would they be accessible for your turnbuckles based on where your legs will be positioned? No seats no problem! I believe this Honda CRV bed could also be used to convert most other SUVs into a camper as well. 18. If you have any clothes left, newspaper sheets, or maps, tape them to your windows or trap the edge between your window and the seal to give you some privacy. Do remember to crack a window if theres more than one person in the car, though. Take the length of the sheet and measure up from the height of the bed. This article has been viewed 196,048 times. Extra wood for frame support. Just think of how many trips you can fund with all that money you'll save. Measure across the car from this point. This is the length. We've been super happy with it so far, and the folding design allows us to store more gear while in transit. 20 Essential backpacking toiletries you NEED to have! hey laura thanks for sharing thats great! We have a Honda 2004 sport model as well so would suit perfectly! $44 for sliding plastic storage boxes If you already have items like a foam mattress and sleeping bag, the wood for the platform will be your main expense. Be especially aware that your platform will likely need to be higher than your wheel wells. Make sure to find one that fits your style of car. The length of each of the individual platform sections will section 1 (Trunk) be able to remain in rear of your car with the rear seats folded upright? Perhaps you are going on a road trip and dont want to pay for hotels. Is your boyfriend deathly afraid of racoons? Basic Bike Rack From WordsNWood; 1.18 17. I have subcribed for plans so will attempt to adapt to build a smaller version to fit my accent hatchback (only require single size and have already measured to fit my 163 cm length). 06 of 14. This post probably contains affiliate links from which I earn a small commission if you buy from them, at no extra cost to you. In your pic it looks like Sheet 3 and 2 are the same size, but in the PDF it looks like Sheet 1 and 2 are the same. Even if youre not into outdoor sports, building a car bed is a stealthy way to camp wherever you damn well please. You don't even need any tools for this project! Ryanjeeper Ryanjeeper Ryanjeeper This setup looks to be just about the most economical and efficient use of space one could hope for in a Jeep Cherokee camper. This article was co-authored by wikiHow Staff. Do everything better. Now imagine waking up at 7, well rested and snuggly in the back of a 4 wheeled vessel you drove out in the night before. I hope this guide has given you some ideas on how to make a bed in your car to help you travel further on a budget. Many people stray away from the idea of a platform bed because they're under the impression they must sleep low to the ground. Im grappling with whether or not to remove the seats. Rest assured, we use all of these items, and believe in their value. Tools: Saw, drill, hammer (optional), screws or nails. It wasnt too thick (although it was still really comfy) so we were able to fold it back. Because most seats don't lay flat, the elevated platform provides a level surface for the base of your bed. To finish the corners, you will need to cut excess material out of corners of the fabric to fold it down cleanly. Everyone makes mistakes! Do you by any chance still have the measurements of your platform? Below is a high-level example of our platform design measurements will be unique to your vehicle. I have a 2014 CRV. Hope you have a great time on your trip. Truck Bed PVC Bike Rack from Instructables; 1.14 13. As cars can get rather cold overnight, make sure you cover yourself with a jacket, extra clothes, or a blanket. Wood and many of the required materials should be straightforward to pick up from any hardware store in your area. % of people told us that this article helped them. Do you have a rough idea of how much clearance you had between the mattress and the roof? Before Tom and I had even left the UK to travel to Australia, we knew we wanted to road trip. Sadly I dont think I have any photos of the mattress when it was folded but we literally just used to fold it in half and tuck it under the parcel shelf or use something to weigh it down while we drove along. Could you please email me the dimensions of your platform sheets and legs? After the stain dries, apply three coats of satin polyurethane. Maybe you'll build a platform bed with storage underneath and a smoother sleeping surface, or throw a camping mattress in the back for a refreshingly simplified car camping unit. It's a bed for one and requires a separate pillow, but it fits in a wide range . Assemble the sleeping platform Here i try to do an kind of compilation of sleeping plattform samples. This is awesome! An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Our Honda CRV also has a built-in picnic table in the boot that we used so we needed to make sure the legs were not over that. 2. Hi Andrea, we had all our stuff shoved under the bed in a couple of boxes so his supported the hinge there. Be sure to measure the length at the correct HEIGHT, as your rear seats lean backwards further as you increase in height from the floor. Hello, I would like to know if there is some tips someone could give to protect the plastic inside the car, so it stays clean and smooth, and also for the seats below the wooden board, so it doesnt scratch the fabric and everything..? Buy ARANA 15 inch Lift Support Struts Gas Spring Shocks 300 N/67 LB Per Prop for RV Bed Floor Hatch Trap Door TV Cabinet Heavy Duty Box Lid Window Camper Shell with L . Roof box, bike racks, etc. 8. Screw the platform down with at least one screw over each foot, as well as one in the middle of each support. By Cheri Sicard. This comfortable bed that fits in the back of an SUV took under an hour to build and cost less than $100. Slip the fittings onto the pipe and tighten them down a the desired location on the pipe. Knowing me I just asked a member of staff in the hardware store what would be best. Just try to keep it low key when you roll out of bed to get that cappuccino in the morning. At this stage, youll want your long bubble level, a tape measure, stacks of books or other objects to manipulate the height of the level, and your notebook and pencil. Thanks for a quick reply. Hi Andre, youre correct, it doesnt lay completely flat. Old Handlebar Bike Rack from the REI Blog; 1.15 14. My 2014 has the rear seat back fold 4 inches above the cargo space so itll take hinges or sawing the rests at angles. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 196,048 times. I created Escapes Etc to share the best show you the best high-value but low-cost travel experiences. Rebuild platform in car, cinching down turnbuckles to tighten the whole system and secure the platform. Then, place a pillow at the head of your seat or roll up a towel, jacket, or shirt to support your head. Our self converted Honda CRV camper took us to some incredible places, and it took us just a day to build! Stagger the pieces evenly. I am actually trying to do this for my crv this weekend and Ive tried to subscribe to get the measurements but it seems to not want to send, Ive tried two emails now lol, Ive got all the material and I was just gonna do my own measurements but honestly Im the worst at that stuff and could really use the print out lol, thank you so much for posting this! It could be as simple as converting your seat, or you could opt to use an inflatable rear seat mattress. Remove the case backs from the base cabinets and apply the stain of your choice to these parts and then stain the headboard assembly and the rails. With the turnbuckle 50% loosened, use the hooked end to grab the cargo hold ring and the other end to estimate the location of the D-ring for the platform. My girlfriends old Land Rover Discovery proved to be a nice upgrade, until the engine blew up. This king-size bed frame costs less than $200 to build, making it a great choice if you're looking to save some money with your build. Check it out. 35 Lbs/155N 20" with L type Mounts for Cabinet door Tool Toy Box Bench LId RV Door and Creative DIY Applications (Not fit for Strong Lid) . Find the plans at Shanty 2 Chic. Love this. Packing For A Photoshoot In The Backcountry, Please consider signing up for the beta of our app, The Milliard Full Tri Folding Mattress with Washable Cover (73 inches x 52 inches x 4 inches), Jackery Portable Power Station Explorer 240. Vertical Bike Rack by 3Dwarehouse; 1.17 16. 19. Would your acquaintances describe you as homeless? Weight: Under 100 lbs. Cut the large sheet in half widthwise so that your platform can be stored in stackable sections. Many hardware stores like Home Depot will cut your wood to size and rent you the tools you need. Cover the screw heads with wood putty, then paint or stain the outside of the base. IF YOUR LEG LENGTH IS INCORRECT, you can use a 3/4" wooden dowel spacer within the cup of the furniture tip to lengthen the leg, or additional wood pieces under the steel flange if it is really far out. Yes Ken its funky isnt it where that seat is in the way when you fold them down! 6 x L-brackets. This should create a reasonably snug rug fit. The width of sheet 3 should be the same as sheet 2 as its the smallest piece. Conserving it's minimalistic outtake and core, Jordan Crawford manages to tweak the critical points of a platform bed and give it Western spin; gifting its with a more durable and sturdier aspect. The Camperbox is a step above simply throwing a sleeping pad in the back of your van and below the classic Ford Econoline Conversion. Create a sleeping platform for your back seat, trunk or hatch area, or truck bed out of plywood and 2 x 4s. After countless hours of planning, and several major rabbit holes, weve put together what we think is the best and simplest design for getting out car camping in the comfort of a hard side vehicle. Depending on SUV models, this length can be increased for extra tall passengers, please contact us for custom applications. As a small thank you, wed like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). As the back seats in our Honda CRV (2004 Sport model) didnt fold flat, we had to have to work around that. Good stuff! Elevated Truck Bed Sleeping Platform. Build your own modular sleeping platform for your vehicle in a weekend for $275. So here are the steps to building a car sleeping platform. Unlike a lot of the tutorials, this isn't a platform bed and has a place for a box spring. Ask yourself these questions: Do you need storage inside your vehicle? This will be the maximum width. This is one of those IKEA hacks that will help you to keep things a little bit more organized and increase storage at home. Measure the middle point on sheets 1 and 2 and use the drill to screw the hinge on here. At this point, you should have at least one (or both) of your platform sections completed with legs, with the ability to dry fit the platform into your car a second time. For more tips, including how to use an inflatable mattress in your car, read on! The estimated cost of our DIY camper car conversion totaled approximately $1200: Platform bed frame $100 Mattress& Bedding $136+ $25= $161 The tent cover $10 House battery & Battery Isolator Relay$69 + $16= $85 Fridge $500 Fan $135 Solar Shower & Shower Hose$50+19= $69 Other supplies $150 Create a sleeping platform for your back seat, trunk or hatch area, or truck bed out of plywood and 2 x 4s. At this point, you will want to slide the rubber furniture leg tips onto the ends of your steel pipe legs, and hand tighten the legs into your platform flanges - make note of the new increased length of the legs with the tip and flange attached, along with the increase in height from the support beam. You will definitely need something there though so a wedge or leg would work great. Drank too much at the bar and cant drive home? We will secure piece 1 with screws and piece 2 with drop pins or threadless bolts. Using screws, secure the plywood vertically onto the B frame as pictured above. Have the plywood sheet cut to fit the dimensions you measured. By using our site, you agree to our. This might sound dumb, but your car is extremely weather resistant. What to pack for car camping- 48 essentials, My guide to road tripping Australias East Coast, How to find free and cheap campsites using WikiCamps, How to buy a car in Australia (and what not to do), A Weekend in Norfolk Glamping and 4 gorgeous places to visit nearby, Checking in at the GrandMas Plus Seminyak: Balinese culture with a modern twist, Affordable luxury at the Aston Canggu Beach Resort, Bali, https://www.escapesetc.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Honda-CR-V-bed-dimensions.pdf, https://www.kmart.com.au/product/thermal-eva-foam-bed-roll/818329, How to Build a Car Camping Bed Platform - Honda CRV Camper Conversion, 8 fantastic day trips from Sydney you can take using public transport. With the Kreg Jig, drill three pocket holes in each end of your headboard and footboard panel. Buy them lunch and ask for their help. Weve all seen loads of those awesome self-build camper vans on social media (Im still obsessed) but lets be honest, not everyone has the time, patience or skills for that. Theres a solution. Design the platform to extend further when the seats go forward. Aim for a 3-5 inches of excess edge, which will allow you to staple it to the platform when folded back over the plywood. Some of the other estimates around leg location and length may continue to be modified. Even beach towels or coats can work as covers if that's all you have. These legs need to be placed with enough room to fit the hinges. How much is the thickness of the mattress? Covered the plywood with a 1.5" gel memory foam full-size bed topper. Hey Silke! Thanks so much for stopping by! Manage Settings The entire system can be set up in a van in just a few minutes by two people. Theres certainly pros and cons of sleeping in such a small space! Placing your 1x4 beam and 3/4" flanges into their confirmed locations (light brown wood and dark grey donuts in diagram below), use your drill and 1/8th drill bit to pre-drill screw holes approximately 1" to 1" deep, through the support beam and into the plywood below. Measure the height from the passenger floor to the top of the passenger seats when folded down this is the height of the 2 x hinged legs that will support sheet 3. Also, in the front, you would have extra leg room. This can lead to getting kicked out of spots in the middle of the night because youre not supposed to be camping there. It's okay to admit that you would like to follow an easy DIY platform bed plan if that's what feels best. Using the bubble level and stacks of books, estimate the height of each of your leg sections. We also provide free towing services, so customers save even more money when dealing with us. Move items to the trunk that will not properly fit elsewhere. Method 1 Sleeping in the Seats 1 Recline your car's seats. I used 3/8" clevis pins (inserting a small bolt into the hole in the base, to secure the pin in place). Cut Reflectex panels to the size of your windows for extra insulation, Moving the front seats all the way forward gains you another foot of sleeping space. Just measure everything in your car to make sure. https://www.kmart.com.au/product/thermal-eva-foam-bed-roll/818329. The Subie was functional, but not so ideal for a tall guy like myself. Take the containers out and store them under your actual bed at home when not in use. Start by reclining the seat as far back as possible. I know the complications of making the back of a CR-V a bit too well. Kids 12 Nov Do you have an hour and about $30 bucks to burn? Im looking forward to hearing from you. appropriate screws. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. 5. I hope this guide has given you some ideas on how to make a bed in your car to help you travel further on a budget. In our first platform bed idea, the bed is a standard height and looks like a typical bed thanks to the gorgeous wooden legs beneath it. Hope that helps! All-in our truck bed sleeping platform took about 3 long days to build. I was going to put a wedge or a leg under mine but maybe I dont need to? If you want to take your car camping situation to another level, take a look at some other great ways to improve this build: If you enjoyed this post and want to see more videos detailing the build of this platform, be sure to follow our instagram page, where you can look through our highlights on this build. What if I am sitting in the front seat of the car and I want to sleep? Just wondering do you have to have the 2 front seats pushed right forward to have the bed set up or is it possible to drive around with the bed set up in the back? Under-bed storage containers work great with the build. Screw the other half of the hinge to the plywood. Measure the distance from the passenger seat hinges to the top of the passenger seats, at the height the bed will be at. There wasnt enough room to have it all the way down without having the front seats pulled forward. where it says page not found. Sleeping platforms can come in many designs and sizes. Just wondering do you have to have the front seats pushed forward to make the bed work or is it possible to have the bed set up in the back while you drive along with someone in the passenger seat? Have a friend or family member who knows how to build things? Inner slats should be 3-1/2 inches away from each other. Just think of how many trips you can fund with all that money youll save. For more tips, including how to use an inflatable mattress in your car, read on! Remember that vertical height will be important, too. All you need to do is measure your mattress and match it to the dimensions in this detailed guide, and you're good to go! Find a mattress that best fits your personal set-up. Paint the pallets to match your room color scheme and lay flat on the floor with a luxurious mattress on them. Down-to-earth and all-round normal kinda person. 16 Free Build It Yourself Bed Plans. If you do not have a pillow ready, roll up a towel, jacket, shirt, or other piece of clothing and use it to support your neck and head while you sleep. You can actually get the dimensions sent straight to you via email. Try to staple the cover to the outer edges of the platform for maximum comfort. Mark with a pencil. This DIY platform bed is about as easy as it gets. Hi there, I was wondering if you dont mind my asking, around how much did this all cost? All you need to do is sign up using the form in the post. You could also use a neck pillow. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. The sleeping platform is very simple to add on, as you will see in the DIY plans you will get the measurements to build a support system that will set on the folded down seats. In our van, the top platform rested on the pillars and the top of the wheel wells. If you do not have anything to use as padding while you sleep, that is alright. Make sure that the front and the rear one-by-fours each butt up against their respective one-by-ten. Recline your driver and passenger seats as far back as possible. Sheet 3 over passenger footwells Now you're all done! Hi, great design. Thank you so much Cecilia! There's something special about creating a custom storage system that is just right for you. Things are taking shape at this point! Hey Laura, I just subscribed to this blog but havent received the printable instruction yet is this something you can help me with? Repeat this process until you have four sets of legs completed. how much room did you end up having in the back? - 1/8th drill bit (taped or marked ~1 inch from tip, to drill correct depth). Im sure theres an elegant way of doing this, but it's also not rocket surgery. Homemade Platform Bed. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Hi! Get a rear-seat mattress for the most comfortable sleeping experience. Truck stops, parking lots for big box stores such as Walmart, and campgrounds are all often safe for you as you sleep. Why outfitting your regular rig with a bed and easy storage and embracing car camping is smarter than chasing the #vanlife. what have you found to work better? If you are facing cold temperatures, layer on clothes and cover yourself. There are a number of reasons you might want to sleep in your car. Ryanjeeper The bed and drawer frame as seen through the rear door. Combine a turnbuckle, quick-link, and carabiner to form a chain that will be used to secure the platform to the cargo holds of the car. Screw the hinges on to each of the two legs. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Easy DIY Platform Bed. Procure a socket wrench or other tools you might need. Materials: Boards of various sizes22, 12, 24. Hi. Store your mattress in your trunk, under your seats, or wherever else you have room. Platform bed from Build Something; 1.8 8. To make sure you are consistent with your drilling depth, use a piece of tape on your drill-bit to mark the correct depth. DIY Wall Mount Bike Rack From The Handyman's Daughter; 1.19 18. at least, it was in mine. Place one leg on to the plywood so that the hinge will make it lay flat on the sheet when folded. From Seattle, we can get to world-class everything in under four hours. Do you have any pictures of it all folded up and put away with the back seats up? A tape measure and a level will come in handy to make sure that everything is tightened down in the right location. Use a sweater or a shirt and then curl up tightly. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Remember to find a safe and legal place to park. We offer SUV sleeping platform kits that combines comfort & functionality. Put your seat back and get cozy with pillows, blankets, or whatever soft, cushioned items you have on hand. This led to plenty of cold nights followed by heavenly mornings sampling the finest powder in the Pacific Northwest. This Honda Odessey camper conversion kit is made of plywood and features a platform bed that can be turned into a couch, a table, a memory foam mattress, and storage that slides out at the rear of the car. Measure the distance between the inside of the boot door to the passenger seat hinges. Transfer the rubber furniture tip to the cut end of the pipe, and screw into the associated flange. 17. Thank you in advance. How to Build a Bed in Your Car, and Why You Need to Do It, https://www.fieldmag.com/articles/how-to-build-car-bed-vanlife, Delica Guide: Everything You Need to Know About the Iconic Japanese 4x4 Van, The 7 Best Camp Showers for Keeping Clean in the Great Outdoors, 13 Car Camping Essentials for Getting Outdoorsy on Four Wheels, The Loki Icarus Is a Rare Truck Camper Built to Handle Winter Adventures, This New Company Is Upgrading Vintage Broncos With Modern Features, This Futuristic Truck Camper Is a Game Changer for Off-Grid Living, A Guide to Fly Fishing Gear for Anglers of All Levels, 18 Best Cabin Rentals in Washington State, This Is the Perfect Belt for Outdoor Activities, The 10 Best Cabin & Cottage Rentals in Alberta, Canada, The 10 Best Glamping Locations in Yorkshire, UK, Danner x Mystery Ranch Drop Colorful Hiking Gear Collab. I wont worry about the wheel wells; I dislike having everything above window level thus the low height of the bed. I believe I do. DIY Pull Behind Cargo Trailer 3. Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full pricewine, food delivery, clothing and more. Thank you for sharing your plans. If you plan on DIY'ing a convertible bed, a foam mattress is the easiest way to cut your cushions to size. Cost Effective - You should be able to put this together for between $275 to $535 (CAD, before tax) depending on how many nice-to-haves you add, and how many tools you can borrow. The VanEssa Camper in Box comes in separate bed and kitchen units. The first and most common approach is the elevated sleeping platform approach whereby you build a large plywood sheet or some other variation on that theme where you can place all your gear underneath, organized in drawers or boxes and then sleep above that.. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page..