A few weeks ago, I read an article in Outside magazine about a company out west that turns vans into campers and rents them at the cost of a basic car rental. This prompted a few Google searches on the topic and landed me on a number of Do-It-Yourself sleeping platform sites.
My inspiration for this project!
My 2011 Subaru Outback fit the bill and I thought this would be a great way to get in some outdoor adventures without having to always worry about finding that perfect campsite or popping up a tent in the darkness of the night. Plus, I thought it would make for a quieter and more restful night with my 5-month old Blue Heeler mix and adventure buddy, Norbert.
Having spent countless hours reading other people’s attempts and successes with sleeping platforms, brainstorming with the assistance of my friends Sara, Eleanor, and Tymme, and thinking through elaborate possibilities (e.g. under platform drawers, cut to fit platforms to utilize all the space which would have included some folding pieces, etc), I decided to follow the KISS rule (Keep It Simple Stupid). Additionally, the more I read, the more I learned that most people were frustrated by the lack of headroom when building up platforms which allow for space underneath for storage of camping supplies, clothing, etc…
When it came down to it, I decided on the following,
- Use as few pieces as possible for a more stable and even sleeping surface and less weight in the vehicle
- Keep the platform as low as possible to maximize headroom (I don’t tend to pack a lot for camping so I can use the vehicle floor and the space on each side of the wheel wells. If I need more space, I can use my Yakima Rocket roof carrier or get a cargo carrier for the hitch)
I decided on creating the platform with two pieces – one that fit in the back of the Outback with the back seats up, the other that would slide out over the back seats when they are down. The back section of the Subaru is flat so that piece would sit on the frame. The head section would sit on the edge of the frame and I would put a support under it to make it level (with the seats down, the head section is not completely flat).
Parts:
- One 3/4″ piece of 4×8′ untreated plywood (birch)
- One 2x4x12 (I already had some scrap pieces so used those to make three 36″ pieces)
- 2-1/2″ wood screws
- Scrap carpet (found a large roll that had some cuts in it at Lowe’s for $9 that would have otherwise cost $80)
- Can of carpet adhesive (found at automotive parts shop)
- 9/16″ staples (for the staple gun)
- Two simple hooks and eyelets
- Four-pack of surface anchors
Rounded out the edges with a jigsaw
Making sure the pieces fit with room to add carpeting around each piece.
I cut the 2x4s into three 36″ pieces and the plywood into two pieces – one 35″x42″ (foot piece) and the other 37″ x 42″ (head piece). I also used a jigsaw to round the corners at the foot and head (I did this for the foot end to make the most of my space and to match the curves of the hatchback. I also decided to do the same with the head piece to remove the sharp corners).
Next, I attached the foot piece to the 2x4s with the wood screws. I left about 1-1/2″ of the 2×4″ sticking out to later hold the head piece in place.
Tapped in four wood screws for each 2×4
Marked the screw locations, leaving ~1-1/2″ exposed toward the head piece
I cut the carpet into pieces that would more than adequately fit the top of the foot piece and enough to completely cover the head piece (not necessary, but I had enough carpet and having that piece completely covered seemed like a better idea since it will get moved around the most). Using the adhesive spray (followed the directions on the can) and stretching the carpet as much as possible (I used some of the scrap plywood and some clamps to assist), and using a roller pin to get out the air bubbles, I then stapled the carpet along the back sides of each piece and trimmed as needed. I then laid them both face down and let them dry overnight.
Cut a larger piece of carpeting than needed
Completed foot piece
Underside of both pieces
Next, I cut out small areas of the carpet on the bottom of the head piece to align with the jutting portions of the 2x4s on the back piece so that the two pieces would lie flat.
Notched out underside of the head piece to align with foot piece
2x4s jutting out for base of the head piece
I attached a hook on each side of the head piece and the eyelet on each side of the foot piece so that when the two pieces were put together they would stay in place.
Added a hook on the head piece
Added an eyelet on the foot piece and hooked on each side of platform
I was going to use another piece of 2×4 (any scrap piece of wood should do) to place under the head piece to keep it level (or cut two legs to hold it up from the floor), but as it turns out, the extra carpeting made it perfectly level. I’ll probably still throw something extra in the car in case the seats sag a bit but anything could be used to lift that piece up a bit, if needed.
Both pieces stored in the back with back seats up (just fits!)
Platform installed in Outback
I still need to attach the surface anchors to the 2x4s and hook to the four tie downs in the back (just in case I have an accident, I don’t want the platform to become a projectile).
I hope to test it out this weekend or next!
References and thanks:
- http://www.subaruoutback.org/forums/63-gallery/41781-sleeping-platform.html
- http://homeguides.sfgate.com/staple-carpet-plywood-29495.html
- Thanks to my friends Sara, Eleanor, Tymme, and Danyele who provided ideas, enthusiasm, and beer to the project!