Building a climbing truck

Yeah its a small battery and electric powered fan, it works well for the size of the space I need cooled plus it still works as a cooler

Jay Samuelson wrote:Here's what I built last weekend for my truck, a little different from most designs but I don't live in my truck. I wanted an optional sleeping platform that I could stow away in the truck while not using it, but could whip it out quickly and easily to create a sleeping space if I wanted. Here's what I came up with, the box at the back will serve as a toolbox (I added a facing piece of plywood along the front to hold stuff in there) and the entire platform stores away behind it. The 2x4's sit on the wheel wells for support, and the whole frame/toolbox can slide in and out of the truck. Granted I don't live in my truck and don't camp in it extensively, but I thought seeing a different design might spark some ideas. It weighs 100 pounds total and cost $50 in material (wood and hinges). +added plus, I can assemble/disassemble the entire platform while sitting in the bed with the gate and topper closed.

Hey Jay,
Do you have any more pictures or drawn up plans for your sleeping platform? How is it attached to the truck? Is is bolted to the liner? Do the boards sag? I like how modular it is and how much storage there is underneath. Middle supports seem to take up a lot of storage space that is oh so essential for me.

Thanks!

1. get the highest cap
2. full size bed with wheel well cut out
3. 24inch shelf at cab side of truck
4. led lights
5. get the window between cab of truck and cap removed and put a accordion rubber boot seal in.
6. head liner for cap
7. black out curtains velcro to head liner
8. tail gate seal

i lived in this truck 4 nights a week for 6 months

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Been working on the rig during down days. Currently working on an exterior canopy and getting a solar panel to trickle change my 12 v battery in the back. The biggest thing for me was second on how to balance storage and comfort.. Building all the way up to the cap gives you a lot of storage but also that coffin feeling.. I think the wheel well height bed is a pretty good call, can still fit my skis, rope, tent, stove, boots, camp chair, and more under the bed platform

Mholland, nice looking work! How is that stove/counter you have supported? Is it just cantilevered by the rest of the box? Also how does it store away?

One other question - Did you punch a hole through the truck cap to hang that interior stuff?

yeah, the stove simply slides in and out and is secured by brackets just below the boards that hold the bed platform up on the side cabinets. I had to drill into the canopy to mount my yakima bars & racks so i figured i might as well utilize the bolts all ready in the truck..plenty of silicone to keep it dry inside.

I'm not a fan of sleeping platforms, vertical space is a premium. On my 4runner I just put a big box on the rear to store most of my stuff.