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TABLE OF CONTENTS:
- General design notes (00:24)
- Plywood cuts (1:50)
- Support planks (3:03)
- Rug wrap (3:38)
- Under-lighting (4:09)
- Support pipes (4:32)
- Install (6:34)
- Turnbuckle stabilizers (7:25)
- The mattress (7:52)
- Mesh window sleeves (9:10)
- Cargo tray (10:07)

This is one of those videos where probably 2 or 3 people will REALLY benefit from watching it. The rest will just have to watch my ugly mug talk about something of no value to them for 10 minutes. Sorry!

In this video I'll walk you through the design and build of my custom DIY camping bed platform for the back of my SUV. Mine is designed specifically for a 5th generation Toyota 4Runner, but its simple design could be easily adapted to just about any SUV, van, or hatchback. And even if you don't need a bed platform, you might like the sweet cargo shelf this thing doubles as.

The entire project comes from supplies found at Home Depot or Lowe's and requires minimal handyman skills to get it done. The platform itself is composed of 3/4" plywood cut to size, wrapped with an indoor/outdoor rug, reinforced with 1x4 poplar board, and supported by Steeltek 3/4" structural pipe. All-in, cost of materials is under a couple hundred bucks. And if you want to spruce up the design, install some LED puck lights underneath and use some turnbuckles to add rigidity when off-roading.

One of the nice things about this bed platform is the single-person easy install and the flat storage when taken out. And since it's built of 2 main pieces, you can use just the rear section of the platform as a cargo shelf in the trunk.

The mattress itself is a memory foam bed topper found on Amazon or at Bed Bath and Beyond. It cuts easily to size and rolls up tight for storage. I also made some custom noseeum mesh window coverings to give me some ventilation at night.

All-in-all, this bed platform has served me well and is reasonably convenient compared to pitching a tent when I go out solo camping. And building the thing was fun, too.

Thanks for watching!

But the way, check out my online course all about light metering for film photography: https://www.nickcarverphoto.com/metering

Website: https://www.nickcarverphoto.com
Instagram:   / nickcarver