Overland tents are expensive. Sleep in the cab...Update 23 Oct

Sleeping in a tent sucks for various reasons. Overland setups require racks that you have to hard mount to the cab or bed.

Bed tents are a hassle because you have to empty out the bed to put them up, and they have straps that scratch your paint. And you can’t drive once they’re installed.

Setup/takedown is also a hassle.

If they get wet you have to set them up once home so they don’t mold.

Camper shells aren’t cool because if you regularly use your truck to haul stuff, you have to remove them.

All options above options are also expensive.



What if there was another option?

I’m almost finished with the 2.0 version of my CM sleeping setup that gives me a 72”x24” platform for my air mattress without removing anything OEM.

Takes about 30 seconds to install.

Upside is that it’s in-cab and you can drive off while setup. Plus you get security and sound deadening unlike a tent.

Sound like an infomercial?!?

It should! That’s how this post sounded in my head LOL!

All jokes aside. Has anyone else built a setup like this?

I’ve been working on this project for a while now. My first version worked perfectly but was very heavy and cumbersome. Made of wood.

I’m wrapping up the 2.0 version now, made of aluminum this time and much lighter.

Just wondering if anyone else has tried something similar.

BTW Im not trying sell anything. Just looking for extra info.

Once I’m finished with 2.0 I’ll post some pics and some diagrams.

 

Here is mine in use during a trip through death valley.

 

I have not seen a setup like this. Looks interesting and I’ll be staying tuned.

 

We are now in the process of ordering the RLD canopy so we can keep the 60 split seats in the back and ill build a Drawer/ fridge setup behind the passenger seat.

 

Following with interest. If my next truck is a crew max, I've been thinking of some form of lightweight, easily removeable platform for sleeping on solo weekend hunting trips. It'd be nice if the seats didn't have to be removed. Something that can simply be put in, covered with a sleeping pad and blankets with room for a pack and rifle underneath would be sweet.

 

I would need to rig a platform from the dash to the rear window and sleep at an angle.

 

I'm 5'10" and fit tightly with my 4'11" little lady. But if you're fitting 1 human back there you should have to take the seats out.

 

Yeah I plan on sleeping in the back of my future truck. My plan is very simple. Ive seen others do it. Basically put a few coolers or totes on the floor behind the front seats. This creates a level platform. Then just throw an air mattress over the top. Not fancy but I think as long as you can get it reasonably level should work out

Mwray setup is basically what I would do

 

Pardon the super crude paint drawing, hope it kind of gets my idea across. The red would be the frame, probably aluminum. It would rest on the floor and on the seat. No need to remove the seats or even fold them up. No idea if this would work as I haven't gotten hands on with a crewmax to check dimensions or if it would fit at all.

 

Why not in the front seat, laid back?

 

I've slept in cars every which way. Back seats or the bed of the truck are the most comfortable

 

I've slept in the back seat of my truck many times when travelling. Is pretty comfortable, other than sharing the back seat with my 70lb Lab. Wake up and go to a truck stop and shower for $10-15..

 

How about this?

https://www.etrailer.com/Vehicle-Air-Mattress/Toyota/Tundra/2018/341028.html?vehicleid=20181842149

 

Bed is a given, I'm 6' bed is 6.5. But post says sleep in cab, I don't see folded across back over fully stretched in front seat. I can't swear but between Armrest to armrest seems smaller, but no hard data.

 

No in cab sleeping for me but I just built this simple platform for my CM bed. Granted you will need a topper. I'm 5'11" and sleep comfortably laying on the diagonal.

 

I thought that I might do this in my DC once and there does seem like there might be plenty of room but.....
I carry too much other stuff there and never want to sleep in the car if I don't have to anyway.

My truck is just another tool and mine pulls my bed these days.

 

You should look into the @DECKEDUSA storage systems. It’s your platform but with two drawer storage underneath. I have it and love them.

 

I used to use a mattress across the back seat when folded down but could never stretch out.

So I built a platform that runs from the rear window to glove box. Just have to remove the passenger headrest and recline the seat. Still gives you enough headroom to sleep on your side. It had removable legs to support the front and rear while the middle was supported by the top of the passenger seat.

Also since it was longer than my 5.5 bed, I made it foldable so I could haul it with my bed cover closed and tailgate up.

 

That's pretty cool. Have any pics?

 

Had the same idea, but I am 5’11” and there is no way in hell I could fit in the back of my DC. Looks like you could make it work though.

 

Prob about 1k more than his build!!!!!!!

 

Not really that's not me in the pic and nothing about the idea appealed to me at all do I just used the space to stack bins of tools and materials that were then hard to get too!

It was a huge and useful space but not for me to sleep in

 

I see haha!
When we camp, the coolers stay in the cab as there is really no other safe place to keep them.

 

Nice project you have going and I'm glad it works for you. But I am going to disagree with everything you said about sleeping in a tent. I love sleeping in a tent and since I'm camping, it's the preferred way to sleep. I do agree roof top tents are expensive. My truck is built for camping so if I need to haul something big I use my 5x10 utility trailer. My tent is a little different than others with RTT's, so setup and take down is about a 15 second "ordeal". So easy it's almost like cheating.

Please keep posting pics and reviews on how your setup is working. Love seeing different options.

 

This is exactly what I do. I don’t love sleeping on the diagonal for whatever reason... but since I’m solo it works no problem!

 

.

 

exactly

 

I hope to have it finished this weekend and will post some pics.

 

Yes, I checked out the Decked system but that was a little too expensive and permanent than what I was looking for. I think I have about $75-$80 into it with plywood, four 2x4's, an indoor/outdoor carpet from Lowe's, and some 3M spray adhesive. The larger carpeted piece doubles as a platform to level the floor in the backseat of the cab and the piece cut short is intentional so I could either put a cooler in the back with me or have an opening to climb in and take off shoes.