Planning to go for a camping trip in your truck? If you are going to be successful in turning your truck into a fully complete camper, then you need to put in a lot of work. The most important part of your truck renovation will be building a truck bed camping platform. For the period that you are going to be camping, your truck is going to serve as both your living room and bedroom.
You need to ensure that you build a camping platform that will offer you a level of comfort close to what you get at home.
8 steps that you can follow
Step 1: Get the Perfect Shell
To build a truck bed camping platform, you first need to find the perfect shell for your truck. You can build a camper shell or just buy one. Building the shell on your own will save you a lot of money. However, it will take you some time. If you don’t have the time, buying a ready-made camper shell would be ideal. You can even get a used camper shell from a fellow camper at a cheaper price.
Step 2: Set Your Goals You Want for the Build
This is a very important step. What you want for the build will determine the kind of platform that you end up with. If for example, you want a platform that will not only be comfortable but will also have some space underneath for storage, you will have to adopt a particular design. You also want to make sure that you can access your stored items with ease whenever need be.
The platform should also have enough room so that you can stretch yourself out. These goals will guide you towards building something close to what you desired.
Step 3: Gather Materials and Tools
Next, you need to buy all the tools and materials that you will require for this job. You will need pressure-treated wood, plywood, two pieces of half-inch-thick board, and a steel brace. Other items that you will need include:
Right-angle brace made of stainless steel.
¾ inch wide hinges.
A circular saw.
2.5-inch screws.
Drill bit and drill driver.
A sander to smooth out the rough edges.
Step 4: Map it Out
You need to take the measurements of your truck and sketch the platform. Besides your platform offering storage space and being accessible, it should also be free-flowing. As a result, ensure that you design a platform that will not confine storage to a single section. For example, you might have an item that will be too large to fit in any single section. That item may have to flow to two or three sections.
While keeping in mind that the platform needs to be sturdy, you should aim to employ as few studs as possible. You can achieve this by systematically alternating the studs’ orientation.
Step 5: Start with the Chest Section
It is the smallest section of the platform. For this section, you should use six studs. Cover the top with a ¾ thick frame. All the studs should be right up in the plywood corners. Ensure that you have a good fit with the plywood lid. Lastly, add the three hinges once you are satisfied with the fit.
Step 6: The Middle Section
Planning for this section can be quite challenging, especially if it is your first time building a truck bed camping platform. You have to ensure that this section gives you maximum storage space and is easily accessible. You should design the hatches so that they clear the wheel wells. Since this is the area that will bear most of the weight, the studs need to be stable.
Step 7: Finishing up the Rear
Once you have built the two previous sections, building his last section will be the easiest. All you need to do is just sandwiching seven studs between two plywood sections. Ensure that you alternate the studs. You should also keep the studs flush against the corners and edges.
Step 8: Load Up
Now you have yourself a truck bed camping platform. You can now load up move across the country to as far as you want. What your truck bed sleeping platform now needs is a mattress, comfy pillows, and some sheets. Whatever you choose to pack for your camping trip will be entirely up to you.
Why Should You Build a Truck Bed Camping Platform?
Its More Comfortable
As compared to camping in a tent, a truck bed offers the best comfort. Camping in a tent means that you are exposed to mud in case it rains. You may also be at risk of getting into contact with wildlife.
More Convenient
Sleeping on a truck bed is more convenient than camping inside a tent. You get to utilize the small space inside your truck to the maximum. You also have easy access to important items whenever you need them.
Less Expensive
Building a truck bed camping platform is less expensive than buying a ready-made bed or a camping tent. You can use the money you save to buy other items that you will need for camping. Besides saving on cost, you also get to gain a lot of hands-on experience.
Conclusion
You can start building a truck bed camping platform if you are planning to go camping soon. The process isn’t that hard as you may think if you have never done it before. Should you feel like you are stuck, you can also get some extra tips from sources like Google and YouTube. You will find useful tips from more experienced DIYers.
If you think that making your truck bed will take a lot of your time which you may not have at the moment, then you can just go straight to buying one. You can buy a brand new one or a used one from a camper. Just make sure that the truck bed camping platform fits your truck.