Truck Bed Camping Platform

This client came to Knowmad Design with a very unique build. He was planning an extended solo overland trip to the Pacific Northwest with his dog. His requirements were a lightweight, easy to deploy kitchen/storage/sleeping platform that didn’t use the entire floor of the truck bed. Additionally, he required the unit be easily repaired should he run into a problem.

For these reasons, we used a furniture grade plywood for the structure, coated in a durable waterproofing paint. The drawer system is supported via 1×2 tube steel and rides on easy-to-find skateboard bearings. The entire top was custom mitered to the truck bed so that the sleeping surface is as low as possible and uses the top of the driver’s wheel well to make a continuous, flat platform. The top is also field removable to access the drawer bearings should one need repair. The drawer is divided into 3 compartments, one for the stove, one for kitchen utensils, and a rear compartment for “occasionals” storage. The platform attaches to the truck with 3 stainless steel bolts. Two of the bolts utilize existing holes in the bed, only 1 bolt required a new hole and was strategically located at a reinforced area of the bed. Additionally, the platform self-locates in the bed via the passenger side runner that recesses into one of the bed corrugations. The drawer is removable and though awkward, the entire unit can be installed or removed by one person. The client added an 8″ memory foam mattress.

After his expedition, the client reached out and reported that the platform performed flawlessly. Since you only need to open a drawer to set it up, he reported that he was especially happy he could roll into a camping spot and have a steak on the grill and a beer in his hand within 3 minutes! Paired with an 8″ mattress, he said it was the most enjoyable camping trip he’s taken.

(In use pictures were provided by client on his “shakedown” trip before adding the memory foam mattress.)