Convert Your Truck Into a Camper
by nmartens in Outside > Camping
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Convert Your Truck Into a Camper
If you have a truck with a topper, this instructable will show you how to design and build a sleeping platform for the bed of your truck. The platform will allow you to store your camping supplies underneath your bed and eliminate the need to set up a tent. Having a camper in the back of your truck provides you the gas mileage of tent camping with some of the organization of hauling a trailer and you won't get as wet when it rains. Because the requirements for everyone will be different and all truck beds are different I wont provide you any specific measurements.
This project can be completed in a weekend or take several weeks depending on how complicated your design is.
Basic woodworking skills are required and previous project design experience would be beneficial. Cutting a 4' x 8' sheet of plywood can be difficult to do with a table saw by yourself, so I would recommend finding a friend to to do this.
When complete you'll be able to take a quick camping trip whenever you want.
This project can be completed in a weekend or take several weeks depending on how complicated your design is.
Basic woodworking skills are required and previous project design experience would be beneficial. Cutting a 4' x 8' sheet of plywood can be difficult to do with a table saw by yourself, so I would recommend finding a friend to to do this.
When complete you'll be able to take a quick camping trip whenever you want.
Designing the Platform
Measure your truck bed and supplies
The first step is to accurately measure your truck to figure out how much space you have to work with. The size of the supplies you want to take should also be determined to see what will fit where.
The bigger equipment that I designed for included
portable grill
battery for charging my cell phone and laptop
toolbox in case of emergency
winter clothes because I am using this for spring break in March.
To fit the grill and my toolbox underneath I needed the bottom compartments to be 12" high
Draw Layout
Since I'm an engineering student I have access to several different Computer-Aided Drafting software for free, but Google sketch-up is a free program that can be used or the old school way of pencil and paper can also be implemented.
How you choose to layout your compartments is up to you, I laid mine out like a boat with several small compartments to keep the gear from sliding around and can be accessed from above. If you need to fit longer equipment, like skis or snowboards underneath your bed, the center board can run the full length of the truck bed.
• For ease of installation, design the platform in 3 sections.
2 Outer boxes to go over the wheel wells
1 Center section to tie the outer edges together
• You need to have a support board in the middle of the bed otherwise the boards will sag and possibly break.
• Leave a little extra space around all of your supplies to ensure they will fit
The first step is to accurately measure your truck to figure out how much space you have to work with. The size of the supplies you want to take should also be determined to see what will fit where.
The bigger equipment that I designed for included
portable grill
battery for charging my cell phone and laptop
toolbox in case of emergency
winter clothes because I am using this for spring break in March.
To fit the grill and my toolbox underneath I needed the bottom compartments to be 12" high
Draw Layout
Since I'm an engineering student I have access to several different Computer-Aided Drafting software for free, but Google sketch-up is a free program that can be used or the old school way of pencil and paper can also be implemented.
How you choose to layout your compartments is up to you, I laid mine out like a boat with several small compartments to keep the gear from sliding around and can be accessed from above. If you need to fit longer equipment, like skis or snowboards underneath your bed, the center board can run the full length of the truck bed.
• For ease of installation, design the platform in 3 sections.
2 Outer boxes to go over the wheel wells
1 Center section to tie the outer edges together
• You need to have a support board in the middle of the bed otherwise the boards will sag and possibly break.
• Leave a little extra space around all of your supplies to ensure they will fit
Gather Materials
Once you have settled on a design you need to gather your supplies. 3/4" plywood is what I used and would recommend for all designs. I used angle brackets to secure the boards together that I will separate when I remove the platform from the truck. I had access to a sheet metal break and a CNC plasma cutter so I had metal boxes made to save space. A local metal fabrication shop should be able to make the metal boxes if you wnat to go that route.
Materials
• Plywood
2 sheets of plywood should be enough for mid-sized trucks with a 6' bed
3 sheets should be adequate for a full-size truck
• Fastening Supplies
• Angle brackets and bolts make the platform easy to install and remove
• If space is a concern, T-nuts work great and also eliminate the need to hold the nut
• Screws can be used for more permanent joints
• Hinges
• Carpet
• Duct Tape
Tools
• Saw
I suggest a circular saw with a guide, although it can be cut using a table saw
• Electric Drill
• Ratchet and Sockets for bolts
• Staple Gun
Materials
• Plywood
2 sheets of plywood should be enough for mid-sized trucks with a 6' bed
3 sheets should be adequate for a full-size truck
• Fastening Supplies
• Angle brackets and bolts make the platform easy to install and remove
• If space is a concern, T-nuts work great and also eliminate the need to hold the nut
• Screws can be used for more permanent joints
• Hinges
• Carpet
• Duct Tape
Tools
• Saw
I suggest a circular saw with a guide, although it can be cut using a table saw
• Electric Drill
• Ratchet and Sockets for bolts
• Staple Gun
Cut the Boards
Plan how you are going to cut the boards
Planning is important to minimize the amount of waste and reduce the cost
Leave a 1/8" gap around cut edges to account for the saw blade width
Cut the boards
1 - Cut the all boards length wise first into strips.
2 - Cut to length using a radial arm saw to help ensure they are cut square.
3 - Fit the boards around the tie down hooks and any other obstructions
Tips
- Check how the boards fit in the bed of the truck after cutting the boards
- Once all boards are cut set up the boards to ensure they all fit together
Planning is important to minimize the amount of waste and reduce the cost
Leave a 1/8" gap around cut edges to account for the saw blade width
Cut the boards
1 - Cut the all boards length wise first into strips.
2 - Cut to length using a radial arm saw to help ensure they are cut square.
3 - Fit the boards around the tie down hooks and any other obstructions
Tips
- Check how the boards fit in the bed of the truck after cutting the boards
- Once all boards are cut set up the boards to ensure they all fit together
Fasten Together Using Brackets and Screws
To make it easy to install, remove, and store, fasten all boards to brackets with bolts and T nuts.
TIP - It is easier to assemble the entire platform outside of the truck bed, where you have more room to work, for the first time.
If the top center boards edges don't rest on the support boards, you need to add some supports.
Cut a 1" strip off of the scrap to attach to the side of the outer boxes closest to the center of the truck
Secure with screws
TIP - I used 1 1/2" angle iron for added stiffness and to take up less space
TIP - It is easier to assemble the entire platform outside of the truck bed, where you have more room to work, for the first time.
If the top center boards edges don't rest on the support boards, you need to add some supports.
Cut a 1" strip off of the scrap to attach to the side of the outer boxes closest to the center of the truck
Secure with screws
TIP - I used 1 1/2" angle iron for added stiffness and to take up less space
Add the Finishing Touches
Cover the top boards with carpet to provide a finished look
If you secured any of your top doors with hinges like I did the carpet will keep you from tearing the mattress.
1 - Cut the carpet to fit each peice on the top of the platform
2 - Secure the carpet with staples
3 - Cut out the finger holes
4 - Finish the edges of the carpet with duct tape
Sand all visible edges
Sand the edges to eliminate the possibility of tearing your mattress or clothes
TIP - The boards should also be finished to extended their lifetime.
If you secured any of your top doors with hinges like I did the carpet will keep you from tearing the mattress.
1 - Cut the carpet to fit each peice on the top of the platform
2 - Secure the carpet with staples
3 - Cut out the finger holes
4 - Finish the edges of the carpet with duct tape
Sand all visible edges
Sand the edges to eliminate the possibility of tearing your mattress or clothes
TIP - The boards should also be finished to extended their lifetime.
Install Into the Truck
Once the platform is assembled and you are happy with the results, you can dismantle it and reassemble it in the bed of your truck. By fastening the different sections together with bolts it can easily be assembled inside the confined space of the truck bed. After the platform is installed in the truck you can add your mattress and your ready to go camping.
TIP - If you use a foam mattress instead of an inflatable one, you may find it easier to access the under bed cubby holes by cutting the mattress into several cushions.
TIP - If you use a foam mattress instead of an inflatable one, you may find it easier to access the under bed cubby holes by cutting the mattress into several cushions.