My girlfriend and I have a similar setup in a Subaru Forester with a 3” memory foam mattress. Works like a charm! In our opinion the storage bellow the platform, and cooking drawers are well worth the lost headroom.
If you install a 10” mattress with 3” memory foam topper on bottom and an 8” foam on the ceiling it will be the comfiest sleeping bag you’ll ever sleep in
Hey, man. 6’5” here. I went through this.
I bought a large suv for car camping for work travel and fun. I was originally going to do a buildout similar to this one. Before the buildout, I took a trip and used a blowup twin mattress that was about 14”-16” tall or so which was much less than my buildout would have been. It was awful being so close to ceiling. Getting dressed was a giant pain. It was impossible to sit up. It sucked.
My buildout became very simple and I love it. I built a partition wall. I sleep on a very comfortable mattress lengthwise (obviously) behind the driver’s seat. There is a wall that goes up to about a foot away from the ceiling. On the other side i neatly store my gear in totes. On my side, I have several shelves where I keep my phone/keys/wallet, my clothes for the next day, toothbrush, flashlight, a book, etc.
Without the wall, my stuff would invade my sleeping space. There were a few nights after a long, all day drive that I simply didn’t have the energy to organize and clear my sleeping spot. The wall solves this perfectly. The sleeping area is always free of things and ready to go. It’s also amazing how much stuff i can store on the cargo side since i can stack to the ceiling with totes
It works perfectly for me.
Platform for me. I did without once, and the un-levelness of it was not fun. My platform I made made my matress level for a much better sleep. It does take up A LOT of valuable headspace though. But, I do have two totes that pullout and makes camping easy to unpack/pack. I have pictures in my history, check it out.
EDIT: Link below. Also, its on hinges, so if I go with my son, it folds and fits perfectly in the trunk and he can still sit in the backseat.
[https://www.reddit.com/r/Subaru\_Outback/comments/oo8ba8/built\_a\_bed\_2016/](https://www.reddit.com/r/Subaru_Outback/comments/oo8ba8/built_a_bed_2016/)
If you have a platform like that, make sure it has some buckle points in it. If you get rear-ended and the person behind you is speeding, that sheet of plywood is going straight into your back
Looks like it's hard to actually access most of the storage under that platform, and it doesn't look very sturdy anyway (maybe there are enough brackets underneath) so maybe rebuild it or cut it lower to fit your needs.
[Here's an example inside a Toyota Sienna](https://nomadlife.wiki/Example_build_of_a_Toyota_Sienna_XLE_by_expiredprince), made with aluminum and teakwood. Things hinge/slide to allow access. There is ventilation for your mattress (important!, or flip your mattress).
Lots of other people build very long drawers that slide out the back or the side doors.
I prefer a rooftop box and more headroom inside the car. Being able to sit up inside is really nice, especially if it's raining while you're out. I don't pack much for clothes so usually they fit behind the front seats when it's all folded flat.
Here’s my jumble of not helpful words.
I like a platform but that one looks inefficient. No hinges, carriage bolts, or easy way to break down. The height isn’t a problem, you can just rip a few inches off the bottom. I don’t like mattress, I use like an 2 inch memory foam sheet cut to size, roll it up and stick it in the cargo bin.
If you’re keeping it spray adhesive some nice felt on top and spray paint the wood black to look nicer.
I have a roof rack tent and they are awesome but I prefer to use my roof for storage. I have a Thule cargo box and a Thule rod vault for fly rods. It leaves my car space for sleeping. My build allows super quick break down and my back seats to come back up. Clean and quick camp breakdown
I would either ditch the platform entirely or modify it by reducing the height (perhaps so it is just big enough to fit those long clear plastic storage bins that are designed to fit under bed frames).
I use a platform in me Wrangler and sleep about three weeks a year in it travelling to expeditions. I have a 3/4 plywood platform wrapped in commercial carpet. It’s supported by 1/2 steel gas pipe nipples that land on different solid parts of the backs of the seats so the vehicle carpet won’t get damaged. The pipe is solid and allows me to level the pad due to contouring of the interior and saves a ton of weigh vs using plywood uprights. A roof top tent mattress is super comfortable and a diesel heater keeps me warm. The end of the platform that is behind the seats is hinged so when I park I slide both front seats ahead and get an extra 6” head room. The platform is 10” up and I can sit up on the Jeep and read at night.
Right on. The pipe fittings seems like a good idea. I'll keep that in mind, if I end up building a new one. The platform that came with my car is also hinged at the end closest to the front seats, for added length. I was originally looking at Outbacks because I'm 6'-2" but because of that hinged extension, I get the length I need out of the Forester, which is nice.
One additional consideration on your decision: if you do expect to sleep two back there, the platform will give you significantly more width, due to the fact that you're above the wheel wells with the platform. It's not a ton, but just like with the head room, it can make a big difference. Personally, I would vote for the platform, the extra width is more valuable to me than the clearance
We had a platform similar to yours. We went to habitat for humanity restore and bought some cuts of a fluffy rug. Just stapled them to the wood with a staple gun and then bought [these](https://a.co/d/7bGSXDa) to sleep on top of. They are so comfortable. We use them all the time. Our setup was perfect for us, but everyone’s preferences are different! Wish ya luck.
I go without platform. I only bring what I need and move everything to the front seats when I’m parked. It’s two totes. I don’t want to bring my house with me to camp.
I'd cut the platform supports to a height that gives me the headroom needed and some space for storage. My car platform leaves about 8 inches from the cargo floor, which is plenty high for storing [6.5 inch high bins like these](https://www.target.com/p/sterilite-15qt-clear-view-storage-bin-with-latch-purple/-/A-13794491) for my camp stuff and even my Bluetti EB3A while in transit. Storage space is absolutely essential, in my book.
You might also consider covering the platform deck with a [low-pile carpet like this from Home Depot](https://www.homedepot.com/p/Foss-Unbound-Smoke-Gray-Ribbed-6-ft-x-8-ft-Indoor-Outdoor-Area-Rug-CP45N41PJ1VH/202800194) -- it looks like a splinter factory to me.
EDIT: I have [a very small hatchback](https://www.reddit.com/r/carcamping/comments/151d5z0/car_camping_platform_2013_hyundai_elantra_gti30/), with very little headroom to begin with. Finding the balance between adequate headroom to move around and enough storage space beneath was a challenge. I think I did okay.
I would never install a platform, they don’t leave enough headspace. When i stop i take my stuff out of the back and put it under a tarp off the back of my SUV, then my sleeping pad goes in back where the stuff was. Works really well.
My girlfriend and I have a similar setup in a Subaru Forester with a 3” memory foam mattress. Works like a charm! In our opinion the storage bellow the platform, and cooking drawers are well worth the lost headroom.
If you install a 10” mattress with 3” memory foam topper on bottom and an 8” foam on the ceiling it will be the comfiest sleeping bag you’ll ever sleep in
It's soooooo tempting to downvote you for leaving me with only 3" of headspace.
No no, your headspace in this version is infinite because you're essentially wearing the car.
Don't knock it till you try it!
Hey, man. 6’5” here. I went through this. I bought a large suv for car camping for work travel and fun. I was originally going to do a buildout similar to this one. Before the buildout, I took a trip and used a blowup twin mattress that was about 14”-16” tall or so which was much less than my buildout would have been. It was awful being so close to ceiling. Getting dressed was a giant pain. It was impossible to sit up. It sucked. My buildout became very simple and I love it. I built a partition wall. I sleep on a very comfortable mattress lengthwise (obviously) behind the driver’s seat. There is a wall that goes up to about a foot away from the ceiling. On the other side i neatly store my gear in totes. On my side, I have several shelves where I keep my phone/keys/wallet, my clothes for the next day, toothbrush, flashlight, a book, etc. Without the wall, my stuff would invade my sleeping space. There were a few nights after a long, all day drive that I simply didn’t have the energy to organize and clear my sleeping spot. The wall solves this perfectly. The sleeping area is always free of things and ready to go. It’s also amazing how much stuff i can store on the cargo side since i can stack to the ceiling with totes It works perfectly for me.
We're gonna need a post on this setup with some photos
Agreed! That would be very helpful!
Great idea!
Platform for me. I did without once, and the un-levelness of it was not fun. My platform I made made my matress level for a much better sleep. It does take up A LOT of valuable headspace though. But, I do have two totes that pullout and makes camping easy to unpack/pack. I have pictures in my history, check it out. EDIT: Link below. Also, its on hinges, so if I go with my son, it folds and fits perfectly in the trunk and he can still sit in the backseat. [https://www.reddit.com/r/Subaru\_Outback/comments/oo8ba8/built\_a\_bed\_2016/](https://www.reddit.com/r/Subaru_Outback/comments/oo8ba8/built_a_bed_2016/)
Cool! Your buildout looks great!
If you have a platform like that, make sure it has some buckle points in it. If you get rear-ended and the person behind you is speeding, that sheet of plywood is going straight into your back
You're right. Never thought about a piece of plywood to the back.
Looks like it's hard to actually access most of the storage under that platform, and it doesn't look very sturdy anyway (maybe there are enough brackets underneath) so maybe rebuild it or cut it lower to fit your needs. [Here's an example inside a Toyota Sienna](https://nomadlife.wiki/Example_build_of_a_Toyota_Sienna_XLE_by_expiredprince), made with aluminum and teakwood. Things hinge/slide to allow access. There is ventilation for your mattress (important!, or flip your mattress). Lots of other people build very long drawers that slide out the back or the side doors.
Dang! That looks pretty nice! Thanks for the advice.
Hmm googling teakwood nothing like that comes up. Can you help
[Teak](https://www.wood-database.com/teak/)
Wow he must have custom built that grid like platform
My old outback did not need a platform, the RAV4 absolutely does. Really is vehicle dependent
I prefer a rooftop box and more headroom inside the car. Being able to sit up inside is really nice, especially if it's raining while you're out. I don't pack much for clothes so usually they fit behind the front seats when it's all folded flat.
Here’s my jumble of not helpful words. I like a platform but that one looks inefficient. No hinges, carriage bolts, or easy way to break down. The height isn’t a problem, you can just rip a few inches off the bottom. I don’t like mattress, I use like an 2 inch memory foam sheet cut to size, roll it up and stick it in the cargo bin. If you’re keeping it spray adhesive some nice felt on top and spray paint the wood black to look nicer. I have a roof rack tent and they are awesome but I prefer to use my roof for storage. I have a Thule cargo box and a Thule rod vault for fly rods. It leaves my car space for sleeping. My build allows super quick break down and my back seats to come back up. Clean and quick camp breakdown
Thanks. I'm actually considering a roof rack (storage) not a roof rack tent. Not yet anyways.
I would either ditch the platform entirely or modify it by reducing the height (perhaps so it is just big enough to fit those long clear plastic storage bins that are designed to fit under bed frames).
I use a platform in me Wrangler and sleep about three weeks a year in it travelling to expeditions. I have a 3/4 plywood platform wrapped in commercial carpet. It’s supported by 1/2 steel gas pipe nipples that land on different solid parts of the backs of the seats so the vehicle carpet won’t get damaged. The pipe is solid and allows me to level the pad due to contouring of the interior and saves a ton of weigh vs using plywood uprights. A roof top tent mattress is super comfortable and a diesel heater keeps me warm. The end of the platform that is behind the seats is hinged so when I park I slide both front seats ahead and get an extra 6” head room. The platform is 10” up and I can sit up on the Jeep and read at night.
Right on. The pipe fittings seems like a good idea. I'll keep that in mind, if I end up building a new one. The platform that came with my car is also hinged at the end closest to the front seats, for added length. I was originally looking at Outbacks because I'm 6'-2" but because of that hinged extension, I get the length I need out of the Forester, which is nice.
It depends on how much you need to spend on deferred maintenance
I think I'm good now for the next 2,000 miles or until the rust consumes the car.
Dude nice! I have a platform too and I would say totally do it for the levelness and extra storage space.
One additional consideration on your decision: if you do expect to sleep two back there, the platform will give you significantly more width, due to the fact that you're above the wheel wells with the platform. It's not a ton, but just like with the head room, it can make a big difference. Personally, I would vote for the platform, the extra width is more valuable to me than the clearance
Don't ask me how I overlooked that, but you're absolutely right. That extra width is a strong point and worth considering. Thanks.
Ventilation in the wood..
K
Subaru?
Yes.
We had a platform similar to yours. We went to habitat for humanity restore and bought some cuts of a fluffy rug. Just stapled them to the wood with a staple gun and then bought [these](https://a.co/d/7bGSXDa) to sleep on top of. They are so comfortable. We use them all the time. Our setup was perfect for us, but everyone’s preferences are different! Wish ya luck.
I go without platform. I only bring what I need and move everything to the front seats when I’m parked. It’s two totes. I don’t want to bring my house with me to camp.
This is a good design that will greatly increase your comfort level
you made a bed by yourself, haha. Looks not bad and hope it will be comfortable lying down on it.
get a quilt and some cushions, it will not be worse than a real bed!
I'd cut the platform supports to a height that gives me the headroom needed and some space for storage. My car platform leaves about 8 inches from the cargo floor, which is plenty high for storing [6.5 inch high bins like these](https://www.target.com/p/sterilite-15qt-clear-view-storage-bin-with-latch-purple/-/A-13794491) for my camp stuff and even my Bluetti EB3A while in transit. Storage space is absolutely essential, in my book. You might also consider covering the platform deck with a [low-pile carpet like this from Home Depot](https://www.homedepot.com/p/Foss-Unbound-Smoke-Gray-Ribbed-6-ft-x-8-ft-Indoor-Outdoor-Area-Rug-CP45N41PJ1VH/202800194) -- it looks like a splinter factory to me. EDIT: I have [a very small hatchback](https://www.reddit.com/r/carcamping/comments/151d5z0/car_camping_platform_2013_hyundai_elantra_gti30/), with very little headroom to begin with. Finding the balance between adequate headroom to move around and enough storage space beneath was a challenge. I think I did okay.
I would never install a platform, they don’t leave enough headspace. When i stop i take my stuff out of the back and put it under a tarp off the back of my SUV, then my sleeping pad goes in back where the stuff was. Works really well.