[mtnbound]

Since we sold our Adventure Trailer (no where to store it anymore) we have been sleeping in the back of the Xterra when camping. The Action Packer trick works well, but...

We have been trying to refine the storage situation and have moved away from action packers. So I built this sleeping platform last weekend to fill the gap between the front seats and the folded rear seats.

There are 4 legs supporting the head end of the board. They are removable so the board can be stored easily. There is a cutout around the center console that folds down on a piano hinge and rests on the floor to provide additional support in the middle.

When we are driving, the whole thing slides back to fill the smaller gap behind the front seats so the dog can ride there without falling into the footwell. The center console flap folds up and locks in place with some slide locks on both sides. Plenty strong enough to hold the dog if she puts all her weight on it.

Here is the sleeping position from the back.

Here is the driving position from the back.

We had an unusually warm weekend so we headed up to RMNP to give it a go.

Id say I'm pretty happy with it. I wanted the transition from the board to the floor of the Xterra to be as minimal as possible so I didn't feel it when laying on it. So I used 1/4 baltic birch marine plywood. Definitely not noticeable under the Exped Synmat Duo (SynMat Duo M | Exped USA) we use. I haven't put a finish on the plywood yet because I thought I might end up going to 1/2" ply. I think we will stick with this until we break it :wink:

So hope this gives others some ideas.

I love this ! I think I will copy it if you dont mind, the flap for the center console is genious!

Also, I have an avalanche White with Falken at3w's too. what size are yours?hey look bigger than mine which are 265/75/16.

Oh im also in Colorado not too far from RMNP

 

[drrobinson]

Please feel free to copy and if make any improvements please post here. Happy to share more info if you need any.

My tires are 265/75/16 also. They are pretty new and I love them.

 

[mtnbound]

Please feel free to copy and if make any improvements please post here. Happy to share more info if you need any.

My tires are 265/75/16 also. They are pretty new and I love them.

Glad to hear it, I also love to at3w's. great all around tires.

It looks like you used 1/4 plywood, do you find that sufficient? Im inclined to use 1/2 but if 1/4 is enough id use that for the weight savings.

as a side note maybe we can chat about some places to camp in CO near Denver or the front range?

 

[bertdog]

So far the coldest weather I've been (have only had truck since Oct) was a 19F night w/ screaming winds in SW Kansas. All I had was a 10F sleeping bag and no insulation on windows, etc. I used the bag as a blanket, otherwise it would have been too hot. I had a window cracked for ventilation.

Take this into consideration: I grew up sleeping under the stars in the southern Rockies during late fall/ early winter. And for 6 years I slept in the back of an old pickup in 0F nights. I may not be the best barometer....

Others have talked about a heater such as the little buddy. I used it fine in the back of the pickup BUT you do have to consider O2 depletion in a space sealed as tightly as an SUV. If you crack the windows slightly to create a cross ventilation (or if you have a small battery operated fan to mix air coming from only 1 open window) you should* be fine. Water content is a concern for me (absolutely cannot sleep in humid air). The best strategy I have had was to turn it on for a few minutes before sleep, and a few minutes after waking up to take the chill out.

*Do not take this as medical advice. Also, when you are sleeping with a dog, and significant other be advised that O2 consumption will significantly increase. Plan accordingly.

 

[bertdog]

After going through this entire 33 page thread today I must say thank you to all of you. I have learned so much! I am going to start building some window screens, light blocking panels and get a couple action packers. If I spend one night in the back on my next trip it will save me at least $100.

I know that this is an older post but it touches on a good point. In fact the top reason that an Xterra became my current vehicle was the ability to camp in it. I do field work which requires camping. I also drive cross country. I sleep somewhere else other than in my bed at home about 3months out of the year. In 7 years I can count on one hand the # of times I've rented a hotel room out of necessity. Conservatively, i've saved $20K by car camping.

 

[outback97]

Since we sold our Adventure Trailer (no where to store it anymore) we have been sleeping in the back of the Xterra when camping. The Action Packer trick works well, but...

We have been trying to refine the storage situation and have moved away from action packers. So I built this sleeping platform last weekend to fill the gap between the front seats and the folded rear seats.
...

Here is the driving position from the back.

...

Very cool, looks nice! The Action Packers work well for us but they're definitely not the most efficient use of space due to their shape.

I'm curious, how do you secure your cargo when driving around with it like that? Do you have any pictures of it loaded for a trip? I have thought of setting up something similar to this, but having the rear seat backs up helps a lot with keeping things from sliding around. Thanks.

 

[FishingX]

@outback97 - I travel with rear seats down often, and I use bungees extensively. Otherwise, i also have velcro on the floor that attaches to several accessories that have the other side of the velcro strips that help it from moving around. VERY useful

 

[outback97]

@outback97 - I travel with rear seats down often, and I use bungees extensively. Otherwise, i also have velcro on the floor that attaches to several accessories that have the other side of the velcro strips that help it from moving around. VERY useful

Thanks FishingX. I use bungee cords in the back as well, but it's more to keep things behind the rear seats from sliding side to side. I'm thinking more of heavy items (cooler, water jug, stove, etc) that I don't want to have to worry about flying forward in a panic stop scenario. Bulky lightweight items like sleeping bags and pads, clothes, etc. I don't worry about so much.

I have an outdoor rug cut to fit in the cargo area and the velcro is a good idea for small items.

 

[drrobinson]

Very cool, looks nice! The Action Packers work well for us but they're definitely not the most efficient use of space due to their shape.



I'm curious, how do you secure your cargo when driving around with it like that? Do you have any pictures of it loaded for a trip? I have thought of setting up something similar to this, but having the rear seat backs up helps a lot with keeping things from sliding around. Thanks.

We have a full length Raingler net that goes in the position behind the rear seat. So any cargo inside goes behind that so nothing can come forward. I use tie-downs in the floor tracks if the load needs it. The dog now get the space in front of the net with a harness. When we are not camping, she stays behind the net.


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[Darren_R]

Is there anyway to store the wood platform in the back so you can utilize the middle row? It almost looks like one might be able to flip the wood and it might fit perfectly in the back allowing one to have the seats up.

 

[drrobinson]

Glad to hear it, I also love to at3w's. great all around tires.



It looks like you used 1/4 plywood, do you find that sufficient? Im inclined to use 1/2 but if 1/4 is enough id use that for the weight savings.



as a side note maybe we can chat about some places to camp in CO near Denver or the front range?

So far so good with the 1/4”. I thought it might be iffy, but that birch marine plywood is pretty strong. Also I poisoned the legs to keep the unsupported span pretty short.

Feel free to pm on the camping spots.



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[outback97]

We have a full length Raingler net that goes in the position behind the rear seat. So any cargo inside goes behind that so nothing can come forward. I use tie-downs in the floor tracks if the load needs it. The dog now get the space in front of the net with a harness. When we are not camping, she stays behind the net.

Ah, that makes sense. The Raingler does seem like a great way to do that.

Is there anyway to store the wood platform in the back so you can utilize the middle row? It almost looks like one might be able to flip the wood and it might fit perfectly in the back allowing one to have the seats up.

I have wondered about some kind of light platform hinged at the top of the rear seats, with legs that fold down when in use. Sort of like this crappy drawing I threw together (photo credit to Surf and Snow from earlier in the thread):

 

[drrobinson]

Ah, that makes sense. The Raingler does seem like a great way to do that.







I have wondered about some kind of light platform hinged at the top of the rear seats, with legs that fold down when in use. Sort of like this crappy drawing I threw together (photo credit to Surf and Snow from earlier in the thread):

Interesting...

In my case we wanted a way to close the gap with the seats all the way forward (for sleeping) and all the way back ( for driving).

I made the aft most part of the board longer than probably necessary so the sleeping platform level change would be in a place on the body would wouldn’t notice. Turns out, that probably isn’t necessary with 1/4”. You really can’t tell where it is under an air mattress.

The idea to make the board flippable is interesting. It might take some compromises in the shape. Also the sockets for the legs would be sticking up in the cargo area. Maybe someone has a different idea for the legs.

Mine comes out the side door, if you tip it up first.




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[Longboardr]

Any chance of getting the pictures resurrected in this thread?

 

[Old Navy]

Photos with these logos, are lost forever and can not be resurrected;

But if they have this logo, there's a 98% chance that they can be brought back;

So we'll check into these...

 

[Old Navy]

Done - All (48) Photos placed into PB's Purgatory, have been Resurrected for this Thread! :thumbup:

 

[Longboardr]

Thanks @Old Navy, I've wanted to share this thread several times.

 

[five9341]

Another rendition of the box/shelf/fridge slide. https://jo.shuabennett.com/2018/03/11/nissan-xterra-sleeping-shelf-fridge-cooler-slide/

 

[jbmelomo]

Awesome!

 

[Braveheart Jefferson]

This is the setup I'm going to try this weekend It's going to be hot so I wanted maximum ventilation.

Got a 4 day weekend planned following a section of Rt 66. :grin: