Camping in Your Disco

[grahamzr]

Camping in Your Disco???

I know this has been talked about a little bit on previous threads, however I am interested in building a rear stoarge shelf/sleeping platform a la northbyrover.com, but was wondering if anyone had any other novel ideas or plans available.

Thanks for you help.

-Z

 

[Asolo3j]

I too have been toying with the idea of builiding a sleeping/storage shelf in the back of my Disco. I could use some adivce/plans if anyone has any.

Thanks.

 

[Mudy_ovl]

I built one that has two drawers that support 100lbs each. It has a a flip out platform that lies flat on top of the folded second row seats. (don't have to remove seats now). It provides just under 6' of sleeping space. I use an air mattress & sleeping bag. Works great and much quicker to set up than a tent. I still have to finish carpeting it, but I can post pics of the unfinished unit if you want. Only thing about the platform is you have to move the stuff you carried inside to the roofrack when you are sleeping, unless you don't mind it sitting outside your car.
Chris

 

[grahamzr]

Yeah man,

If you could post some pictures that'd be great....I kinda like the idea of having the sleeping quarters inside the truck although it must cut down alot on interior storage space. Chris, do use a roof rack in addition to the interior storage space?

-Z

 

[Asolo3j]

Some pics would be great. I too am interested and looking to make something.

 

[Mudy_ovl]

Here are some pics of the cargo drawer/sleep platform. My CB cubby bracket sits low enough such that the platform rests on top of the center console and doesn't touch the CB.

 

[grahamzr]

Nice job chris...looks pretty stellar. Gives me some good ideas! www.northbyrover.com , has a good one too although it's made out of aluminum channel, maybe slightly lighter, but more of a pain to make if one isn't good with metal fabrication. Have you used the sleeping platofrm yet on a camping trip?, relatively comfortable or not so much?

-thank

-Z

 

[Asolo3j]

Thanks for the pics. Do you tak eout your seats when you go for an extended camping trip? I dont see them and if you fold them up would there be enough room?

 

[Mudy_ovl]

Z- Thanks. I used the platform on a trip our NCRC group took to Blue Lakes in NorCal earlier this year. It is pretty comfortable, although I think I am going to get a much thicker sleeping pad, maybe even an AeroBed. I do have a roof rack that I throw the extra stuff on top if I deem it necessary. You can't see it, but the wood panels are joined using angled aluminum extrusions (1"x1"x1/8" thick) and screws with threaded inserts. Took a little time to cut and drill all the angle brackets, but I am working on a complete kit that includes the wood panels, angle brackets, threaded inserts, screws, slide rails, carpeting and drawer locks. I am still finalizing the designs of the wood panels so I can get a quote from a CNC router company. What I really like is the whole think bolts to the floor using the four factory mounting points so it does not move at all and yet can be removed in less than 10 minutes.

JH, The seats are under the extended platform. I designed the platform so I didn't have to take the seats out, but you still have to tilt and move your front seats all the way forward. I did take the rear seats out once for a trip, but I found that the extra 12" of headroom wasn't needed. Now with the platform I don't have to remove/replace the seats for extended trips, and actually have more flat surface for sleeping.

If anyone wants to build their own, I can provide basic plans. All parts were purchased at either HomeDebtpot or OSH. The only think you can't buy there are the drawer side panels that I had my company make out of aluminum so the slide rails would mount perfectly.

Chris

 

[grahamzr]

If you could send me that basic set of plans that'd be awesome.

Thanks Chris

-Z

 

[bri]

If you have not slept in your vehicle before, you may wish to give it a shot. I cannot sleep in a vehicle in cool/cold weather due to the humidity and lack of breathability. Maybe if you open the windows, but then its more cold than sleeping in a tent. The once or twice I tried it, it kind of reminded me of sleeping in a refrigerator.

I ended up waking up often and turning on the engine and heater to remove humidity and provide some warm. Something that body heat and breathable fabrics take care of in tents.

 

[Moose]

If you have not slept in your vehicle before, you may wish to give it a shot. I cannot sleep in a vehicle in cool/cold weather due to the humidity and lack of breathability. Maybe if you open the windows, but then its more cold than sleeping in a tent. The once or twice I tried it, it kind of reminded me of sleeping in a refrigerator.

I ended up waking up often and turning on the engine and heater to remove humidity and provide some warm. Something that body heat and breathable fabrics take care of in tents.

I agree 100% with Brian. One way of addressing this is to buy a Coleman BlackCat heater -- it's flameless, can be used in a tent (and therefore a truck interior), and it's warm. Or, for those who remember the Rover Puppy, use an electric blanket with inverter

 

[JLS]

Z- Thanks. I used the platform on a trip our NCRC group took to Blue Lakes in NorCal earlier this year. It is pretty comfortable, although I think I am going to get a much thicker sleeping pad, maybe even an AeroBed. I do have a roof rack that I throw the extra stuff on top if I deem it necessary. You can't see it, but the wood panels are joined using angled aluminum extrusions (1"x1"x1/8" thick) and screws with threaded inserts. Took a little time to cut and drill all the angle brackets, but I am working on a complete kit that includes the wood panels, angle brackets, threaded inserts, screws, slide rails, carpeting and drawer locks. I am still finalizing the designs of the wood panels so I can get a quote from a CNC router company. What I really like is the whole think bolts to the floor using the four factory mounting points so it does not move at all and yet can be removed in less than 10 minutes.

JH, The seats are under the extended platform. I designed the platform so I didn't have to take the seats out, but you still have to tilt and move your front seats all the way forward. I did take the rear seats out once for a trip, but I found that the extra 12" of headroom wasn't needed. Now with the platform I don't have to remove/replace the seats for extended trips, and actually have more flat surface for sleeping.

If anyone wants to build their own, I can provide basic plans. All parts were purchased at either HomeDebtpot or OSH. The only think you can't buy there are the drawer side panels that I had my company make out of aluminum so the slide rails would mount perfectly.

Chris

I love your setup and would also like plans too. When you say a complete kit, do you mean you are wanting to sell them? If so I would surley buy one.

 

[barefoot]

If you have not slept in your vehicle before, you may wish to give it a shot. I cannot sleep in a vehicle in cool/cold weather due to the humidity and lack of breathability. Maybe if you open the windows, but then its more cold than sleeping in a tent. The once or twice I tried it, it kind of reminded me of sleeping in a refrigerator.

I ended up waking up often and turning on the engine and heater to remove humidity and provide some warm. Something that body heat and breathable fabrics take care of in tents.

couldnt agree more brian, i used to have a couple of old vw campers...loved camping out in them but hated the moisture and temp issues! i am now strictly a hammock man...even if its cold as hell! good bag and thermarest to the rescue! if in bear country...20 ft up! at least i can hear those big bastards coming if they decide to climb for my beer!

 

[mkronmal]

Plans would be awesome

I'd love to have some plans. I was just about to undertake something similar!

Thank you

 

[bigred]

Maybe a full write up posted to the tech section??

 

[Mudy_ovl]

Sorry everyone. Work has been absolutely crazy and I haven't had a lot of time for personal projects. But, I wanted to let everyone know that I will be completing the plans for the storage drawer/sleeper kit soon. I have to tweak some details related to purchased parts (hinges, slide rails, etc.) base on availability and price and DFM (design for manufacturing). The plans will include detailed dimensioned drawings in PDF format and a list or parts to purchase locally. Hope people are still interested
Regards,
Chris D.
Mudy_ovl

 

[2000discoII]

Here are some pics of the cargo drawer/sleep platform. My CB cubby bracket sits low enough such that the platform rests on top of the center console and doesn't touch the CB.

looks great

 

[grahamzr]

Sounds great chris! Looking forward to seeing your design.

 

[macklow]

If you're looking for a real cheap solution, I just cut out some plywood and laid the pieces on the door sills.

Used three 2' wide sections. The one at the front can't be set flat on the sills unless the front seats are pushed forward. Since the milddle board rests on the rear passenger door sills, and I wanted to be able to open the doors, I used a couple of supports to hold up the plywood when the doors are opened. It turns out the that the stock jack handles are the perfect height for this job. Didn't have time/tools to drill a hole in the plywood to keep the jack handles attached to the plywood, but I did have some "earthquake puttty" which kept the supports in place during a 3-week trip to Baja.

If the weather really sucks, the rear platform can be removed, and by utilizing the rear jump seats, the middle platform makes a nice area for cooking/dining area out of the elements.

I found some plastic containers at the local home store, that when stacked up fit perfectly under the plywood.