DIY Vs. Pre-Built Sleeping Platforms

Trying to sleep in your truck while camping? Are you annoyed at that awkward hump between your rear seats and cargo area when you’re trying to sleep? This nuisance results in owners having to get creative with ways to bridge this for a level sleeping area.

You must be thinking, why would I pay for a slab of wood? Well, you’re not just paying for materials. Rather, an extremely polished product that looks as good as it functions. This isn’t your 4’x8′ sheet of plywood from the local hardware store cut in half. There are thoughtful design elements and the platform itself is ridiculously strong.

You have to consider the time (mainly), tool/material cost, your experience level, and several other factors when deciding what to do. And yes… I tried to make my own. And I already owned some of the required tools – spoiler, it’s not that easy haha. Ultimately, I ran the BamBeds setup.

About BamBeds

Based out of California, this small business strives to produce storage and platform setups for various vehicle makes and models. They use the highest quality materials such as Baltic Birch or sustainable bamboo, which are both super strong. If you manage to break one of their boards, they’ll send out a replacement!

Depending on the vehicle, BamBeds offers two types of products. The first is a leveling platform, which is great if you want to maximize your cargo space but still want a level surface for a mattress while car camping. The second product is the Bam Bed, an elevated platform that provides both a sleeping platform and ample storage space underneath it.

Features

For mine, I opted for the bamboo which comes at a slight premium over the standard birch offering. My thought was that bamboo was naturally mildew resistant and plenty strong (that’s why cutting boards are made out of it, right?).

My initial impressions were that man, were these heavy. In the case of a leveling platform, that’s not a bad thing, though. In total, the two leveling boards and support feet weigh around 35 lbs. or so. That gives them just enough weight to not jostle around the cargo area when driving, but also not be so heavy that you can’t carry them. Also, all plate systems have some weight to them, even the OEM sliding tray.

This platform is designed to live in your cargo area full-time, hence the well-thought-out handle cutouts that line up with the 5G 4Runner’s cargo D-rings so you can still use them. They can also be used to strap the platform down.

However, you can also easily remove the boards to use with BamBeds’ rocking bench kit (it’s pretty awesome).

Regarding the material, the bamboo quality is top-notch and finished with mineral oil for protection and an amazing aesthetic.

Assembly

There isn’t much to “installing”. Make sure you have a clear cargo area, lay down the support feet, and place the boards over them.

There are front arrow markings on the support feet that indicate which direction they should face. They are not side-specific, though. Then, place the boards over them and align the cutouts. That’s all there is to it!

The mounting feet elevate the boards a couple of inches, enough space to store low-profile items like axes, blankets, or in my case, the rocking bench add-ons. You can install it over an all-weather mat, but your platform won’t be as secure. The reason for this is that the support feet are angled to rest against the edges of the cargo area to keep the platform from sliding forward or back.

Compared To DIY

Yes, you could make your own platform at home, and I have attempted this. However, unless you have all of the proper woodworking tools (table saw, planer, jigs, dado blades, plunge routers, etc.), you can’t replicate what a professional carpenter can produce.

There’s also the cost of materials, which is a big factor. You could probably save a decent amount for materials, but for enough wood to cover the cargo floor of the 5th Gen, expect to pay at least ~$75-150 or more. This really depends on which wood you choose as a base, with sheets of high quality birch available for about $75, and bamboo is roughly twice that. Add that to the cost of tools and the amount of time (proper sanding takes a lot of time), and suddenly buying a product off the shelf makes more sense.

Don’t get me wrong, I love DIY projects – I’ve even built a single-drawer system. However, I don’t have the skill, space, or patience to craft something of this quality. I would also inevitably mess up a cut and have to buy extra wood, adding to the project cost.

The fit and finish on my leveling platform are stellar, from the clean, consistent cuts, to the perfectly sanded surfaces. Keep in mind that these are hand-made wood products, so there can be small variances. Fortunately, BamBeds’ customer service is excellent and they’re happy to help make things right if needed.

Final Thoughts

Overall, I’m very impressed with the leveling platform. This is a product that seems insignificant until you fold down the rear seat and try to sleep in your 4Runner.

As an aside, I used to dabble in woodworking, so I can appreciate the level of detail put into these boards. There are no visible chipping, spitting, or major defects in the wood, and the cuts are perfect.

Currently, I have no plans for a dual-drawer system or a full sleeping platform setup. With a toddler in tow, I still need to use my 4Runner for family things and need full use of my cargo area. For the weekend adventure, though, a leveling platform works perfectly and allows me to sleep comfortably.