I used Swag ground tent with 48X72 .50" Plywood.
Milk Crate Sleeping Platform
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- #23
I hadn't thought of placing the 2x4 under the latches like that but if it works and it's level, all the better! Mine were on edge next to the latch but level is the key. 
With the 2x4s under the second row seat latches to make them level, what height would the platform be?
Cheers,
Salue
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- #25
13" if memory serves. I have crates on my OEM Lexus mat covered with 19/32" plywood covered in carpet and it's very flat. It's torn apart right now or I'd check
I played a bit with the milk crate set up. The crate is a little shorter than the height of the folded rear seat. In my case, it came about 1 5/8" shorter. I have one extra carpet and one heavy duty liner in the trunk.
If I take the extra padding out (carpet and liner), I can have the milk crate on top of a 2x4" structure, which leave me with about 5/8" between the top of the crate and the top of the folded backrest of the second seat.
In this case I figured I only need a 5/8" thick plywood 44x57" for my queen size air mattress to rest comfortably on the seats and the milk crates.
I guess the plywood could be cut in two pieces too for easy transport with the seats up.
Of course everyone's car will be slightly different. In my pictures it looks as if the difference in height is only 1/2", but it is most likely due to the camera angle. I saw 5/8". I'll triple check before buying what's needed. YMMV.
If I take the extra padding out (carpet and liner), I can have the milk crate on top of a 2x4" structure, which leave me with about 5/8" between the top of the crate and the top of the folded backrest of the second seat.
In this case I figured I only need a 5/8" thick plywood 44x57" for my queen size air mattress to rest comfortably on the seats and the milk crates.
I guess the plywood could be cut in two pieces too for easy transport with the seats up.
Of course everyone's car will be slightly different. In my pictures it looks as if the difference in height is only 1/2", but it is most likely due to the camera angle. I saw 5/8". I'll triple check before buying what's needed. YMMV.
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- #27
My plywood fits up in that lip where the black plastic retainer is along the edge of the seat. there's about 3/8" of lip above that where the top seam protrudes . Pretty dang close to level when you're laying on it
The top two pictures in my post above show the milk crate and the 2x4" being even with the back seat, but that's because I did not take all the lining out of the trunk.
The bottom two are showing the difference in height once those things came out.
Maybe 1/2" thick plywood is better if you plan on getting some form of protection between the wood and the air mattress so it won't get punctured. Carpet or some thin blanket. Whatever you can MacGyver.
The bottom two are showing the difference in height once those things came out.
Maybe 1/2" thick plywood is better if you plan on getting some form of protection between the wood and the air mattress so it won't get punctured. Carpet or some thin blanket. Whatever you can MacGyver.
How many milk crates do you use?
I was thinking about 4-5. I'll probably get some 2x4" and create some kind of a base for the crates to sit on top of.
If I get the back seat level, then there is that height discrepancy you can see in my pictures. Otherwise it angles down and you can probably have a longer plywood piece (maybe 50-52" long) overlapping the backseat, then it would angle up so it would form a pillow base for you if your head rests closer to the front seats.
You can see here what I am talking about, but again if I take it all out I can create enough room for a 2x4" platform on the bottom and have 1/2" - 5/8" room for plywood.
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- #31
I use 4, one in each corner which leaves a nice slot up the middle for chairs and such. the plywood fits against the seats and tailgate then when the seats are folded, I slide the plywood into that seat groove and have and have a 3" plywood strip that wedges against the tailgate.
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- #32
I put my head at the tailgate, any seat irregularities are under my knees.
This could work great too. It comes in at 12.5" high and when you add in the thickness of the plywood, it would be even with the seat back.
27x18x12.5
HDX 17 Gal. Storage Tote in Black-HDX17GONLINE(6) - The Home Depot
27x18x12.5
HDX 17 Gal. Storage Tote in Black-HDX17GONLINE(6) - The Home Depot
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- #34
That's a good choice too. Can you sit/stand on them? One thing I dig about the crates is they quickly double as step stools, camp chairs or a ladder in a pinch.
Wow, it's been a long time since I was toying with this idea. I finally finished the "build" today.
No milk crates as I originally intended, I found something much better searching at Home Depot.
17 gallon storage containers. 4 of them and a piece of plywood.
No milk crates as I originally intended, I found something much better searching at Home Depot.
17 gallon storage containers. 4 of them and a piece of plywood.