I, with no woodworking experience... Just made this platform for my CRV. I am over the moon about what I've accomplished and how clean it looks. I actually think it may have instilled a genuine interest in carpentry in me. I hope to encourage you to produce more CRV and car camping related projects in the future. I'm going to try to tackle the shelf next. Thank you. Really, really thank you for how accessible you made this.
@@MattTheDesignerA super chat is nice but instilling that confidence in some they can actually do something on their own? To coin popular ad campaign, “Priceless”
Fellow industrial designer here! I don’t plan on using my car as living space, so there’s no practical reason for me to watch. But I have watched every single video just for the amazing entertainment and have got to say that you’re a gem to this community! Ur Chanel is going to blow up! Amazingly simple and useful designs!
So happy to have found your videos. I will now scrap the bulky worthless plan I started. Go back to square one - and begin again. Fantastic. Thank you. (Oh - and to challenge the demographics of who watches your videos … I’m a 78 1/2 year old woman! ). Thanks for the detailed, concise directions. Home Depot opens at 6 am …. I’ll be there !
This and your Version 1.0 unit, are two of the smartest SUV camping conversion designs I've seen to date. The fact that the sections nest together and fit in the cargo area behind the rear seats, is just brilliant. I really feel like one could startup a biz making these awesome designs to order for a variety of today's popular SUVs, like the Weathertech of SUV camping conversion! This is a burgeoning market, a startup doing these could clean up if done right. In fact it's only a matter of time before makers like Subaru, that are all about the outdoor experience, to start offering their own over-priced versions.
I meant to mention, there are a lot of sweet builds out there, but many of them add a TON of weight to the vehicle, which impacts fuel mileage, handling, tire wear, etc... These designs are not only smart and simple, but weight conscious as well.
I've thought about partnering up with a CNC shop to make and ship these with some assembly required. Someone even posted a video in one of the comments showing that they used their CNC machine to make one. Pretty cool!
@@MattTheDesigner Hello! May this find you and yours well and happy! Would you consider building this new model and allowing me to purchase it? For several reasons I'm not equipped to build this on my own. Thank you for considering this request.
I cannot thank you enough for your videos! This is exactly what I was trying to achieve with no woodworking experience and a dream. LOL. I appreciate the depth of explanation for everything, your thought process, and how you joined your pieces together. You're my hero!
I’m so chuffed to have found your channel! I’ve been considering SUV RVing and want a single bed that is semi-permanent but don’t want to remove the back seats. Your design is perfect, and I will modify for a single! Thank you 😊
I just watched the first bed build and this one back to back. Love your presentation style and ideas. I'm definitely applying this idea to my Tahoe build, albeit with slightly larger dimensions for obvious reasons, haha. You've got a new subscriber in me.
Matt, hi. Good work, clear directions and great sense of humor, loved it! I followed it this weekend to modify my Toyota Sienna AWD 2012 model, it worked. I struggled with Pocket Hole a bit, eventually caught up. I have watched your 1.0 work, yes, I like the 2.0 better with built in drawer. You have come with up a very rounded, portable, neat looking, sturdy design, very much appreciated the work. For my Sienna the major difference it is tilted backward with the back seats folded down and middle seats removed. I like the fact that I can move the entire unit to the middle while driving with back seat up, but fold the back seat and move it to the back to set up the bed. Thanks a ton!
Following the pdf direction you posted, I have a 48" X 78" bed when fully extended. It is a luxurious bed to say the least. My drawer though still 5" deep but with a 43 and 1/4 inch wide back plate and 45" face plate.
Wow, we are usually in tent camping, but my wife sometimes scared of raccoons during nights in the state parks. Looking forward to install that kind in our cx5. Love your design and thank you for sharing it.
@@MattTheDesigner Matt planning to wrap it with felth cloth, just like the car subwoofers. To make it scratch and semi soundproof. And to blend with the car’s interior.
Hey Matt, Just wanted to thank you for this. I just finished building the platform for my CRV 2015 - for now without the drawers but it is just amazing. It is my first DIY project and I am really happy about it. Going on a roadtrip on Monday. We are based in Paris, France so you have your platform design globally now. :) happy to share some images somewhere if you would like to! Really grateful, so thank you. Tamas and Lilla
@@MattTheDesigner Hi Matt, Just a quick update - we have built your design last year! We absolutely love it, its super comfortable and were all around France, Netherlands, Austria, Switzerland, Hungary with our car since, and lots of plans for the summer 23’ :) Couple tips/comments: - We haven’t built the drawers, just the platform base - we are just using plastic boxes that fit under it - there is a bit more space like this, and we can take out more easily our stuff from there. - We bought a 140 x 200 cm mattress from IKEA, and we only cut around 10 cm from the length, and the mattress goes over the folded seat, but its perfect like that for the head (like a pillow) - and there is much more leg space like this. (It is not a folding mattress, we just use a mattress protector over our bedding, and put our staff on it when go on a roadtrip) - We didn’t cut from the width, its nice to have foam above where the wheels are - We didn't use pocket hole screws just normal ones as it seemed to be easier but works perfectly like this too Thanks again for your design it really is great, here are a few photos :) hope to see other cool DYI tips from you drive.google.com/drive/folders/1bsvaAtZNZq3dt4qDvzh3TYPxWv5MsTV2?usp=sharing
@@tamasforrai7767 it looks great! I’ve actually considered making a video about the easiest possible version of this bed with normal screws and no drawer. Great to hear it’s working for you. A lot of people ask me if not having a middle leg allows the platform to bend/bow when you’re on it. It hasn’t in my experience. Did you feel it flexing as all? I think the 3/4in (2mm?) is thick enough to keep that from happening for most people.
@@MattTheDesigner Thanks :) without the mattress on it, if two of us sit on it, it does bend a little. However, when we put the mattress on it doesn't. Also, we usually put back the plastic boxes under the platform and that gives extra support too for it. After about 30 nights sleeping on it - it doesn't seem to be a problem.
I've looked at a lot of SUV builds and your platform is by far the best I've seen. Simple & practical. Being 6'4" I would need to take out my passenger seat so will probably keep sleeping in a tent or under a tarp. But the build is certainly a functional way to provide storage for not only camping but anything else. Good job.
I am cheap so I would screw and dowel it, rather than use pocket screws. Inflatable mattresses (like you would use for occasional overnight guests, not camping ones) make a really comfy bed. I like your first design, but take your point on the high lip most cars have, hadn't thought of that!l now make one that collapsed flat, so it takes up less space in the garage!
Incredible work, Matt! I have been telling everyone about how incredible this video is.. your design is incredible, instruction concise, video editing and humor on point. I’ve never enjoyed a video this much. Keep going and wish me luck on my build!
I love this set up! I wish my husband would build something like this for me. Unfortunately, he is not into carpentry, so I’ll probably just end up ordering one of these these somewhere, but it would’ve been cool to build one.
this is a great idea! i need some more storage in teh back of my SUV so I may just make the first half. Haven't gone car camping yet, but figure this is a good option if needed
THANK. YOU. SIR. Lolol. Seriously though. I have been planning to build out my Outback all year and am conducting the final research when I stumbled upon your videos. I had so many saved to try and figure out a rig but you sir, have officially made me scrap them all because this is all I need. So again, THANK YOU AND GOOD DAY 👋🏻
A great build for a platform, if you decide you really need one, but think long and hard about your needs before you do build one. The biggest reason for one, would be if your vehicle does not have a flat floor. I built a similar platform for a previous vehicle and found far more drawbacks than advantages. My under platform drawer was only 5 inches deep and was pretty useless for storing anything, especially typical equipment for camping. Raising the floor level raises the level to access the sleeping platform (including mattress height) for climbing in and out and the loss of ceiling height was horrible for sleeping and for storage during travel. If your camping with your partner, the space certainly isn't a comfortable love nest. When we graduated to a Lincoln Navagator L SUV (same as the Ford Expedition) we invested in a 10' X 10' SUV tent that connects directly to the vehicle. All camp equipment is stored and transported in three large plastic bins with lids. At camp, the bins are removed from the vehicle and stored in the tent section or just outside the tent, the second and third row seats of the vehicle are lowered and a double-single high air mattress is inflated for comfortable sleeping inside the vehicle.
Rub a candle on the bottom of the drawer where it rubs on the wooden rails. The wax applied this way will make the drawer slide more smoothly and easily.
I was wondering...you could have installed some drawer brackets to slide the drawer and it would be easier to get the drawers out, unless you were staying on a certain budget.
Dude! This video was awesome! Hands down the best video I've seen on the subject yet! You made this so clear and easy to follow. Exactly what I was looking for! Thank you!!
1st time viewer also. Thank you so much for showing how great this works. I dream of traveling so this is a great start to make my SUV work for me. With easily accessible storage. Plus measurements & instructions etc. You’re awesome 👏🏼 👏🏼👏🏼
Greetings! Another shout out for this collapsible platform bed design! I got your spec sheets and after spending many brainstorming sessions to sit in the back of my blue 2020 Subaru Forester Limited (named Miss Groverlander, because “around around, over, under, through!”) making my neighbors question my sanity and wonder what I was up to - taking all the measurements. Then, watching your video for the 8 billionth time. I kind of did a mix of both your versions. Made the platform and drawer very similar to your design. My seats collapse differently than yours so I still needed that third short section to make my length the size of a exped mattress that I already own - full 72” long (with the seats forward just a smidge) I used the lip at the back of the main platform to rest the short piece. Made slide out brackets that are cut to the weird bits where the seats fold, and the larger sliding platform piece is farthest front and rests on the the end of the extended brackets. Putting the short section in the middle instead of hinged at the head like your first design. I wanted the larger piece up front to yield the weight of the torso(s). I also have a 2x4 for extra support that stores in the perfect gap between the back of the platform and the in use seats, but lays in the area of the 2” gap somewhere - kind of floats to where the support may be needed? We will see how that executes… I used 1/4” thickness for my drawer bottom and the extra for table toppers, so now I’m at the finishing touches stage!
Very nicely done, and your generosity in sharing the model is really above & beyond. Good karma should be on its way to you assuming of course it didn’t already arrive (this is a year late afterall).
Beautiful. I've built similar things before but not nearly as well thought out. Helpful hint: I'll "lube" all of my rails and runners with a dry bar of oil hand soap like Dove or similar. It's what I use annually on all of my wood furniture and works a treat. I plan to adapt your design to use as a platform for a trifold lounger futon in my '91 Econoline E350 and have drawers half-length both front (for bedding, dishes etc) and rear (for my trike "garage" supplies). This should be just perfect for my needs. Thanks, amigo.
This is awesome! Thanks Matt, my brother in law made this for my 2006 CRV in Australia and looking forward to going on some camping trips up and down the East Coast this Winter!!
Very nice! I like this even better than your first model, this one being more functional. If you put the pocket holes on the inside you wouldn't see them or need to plug them. Foam cuts really easy with a cheap double blade electric knife.
Wow... I have watched so many similar videos (many of which are great), and I'm about to write what many people say in comments, but this truly is amazing! The design quality, simplicity and functionality, low profile (as well as looks) is next level. I imagine you just leave it in the car as it doesn't get in the way at all, which is game changing too, as it's far less hassle than removing it each time and doesn't need to be stored in the house. I actually just watched your original design first, which was so clever also, but this one is perfection. The only thing I might change is raising it a bit overall so I can extend the head rest like your last one as I'm even taller than you. Thanks so much :)
@Dan Neukirch Thanks man! Yep we keep in the car at all times. There's basically zero room in our garage or basement at this point so I kinda had to make it this way haha.
@@MattTheDesigner Haha that sounds like my garage! Honestly I thought yours would be meticulously sorted with clever storage solutions lol! Another cool thing with your camper design is it will work well for putting tools in the drawers and timber / large items above - it's a similar fitout to a carpenter's van for example. Also, I've watched your other vids which are awesome (especially that window storage and shelf for the ipad). Subbed and look forward to your future vids. Cheers!
Exactly what I'm looking for and must be perfect for my old Jeep GC WJ. Thanks a lot for this creative input! I'll try it next week and will tell u. Best regards from Germany
Hi, I think the second version giving a greater height to headlining sounds like a good idea. Not sure I’m going for the wooden draws, might go plastic containers. Or place to stick the battery pack for the inverter for the electric blanket. I have though found 12 v heating pads for under floors so this might be a possibility. I love the idea of a pull out table though from ver 1. Take care M
Brilliant@ that pullout drawer/table could blalso be a kitchen (adding wind/flame shields and a fire intinguisher, of course! .. the drawer could hold pans, gas cook top, utensils, spices, can opener etc., woyh room to spare.
that is so cool - I just got a Honda stream so I'll have to adapt the measurements but I've been trying to find a base design that can just stay in the boot and this is perfect!
I LOVE your videos! So helpful! Great ideas, informative, funny, not over the top, interesting and useful. Thank you! Looking forward to your next video
Genius! Love this simple and affordable design. Thank you so much for sharing. Love your channel! Keep up the great work. Oh, and thanks for the build file.
I did a similar thing to you but I welded up, a small removable frame up to stand in the rear footwell on my XJ Jeep Cherokee. This was my pillow or head position, I also moved the front passenger seat fully forward. I just slept directly on the floor as the Jeep floor is very flat. The platform in the rear well gave me over 6ft.
Which ideas I’ll use will be to pick up some cheap dresser at goodwill to use for lumber to get that beautiful cheesy wood look. Kidding aside, I think you did a great job and made it look easy.
You have so great ideas and then so well realized. Ím looking for two solutions: 1. A single stable bed platform which is possible to level inside a minivan, instead of using wheel levels… 2. A sinkable kitchen chuckbox.. Means, when traveling single or wanting to use only the single bed, the chuckbox is lifted and opens up underneath to more storage. When traveling with two and opening the full bed for the night, the lifted kitchen box is like a teleskop going down, so the bed is on top. Somif course then underneath all stored during the day has to be removed….How to realize this elegantly ?
Using the rear seats to constrain the bed while in motion is cool. Many builds don't seem to account for rear end collisions. I wonder if there's a strong but collapsible routing pattern for plywood sheets, to account for lateral collisions.
This is amazing. I have a 2018 Nissan Kicks that I want to do this with. I road trip regularly with my fiance and we have an inflatable mattress to use, but need a more sturdy and level base to set it up on. This would be perfect for that.
Also… I have a little guy that will be traveling with me but still needs a car seat. So I’m hoping to piddle around and make this functional with one rear seat up or all seats down. Let the games begin.
I like your ideas. I think I'd put access to the hide at the gap on the lower boxes top panel as it is rarely exposed but easily accessed by slightly removing the slide panel. Next time you cut foam use a sharp serrated bread knife it works.
I would like to see something like would double as a couch. The front part of the bed, fold up...or something that would slide back, for more more for other things up front....😊
Looks super cool! Planning to make this asap. I was wondering if you could add the specific size of pocket screws and the total number you would need to the instructions somewhere? I can probably figure this out but thought it would be a nice addition.
Bro, this is another epic design! (Can I buy your old Platfrom?! :) but really…) Also, kudos to the articulation, succinct story telling, animation, drawing and editing. Truly, excellent quality content. Keep at it and viewers will come!
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this V2!!! Thank you Matt! I didn’t want to lose the head room so was about to eliminate the idea of a build all together... but your V1 was 1st choice after so many hours of researching here on RU-vid. Thank you for the cut list and I’m very much looking forward to the design/instructions. Two questions 1. What year is your CRV? 2. Do you think adding some holes (1-2 inches diameter) in the top plate would help decrease a little weight and allow mattress ventilation? Thank you for all the tips and especially for explaining to us how to measure the angle - brilliant!
Thank you Patricia! Here are the directions as they stand so far. I'm sure I missed a thing or two. bit.ly/3IyhBZl 1. It's a 2014. 2. Hypothetically yes but there isn't a ton of support under the platform so I'd be careful not to put too many holes in the plywood as it could break. I do think the legs could use less material and still be pretty strong. Either way experiments are always worth a try if you have the patience and the $$ :)
@@MattTheDesigner Thank you so much for answering ALL my questions (multiple videos) and for doing so, so quickly!!! I have one piece of feedback regarding the V2 Cut List... there are 49" of material required on the 48" width of the 3/4" hardwood ply. Since the "Back of Drawer Frame" on the 3/4" ply is the same length of pieces cut on the 1/2" ply (36.5"), perhaps add the cut to the 1/2" ply? Setting the "Back of Drawer Frame" a 1/4" from the back of edge could fix the problem. The "Top Plate" could just be set flush with "Drawer Bottom" to not throw everything else off (I think, or it may not matter?)? The allen key holes may have to be slightly adjusted 1/4"? I also have a little build challenge (your girlfriend and perhaps yourself would find this beneficial and your experience could enable fabulous feedback) but would like to do that more privately so you could freely respond however you like. If curious and/or up for the challenge, please email me at triciaw@shaw.ca Note: I have already done some research (aka watched a sh*tload of YT Videos) and would provide the best of (or at least for what I have seen) to assist in hopefully simplifying the matter. You may already have a build/solution in progress :) Ok. I'm out and thank you again... for everything!
@@patriciaw7937 I see no reason why you couldn't do that. The pocket hole screws would have slightly less material to bite into but that probably doesn't matter.
@@MattTheDesigner A friend was making a liner for her SUV the day before I watched your video. She was going to use a Stanley knife and I convinced her to try the electric knife. She was quite shocked it did so nicely, with no mess or struggle. I've made many seat cushions, and tried several tools. The electric knife is really the best option.
if there is an accident in the back, it can break the spine in the front seat; if at night you want to get something from below, you have to open the door
Nice presentations ! .. what will I use .. your inspirational enthusiasm !! and versatility of skills !! other than that nothing .. my car is different and my design will be different 🙂.
I’m inspired by so many people on RU-vid but never really make exactly what they do. The sharing and changing and adapting with others is what makes it fun!
Hey! Didn't expect to see someone doing this in a CRV as it's not that big. I recently slept in the back of my CRV when I had to drive a long way to pick up a boat and trailer I had bought (just to be cheap and save the money of a motel room). I parked at a beach and there was toilets nearby and even a coffee van in the morning. What more do you need? Will be doing it again and have been thinking about how to improve the experience. Lots of good tips here. Thanks👍
