Toyota Rav4 - Platform Bed - KEEP THE SEATS 

This was super helpful! I used it as a guide for my own build. For anyone else interested in trying something similar, the dimensions ended up being: Plywood: 42.75 X 31.5, 42.75 X 30, 26 X 16.5 (I did not extend the front panel all the way across behind the driver's seat) 2X4s: The sideways 2X4 supports are 42 inches long. You could even go a little shorter on the rear one to make sure it doesn't rub the sides. The length of the front one isn't nearly as important because the car is wider up there. The two rearmost 2X4 supports are 28.5 inches long. Again, they could be a little shorter. Mine do rub the back door if I don't place them carefully while setting up. I didn't attach the 2X4 to the middle panel. It's very stable just resting on it.

I am truly loving these creative ways to add a bed to a car. It seems like there is a whole another world of travelling out there that I didn't know about until I bought my Kia Soul. Thanks for uploading.

I knew I should've thoroughly searched my recent video queries. I kinda now regret doing so, ..now that I already moved the seats but was probably better off KEEPING the seats installed. I'm banging my head now wondering how I overlooked such a simple configuration such as yours. But I'm glad I came across it anyway. I'm going to go on my first winter and longest test run in a day or two with my current setup (without the rear two seats) but may just in fact reconsider the layout once I reach my destination and remodel it to something just like the way you have it here. I seriously can't believe I haven't thought of something this simple. Lol, thanks for sharing such a terrific idea.

Thank you for taking the time to put this together and share it!

We are doing this to our new RAV4 very soon. Thank you so much for the guidance!

Looks like a great setup for the RAV4. Thanks for sharing!

Super! This helps me to make my decision to buy a RAV 4 I use to drive minivan for the cargo space for camping. But want a AWD so this is the best platform I ever seen. And easy to do and light to remove for a small woman like me. Thank you!

This is legit! Really glad to see a way to retain rear seats!! Thank you for the video finally gonna put my rav4 to good use,

Nice job! Looks stable and versatile. And, you addressed all the biggest challenges of building a platform for this vehicle with NON-flat 2nd row seats. Kudos! RAV camping is the best!

Just bought a used 2011 RAV4 this information will come in handy. Thanks for sharing it.

Very simple DIY project. Awesome job and thank you for sharing it :-)

Duude The Black Angels are awesome!

That was very good! I have a 2011 RAV4 and did not want to remove the seats either. Easy peasy!

mine is 2010 and now I am thinking to do the same. Great job.

That's a brilliant idea! Thank you very much for sharing!

That is quite simply brilliant. I'm looking to buy a secondhand SUV to be used as my every day drive that I can convert to a camper. The Rav4 is very high on my list. This conversion would work brilliantly. Thank you.

Exactly what I was looking. Bravo!

Thanks for the dimensions...will be a time-saver!

Very nice build keeping all seats available to use.

GREAT IDEAS FOR LEAVING SEATS IN... THANKS FOR SHARING....

AWESOME JOB! I am going to copy your project for my Lexus RX300! Tks, for sharing!

Best idea I've seen for the RAV4. Keep the seats!! Thanks!

Leaving the rear seats in was a revelation, as the latches on the back of mine are rusted solid - it was my sister's vehicle, and she never removed them for 15 years. I was about to destroy the seats to get them out, just so I could lay a mattress on the floor like I did in my many Chev Astro and GMC Safari vans. They got around 15-16 mpg, which worked way back when, but not now. Anyway, the 2001 FWD RAV4 has over 222,000 miles and still runs like a top (Castrol Magnatec oil) and looks good doing it - in spite of Wisconsin winter road salt. I have decided that there is adequate headroom with a raised platform, and I guess the storage beneath is worthwhile, since there's not 4 feet between wheel wells like the vans had - I used the space before and after the wheel wells for storage in them. Now that I'm retired and have the time, I might take up fishing - always liked Nature. A small trailer behind for my trusty 1978 XS1100 motorcycle, and I'm adventure bound! I see that you had a net suspended from the ceiling - more storage? Don't think I have need of a closet rod though. I'm still considering privacy curtains on the rear windows, and maybe some kind of a curtain just behind the front seats - open while driving, of course. I'm liking the idea of a PVC pipe frame to support the bed surface - light and easy to construct sub-assemblies for take-down and storage - maybe 1.5 or 2 inch - be nice to find corner fittings like they have for 1/2" PVC. Great video - very helpful! Thank you!

Thanks for this video. Just what I was looking for.

Thank you!! I just bought a 2009 and this is amazing!

Very nice, great execution

Thank you for sharing. Much appreciated.

Cool video just got a 2011 rav4 sport 2 days ago going to attempt my iteration of this tomorrow

I'm thinking of doing this and I love how it separates and you can still leave the parts in the very back and also get to the spare tire area storage as well.

Nice! Ty very much for the tutorial! Very helpful~! :)

Soo helpful! Thank you!

Clever great idea :)

Well done

I would still remove the seats for more storage under the platform, im planning a trip accross canada with my girlfriend and the rav4 is probably going to be what im going to be buying (for the fuel consumption compared to its size ), your design is interesting tough, thanks for sharing

pretty cool!

I'm seriously considering doing something similar to yours but contemplating whether a hinge system is possible where I am able to easily unfold the entire wooden unit and just as easily, inconspicuously, and quickly refold it back to the rear trunk area when not in use for added convenience. I got this hinge idea from Jed's channel, +IntoTheMystery13 wherein he hinged his wooden board together to make them foldable so he is able to reach in for stuff tucked underneath his permanent bed. Now taking notes from your sweet setup as well as his hinge idea, the whole 'Fold N Forget' concept is really appealing.

love it

thanks for the video over all a good video

Hey man...this is simple and elegant! Well done...I am hoping to replicate this on my 02 ravvie. If you happen to live in Vancouver area I'd be super grateful for tips. This is not only my first conversion but also my first car

thank you this is what i want to do!!!

Great video and probably the best video description ever. Are the 2x4 legs glued? Thanks for sharing! I'm going to build something very similar in my 2018 Rav4

I have a rav4 which I am looking to convert into a mini camper. Do you know how much space you lose by not removing the back seats? Also your suports for the back part prevents you from accessing the chubbys underneath which are very useful.

Thanks for the video, how long is the last part of plywood? How long is your bed on the passenger side

Also are the four 2x4 tall enough to access the floor storage under the trunk?

I have a 2018 RAV4 and would like to do something similar. How thick is the plywood? And where did you get the "carpeting" that you used on the top of the plywood? Thank you in advance.

@Expliminal Can you access the storage compartment in the trunk of the Rav4 with this build in? Thanks!

Looks great! Where do you get the folding felt board?

One of the nicer design. Nice that your second row seats folded flat. My 2020 rac4 hybrid doesn't ;(

I am tearing out everything behind the front seats. There is a huge amount of room under the back deck, wheel wells and where the back seats were. I have never used the backs seats for passengers anyway.

how tall was the 2 x 4 that supported the headrest? i assume theres 2 on each side?

Guessing you will need a middle support system in the back so plywood doesn't sway or buckle? Or storage units for support? Or is a thick plywood enough? I do love the look of this for a upcoming road trip!

I gather the head piece front stands on 2x4 legs as well as the rear flange area. Is this correct? It’s not shown, so I’m guessing...

if your seats fold completely down.. just put a foldable excersise, they are very comfy and convenient to fold and use daily.

Very helpful video, what’s the total length of the back (bed length)? And what year is your rav4?

Very nice. They need to start making cars with sleeper sofas.

What is the length from the back of the drivers seat to the rear when then platform is all in place? Also is your driver seat always in your driving position or did you have to push it forward?

Very clever. A couple of questions for clarity: 1 - what does the head piece rest on where it is adjacent to the front seats, ie what keeps it level with the middle section? 2- does the middle section have the same # of 2*4s (for height) as the main section or does it taper down with one less 2*4 or ? Thanks

what supports the head portion of the platform on the front seat side?

Are you able to access your trunk compartment under rear floor?

Wish I saw this before I did my build 😭

What year RAV4 and are the seats needed to be moved forward or can you drive with two people comfortably with that setup. Also how long and wide is it?

What about mosquitoes? Can we install screen nets to keep windows open at night? I have been thinking on ways to do it. Any suggestions?

Have you figured out a way to access the subfloor cargo?

I owned old RAV 4 some years ago.

Please tell me the length of the bed behind the drivers side. I want to know if I will fit.

Could you lay the seats flat and put a inflatable mattress?

Or you could just throw an inflatable bed in there a twin one fits in the back completely with the front seats moved up a bit i've gone camping like this before in my 2006 rav 4

I’m just starting to do this to my 1998 rav4 but I have no where to store back seat so the are folded down but I have to squeeze in the back doors to get in. Idk if my car can get inspected if seats aren’t in. Also any suggestions how I can close the trunk door inside to avoid squeezing in back seat door. I will be making a video about this. My idea is to just use the area as a meditation area. I have a picture on instagram of what I did so far . Lmk know if I’m allowed to say my channels name

Any bed platform that is lighter than wood? To reduce baggage weight for better fuel consumption.

42 3/4 wide and 31 1/2 long? Did I get that correctly?!

Are the 2x4s bolted to the floor?

bed length, thanks?

What did you use at the actual bed?

I don’t understand what is holding the two by fours in an upright position

how tall are you

Can I apply it on a 2004 rav4?

Bro may I have the 2/4 in cm? sorry but here we don't really know that :) . Love the concept I would do on my rav4 too. Keeping the back seat is the way to go.

he finishes cleaning at 3:05

hi i don’t know you but let’s grab a coffee

you sure are cute

Please lose the music

Take out the seats............

Not bad for not being a Carpenter.