Tahoe Mods: Sleep Platform (Designed by SATAS Co)

 

Well, I am back with a project update. The sleep platform in the Tahoe is working well. Now is the time to share with you what I have been tinkering with. This blog post will be followed shortly by a post detailing the rear console project (https://mtnmanblog.blogspot.com/2021/07/tahoe-mods-rear-console-project.html).

After last summer's campout near Isola Peak (https://mtnmanblog.blogspot.com/2020/08/isola-peak-kananaskis-country-alberta.html), I found it necessary to modify the back to enable sleeping in the Tahoe, as a more permanent option. So, the 60 of the 60/40 split rear seat was unbolted and put into storage. This added storage space under the sleep platform and reduce a bit of weight.

Next, the area was measured and the plans were drawn up. 

Sleep Platform Plan

Now, I was planning from the beginning to make the back of the Tahoe a sleep area and an office area. So, these plans for the sleeping platform captured the available space and some design ideas. However, all plans are open to modification as information becomes available. In this case, once at the lumber shop it became obvious that a quarter sheet of 3/4" plywood made the most sense for the available space and my limited build budget. So, no fancy radius to cut on a 30" strip of plywood; this would be a straight 24" wide sleep platform from front to back. Easy. Simple. Clean. 

The first challenge was to keep the platform level with the existing cargo organizer in the back (https://mtnmanblog.blogspot.com/2012/04/building-cargo-organizer-for-my-vehicle.html). This was achieved with the use of sturdy hinges bolted to the cargo deck and sleep platform. 

Close Up of the Hinges

Next was how to join the vertical support with the sleep platform. As you may notice in the plan, the thought at that time was to use either another set of hinges or a metal support bracket. In the end, I went with a simple tongue and slot system. This allowed the platform to fold up and out of the way when in transit. 

Slot and Tongue Joint

Now that I have built the platform, if I were to build this again...I would move the slots closer to the driver's seat. The current placement of the vertical support is just in the way of storing my cooler under the platform. If that vertical support was just a few inches to the left...

I tested the sleep platform out earlier this year with just the closed cell camping pads on top of the plywood. It provided plenty of firm support, but no give for comfort. This motivated me to build a open cell foam pad from some scraps of foam and putting them in a fabric cover. Thankfully, I still had some MARPAT Arid camo fabric kicking around.

Soft Sleep Pad

The sleep pad cover had hook & loop flaps at each end, so the cover can be washed from time-to-time.

Close Up

With the addition of the "soft" foam, the sleep platform is now more comfortable to sleep on. Here are a couple of shots with the travel pillows and sleeping bag in place.

Sleep Pad and Pillows

Ready To Use

That's about it for now on the sleep platform. The Tahoe is getting ready for more camping trips. In case you missed some of the previous projects I will add the links below:

Tablet mount: https://mtnmanblog.blogspot.com/2021/05/improving-amazon-basic-vehicle-tablet.html

Ratchet set tool roll: https://mtnmanblog.blogspot.com/2021/05/tool-roll-designed-by-satas-co-for.html

Air pump tote: https://mtnmanblog.blogspot.com/2021/05/viair-88p-12v-portable-air-compressor.html

Until next time...build what you need!! Then, go camping and use it!!

Mountainman.