Cheap Sleep Solution (1 Viewer)

YellowLab · 2026-10-07T20:49:55-0500

Like many on the threads - lots of debate going around about sleeping platforms and what is best, which ones are warping, etc. My goal was I wanted something fully removable quickly. So, while I'm shopping what to buy, let me be the first to introduce the newest edition called simply 'Mr. Plywood.' It's that mysterious wood that no one quite knows thats in it - just like a hot dog at the ball park.

Integrating Mr Plywood with a 1/2 height tote from Amazon - everything is perfectly flat and easy to leave behind or on the side of the road if needed. It even has aerospace inspired 'Kentucky Chrome' trim should you want to impress your wife or dog. At about $20 cut from the local hardware store - I can toss my Thermarest on top and boom - ready to go. Its 72" x 24" comes with a free loaf of cheese and miracle whip.

Emergencymed · 2026-10-07T20:56:16-0500

YL - That’s a cool low budget idea!! Love it!

and after the trip it’s back on the side of the garage, keeping the rig versatile..

YellowLab · 2026-10-07T21:04:58-0500

Emergencymed said:
YL - That’s a cool low budget idea!! Love it! and after the trip it’s back on the side of the garage, keeping the rig versatile..

Any for only a few pennies you have the duct tape trim option for an 'upscale' finish

Shaved Ice · 2026-10-07T21:21:49-0500

It looks like you could have went a little wider. Think you could have went 26”, or maybe more, without hitting the other seat? Maybe have to use thicker plywood, though, as it wouldn’t be as well supported. That would cost more…so never mind

Emergencymed · 2026-10-07T21:35:33-0500

Important aspect to factor in is number of uses over the lifetime of a purchase (flashback to our discussion of the “cool box” - $300 sodas).

Truth be told if you deploy a sleeping platform out in the wilderness once every few years .. it makes zero sense to invest in a $6000 drawer / sleeping set up or a RTT for that matter. As with the new home build Jacuzzi tub or the cool box - it may amount to $$$$$ (thousands of dollars per use).

I think

despite its threadbare look the idea is solid!! And actually if you buy black hexclad birch plywood … $200 a piece - and band the finished edges you could actually make something decent looking at a very low cost.

https://ultralightply.com/products/ultrahex-plywood?srsltid=AU7gw4UkkqsNcstAgmLVW561tAp37KAFjMRVt01_yMdciXJRs8tkPFl-&_su_rec=O5Nr2Zhq1q4BNOMaC1GDt5tpRskhAChDXrhWWEqpuGNJVL_K62VfTYxsEYSahdTDBj9k2zXz_XgT-i-BI54T_jA90wjNB6zmhoFxtJ8XcYafikjXvVIvgaMZItunFGhFaM9KG28nIHxeRvFD2VKs9wi1y4qPKYEymOWMxNi9oVK2vTq6emZ-z7vAT57WO8njxOSdKlofdbOEVJzIHAW1V-eAwQybiLqFKkVzOvd4jTAGbv_2y6cwFUNBf7IuiHHJVm5Q3ahhy5bUtiGqQTUFJKMsDFU6sTh7ZQH-_FhS3wQMBvVu18vyXvesMarpFmeC132UAQcsWYRAN9Da86w&_su_rec_id=82c4dbcc-8c44-4f6c-8525-c1f95f3ab1e3-1791426882

YellowLab · 2026-10-07T21:37:12-0500

Shaved Ice said:
It looks like you could have went a little wider. Think you could have went 26”, or maybe more, without hitting the other seat? Maybe have to use thicker plywood, though, as it wouldn’t be as well supported. That would cost more…so never mind

My thermarest Mondoking is 22” wide so I only need this. It I want to add a second the Plywood Is 48” wide so you get 2 Mr Plywoods from 1 sheet.

YellowLab · 2026-10-07T21:43:41-0500

Emergencymed said:
Important aspect to factor in is number of uses over the lifetime of a purchase (flashback to our discussion of the “cool box” - $300 sodas).

Truth be told if you deploy a sleeping platform out in the wilderness once every few years .. it makes zero sense to invest in a $6000 drawer / sleeping set up or a RTT for that matter. As with the new home build Jacuzzi tub or the cool box - it may amount to $$$$$ (thousands of dollars per use).

I think despite its threadbare look the idea is solid!! And actually if you buy black hexclad birch plywood … $200 a piece - and band the finished edges you could actually make something decent looking at a very low cost.

https://ultralightply.com/products/ultrahex-plywood?srsltid=AU7gw4UkkqsNcstAgmLVW561tAp37KAFjMRVt01_yMdciXJRs8tkPFl-&_su_rec=O5Nr2Zhq1q4BNOMaC1GDt5tpRskhAChDXrhWWEqpuGNJVL_K62VfTYxsEYSahdTDBj9k2zXz_XgT-i-BI54T_jA90wjNB6zmhoFxtJ8XcYafikjXvVIvgaMZItunFGhFaM9KG28nIHxeRvFD2VKs9wi1y4qPKYEymOWMxNi9oVK2vTq6emZ-z7vAT57WO8njxOSdKlofdbOEVJzIHAW1V-eAwQybiLqFKkVzOvd4jTAGbv_2y6cwFUNBf7IuiHHJVm5Q3ahhy5bUtiGqQTUFJKMsDFU6sTh7ZQH-_FhS3wQMBvVu18vyXvesMarpFmeC132UAQcsWYRAN9Da86w&_su_rec_id=82c4dbcc-8c44-4f6c-8525-c1f95f3ab1e3-1791426882

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That looks very slick. I might try to coat mine with the material used for pick-up truck beds. or add a rubber matting. The challenge is not to kill the simplicity of a light weight piece of wood.