🛠️ Member Build New portable Overtrail sleeping platform - cannot stop raving. (1 Viewer)

[1mikezat1]

Hi! I just got back from my Labor Day trip and can’t stop raving about the modular sleeping platform I picked up from BamBeds.
My criteria were:

1. Nothing permanent – I’m leasing the SUV.
2. Easy to assemble and remove – I need my back seats in daily drive.
3. Installation on arrival – I haul a lot of camping gear and don’t want to stash it above or below the bed. To make that work, I simply drove with the boards leaned against my back seats—they took up no space at all.

I went with this platform, and it worked perfectly for me: BamBeds

Note: this setup is for the Overtrail trim. The platform’s front legs are designed to accommodate the “dip” in the floor by the back seats.

Solo assembly took just one minute - it was super quick and simple.
No straps are required, but I experimented with them in case I ever want to drive with the platform installed while hauling my snowmobile. The built-in handle openings worked perfectly for this, as you can see in the last picture.

 

[YellowLab]

That's a slick looking platform - looks like you still have some storage too. Does it fold 'flat' to allow for more storage while driving? I'm over in North Ranch - interesting to see someone else in town with an OT - most of what I've seen is the Luxury models around town.

 

[1mikezat1]

you can take both top pieces out and you have to legs, so yes, there are 4 pieces - 2 tops and 2 legs. Navigate to the website. There are more pics and a video.

 

[jclaffee]

Nice! That looks much less fiddly than my Hele Box platform.

Hard to tell from your pics or the website, but is the whole surface truly flat? I don't think the backs of my 2nd row seats ever get truly horizontal - pretty sure they angle up toward the front seats?

 

[1mikezat1]

I looked at the Hele Box platform prior - I'd needed a shortening kit for Overtrail. Plus BamBeds holds 2 people. With Hele I'd have to get the wider and more expensive version.

 

[Bluegill]

Nice! That looks much less fiddly than my Hele Box platform.

Exactly what I was going to say......

 

[Bluegill]

That's actually pretty damn clever, very simple. Would be easy to make if you have the proper tools.

 

[Bluegill]

Just ordered one. They tell you right there on their web page to use the code GX550LAUNCH at the time of purchase to save $50. Then if you submit a review with photos, you get a $50 rebate. So it will end up costing $450 total with free shipping. Not bad at all! Thanks for the suggestion, 1mikezat1!

 

[jclaffee]

Fellow Hele Box owner - ordered a BamBed on Friday :-(

 

[Bluegill]

Anyone want a Hele Box cheap? LOL

 

[Incognito 550]

I was interested in something like Hele box too. Bluegill and J Clafee please share your feedback on whether you like the Bam Bed or Helebox for a comfortable sleep since you will have experienced both. In the photo, the bam bed does not look totally flat.

 

[Bluegill]

The rear seats flatten further down once your weight is on them, so although it looks like they are angled up several inches, they will push down a quite a bit.

 

[Incognito 550]

Thanks Bluegill for the quick reply. I didn’t think about the weight factor. I think I’m gonna get a bam bed too.

 

[Bluegill]

Sold me Hele Box Duo! Took a $275 hit.

 

[mlinkibikr]

That looks simple and effective - brilliant!

 

[Bruce]

Looks like an effective and easily removed sleeping solution. I recommend storing the tire tools somewhere other than under the back floor, so you don’t have to unpack gear and remove the bed if you get a flat tire. Speaking from experience! Now I have KO3’s in load range E.

 

[jclaffee]

Yeah, I think I like this. Fits well, seems pretty sturdy, came very well packaged. Can easily go from flat to set up in about a minute (or less) and creates an extra layer of storage space that's about 8 in. tall so tool roll, go bag, camping chair, food bag and Jetboil stuff, fishing gear and vest can all fit under there. My initial thought is that it'll stay mounted back there unless I have a specific need to remove it in which case it'll be out in 20 seconds.. Which means I'm sleep ready most of the time.

 

[Bluegill]

LOL, my platform arrived today too. Just did a quick write-up in my build thread. Did you spring for the bamboo version? Mine is birch and it's white compared to yours. This platform is great.

 

[jclaffee]

LOL, my platform arrived today too. Just did a quick write-up in my build thread. Did you spring for the bamboo version? Mine is birch and it's white compared to yours. This platform is great.

View attachment 15254

I did spring for the bamboo version. It definitely has some sort of finish on it, seems oil based. In hindsight, the birch makes more sense. A buddy is giving me a 48 x 48 piece of 1/8 rubber mat that I will put on top before I strap it down, partly to protect it but mostly to keep shit from sliding around. I'm borderline OCD about things sliding around or rattling in my vehicles.

This seems like a nice solution for the lack of the factory thinking about how people use these vehicles, and not simply giving those of us without a hybrid battery a flat floor.

 

[1mikezat1]

Off topic but what do you both have for the rear seat covers? Do your covers expand all the way to the floor?