🛠️ Member Build Overtrail Upgrades (5 Viewers)

[Bluegill]

I wanted a cleaner look, but I probably should have gone with kickouts just to provide a bigger step for the back door (I have 2 boys aged 7 and 11 that ride in the back seats). I could also use a bigger step for me because I step on the slider right there where a kickout would be and then I grab the 2 roof rack grab-handles and I use my other foot to step up on the rear tire to strap stuff down to the roof rack. Then getting down is the reverse order and I could use a bigger landing step when I'm stepping down. I'm up there frequently (I have 2 ladders up there right now that I have to unstrap) and I regret not getting kickouts every time.

The kickout saving me from a rock or tree is never on my mind.

 

[Bluegill]

 

[YellowLab]

View attachment 21261

Bill - who makes that awning - looks great!

 

[Norigreenthing]

I wanted a cleaner look, but I probably should have gone with kickouts just to provide a bigger step for the back door (I have 2 boys aged 7 and 11 that ride in the back seats). I could also use a bigger step for me because I step on the slider right there where a kickout would be and then I grab the 2 roof rack grab-handles and I use my other foot to step up on the rear tire to strap stuff down to the roof rack. Then getting down is the reverse order and I could use a bigger landing step when I'm stepping down. I'm up there frequently (I have 2 ladders up there right now that I have to unstrap) and I regret not getting kickouts every time.

The kickout saving me from a rock or tree is never on my mind.

Thanks for your opinion on the kickouts. I didn’t realize how useful they are as a step. I will go with the kickouts when I buy them.

 

[Bluegill]

Bill - who makes that awning - looks great!

Everything you need to know is already on page 7 of this thread. Don't you have this all memorized yet?

Member Build - Overtrail Upgrades

 

[YellowLab]

Heck I’ve been retired for 7 months now - I’m not even sure what day of the week it is let alone keep up with all your goodies

 

[Atomic Storm]

Hey Bluegill, do you have any additional comments on the audio quality after installing the Beatsonic amp? What other audio upgrades would you consider doing to improve the stock sound system (without going full aftermarket build)? Thanks

 

[Bluegill]

The Beatsonic made a huge difference. You can actually hear and feel the music cruising down the highway at 80 with the volume at about 22 or 24.

I still want to have speakers in the upper parts of the rear doors. The speakers by the floor on the rear doors are useless when you're loaded up for camping. I put my recovery bag on the floor behind the passenger seat and my main tool bag on the floor behind the driver's seat, then I load stuff like boots, blankets, jackets, and misc crap on top of them both. The footwells are therefore fully stuffed and the rear speakers are only good for some bass vibrations.

Forward-facing speakers up high on the D-pillars would be useful too. I rarely have stuff loaded up that high in the rear - I try to keep a sight line from the rear window to the rear view mirror.

 

[Bluegill]

Update on the BamBed.

As a sleeping platform, it is still great. I've also come to really like the storage space underneath.

However, on the quality/durability aspect, it is a total failure. The boards have warped and now it's a major pain in the ass. I've been very careful to keep the boards dry. I store the whole kit in the original cardboard box in my garage and the kit is either in the box or in the truck. My cooler and 7-gallon water jug have dripped a bit of water on the boards, but I doubt it's ever even penetrated the carpet tiles I've installed on top. In other words, the boards have not been wet.

The two top deck boards now clickety-clack back & forth as they rock around on the support pieces. With a lot of weight on top (over 100 lbs) I thought the boards would no longer rock but the clickety-clacking just gets louder as things shift around back there. The whole kit is now all loose and things really shift around on top. Out of the box brand new it was nice & tight.

Bambed's advice to me was "try securing it with cam buckle straps to restrict movement. Or for a more permanent solution you could screw the platform together using some L-brackets."

I don't want this kit permanently in the back of my truck, so screwing it together is not going to happen. Also, you can't recline the back seats with the kit installed. I have the back seats canted back a bit for my kids (straight upright is ridiculous).

I used some cam straps on this last work/camp trip a couple days ago and it definitely helped. It also definitely sucks to have extra steps to make this $500 kit work properly. I had a huge extension ladder and 10-foot lengths of PVC pipe up on the roof and as I was lashing it all down I was looking for my 2 cam straps and I thought I was going crazy...then I remembered they were dedicated to the Bambed.

All in all, my praise for the Bambed has been knocked down a few grades. I'd make my own with some Home Depot supplies, a circular saw, and a router before I'd drop $500. In fact, I am going to have to make my own.

 

[Earth]

Update on the BamBed.

As a sleeping platform, it is still great. I've also come to really like the storage space underneath.

However, on the quality/durability aspect, it is a total failure. The boards have warped and now it's a major pain in the ass. I've been very careful to keep the boards dry. I store the whole kit in the original cardboard box in my garage and the kit is either in the box or in the truck. My cooler and 7-gallon water jug have dripped a bit of water on the boards, but I doubt it's ever even penetrated the carpet tiles I've installed on top. In other words, the boards have not been wet.

The two top deck boards now clickety-clack back & forth as they rock around on the support pieces. With a lot of weight on top (over 100 lbs) I thought the boards would no longer rock but the clickety-clacking just gets louder as things shift around back there. The whole kit is now all loose and things really shift around on top. Out of the box brand new it was nice & tight.

Bambed's advice to me was "try securing it with cam buckle straps to restrict movement. Or for a more permanent solution you could screw the platform together using some L-brackets."

I don't want this kit permanently in the back of my truck, so screwing it together is not going to happen. Also, you can't recline the back seats with the kit installed. I have the back seats canted back a bit for my kids (straight upright is ridiculous).

I used some cam straps on this last work/camp trip a couple days ago and it definitely helped. It also definitely sucks to have extra steps to make this $500 kit work properly. I had a huge extension ladder and 10-foot lengths of PVC pipe up on the roof and as I was lashing it all down I was looking for my 2 cam straps and I thought I was going crazy...then I remembered they were dedicated to the Bambed.

All in all, my praise for the Bambed has been knocked down a few grades. I'd make my own with some Home Depot supplies, a circular saw, and a router before I'd drop $500. In fact, I am going to have to make my own.

View attachment 21400View attachment 21401

That's disappointing. I'm surprised they didn't even offer a replacement either free or highly discounted price. Bad customer service.

 

[YellowLab]

That's disappointing. I'm surprised they didn't even offer a replacement either free or highly discounted price. Bad customer service.

Exactly - look at how many people view the likes and dislikes of products on this forum.

 

[YellowLab]

Update on the BamBed.

As a sleeping platform, it is still great. I've also come to really like the storage space underneath.

However, on the quality/durability aspect, it is a total failure. The boards have warped and now it's a major pain in the ass. I've been very careful to keep the boards dry. I store the whole kit in the original cardboard box in my garage and the kit is either in the box or in the truck. My cooler and 7-gallon water jug have dripped a bit of water on the boards, but I doubt it's ever even penetrated the carpet tiles I've installed on top. In other words, the boards have not been wet.

The two top deck boards now clickety-clack back & forth as they rock around on the support pieces. With a lot of weight on top (over 100 lbs) I thought the boards would no longer rock but the clickety-clacking just gets louder as things shift around back there. The whole kit is now all loose and things really shift around on top. Out of the box brand new it was nice & tight.

Bambed's advice to me was "try securing it with cam buckle straps to restrict movement. Or for a more permanent solution you could screw the platform together using some L-brackets."

I don't want this kit permanently in the back of my truck, so screwing it together is not going to happen. Also, you can't recline the back seats with the kit installed. I have the back seats canted back a bit for my kids (straight upright is ridiculous).

I used some cam straps on this last work/camp trip a couple days ago and it definitely helped. It also definitely sucks to have extra steps to make this $500 kit work properly. I had a huge extension ladder and 10-foot lengths of PVC pipe up on the roof and as I was lashing it all down I was looking for my 2 cam straps and I thought I was going crazy...then I remembered they were dedicated to the Bambed.

All in all, my praise for the Bambed has been knocked down a few grades. I'd make my own with some Home Depot supplies, a circular saw, and a router before I'd drop $500. In fact, I am going to have to make my own.

View attachment 21400View attachment 21401

That is really crappy that the MFR will not take care of this - it's not like AZ is high humidity like Houston....

 

[Bluegill]

I haven't exactly asked them to take care of it. I wanted to see if they offered. Not going to kill me to figure it out myself. Just letting everyone know the status.

 

[YellowLab]

I haven't exactly asked them to take care of it. I wanted to see if they offered. Not going to kill me to figure it out myself. Just letting everyone know the status.

Ok - makes sense; surprised warranty would not cover. Would bet you could use the bed for a pattern and make out of marine plywood that would solve the warping issue.

 

[Bluegill]

Looking into hollow cell aluminum or wood panels, HPDE sheets, etc. Want to get something basically indestructible. May also just say F it and go with a drawer system.

 

[Bic Jet]

Keep me psoted on your thoughts for the drawer systems you are considering. I have been kicking around Trekboxx and Goosegear. Waiting for David at Trekboxx to get to the final delivery package.

 

[Bluegill]

I have never heard of Trekboxx, will have to check them out.

I was originally opposed to a drawer system because I didn't want that in my cargo area all the time, mainly because of the elevated load height. But I have come to appreciate the extra storage convenience of having a shelf space (or drawer) under a platform.

 

[Bluegill]

That Trekboxx looks very nice, what do they have for the GX without the silly battery crap?

 

[Bic Jet]

I have an email out to David (owner), I had this system in my Land Cruiser and it was great. I am pretty sure he is already working on a GX version, I’ll get an update tomorrow and let you know what I find out.

 

[Bic Jet]

Actually, response is below:

Hi John,
Great to hear from you. I do have it on the list but haven't had time to get one in the shop yet. I'm sure it would be a pretty fast design as the 250 system should be very close. If you know of anyone in the Michigan area that wants to be a guinea pig let me know!