Do you need the back row seats? Removing them gets you 4” of headspace
Car Camping Solution
- Thread starter Marinna
- Start date
Yes. The camping solution would be a three or four times a year thing for me. If I were constantly running down to Baja, I’d do the wood solution from the company in San Diego. Looks like a pretty solid solution, but for the amount of times I’d actually use it, doesn’t make sense for me.
- Moderator
- #83
My issue was, I could definingly feel the transition from the mattress to the hard back of the folded seat, too uncomfortable for my taste. I fabricated a 4" platform out of extruded alum and laid up a carbon fiber deck, the new mattress touches the back of the front seat and the closed rear hatch, so fills up the entire available length. I notice a very slight incline at the head, but very comfortable now.
Total cost somewhere around $250-300 bucks
This is great and I really like how you've put the OEM mat over the top and can leave the cubbies open for easy access! It makes it look totally integrated. Any chance you drew up any plans/measurements to share? Curious what shape the supports are under the platform.
That sounds like an exceptional solution. Pretty light and easy to move in and out when it’s not used? That’s really the only thing that would prevent me from doing the wood version from the San Diego company, that one seems like a great solution if I were using it every month, but that’s really not my intention
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- #86
It weighs less than 15 lbs. I made some anchor points, utilizing the factory hybrid battery hold down bolts, and fasten it down with some "lashing straps" I got off amazon. It takes less than 3 min to release the straps and remove the bed. When the bed's not installed, the front two straps are completely hidden by the rear seats and the rear two can be dropped into the rear storage tray. The only visible evidence are the two slots I cut into the cargo mat....... I can live with that! My EcoFlow fridge slider is mounted the same way but weighs twice as much, due to the full extension sliders and 1/8" alum deck. Additional details are on my build page.....
The larger section is 46”x21” and smaller section between the cup holders is 44”x21”. Then I did corner cuts to match the mat and make the larger section neatly line up with the small section. I will have to measure the bottom supports….but they are 42” long with an angled cut for accessing the full storage box.
The height is personal preference, but I made it so the top panels are level with the very back of the seat bump.
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I bought the Hele Outdoors single platform $399 I believe. Not cheap, but I think a very good value. Easy, fast setup/takedown, and quality built. Flat, hard platform, easy access storage beneath, can be used on many vehicles (if you sell your LC) and way less expensive than many model-fit platforms. I use my LC as a daily driver and take others with me so I wanted a packable quick platform. Search hele outdoors on YouTube for good videos or Google them. I like it!
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Very cool! I’ve been watching all the videos on YouTube & this one looks the best. How is the headroom when you are laying down? Do you have to use the stuby legs due to the battery? The mat adds an additional $100 to the price, did you find a better/cheaper alternative?
Good question. The headroom is tight. And thanks for the question about the “stubby” legs, it reminded me that I want to order those to gain an extra 3-4” of headroom. Just four stubbies, you’d still want the included long ones to go between the folded 2nd row and the front seat. The headroom bit of a trade off with this system, but in return it is very stable, easy setup, takedown and pack up (very easy to fit everything back in the carry case) and much more affordable than most, if not any, other systems I have seen other than DIY jobs.
I did not buy their sleeping pad because I already had a 4” inflatable, though I think the one they sell has a good reputation.
I will also add that it’s a small company, which in my view is nice to support. The founder (owner?), Murray, included a handwritten thank you note in the shipment. Sent him a few pics so he could see how it fit in the LC and we exchanged a few emails. I Iike supporting small businesses that deliver high quality products or services and step up with personal touches as appropriate.
This is not for my use because I “always” go with family of 4
However, I would say this is very cool and most innovative design I know!
If I do “self car camping”, definitely, this is the one I like…reasonable price for well-thought design/function. Thump up
Simplest solution Ive found so far is one of these light weight cots. They can be setup without the legs and the height is perfect to level out the folded rear seat. Just needed to take out the head rest. Throw a sleeping pad on top and you’re all set.
credit to @stephandjess for the inspiration.
credit to @stephandjess for the inspiration.
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So do the front legs touch anything? How is the front supported when the seat headrest is removed? Can you post more pics of this area? I’m really interested in this solution. It’s a lot cheaper than the $500 option that I was looking at. Thank you!
No the front legs don’t touch anything but I keep them on to maintain tension for the cot. Ultimately the side rails rest on the back of the folded seat. I’m a pretty light dude and figure the other 2 sets of legs distribute enough of the weight for me to not worry too much about putting some on the folded seat. For $60 it’s worth a shot.
Because I spent all of my pennies purchasing my new 2025 LC, I had to go with a cheap option from Amazon for camping in my suv. These are plastic pallet pieces that snap together and stack for storage. $69 for (4) 19.7x11.8x3.9in. I have a piece of memory foam that goes on top to fill in any gaps. It also helps with loading to have a somewhat flat surface. Bambed makes a leveler that I will buy some day but for now, this works.
KC & Dusty
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Have you tested out this cot yet? Work out for you? Positives or negatives with it, do you recommend it? Thanks
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Small update on the Hele Box Solo:This is not for my use because I “always” go with family of 4
However, I would say this is very cool and most innovative design I know!
If I do “self car camping”, definitely, this is the one I like…reasonable price for well-thought design/function. Thump up
I swapped the middle rear leg posts for the “stubbiest” for $49. Pic follows. FWIW, clearance between the surface of the platform and the interior cabin ceiling is now 27” which felt comfortable to me. I’ll probably lose inch or so when I add on my inflatable mattress. There still about 7” of storage space under the platform for the area between the folded seat back and the rear cargo door, a handy area.
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I'm using all 4. They measure 19.7" x 11.8" x 3.9".
The pallets work perfectly! I like the way they lock together. Thanks for the great idea!
