1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

make a Prius rear sleeping bed platform for two, step-by-step walk thru

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Accessories and Modifications' started by keithm, Jun 3, 2012.

  1. keithm

    keithm New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 6, 2012
    2
    12
    0
    Location:
    auburn, wa
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Enclosed is a step-by-step walk thru to build a 6 foot 4 inch flat cargo area that would facilitate a 2 person sleep area. The rear cargo area (behind the drivers seat) has a length of about 5 foot 3 inches. The desire would be to extend this length by a foot or so to allow 2x standard backpacking mats side-by-side to accommodate a flat sleep area within the Prius. The goal of the build includes:
    1. Design and fabrication of a sturdy, stable platform.
    2. Can be build with common materials and tools.
    3. The platforms can be stowed (when not in use) within the under-floor hatch, out of sight.
    4. Can be set-up without too much hassle or time.
    5. As a secondary consideration, is adoptable for the 2010 Toyota RAV4 (V6) also. The RAV4 has about the same cargo area of the Prius.

    The annotation describing each figure will occur at the bottom of the picture.
    [​IMG]
    View of prius cargo area with back seat folded down

    [​IMG]
    5 foot 2 inch (flat distance) distance from rear of cargo to folded back seat rest

    [​IMG]
    1 foot 5 inch excess distance for platform. Just need to consider design options that meet the criteria listed above.

    [​IMG]
    Camping mat at 6 foot long 20 inches wide

    [​IMG]
    another compact inflatable backpacking mat

    [​IMG]
    20 inches wide with added pillow sleeve. add clothing between mat and sleeve to make a pillow

    [​IMG]
    mat in cargo area of prius

    [​IMG]
    overhang needing support, about 1 foot
    [​IMG]
    support platform .5 inch laminate oak from Home depot

    [​IMG]
    Mark a 22 inch x 15 inch section

    [​IMG]
    quick fit, will need to mount here

    [​IMG]
    .125 inch thick by 2 inch wide Aluminum strap, from Home Depot

    [​IMG]
    Mark for trim 4 inch length's 3x total parts

    [​IMG]
    Cut with band saw, fine tooth blade


    [​IMG]
    round sharp corners
    [​IMG]
    deburr parts
    [​IMG]
    use this tool to determine mounting fastener grip length

    [​IMG]
    fasteners from Home Depot

    [​IMG]
    diameter of threaded shank at .1845

    [​IMG]
    Drill slightly larger than fastener shank at .186 inch

    [​IMG]
    set-up for drilling holes

    [​IMG]
    drill holes, 2x holes per part, .5 inch from edge of platform

    [​IMG]
    using flush manufactured head fasteners, need countersink in straps

    [​IMG]
    use this piloted countersink tool bit, 100 degree

    [​IMG]
    machined straps completed

    [​IMG]
    close-up of fastener installed

    [​IMG]
    deburr drill exit side

    [​IMG]
    mount straps on platform

    [​IMG]
    quick fit check in prius, A-ok.....

    [​IMG]
    add a 4 inch angle to the middle strap, the extended flange will fit between the rear seatback and the head rest, stabilizing the fore-aft movement of the platform

    [​IMG]
    drill

    [​IMG]
    mount like this

    Now for the front platform attachment, I'll use the passenger headrest as the attach point
    [​IMG]
    strap kit items

    [​IMG]
    100% nylon thread, 3/4 inch buckles and 3/4 inch nylon straps

    [​IMG]
    stitch the part like this, one hard attached female buckle, one threaded female buckle, one adjustable male buckle.

    [​IMG]
    melt the ends of the strap with a soldering iron

    [​IMG]
    like this gives the polished look

    [​IMG]
    hand sew the end of the female buckle to the nylon strap

    [​IMG]
    finished product, repeat 3x more times total

    [​IMG]
    length ~9 inches

    [​IMG]
    strap slots in the platform to thread in the 3/4 nylon strap, use router bit from dremal tool

    [​IMG]
    hard attach the nylon strap at ~18 inches, add male adjustable buckle

    [​IMG]
    finished product, now for mounting

    [​IMG]
    1. Remove the rear shoulder restraints, it's ok they re-attach easy, shift fwd seats all the way fwd and backrest fwd.

    [​IMG]
    2. fold rear seats down

    [​IMG]
    3. Attach the headrest buckles

    [​IMG]
    4. mount the platforms, attach the headrest buckles, adjust front strap length till level

    [​IMG]
    rear view

    [​IMG]
    about 6ft 4 inches of total usable length

    [​IMG]
    add floor and/or rear cargo mats over the joint as an option

    [​IMG]
    backpacking mats inlayed

    [​IMG]
    View from front seat

    [​IMG]
    view from outside

    [​IMG]
    with cargo cover, for some privacy

    [​IMG]
    gap between mat top and cargo cover

    [​IMG]
    inside view

    [​IMG]
    RAV4 rear with seats down

    [​IMG]
    5 ft 4 inches from rear to top of folded rear backrest

    [​IMG]
    platform installed, no modifications to platform by the way, just so happens to fit

    [​IMG]
    view of the angle added to stabilize the fore-aft movement, same as prius

    [​IMG]
    both platforms installed

    [​IMG]
    rear view

    [​IMG]
    mats in RAV4

    [​IMG]
    front side view of mats on platform

    [​IMG]
    view from passenger seat

    [​IMG]
    platform ready to go under cargo storage area of RAV4

    [​IMG]
    fits well in RAV4, no issues

    [​IMG]
    Prius storage, no issues

    My intent is to keep one platform in the Prius and one in the RAV4 for emergency usage and transfer one to the other car for a long distance road trip.
     
  2. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

    Joined:
    Aug 14, 2006
    19,011
    4,080
    50
    Location:
    Grass Valley, CA.
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Sweet! Thanks for the details.

    I am lazy and just used a Coleman Twin-sized air mattress. It is thick enough when blown up that you can simple put your backpacks or other gear in the rear footwells and the mattress will be supported quite well. It works in a pinch but your idea is quite nice and easy to stow.
     
  3. wotcher

    wotcher Member

    Joined:
    Mar 24, 2012
    403
    97
    16
    Location:
    LA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    very nice.
     
  4. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2004
    14,487
    2,994
    0
    Location:
    Fort Lee, NJ
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    Habitent would surely complement it.

     
    beradical and Irakli Kobiashvili like this.
  5. ny_rob

    ny_rob Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 28, 2012
    1,968
    813
    0
    Location:
    L.I.- NY
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Welcome to the Hotel California Prius!
    How much per night? Is HBO included.... :D
     
    priuscatprimeguy likes this.
  6. bielinsk

    bielinsk Gremlin

    Joined:
    May 4, 2012
    505
    115
    0
    Location:
    Anaheim
    Vehicle:
    2013 Chevy Volt
    Model:
    N/A
    I do plan on camping in it later this year and "borrowing" a plug from an RV. The 7" Nav unit will play dvd's if the parking break is on ;)
     
  7. keithm

    keithm New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 6, 2012
    2
    12
    0
    Location:
    auburn, wa
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    II
    That would work for a planned trip. The platform in the thread is now in the cargo under stowage floor. It can be used in a pinch when needed. I also keep the mat and sleeping bag. You never know......
     
  8. elementnomore

    elementnomore Member

    Joined:
    Sep 5, 2013
    136
    44
    0
    Location:
    Los Angeles
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    How has no one complemented you on the amazing motorcycle? KLR650?
     
    Simbaboy likes this.
  9. WilDavis

    WilDavis Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 4, 2014
    2,489
    2,153
    49
    Location:
    Top RH Corner of RH Coast on L side of The Pond
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Impressive! Great project, well documented, thanks for posting! I'd be interested in doing it but I'm only a little short-arsed Brit (5'5") and find plenty of room in either of the front seats of my 2009 Gen II, or in the back with the seats folded down!
     
  10. serval111

    serval111 New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2018
    1
    0
    0
    Location:
    California
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    I would love to see the original post, but I am disappointed because the photos are all red-X'ed out. What does that mean? (I am signed in).
     
  11. Maarten28

    Maarten28 Active Member

    Joined:
    Jul 13, 2014
    414
    222
    1
    Location:
    Netherlands
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    The images are hosted on Photobucket and they changed their site some time ago. I believe you have to get a paid subscription now or they withhold your images.
     
  12. adamdreier

    adamdreier Junior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 11, 2016
    3
    0
    0
    Location:
    Texas
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    @keithm How do you like it now? Does it hold up? Considering starting the build later this week. Thanks.
     
  13. marvingloria2011

    marvingloria2011 Active Member

    Joined:
    Mar 21, 2012
    109
    162
    0
    Location:
    Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    III
    That's a great step by step progression. Thanks for sharing.
     
  14. The Big Sleaze

    Joined:
    Nov 28, 2019
    276
    60
    0
    Location:
    'frisco
    Vehicle:
    2020 Prius
    Model:
    Two Eco
    seems like could ALMOST be "road worthy" within reasonable limits, like up to 65mph, with a few mods like a jack to keep lid open, etc.