SUV Camping Bed Build Out

For my main project, I want to make a car camping build out bed for my Honda Pilot. I hope to use this project on a road trip this summer, allowing me to me enjoy the flexibility of sleeping just about anywhere without having to set up a tent. Functionally I want the bet to be able to fold in half to accommodate the middle seats of my car when not in use. This way I can keep the bed in my car at all times. As I do not have a great place to store it when I am not camping. Additionally, I want to give the project a cozy plaid cabin aesthetic through the way I round the wood and layer cozy blankets, making the bed feel inviting and comfortable on cool nights. 

Cozy Cabin

The primary goal of this project is to create a versatile, comfortable, and visually appealing car camping bed for my car. Since I intend to use the bed on long road trips and weekend getaways, I want to ensure that it meets the following key criteria: The first and most obvious is that it needs to cover the back two rows of seats so I can lie down fully. Next, I want the bed to be foldable so that I can fold the middle seats of my car down when I need to sleep, and fold them back up for normal driving when not camping. Third, I want to meet my cabin aesthetic, as a square particle board buildout looks really bad. The bed will incorporate visual elements like a natural wood finish, soft blankets, and warm tones to create a comfortable environment that’s both functional and visually appealing. Lastly the bed should have storage underneath. Ideally I should be able to fit most of my camping gear underneath the rear non-folding portion, and anything else I want to store when I am not camping.

The interactive feature of this project will be the foldable design of the bed, and a slide out drawer for a propane stove. To achieve the retractable bed, I do not actually want it to fold. Instead I essentially want to remove the front portion and slide it to lay flat on top of the rear portion. Originally I had wanted to put a piano hinge in the middle, and while I still possibly could, I realized that the protrusion of the hinge would be annoying both when the bed is extended and retracted. As it would threaten to pop the air mattress when the bed is extended, and it would also cause the platforms to not lay flat against each other when folded. I also believe that literally folding it would limit the length of the front board as it has to be shorter than the height of the car. In order to have this front portion slide back I plan to make removable legs by simply pinning them in place with a loose fitting bolt.

Fold Away Portion Design Sketch

For the rear portion I would like to have a tall enough platform that I can store a good amount of things underneath. I also want to add a slide out platform for my propane stove, as I have found in the past that it is annoying having to bring a table with you camping. For this slide out portion I plan to essentially just have a board with drawer slides on either side.

Rear Sliding Platform and Storage

In order to fit the cabin aesthetic I want to put time into finishing the wood to some capacity. I want the wood to be well sanded so that it has a finished look and I want to use a router on the edges of the platform. If the wood I end up purchasing is too pale I would also like to stain the platform.

Cabincore Aesthetic

To further enhance the cozy vibe, I plan to add small touches like LED string lights or a cozy plaid blanket. I am also able to laser engrave some trees or other designs into the parts small enough to fit in the campus laser cutters. These touches will create a warm, comforting atmosphere and enhance the feeling of being in a cozy cabin.

Instagram Cabinlife

To bring this project to life, I will need the following materials :

Materials:

• 23/32″ x 4′ x8′ -plywood sheet (for the bed platform) [$40]
• 2x4s (for the supporting frame and foldable supports) [$5]
• Threadless Bolts (pins for front platform) [$10]
• Drawer slides (for the cooking platform) [$40]
• Wood screws [owned]
• Wood stain (for finishing the plywood)
• Blankets (optional, flannel blankets for the cozy aesthetic)
• LED string lights (optional, for additional cozy lighting) [owned]

In conclusion, this project will result in a foldable, comfortable car camping bed that not only meets my practical needs but also brings a cozy, cabincore-inspired aesthetic into my car for the perfect camping experience. The bed will be easy to fold, include storage beneath it, and should be easy to assemble, giving me the flexibility to use my car for both everyday activities and road trip camping. By incorporating simple yet effective design elements, I’ll be able to enjoy a restful and enjoyable camping experience while on the road this summer, all while keeping within a reasonable budget of about 100 dollars. I’m excited to begin this project and see how it evolves as I work through the design, construction, and finishing stages.

Sources

Aston, D. w/ C. (2023, May 22). The Cozy Cabincore design trend perfect for a mountain retreat. DESIGNED. https://carlaaston.com/designed/cozy-cabincore-design-trend-perfect-for-mountain-retreat

Heather Clawson. (n.d.).  . Habitually Chic Cozy Cabin Comments. https://www.habituallychic.luxury/2009/12/cozy-cabin/

Sleepingo, Maxyoyo, & Tekamon. (n.d.). Honda Element Camper Conversion – travels and curiosities: Curious travel destinations and hidden gems. Travels and Curiosities. https://www.travelsandcuriosities.com/honda-element-camper-conversion