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Updated 4/28 with installed photos and review:
Ok the day I’ve been waiting for. Here’s what I think ….
Quality: 9/10. Nothing is perfect and the only thing I would want and could see improving on is sealing the wood with sealant to waterproof it and make it smoother but that’s just me. The boards themselves are nice and straight and the material as best I can tell is great.
Assembly: 9.5/10. It’s a VERY tight fit. I needed a rubber mallet to smash it in. Now personally I can’t stand rattling and I don’t want a board, in the hopefully never event that I get into a crash, becoming a guillotine so I’m kinda glad the fit is so tight. However it is a slight pain so not a perfect 10. Other than that you can’t ask for an easier assembly. I really love simple effective design and engineering.
Usability: ??/10. Can’t say yet too early. BIG WARNING though: There is a gap. This is stated on the store page and in my OP. What I didn’t realize was the gap is vertical not horizontal like I had assumed. You can see it in the pic. It’s about 1”. What this does though is allow use of the seats normally otherwise the seats would likely not be able to recline at all.
With a thick enough mattress I bet you wouldn’t feel it. I have a 4” thick trifold I need to test and will report back. I have also seen a hack online where someone took one of the closed cell foam folding camping pads and bridged the gap on a similar product.
So far I’m happy but I’m easy to please. This fits my needs so far and for the price I think it’s worth it if you’re like me and don’t have the tools or patience to make it yourself.
Moderator update -- added photos of BamBed platform in Hybrid 4Runner with raised cargo floor (credit to Brenan G):
Original Post:
I wanted a good platform to use for camping and possibly living in if needed. This seemed like the best choice for quality and availability based on their other units. I bought the leveling kit. While not ideal that the seats are designed they way they are this allows me to retain functionality without ripping out the seats just yet.
There are no pictures of it yet however there is only one way this can possibly work so not worried. There will still be a very slight incline but I don’t think enough to matter. I am more concerned about the lack of headroom and a coffin feeling.
Originally and ideally I wanted a custom 3-5” high platform where I would remove the 60 side of the 60/40 split and sleep on that side but if I can avoid having to remove anything I will.
hardly any storage space but plenty of sit up straight space with the custom design. Such is life of pros vs cons. With this setup I will have a lot of starage at least.
EDIT 1:
I reached out to bambeds and received some clarification and details. With their permission I wanted to pass it along.
Photos of their CAD:
This is their cargo only platform they also have a full one.
This cargo platform allows for retention of stock seats and functionality.
You fold the seats down but not roll forward and sleep on the platform and seats to get full length.
There is 7.5” of cargo height below the platform.
Material is 3/4" Baltic Birch
It is a squared design not contoured like their higher end full model. Fair enough that adds cost having to make all those cuts. And in my case I prefer that as it allows for easier storage access on the sides and is consistent with their other models.
Ok the day I’ve been waiting for. Here’s what I think ….
Quality: 9/10. Nothing is perfect and the only thing I would want and could see improving on is sealing the wood with sealant to waterproof it and make it smoother but that’s just me. The boards themselves are nice and straight and the material as best I can tell is great.
Assembly: 9.5/10. It’s a VERY tight fit. I needed a rubber mallet to smash it in. Now personally I can’t stand rattling and I don’t want a board, in the hopefully never event that I get into a crash, becoming a guillotine so I’m kinda glad the fit is so tight. However it is a slight pain so not a perfect 10. Other than that you can’t ask for an easier assembly. I really love simple effective design and engineering.
Usability: ??/10. Can’t say yet too early. BIG WARNING though: There is a gap. This is stated on the store page and in my OP. What I didn’t realize was the gap is vertical not horizontal like I had assumed. You can see it in the pic. It’s about 1”. What this does though is allow use of the seats normally otherwise the seats would likely not be able to recline at all.
With a thick enough mattress I bet you wouldn’t feel it. I have a 4” thick trifold I need to test and will report back. I have also seen a hack online where someone took one of the closed cell foam folding camping pads and bridged the gap on a similar product.
So far I’m happy but I’m easy to please. This fits my needs so far and for the price I think it’s worth it if you’re like me and don’t have the tools or patience to make it yourself.
Moderator update -- added photos of BamBed platform in Hybrid 4Runner with raised cargo floor (credit to Brenan G):
Original Post:
I wanted a good platform to use for camping and possibly living in if needed. This seemed like the best choice for quality and availability based on their other units. I bought the leveling kit. While not ideal that the seats are designed they way they are this allows me to retain functionality without ripping out the seats just yet.
There are no pictures of it yet however there is only one way this can possibly work so not worried. There will still be a very slight incline but I don’t think enough to matter. I am more concerned about the lack of headroom and a coffin feeling.
Originally and ideally I wanted a custom 3-5” high platform where I would remove the 60 side of the 60/40 split and sleep on that side but if I can avoid having to remove anything I will.
hardly any storage space but plenty of sit up straight space with the custom design. Such is life of pros vs cons. With this setup I will have a lot of starage at least.
EDIT 1:
I reached out to bambeds and received some clarification and details. With their permission I wanted to pass it along.
Photos of their CAD:
This is their cargo only platform they also have a full one.
This cargo platform allows for retention of stock seats and functionality.
You fold the seats down but not roll forward and sleep on the platform and seats to get full length.
There is 7.5” of cargo height below the platform.
Material is 3/4" Baltic Birch
It is a squared design not contoured like their higher end full model. Fair enough that adds cost having to make all those cuts. And in my case I prefer that as it allows for easier storage access on the sides and is consistent with their other models.
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