Sleeping cot (canvas) in 6th gen 4Runner - cheap, comfortable, easy to setup ($60)

[dirtwheeler]

I started another post a while back looking for solutions for sleeping in the back of my 4Runner. I ended up doing something really simple and thought I'd share for others thinking about sleeping in the back of their 4Runner. The option I went with is cheap, comfortable, and easy to setup. The cot I bought was about $60 after tax (plus some blocks of wood to level the legs - which I already had lying around). It's a canvas cot, not a hard platform. It only takes a couple minutes to setup or break down.

UPDATE:

Some notes on the blocks... This might seem like too much work for some folks, and super-obvious to other folks (especially if you've done any work with lumber). But I thought I'd put it out there anyway in case you're thinking about doing this but worrying about how the cot feet are propped up behind the front seat.

I happen to have a lot of wood blocks laying around because they've been handy in my life for a variety of things. If you don't have random wood blocks lying around, you can go to a place that sells lumber (like Home Depot). If I was starting from scratch, I would pick out an 8 foot 2X6 (I'm using something wider in the pic because that what was lying around) and ask them to cut it into about 10" lengths. If you do what I did, you'll need 8 of these blocks. At most places that sell lumber, they'll have a section where they sell cull lumber (wood that does not meet a lumberyard’s or manufacturer’s grading standards for regular sale). This is great place to find cheap lumber that you plan to just cut into shorter pieces anyway. So, twists in long cuts don't matter as much, and you can throw away short sections with splits, etc. I do this when I need blocks for trailers, jackstands, etc.

Don't get treated wood because it will be in your vehicle and stink. If you're worried about getting splinters (especially if you have kids), sand down the blocks. You can also get thicker wood stock so you're dealing with less pieces, but this will probably cost a little more, and the pieces will be less versatile for other things.

I have no idea how obvious this is to most folks, but hoping it helps someone!

Video:




Photos:

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[Dead Horse]

That's pretty awesome. How tall are you?

 

[dirtwheeler]

That's pretty awesome. How tall are you?

I'm about 5' 11".

 

[Joe Dirt]

I started another post a while back looking for solutions for sleeping in the back of my 4Runner. I ended up doing something really simple and thought I'd share for others thinking about sleeping in the back of their 4Runner. The option I went with is cheap, comfortable, and easy to setup. The cot I bought was about $60 after tax (plus some blocks of wood to level the legs - which I already had lying around). It's a canvas cot, not a hard platform. It only takes a couple minutes to setup or break down.

Hey great idea I was thinking about a canvas type as well. Did you get this at Walmart? Thanks in advance

 

[dirtwheeler]

Hey great idea I was thinking about a canvas type as well. Did you get this at Walmart? Thanks in advance

You might be able to find it at Walmart, but I got it from Amazon...

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003696236

I own two of these. I got the first one several years ago, its held up well, and is comfortable. I bought the second one as a warehouse deal ("used, like new"). I think a lot of people buy them and struggle with getting the second bar on and return them, but there are tricks to make this easier if you're not used to this style cot. First, you can pull down on the fabric before inserting the second cross bar. Second, you can use a lever - a pipe with the right inner diameter would work - if you're still having trouble. But I never had an issue once I understood how it worked.

Another point worth mentioning is that - with this particular cot - I would sleep with my head toward the back. If you sleep with your head toward the front, you might sink low enough in the cot so you can feel the folded backseat that you're straddling over. This can be mitigate by blocking the feet, but I prefer it the way it is with my head toward the back where I can look out the back window.

 

[dirtwheeler]

Here's some more pics that might be useful...

 

[dirtwheeler]

Some notes on the blocks... This might seem like too much work for some folks, and super-obvious to other folks (especially if you've done any work with lumber). But I thought I'd put it out there anyway in case you're thinking about doing this but worrying about how the cot feet are propped up behind the front seat.

I happen to have a lot of wood blocks laying around because they've been handy in my life for a variety of things. If you don't have random wood blocks lying around, you can go to a place that sells lumber (like Home Depot). If I was starting from scratch, I would pick out an 8 foot 2X6 (I'm using something wider in the pic because that what was lying around) and ask them to cut it into about 10" lengths. If you do what I did, you'll need 8 of these blocks. At most places that sell lumber, they'll have a section where they sell cull lumber (wood that does not meet a lumberyard’s or manufacturer’s grading standards for regular sale). This is great place to find cheap lumber that you plan to just cut into shorter pieces anyway. So, twists in long cuts don't matter as much, and you can throw away short sections with splits, etc. I do this when I need blocks for trailers, jackstands, etc.

Don't get treated wood because it will be in your vehicle and stink. If you're worried about getting splinters (especially if you have kids), sand down the blocks. You can also get thicker wood stock so you're dealing with less pieces, but this will probably cost a little more, and the pieces will be less versatile for other things.

I have no idea how obvious this is to most folks, but hoping it helps someone!

 

[Joe Dirt]

Some notes on the blocks... This might seem like too much work for some folks, and super-obvious to other folks (especially if you've done any work with lumber). But I thought I'd put it out there anyway in case you're thinking about doing this but worrying about how the cot feet are propped up behind the front seat.

I happen to have a lot of wood blocks laying around because they've been handy in my life for a variety of things. If you don't have random wood blocks lying around, you can go to a place that sells lumber (like Home Depot). If I was starting from scratch, I would pick out an 8 foot 2X6 (I'm using something wider in the pic because that what was lying around) and ask them to cut it into about 10" lengths. If you do what I did, you'll need 8 of these blocks. At most places that sell lumber, they'll have a section where they sell cull lumber (wood that does not meet a lumberyard’s or manufacturer’s grading standards for regular sale). This is great place to find cheap lumber that you plan to just cut into shorter pieces anyway. So, twists in long cuts don't matter as much, and you can throw away short sections with splits, etc. I do this when I need blocks for trailers, jackstands, etc.

Don't get treated wood because it will be in your vehicle and stink. If you're worried about getting splinters (especially if you have kids), sand down the blocks. You can also get thicker wood stock so you're dealing with less pieces, but this will probably cost a little more, and the pieces will be less versatile for other things.

I have no idea how obvious this is to most folks, but hoping it helps someone!

Thanks for all this info. Yes in my 5th gen I was able to justify the seats down and put down a camping mat with a sleeping bag and pillow and was fine. But this new 6th gen has the biggest disappointment with the fold down rear seats hogging up all of that extra space. So most likely we'll just fold them flat and then have the cot sitting on top like you have positioned yours. Once I get the cot I'll figure out if I need any support.. thanks again

 

[celasti]

This looks great. How far forward do you have to have the front seat pushed?

 

[HVLA]

Nice!

If anyone was worried about having blocks of wood in there you could also get 2 of these trailer jack blocks.
https://a.co/d/eDzMUBt

 

[dirtwheeler]

This looks great. How far forward do you have to have the front seat pushed?

I just leaned the top parts of front seat forward a few inches.

 

[time2playandy]

Also these:
https://a.co/d/268PKXO

 

[HVLA]

Also these:
https://a.co/d/268PKXO

Even better!

 

[zcmack]

i love the simple solution! i only wish the legs were vertical so i could slide some boxes under the cot easily.

 

[shine]

i love the simple solution! i only wish the legs were vertical so i could slide some boxes under the cot easily.

Here's an option with straight legs. More expensive, like it usually is when purchasing gear made by a small US manufacturer.

https://pacificadventureworks.com/pages/about-us-hideaway-sleepingplatform

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