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oskar
Elite Veteran
Date registered: Sep 2006
Location: Lyons, CO
Vehicle(s): 1981 280GE, 2002 G500, 280SE 4.5, Audi A4 1.8T
Posts: 708
| 463 sleeping platform - materials
Howdy,
I need to build a sleeping platform into my 463. I know a lot of folks simply use plywood.
Anybody experience with laminated balsa, other composites?
Thanks
Oskar |
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koly
Elite Veteran
Date registered: Jul 2006
Location: Scottsdale, AZ USA
Vehicle(s): 2000 G500
Posts: 823
| RE: 463 sleeping platform - materials
I used aluminum tubing and plastic connectors to make the frame, which maintains the storage area underneath.. and used MDF for the main platform. The aluminum tubing is great - super light, easily removable, and plenty of strength in the short runs it takes to make the platform... let me know if you want some pix. |
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oskar
Elite Veteran
Date registered: Sep 2006
Location: Lyons, CO
Vehicle(s): 1981 280GE, 2002 G500, 280SE 4.5, Audi A4 1.8T
Posts: 708
| RE: 463 sleeping platform - materials
koly - 5/9/2016 11:11 PM
I used aluminum tubing and plastic connectors to make the frame, which maintains the storage area underneath.. and used MDF for the main platform. The aluminum tubing is great - super light, easily removable, and plenty of strength in the short runs it takes to make the platform... let me know if you want some pix.
Sure - pics be great.
Did you take the back seats out ( did that once .. its a ##$$%$^ to get it back in) or simply put the platform above and have a bit less storage that way?
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94rover
Veteran
Date registered: Oct 2010
Location: 39.2036° N, 76.8569° W
Vehicle(s): 02 G500
Posts: 240
| Re: 463 sleeping platform - materials
Oskar, I have one, already made and it's stored in my basement, and I don't ever plan on using it. I'll take pics and you make me a reasonable offer (not too sure on how I'd arrange to ship it to you, unless you or someone you know will be traveling through Maryland and wish to pick it up) . At most you'll probably have to re-carpet it because of color if your interior is not "greyish"
It's buried deep and stored safely-PM me if you're interested and I'll remove it, stage it for pics and we chat. Let me know. |
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CEOG
Veteran
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: Seattle
Vehicle(s): 80 230G
Posts: 110
| RE: 463 sleeping platform - materials
Fold down the seats and use some custom cut 2x6s an a 2x4 and let them rest on the wheel wells. |
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koly
Elite Veteran
Date registered: Jul 2006
Location: Scottsdale, AZ USA
Vehicle(s): 2000 G500
Posts: 823
| RE: 463 sleeping platform - materials
I pretty much followed this guy's lead from expedition portal (adjusted from his LR dimensions to the G)...
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/127843-My-LR3-lightwe...(UPDATED-actual-dimensions-on-pg-4)?highlight=platform
I didn't bother with the short crossbar supports the LR guy used... With the mdf platform on top, the tubing doesn't flex/move at all.
In my error, I purchased the aluminum square tubing from Lowe's, and had to buy from a couple different stores - each store had slightly different inner-diameter measurements, so the tubing connectors one some of my tubes didn't seat flush... close enough for camping. the nice part is the tubing sort of 'pressure fits' right under the bolt heads of the rear cargo tie-downs... a maul/crowbar pops one side free for easy removal of the entire 'cage'. I originally did it all in MDF, but it was a bear to put in and out... and I only have it in the G when I'm camping...
I leave the rear seats in, fold them down, then inflate an air mattress on the platform. I've been thinking about cutting a pie-shaped wedge of foam to fill the slight gap from the platform to the angled seat backs, but it hasn't been important enough to tackle yet.
 (EF6CDB0A-457F-46E2-A09E-D8D4835313A1.jpg)
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 EF6CDB0A-457F-46E2-A09E-D8D4835313A1.jpg (113KB - 3 downloads)
3594756C-2AE6-42BA-8924-060D2B5C12DF.jpg (95KB - 1 downloads)
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oskar
Elite Veteran
Date registered: Sep 2006
Location: Lyons, CO
Vehicle(s): 1981 280GE, 2002 G500, 280SE 4.5, Audi A4 1.8T
Posts: 708
| RE: 463 sleeping platform - materials
Thanks a lot,
I think I will go the aluminum frame and connector route.
Make the platform in segments out of laminated (marine) balsa.
Thanks
Oskar |
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greynolds
Member
Date registered: Jul 2013
Location: Billerica, MA USA
Vehicle(s): 2017 G63 (Obsidian Black / Titanium Grey Pearl)
Posts: 39
| RE: 463 sleeping platform - materials
koly - 5/11/2016 1:00 AM
I pretty much followed this guy's lead from expedition portal (adjusted from his LR dimensions to the G)...
I've been meaning to post something as I did the same thing recently. I had originally just had my shelf sitting on the wheel wells with a support in the middle, but the aluminum tubing is a much more elegant solution. I got the tubing from the place that guy recommended and they were great to do business with. My platform is in 2 pieces and bolts to the frame, so it's pretty easy to get everything in and out. |
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koly
Elite Veteran
Date registered: Jul 2006
Location: Scottsdale, AZ USA
Vehicle(s): 2000 G500
Posts: 823
| RE: 463 sleeping platform - materials
oskar - 5/11/2016 6:28 PM
Thanks a lot,
I think I will go the aluminum frame and connector route.
Make the platform in segments out of laminated (marine) balsa.
Thanks
Oskar
FYI - you will not be able to make the platform the full width of the G and still be able to get it inside once the cage is in... two options are:
1. put a piano hinge down the middle so you can fold it in half to put in/take out (or just make two halves) or
2. make it slightly wider than the cage so it still fits.
I went with option 2, but did made it a slight "T" shape, with the T's crossbars extending out about 6 inches on either side on the end that abuts the rear seats. The empty spots on both sides of the cage/bed fit 2 jerry fuel/water cans per side almost perfectly (I made the "T" crossbar section wide enough to keep the cans from sliding around and bumping/rubbing the back of the rear seats when they're upright).
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oskar
Elite Veteran
Date registered: Sep 2006
Location: Lyons, CO
Vehicle(s): 1981 280GE, 2002 G500, 280SE 4.5, Audi A4 1.8T
Posts: 708
| RE: 463 sleeping platform - materials
koly - 5/11/2016 9:57 PM
oskar - 5/11/2016 6:28 PM
Thanks a lot,
I think I will go the aluminum frame and connector route.
Make the platform in segments out of laminated (marine) balsa.
Thanks
Oskar
FYI - you will not be able to make the platform the full width of the G and still be able to get it inside once the cage is in... two options are:
1. put a piano hinge down the middle so you can fold it in half to put in/take out (or just make two halves ) or
2. make it slightly wider than the cage so it still fits.
I went with option 2, but did made it a slight "T" shape, with the T's crossbars extending out about 6 inches on either side on the end that abuts the rear seats. The empty spots on both sides of the cage/bed fit 2 jerry fuel/water cans per side almost perfectly (I made the "T" crossbar section wide enough to keep the cans from sliding around and bumping/rubbing the back of the rear seats when they're upright ).
I am going to make the platform in segments - so I can access the "storage boxes" from above. Either hinged, or just a few magnets to keep them down in place and not rattling
Its only 2 of us, but we have hiking gear and supplies for a week to carry. Including an Engel fridge and extra battery ( the fridge will sit above the wheel well, I think)
Gets me to the next question: For a temporary 2nd battery I guess I will need some kind of charger as well as an disconnect to to main battery
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AlanMcR
Expert
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: US, CA, Los Altos
Vehicle(s): G300DT E300DT 230SL
Posts: 3500
| RE: 463 sleeping platform - materials
I've got the sleeping platform that g-wagenaccessories carries (maybe not anymore). It is a pretty simple plywood design that provided just enough space underneath to fit 12" high RubberMaid storage containers. They fit snug, so there was little sliding around. For longer trips, the 1/3rd rear seat is replaced with the fridge. This gives a large sleeping area and lots of space for storage, and still seats four.
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oskar
Elite Veteran
Date registered: Sep 2006
Location: Lyons, CO
Vehicle(s): 1981 280GE, 2002 G500, 280SE 4.5, Audi A4 1.8T
Posts: 708
| RE: 463 sleeping platform - materials
AlanMcR - 5/12/2016 10:22 AM
I've got the sleeping platform that g-wagenaccessories carries (maybe not anymore). It is a pretty simple plywood design that provided just enough space underneath to fit 12" high RubberMaid storage containers. They fit snug, so there was little sliding around. For longer trips, the 1/3rd rear seat is replaced with the fridge. This gives a large sleeping area and lots of space for storage, and still seats four.
yep, I plan to take the seat(s) out. Just need to get or make the special tool to compress that little shock.
Thanks
Oskar |
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AlanMcR
Expert
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: US, CA, Los Altos
Vehicle(s): G300DT E300DT 230SL
Posts: 3500
| RE: 463 sleeping platform - materials
oskar - 5/12/2016 11:34 AM
yep, I plan to take the seat(s) out. Just need to get or make the special tool to compress that little shock. Thanks Oskar Just take the footing of the seat out. This leaves a perfectly flat surface. Some of the bolts are hard to get to, and then there isn't quite enough room to back them all the way out. The solution to that is (I think) to remove about 1/3 of the bolt threads. Haven't tried that yet.
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ILIAN
Veteran
Date registered: Sep 2014
Location: Boston MA
Vehicle(s): 2000 G500 1999 CL500
Posts: 181
| Re: 463 sleeping platform - materials
I've been able to remove the rear seats several times with just a flat screwdriver. The special tool would be nice but you can do without it. Fold the seat up, remove the clips, pry up on the shock to remove the load from the pin and slide it out. Something like that, can't remember exactly how I did it, it's been a while. If you can't figure it out I can go do it again and write a more detailed description. |
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AlanMcR
Expert
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: US, CA, Los Altos
Vehicle(s): G300DT E300DT 230SL
Posts: 3500
| Re: 463 sleeping platform - materials
ILIAN - 5/12/2016 7:16 PM I've been able to remove the rear seats several times with just a flat screwdriver. The special tool would be nice but you can do without it. Fold the seat up, remove the clips, pry up on the shock to remove the load from the pin and slide it out. Something like that, can't remember exactly how I did it, it's been a while. If you can't figure it out I can go do it again and write a more detailed description. Yeah, but then the seat mounts get in the way of the fridge.
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ILIAN
Veteran
Date registered: Sep 2014
Location: Boston MA
Vehicle(s): 2000 G500 1999 CL500
Posts: 181
| Re: 463 sleeping platform - materials
The seat mounts can then be unbolted and stored with the seat, just don't lose them. |
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oskar
Elite Veteran
Date registered: Sep 2006
Location: Lyons, CO
Vehicle(s): 1981 280GE, 2002 G500, 280SE 4.5, Audi A4 1.8T
Posts: 708
| Re: 463 sleeping platform - materials
ILIAN - 5/12/2016 8:51 PM
The seat mounts can then be unbolted and stored with the seat, just don't lose them.
Actually, I was thing to use those as anchor point - if my fridge does not go there |
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koly
Elite Veteran
Date registered: Jul 2006
Location: Scottsdale, AZ USA
Vehicle(s): 2000 G500
Posts: 823
| RE: 463 sleeping platform - materials
I use the Frontrunner Wolf Pack boxes (Bundu boxes) underneath the platform - 2 on each side... They don't slide on the carpet, even at severe incline/decline angles, and are easy to put in/take out, and leave room for some extra stuff as well... and room to put things on top as well.
If I removed the bottom crossbars (the ones near the rear seats), I could probably fit three of the wolf pack boxes per side... Not sure how much lateral movement the center bars would have then, though.
Boxes:
http://www.frontrunneroutfitters.com/front-runner-wolf-pack.html
Here's thread on the seat removal tool in case you didn't know it was out there:
http://www.pointedthree.com/disc/forums/showthread.php?tid=21897&po...
If I had the time, I'd make a container/top-open-box that sits on the wheel wells to better hold the jerry cans/whever else I put in those spaces. Some of the stuff I throw in that space slips down under the platform...
Below are some pix of my setup - you'll have to imagine it inside the G...
Edited by koly 5/13/2016 2:47 PM
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IMG_5088.JPG (120KB - 2 downloads)
IMG_5089.JPG (146KB - 1 downloads)
IMG_5090.JPG (154KB - 2 downloads)
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colkrang
Member
Date registered: May 2015
Location: Denver
Vehicle(s): 2004 G500
Posts: 27
| Re: 463 sleeping platform - materials
I'm going to be doing this sort of thing this month - a sleeping platform with drawers or space for wolf packs. Still deciding there. I think the wolf packs is a lot cheaper and maybe a lot more sense. Still running the measurements there.
If I do drawers it will have cargo tie downs on top. Looking for a good place to get marine ply. Also I may put a weather tech may on top of I can find one to cut down appropriately. |
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oskar
Elite Veteran
Date registered: Sep 2006
Location: Lyons, CO
Vehicle(s): 1981 280GE, 2002 G500, 280SE 4.5, Audi A4 1.8T
Posts: 708
| Re: 463 sleeping platform - materials
colkrang - 5/15/2016 8:18 AM
I'm going to be doing this sort of thing this month - a sleeping platform with drawers or space for wolf packs. Still deciding there.
I am going to try sandwiching balsa with carbon fiber fabric - just because I am curious
Then 2 drawers in the back. The front compartments accessible from top
Maybe we should do a "competition" :-)
Oskar |
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