After sleeping in the back of the Honda Element a few times, I realized that, 1. it's actually comfortable, and 2. it can be even more comfortable with a few modifications. My obsessive little brain got to work, and with the help of the internet, (and the Honda Element
user forums), I was able to discover just how easy it would be to add a sleeping platform.
My only requirement was that I could make it without buying any more tools (I own a tool box, a drill and a cheap hand saw). I found a
plan that required only drilling, and added only a few modifications of my own.
Logic:
1. I wanted to use PVC pipes as the legs, because then I could make them different heights, if I changed my mind in the process of building. Also, a PVC pipe cutter is only $15, and the end attachment that goes into the PVC pipe was the easiest way to attach the legs to the plywood
2. I wanted to be able to rearrange the platforms to be able to use latitudinally or longitudinally, depending on the adventure. The idea was that if we needed to add another seat, than the platforms should go in longitudinally. Additionally, if they could be stacked in that position, then we could also fit our bikes in while traveling
3. The platforms had to be easy to get in and out
4. With no carpentry skills whatsoever, I had to be able to do this without anyone else's help.
5. I actually wanted the center support to be removable, in case we found we didn't need it (turns out we don't need it right now)
After some careful measuring inside the Element, and consulting the plan linked above, I headed off to Home Depot.
Materials:
(2) 2'x4' 3/4" thick plywood
(10) 2" diameter PVC caps that fit on the end of the 2" pipe- this was the hardest part to find
(1) 10' length of PVC (actually ABS) pipe, 2" in diameter
(26) 1-1/4" bolts, with accompanying nuts and washers. I ended up choosing carriage bolts, after careful consultation with my helper at Home Depot.
(4) turnbuckles (I didn't know what those were until I went to Home Depot)
(4) loops that screw into the board, to attach to the turnbuckles
(1) PVC pipe cutter
(1) piece of 4x8' carpet (with a little room to spare)
(1) tub of carpet glue and spackle
Here are most of my materials:
After measuring the inside of the Element multiple times, I began construction.
The PVC pipe cutting was a lot easier than I thought. The whole process only took about a half a day, and that's from someone who has no carpentry skills and no craft skills.
Before long, I was putting in both platforms to make sure they fit!
From the underside, you can see the legs:
With a little more careful measuring, I probably could've gotten the legs closer to the side panels, but the dimensions were really awkward, and I wanted to make sure they fit. Finally, Cody got in to help demonstrate:
Once that was done, I added the carpet:
I could not believe how well the final product turned out. The turnbuckles secure the platforms in place so they will not move while driving, or stopping short. The platforms also turn the other direction, so that a seat can be placed in while a platform is in next to the seat (no picture yet). Finally, I made an additional support beam that can go under the center section of the two platforms to provide additional support. However, with our camping gear, we've found the support is perfect without the additional platform, so now we leave that piece at home.
And here is the final product, in use!
We can fit almost all of our gear underneath, and the boxes slide out to give us access to our food and supplies. The boxes are 11" in height, and just make it underneath, without the lids. We use a queen size air mattress to sleep on. If we needed more headroom, we could get a foam mattress (the air mattress is nearly 7" high, when filled). We can still sit up on the bed, though, so it's been fine so far.
The platform reaches to the end of where the seats fold down, so the end of the air mattress is supported:
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| As you can see, we still use the dashboard for storage. |
Additionally, when the platforms are in, there is still plenty of room behind the seats so that a cooler can fit.
The Element's back hatch works as a table while camping:
This gives us the perfect car camping set up, without having to unload too much of the car every time we want to sleep. That big gray thing in the picture is my stand up paddle board- even that fits underneath the platforms!
Cody loves it, too!
And here's how much head room we have:
Luckily we aren't too tall!
