Ford drawer (reinforced) with Deep Sleep mattresses installed

[BroncoT]

I installed the Ford drawer, which is really well made. I was able to load it with essentials that I might need along the path (recovery gear, first aid, lights). Two concerns:

1. Will I still be able to use my Deep Sleep mattresses. The answer is absolutely. Simply use the support pieces on top of the folded down seats. Fits pretty well. There is a gap if you slide the support all the way up. My plan was to fill it with a blanket. I’ve since slept on the setup without the blanket and it worked just fine. Just need to load the support cushion the ling way.

2. Will it support two people. I felt the answer was no. Ford listed 50 pound limit for items stacked on top of their drawer assembly. It can easily hold more, but the center is pretty weak. I added a steel cross beam. You need some bend or a pretty thick strip. I used a rubbermaid channel ($10) and attached it with glue and one screw in the middle. This screw pokes through where Ford placed a support beam so it is 100% covered (thus will not snag). Painted it black and rounded the edges. The bar is supported by solid metal on both ends so it adds easily a few hundred pounds of support. We slept on top with zero issues.

Photo of the Rubbermaid bar. I bought at Home Depot. That bend adds a lot of strengh. Yes, it sticks up but is well rounded. I find that it helps keep things from sliding around I topped the sides with a rubber mat.

You want to tuck the drawer end under the metal lip and run the bar to the other end. This way it is supported by solid metal. I added a screw halfway across. You will see a ‘c’ channel is welded underneath by Ford (so the screw will not stick through).

This gap exists if you rotate the underneath pad. I felt this way would best support my head but probably needs a blanket. If you spin the pad 90 degrees, no support blanket needed but you need something under the head. Pick your poison. Either works just fine.

Sponsored

 

[Lonestar777]

Can you share a pic of the pad rotated where it fills the gap next to the drawer? I can't fully visualize it. This is the same setup I have. I have the drawer and I'm trying to figure out how to set it up so I can occasionally sleep in the back. I was thinking I'd have to build a wooden platform to level out the drawer, but I'd rather not do that.

 

[BroncoT]

Here you go. I did a video but cant get it to load. I don’t have the bottom cushion fully inflated. Doing so closes the gap another half inch.

 

[BroncoT]

I was able to clip off enough of the video to give you a good look. I slept in it this way one night without a blanket (but fully inflated) and it was perfectly comfortable.

 

[robepa]

Here is what I did.
https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/threads/my-custom-4-door-sleeping-platform-design-feedback.62346/

 

[BroncoT]

Here is what I did.
https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/threads/my-custom-4-door-sleeping-platform-design-feedback.62346/

Nice. Building a platform was my other option. Since I already bought the support mattresses from Deep Sleep I was hoping they’d work. Free and no work won out.

 

[Lonestar777]

I was able to clip off enough of the video to give you a good look. I slept in it this way one night without a blanket (but fully inflated) and it was perfectly comfortable.

Perfect, thank you!

Sponsored