Hele Box Sleeping Platform Review

[jdmyron]

I wanted to share my experience with the Hele Box for camping in your Bronco.

I was going back and forth about building a platform, getting a RTT or some other alternatives. I enjoy overlanding trips. Ultimately I decided against the RTT since I wanted the roof available for supplies. I love the platforms I see out there but wasn't prepared to commit to that type of build. I like maintaining flexibility.

I came across the Hele Box recently and reached out to see if it would fit in the Bronco. After talking with the owner, Murray who is super helpful I decided to give it a try. He hadn't had any Bronco sales yet so this was a great opportunity to see if it worked. It fits great in my 4 door Bronco. With 6 independently adjustable legs you can get the fit just right. I opted for a 4 inch foam mattress and slept beautifully. The bed is super stable and I slept very comfortably on it. This was affordable and I'm able to keep my Bronco as a daily driver without making a lot of modifications. There's still plenty of room for a fridge in the trunk (next purchase) next to the bed. Adding some pictures here so you can see what it looks like in the car and packed in its bag. I love how thoughtful they were with the design. For example the storage bag for the platform slides under it and you can use it for storage.

Sponsored

 

[BroncoA512021]

You got this for free so you just joined the forum to promote it. Is that your deal?

 

[jdmyron]

You got this for free so you just joined the forum to promote it. Is that your deal?

Interesting response. I paid full price minus the 5% promo code I got. Would you like to see the receipt? I just really like it and think others would benefit from hearing about it. You seem kinda jaded.

 

[RC Bronco]

This is pretty cool for a daily driver situation!

Thanks for sharing this with us - I had never heard of this product

How low can you get the legs/board to the top of the folded down rear seats? Could the legs be adjusted so that the board almost rests on the front edge of the rear seats so you level it out and minimize lost sleeping space?

The biggest downside I see is since you’re elevating your sleeping position, you’re losing room above you, but you obviously gain some storage underneath the platform

 

[jdmyron]

I adjusted it as low as it could go. The legs adjust in half inch increments so it’s pretty configurable. I couldn’t go any lower than the center console since the top of the bed hits it. That was pretty comfortable ultimately.

How the legs are configured:
The legs closest to the trunk are longer, the middle legs are quite short and the ones by the front seats are two different lengths. One of them sits on the hump. It’s quite level.

 

[RC Bronco]

I adjusted it as low as it could go. The legs adjust in half inch increments so it’s pretty configurable. I couldn’t go any lower than the center console since the top of the bed hits it. That was pretty comfortable ultimately.

How the legs are configured:
The legs closest to the trunk are longer, the middle legs are quite short and the ones by the front seats are two different lengths. One of them sits on the hump. It’s quite level.

Ahhh I see! This is helpful info for anyone considering this product for their Bronco

 

[jdmyron]

Btw, for anyone interested. I have the deep sleep mats with leveling and liked this (The Hele box) a lot more.

 

[BroncoA512021]

Interesting response. I paid full price minus the 5% promo code I got. Would you like to see the receipt? I just really like it and think others would benefit from hearing about it. You seem kinda jaded.

Historically people that join and write a review on day 1 are schills.

 

[jdmyron]

Historically people that join and write a review on day 1 are schills.

I get it, that makes sense. Admittedly I’ve been reading this forum for the last two years and found all sorts of useful info. This is the first time I felt compelled to post since I was so excited about this purchase so I did indeed create the account for this purpose one could say. But it wasn’t to be some kind of schill at least that’s not how I see it.

 

[Aspeer]

Thanks for sharing, I was looking for something like this.

 

[Beach_Bum]

I wanted to share my experience with the Hele Box for camping in your Bronco.
...

Can you share more photos of the front of the platform pictured, but from an underneath vantage point both from the door and center console?

While the platform extends beyond the support legs, what is the length measurement from the support legs in the cargo area to the support legs in front?

 

[jdmyron]

Can you share more photos of the front of the platform pictured, but from an underneath vantage point both from the door and center console?

While the platform extends beyond the support legs, what is the length measurement from the support legs in the cargo area to the support legs in front?

I can set it up later today or tomorrow and post some extra pictures and measurements, sure.

 

[Raptor911]

seems like a good product and has other uses. For example, you could set it up in a tent if you need to. Also, you could set it up in your home if you need an extra bed for guest.

 

[Rspayde]

I don't hate it. I have the deep sleep which I have been happy with. Probably will stick to the deep sleep just for the space savings while in transit.

If I didn't have the pull out tailgate the use case for subbing as a table would make this alot more appealing.

 

[Coldsmoke]

Just curious about how this fits in the 4 door with the split 60/40 rear seat. It looks like you have it on the passenger side, which is the narrower of the two sides. Can you still have the driver side setback in the upright position?
Last question relates to the length when using a folding table on the rear swing gate. Do you believe there is enough room to allow one of these? When I measure the length it appears that the passenger seat may need to be forward to allow a full 72" with a folding table.
Thanks for any info you can provide, and thanks for posting this. (I had already built a sleeping platform but would prefer the Hele Box now that I read about it.)

Sponsored