Just finished making a bed in 2017 Ford explorer. In 3rd row seating put the passenger side down, second row folded forward, for pad also used lounge cushion. Use FOB to lock and unlock to get in and out. 3rd row drivers side the seat is upright. For privacy ordered prefit black window covers which fit perfect. Music set up, Samsung 23 ultra, Pandora and external speakers. Movies from computer. That's as far I've gotten for now. Taking a 6200 mile trip starting June. Safe journeys
I have a really sturdy coffee table from Pier 1 era that is pretty close to this dimension. I'll give that a try. Makes a great table (cooking, lounge, eating) as well if I remove the cushion.
That's great that you can use a coffee table as both a coffee table and a bed frame. I was thinking about adding a hard surface on top of the dunnage rack so I can remove the cushion when I transport dogs. Enjoy your build!
Hi Jonathan, thanks for this video. FYI, when you click on the wayfair link it shares your user name so you may want to change the link to just show the product.
Love this! I always wonder about those built-in setups. How do they get to the spare tire? I like that you can just bring extra cable ties in case you need to clip them off during a trip.
Good question about the spare tire. To be honest, I haven't considered that. I mostly use the Element for transportation and not for camping so I wanted my set up to reflect that. Thanks for your comment.
Thanks for the video! Question on the Honda element how is it on hills on highway? I travel Arizona etc and was looking to get an element. Happy trails
I use my Element mostly for rock climbing trips and it does OK on hills on the highway. It can maintain highway speeds on hills but it does have to work. I live in the Northeast and the biggest challenge I had in getting a used Element was finding one without rust issues. Since you are in Arizona, I would totally get an Element because they will be rust free and you can camp in BLM land without insects. It is not the fastest but you should expect that.
I got the 48" dunnage rack so that I can fold the back of the front seat down to form the rest of the bed. And yes, it also fits well with the other back seat. :-)
I was looking at a dunnage rack too! I found a plastic one for $122 that is 66”x24” which is about 10” short of cot sized foam pads. I was thinking those extra inches would be over my fridge. The advantage of plastic, I was thinking, is that I could saw the legs or use lifts to make more level.
You can adjust the height of the legs of the metal dunnage rack. As you can see at the 1:30 mark in the video, the legs stick up higher than the platform because I adjusted the height of the platform to be lower. I could have sawed the metal legs if I wanted. I'm sure plastic would be fine too. Thanks for watching and your comment!
@@JonWuClimbs Thanks for your reply and video! I noticed you did that. I think I was worried about the bars and comfort too. I ended up chickening out and ordering a canvas cot and two 4” pads because I was concerned about ordering the dunnage sight unseen. I’m not sure the cot will work either but I know I can resell that and I’m going to check some restaurant supply stores to see if I can see one. Thanks again!
@@sweetestpotato4392 My plan was that if I didn't like the dunnage rack in my car then I would turn it into shelving for the basement. It turned out that it worked well in the car and now I'm considering getting dunnage racks in the basement because they are sturdy and easy to assemble. If a cot fits in your vehicle then that seems like a good solution.
I like this simple approach for the bed. No fuss or extra weight.
I like it so far. Thanks for watching
Good idea with the outdoor cushion
It's worked out well for weekend trips so far. I just wish there were better color/pattern options. Thanks for watching
Just finished making a bed in 2017 Ford explorer. In 3rd row seating put the passenger side down, second row folded forward, for pad also used lounge cushion. Use FOB to lock and unlock to get in and out. 3rd row drivers side the seat is upright. For privacy ordered prefit black window covers which fit perfect. Music set up, Samsung 23 ultra, Pandora and external speakers. Movies from computer. That's as far I've gotten for now. Taking a 6200 mile trip starting June. Safe journeys
Sounds like a sweet setup. Your trip sounds like it will be so much fun! Enjoy and be safe
Love the idea , Bro...
Appreciate your Best boy there....Good job , Mate.
I'm still trying to get her to sleep in the car. :-\ Thanks for watching and your comment
Next , rear door latch release. Easy project, lot of videos on it. I did mine in about 45 minutes. I used a bicycle brake cable and housing. Cheers!
Yes, I've watched a lot of videos showing the installation of a rear door latch. I'm pretty sure that I will do it this spring. Thanks!
My dog too a t. Only pays attention when he wants too😊. Nice set up
Haha! My dog was a little confused and was wondering why we were just sitting in the car. Thanks for watching.
the realities thanks for that
I miss the Element. Perfect car.
Yeah, I love it. My reasoning for getting one was that the longer I wait, every Element out there would get older.
Just found your channel...I like your considered approach to improvements, credit shout out for a great idea. Look forward to seeing more videos :-)
Thanks for watching and your comment. There are some further improvements that I am considering and I'll be sure to post a video if I do them!
Excellent job
Your dog is like mine, it doesn't listen. 😂
Awwwww, you have a cute dog! 🐕♥️🐕♥️🐕♥️🐕♥️🐕♥️🐕♥️🐕♥️
Thank you! I'll let her know about your comment♥️
Love this idea 😊
Your pooch seems to like it!
She likes going for rides. If we do an overnight trip then I'll make a video about it. Thanks for watching!
I have a really sturdy coffee table from Pier 1 era that is pretty close to this dimension. I'll give that a try. Makes a great table (cooking, lounge, eating) as well if I remove the cushion.
That's great that you can use a coffee table as both a coffee table and a bed frame. I was thinking about adding a hard surface on top of the dunnage rack so I can remove the cushion when I transport dogs. Enjoy your build!
Your dog is adorable!!
Thank you! I will let her know.
Great job thanks for sharing all the details !
Thanks for watching and commenting.
Definitely want a second way out!
I’ll definitely add a second way out
good idea. stay safe
Thanks. You too!
Hi Jonathan, thanks for this video. FYI, when you click on the wayfair link it shares your user name so you may want to change the link to just show the product.
I updated the link. Thanks for letting me know!
Cool!
Get the hatch latch kit. It will change your life.
A strategically-placed pool noodle will seal up that space your phone fell through.
Love this! I always wonder about those built-in setups. How do they get to the spare tire? I like that you can just bring extra cable ties in case you need to clip them off during a trip.
Good question about the spare tire. To be honest, I haven't considered that. I mostly use the Element for transportation and not for camping so I wanted my set up to reflect that. Thanks for your comment.
Thanks for the video! Question on the Honda element how is it on hills on highway? I travel Arizona etc and was looking to get an element. Happy trails
I use my Element mostly for rock climbing trips and it does OK on hills on the highway. It can maintain highway speeds on hills but it does have to work.
I live in the Northeast and the biggest challenge I had in getting a used Element was finding one without rust issues. Since you are in Arizona, I would totally get an Element because they will be rust free and you can camp in BLM land without insects. It is not the fastest but you should expect that.
Is there a reason you got the 48" vs the 54" dunnage rack? I guess because it nests next to the seat? Great no-build idea!
I got the 48" dunnage rack so that I can fold the back of the front seat down to form the rest of the bed. And yes, it also fits well with the other back seat. :-)
I was looking at a dunnage rack too! I found a plastic one for $122 that is 66”x24” which is about 10” short of cot sized foam pads. I was thinking those extra inches would be over my fridge. The advantage of plastic, I was thinking, is that I could saw the legs or use lifts to make more level.
You can adjust the height of the legs of the metal dunnage rack. As you can see at the 1:30 mark in the video, the legs stick up higher than the platform because I adjusted the height of the platform to be lower. I could have sawed the metal legs if I wanted. I'm sure plastic would be fine too. Thanks for watching and your comment!
@@JonWuClimbs Thanks for your reply and video! I noticed you did that. I think I was worried about the bars and comfort too. I ended up chickening out and ordering a canvas cot and two 4” pads because I was concerned about ordering the dunnage sight unseen. I’m not sure the cot will work either but I know I can resell that and I’m going to check some restaurant supply stores to see if I can see one. Thanks again!
@@sweetestpotato4392 My plan was that if I didn't like the dunnage rack in my car then I would turn it into shelving for the basement. It turned out that it worked well in the car and now I'm considering getting dunnage racks in the basement because they are sturdy and easy to assemble.
If a cot fits in your vehicle then that seems like a good solution.
@@JonWuClimbs that’s a great point, I have my first basement in a couple of decades and forgot that was an option. Thanks!
24 inches seems pretty narrow for sleeping comfortably?
Bed too long why?
I use a 4 ft dunnage rack because I want to be able to fold the back of the front seat down to form the rest of the bed.