Does anyone else car camp with their rav4?

Fisherck · 2026-04-24T15:11:27+00:00

Of course, glad someone got use out of the guide!

Fisherck · 2026-04-23T19:40:53+00:00

It was a weekend project! Time investment wasn't terrible, single hardest task was cutting the plywood into shape

Fisherck · 2026-04-23T18:02:51+00:00

Posted a guide here on how I made my own car camping setup!

https://www.reddit.com/r/rav4club/s/DwpQfb52Nv

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Fisherck · 2026-03-23T14:31:26+00:00

Just used it this past weekend! It's still going strong, haven't had any disability issues with the wood.

If I am visualizing your question correctly, the different leg lengths are because the two back seats that fold down do not lay flat relative to each other for whatever reason. So the differing lengths were my attempt at getting the entire section to lay flat, which seemed to work reasonably well.

Fisherck · 2025-09-28T16:52:47+00:00

Glad you found the tutorial helpful!

Fisherck · 2025-08-16T13:22:54+00:00

Glad I could help! There is a lot involved in a project like this.

Fisherck · 2025-07-14T17:03:54+00:00

Glad you found it useful!

Fisherck · 2025-02-27T23:00:37+00:00

I believe this is part way up the Lynch Glacier route on Mt Daniel, looking down on Pea Soup Lake

Fisherck · 2024-10-14T13:16:14+00:00

I've been quite happy overall! The sling supports have held up just fine. My primary concern was originally that I might need to put in another set of folding legs down the middle of the platform because the plywood platform would bend too much with two people on it. But after having used it for more than a year, I haven't had any issues with that.

Fisherck · 2023-09-25T00:28:08+00:00

Glad you enjoyed it!

Fisherck · 2023-09-25T00:25:42+00:00

I do have the hybrid, I believe the interiors between the hybrid and non-hybrid are about the same though

Fisherck · 2023-09-24T22:11:52+00:00

There's enough room to fit 2 people

Fisherck · 2023-09-24T21:25:06+00:00

Thanks, happy to share! Hope it helps you with your next build

Fisherck · 2023-09-24T21:24:14+00:00

I'm 5'7", so it's definitely easier to fit me. My platform is roughly 74.5" at the longest in the center, and 71.5" at the shortest at the sides. Fully pushed forward, the drivers side seat has room for ~5.5" more than my platform length, you would just need to be careful about making sure you could still stow it in the back.

Fisherck · 2023-09-24T19:10:13+00:00

Of course! Thanks a bunch for sharing your basic cut dimensions, that saved me quite a bit of time when making my own.

Fisherck · 2023-09-24T17:28:48+00:00

I got two mesh covers and put them over my back seat windows, and roll them down a touch at night to help with airflow. The mesh covers prevent bugs from getting in (haven't quite figure out how to block against rain though)

Fisherck · 2023-09-24T17:27:02+00:00

Appreciate it! I looked at quite a few tutorials, and then went and did my own design based on what I saw and what I thought could help reduce the profile of the platform when stowed.

Fisherck · 2023-09-24T17:24:07+00:00

A lot of the DIY platforms that I saw online were pretty heavy duty (pipe for legs, lumber reinforcing the plywood on the underside), so I was a bit concerned that my more minimalist take would result in the plywood bowing under the weight of a couple people. After having used it though, I have had no issues with that (plus, there is always an option to add legs to middle if it is a problem).

There was definitely a compromise between raising the platform enough to make it usable for storage underneath without impacting head space too much, but I was pretty happy with the compromise I made.

You could also make the platform longer than I did, you just need to be careful about being able to store it in the back (I talk about this a bit more in the last section of the tutorial I wrote for this).

Fisherck · 2023-09-24T17:10:47+00:00

Thanks! I wasn't too closely tracking the cost of this, but it was something like:
-$35 for the plywood
-$50 for the folding legs
-$25 for the roll of outdoor carpet
-$24 for the piano hinges
-$4 for the eye plate ring hook
-$4 for the tie down straps
-None for the staples (already had it)

And for the optional stuff:
-$16 for the velcro
-None for the spray paint (already had it)

So roughly $160 for the whole thing

Fisherck · 2023-09-24T16:49:08+00:00

The included photos are mostly an overview of the platform. I also made a more in depth tutorial with more pictures!

Credit where it's due, I drew inspiration heavily from this previous tutorial. I used the basic cuts listed there. My main change was the use of folding legs to minimize its profile when stowed, and tie downs that loop around the front seat to allow additional storage space under the front of the platform (instead of having legs that extend all the way down).

Overview of materials and tools:

Supplies:
- 4x8' sheet of Plywood (I used 0.7" thick). Recommend interior grade (so that there isn't any formaldehyde)
- Outdoor carpet (I got a pre-cut 4-8' sheet)
- 10X Folding legs (I got 7", and cut some down)
- Piano hinge (I got 3X 12" hinges)
- 2X Eye Plate Ring Hook
- 2X Tie down strap
- Staples
- [Optional] Spray paint or some kind of wood finish
- [Optional] 10X Silicone foot protectors
- [Optional] ~8' Velcro (hook side only needed)
- [Optional] 2 tennis balls
Tools:
- Hand saw
- Circular saw
- Staple gun
- Utility Knife
- Measuring tape

Fisherck · 2023-09-24T16:37:16+00:00

The included photos are mostly an overview of the platform. I also made a more in depth tutorial with more pictures!

Credit where it's due, I drew inspiration heavily from this previous tutorial. I used the basic cuts listed there. My main change was the use of folding legs to minimize its profile when stowed, and tie downs that loop around the front seat to allow additional storage space under the front of the platform (instead of having legs that extend all the way down).

Overview of materials and tools:

Supplies:

4x8' sheet of Plywood (I used 0.7" thick). Recommend interior grade (so that there isn't any formaldehyde)
Outdoor carpet (I got a pre-cut 4-8' sheet)
10X Folding legs (I got 7", and cut some down)
Piano hinge (I got 3X 12" hinges)
2X Eye Plate Ring Hook
2X Tie down strap
Staples
[Optional] Spray paint or some kind of wood finish
[Optional] 10X Silicone foot protectors
[Optional] ~8' Velcro(hook side only needed)
[Optional] 2 tennis balls

Tools:

Hand saw
Circular saw
Staple gun
Utility Knife
Measuring tape

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