Honda Element Sleeping Platform 2.0

Features

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Extreme Storage

Using PVC pipe legs, the storage capabilities under the platform are expanded drastically, and everything stored under the platform is easily accessible.

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Spacious

With dimensions of 80 inches long by 42 inches wide, the sleeping platform is comfortable for two with the back seats out, and cozy for two with the back seats in. In addition, the 13.5 inch raised platform provides ample room for storage underneath while also allowing for good headroom.

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Ultra-Portable

The sleeping platform components remain in the Honda Element at all times, and since the platform supports are all PVC pipe, lots of additional space and weight is freed up both when the platform is deployed or inactive.

Changes Made

  1. Weight Improvement - The original version of the sleeping platform was extremely heavy. Both boxes weighed a lot, and always having them in the vehicle counting towards the GVWR was probably detrimental to the suspension with all the additional weight of gear also carried on trips and such. The new version fixes this problem by using 7 1.5" PVC pipes as the legs for the sleeping platform, which is a huge weight improvement.
  2. Storage Space - Carrying the boxes in the back of the Element took up a lot of space, although the boxes themselves had space inside of them. To make matters worse, when the platform was deployed, it became extremely annoying to have easy access to any items that might be stored in the boxes, as the platform is resting on the lid of each box. Furthermore, both boxes significantly reduced any additional space available under the platform. The new version fixes this issue by providing very easily accessible space under the platform, and everything stored under the platform can easily be pulled out, as the platform is resting on the PVC legs instead.
  3. Stability - While the boxes were extremely sturdy, their large sizes provided a limited number of different positions to place them under the platform to provide stability, while also providing ample storage under the platform. The new version solves possible stability issues because the PVC legs can be placed in almost any location under the platform due to their small profile, allowing sufficient legs to be placed in all spots necessary to provide for awesome stability.

 Sleeping Platform 2.0 Showcase

Design Process

The first challenge was designing some sort of flange to connect the PVC pipe leg to the sleeping platform securely. My inspiration were PVC plumbing flanges, but unfortunately those were only easily found in large sizes, and wouldn't satisfy my design needs. I decided in order to make the best possible securing system, developing my own design and 3D Printing that design would be the best solution. I had excess 1.5 inch PVC class 200 pipe available for the legs, and this diameter seemed sufficiently strong enough to be able to support a hefty dynamic load on the platform. I designed the flange to be screwed onto the bottom of the sleeping platform, and retain a low profile (.5 inches added). I developed the flange with four slots, where the four tabs on the connecting piece attached to the pipe leg would connect.

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Once the tabs and connecting piece are properly seated inside the flange, it is twisted 45 degrees to lock the leg in place in the flange. This prevents the legs from being disconnected from the flange and separating from the platform. The locking mechanism was accomplished by designing raised bumps, which require a decent amount of force to overcome when putting on and taking off the legs.

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The flanges were printed in PLA, which I deemed as a satisfactory material to use for the design; however, depending on the durability of the flanges and connectors a future iteration might be printed with PETG for additional durability and heat resistance which might be necessary for the flanges sitting in a hot car day in and day out.

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The connectors were also printed out of PLA, and feature the four tabs previously mentioned along with a sleeve to properly connect to the legs. Holes were modeled into the sleeve to secure it to the leg with screws, two is sufficient, four seems to be a bit overkill.

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Each of the legs is 13 inches in length, which provides ample storage room under the platform while also still keeping the platform low enough to be set up even when the rear seats are still in the Element. A foot was modeled for some of the legs to provide additional stability on the ground.

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The existing sleeping platform was repurposed, and six locations were chosen on the bottom of the platform as places to screw the flanges onto in order to provide the most stability and support. After use of the upgraded platform, an additional leg will be added right in between the two at the rear, as a little sagging in the platform was noticed.

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To compliment the sleeping platform and allow for stealth camping, I had previously made window covers. I used Reflectix, a material used for light insulation that resembles a shiny bubble-wrap, and covered one side with Black Gorilla Tape to act as a "blackout" cover. When in use, the window covers make the windows in the Element seem like they have a super dark tint, and provides good privacy. The windshield just uses Reflectix to act as a normal windshield shade would. The window covers are not obvious unless looked at super closely with a flashlight, and also keeps the interior dark. In cases of needing to slightly insulate the Element, just swap the window covers to the other side of the vehicle and put into the windows with the reflective side out, as shown in the picture below.

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All Pictures Taken by Austin Zuehlke Unless Otherwise Mentioned

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