hiadventurer
Junior Ranger
While at the Campinn/Campout last Fall I noticed someone had build a Side Tent Platform for their side tent. I took a keen interest in it as I have never been happy with the different options that we have used, we have tried the PVC frame, and then switched to a rubber mat.
We started with the PVC frame, which is lightweight, allows you to setup on a hard surface where you can't put in stakes, but too light with any type of wind and lots of pieces of PVC to put together, but water still seemed to get into the floor area of the tent and nobody likes wet feet. We then went with a heavy weight rubber mat (35-40 lb), which is actual a horse stall mat we got at Farm and Fleet and I cut it down into two rectangles to fit inside the tent. This solved the issue of the side tent blowing away while on a hard surface in moderate wind, and you could still stake it down (other than when on a hard surface) for those gale force winds. However, even though we put plastic down under the tent we water still seemed to find its way in, although it was under the mat, so your feet stayed dry. The mat having solved two issues are heavy and there is two of them which need to be placed inside the tent which is somewhat of a hassle. And if they are wet you have to wipe them down before storing.
So taking the platform idea I saw at the Campinn/Campout I designed the platform you see below. It's constructed of 1/2 inch marine grade plywood. Measures unfoled 4 ft. x 5 ft and 4 ft x 2.5 ft when folded. Six inches around the edges and two center supports, I doubled the thickness. The entire project was cut from one sheet of 4 x 8 plywood. The two halves are connected with a 4 ft. piano hinge and when folded are held together with two brass window sash locks. I cut several handles around the edges for transporting it and to reduce weight. There are roughly 2000 1/2 inch holes drilled (yes by hand) throughout, that again reduces weight and will allow water to drain away from under the tent. I routered all of the edges. The platform is sealed with multiple coats of Spar Urethane. The platform weights 30 pounds. Its supports my 200 pound frame.
The platform has 6 eyebolts that I counter sank and the tent sit on top of the platform and is attached using a carabiner . There are an additional 6 larger holes around perimeter in the event I need to stake the platform down. When we set it up I place a sheet of plastic between the platform and ground.
When the platform is folded is slides into the bed of our 560, the eyebolts can be used to secure items in the camper such as cooler. We hope to field test this soon, hopefully it will meet my expectations, if not told Missy we could use it as a portable dance floor...R
We started with the PVC frame, which is lightweight, allows you to setup on a hard surface where you can't put in stakes, but too light with any type of wind and lots of pieces of PVC to put together, but water still seemed to get into the floor area of the tent and nobody likes wet feet. We then went with a heavy weight rubber mat (35-40 lb), which is actual a horse stall mat we got at Farm and Fleet and I cut it down into two rectangles to fit inside the tent. This solved the issue of the side tent blowing away while on a hard surface in moderate wind, and you could still stake it down (other than when on a hard surface) for those gale force winds. However, even though we put plastic down under the tent we water still seemed to find its way in, although it was under the mat, so your feet stayed dry. The mat having solved two issues are heavy and there is two of them which need to be placed inside the tent which is somewhat of a hassle. And if they are wet you have to wipe them down before storing.
So taking the platform idea I saw at the Campinn/Campout I designed the platform you see below. It's constructed of 1/2 inch marine grade plywood. Measures unfoled 4 ft. x 5 ft and 4 ft x 2.5 ft when folded. Six inches around the edges and two center supports, I doubled the thickness. The entire project was cut from one sheet of 4 x 8 plywood. The two halves are connected with a 4 ft. piano hinge and when folded are held together with two brass window sash locks. I cut several handles around the edges for transporting it and to reduce weight. There are roughly 2000 1/2 inch holes drilled (yes by hand) throughout, that again reduces weight and will allow water to drain away from under the tent. I routered all of the edges. The platform is sealed with multiple coats of Spar Urethane. The platform weights 30 pounds. Its supports my 200 pound frame.
The platform has 6 eyebolts that I counter sank and the tent sit on top of the platform and is attached using a carabiner . There are an additional 6 larger holes around perimeter in the event I need to stake the platform down. When we set it up I place a sheet of plastic between the platform and ground.
When the platform is folded is slides into the bed of our 560, the eyebolts can be used to secure items in the camper such as cooler. We hope to field test this soon, hopefully it will meet my expectations, if not told Missy we could use it as a portable dance floor...R
