My goal was to design a very simple method of mounting my Kamp-Rite Oversize Tent Cot in the Santa Cruz bed that: can be setup quickly, left installed and folded up while driving (if desired); easily removed and completely portable in the original storage bag also.
I started by purchasing two 2" X 6" X 6' redwood planks and cut them to 53.5" in length, then set them in the bed slots for the tent cot to sit on top of. The folded tent cot sits well below the cab roof, so there won't be any aerodynamic drag if left installed while driving.
![Vehicle Car Land vehicle Automotive tail & brake light Wheel]()
Because I wanted everything to be portable, I thought it would be best to box in the tent cot legs to prevent it from moving right to left or front to back, rather than bolting it in. I noticed the plastic pieces on the legs came right to the edge of the cross boards when they are in their widest position in the slots while at the same time the fold out extensions hit the slanted bed edge coming off the back of the cab (it happened to sit in the prefect position).
![Automotive tire Automotive lighting Hood Motor vehicle Window]()
After sleeping on it for a night and considering different methods of securing it in place I came up with this simple idea to use wood stops at all four corners with tie downs over the leg cross bar attached to the bed floor tie down loops. I drew this design on a Post-It for the stops.
![Gesture Wood Automotive design Finger Rectangle]()
The legs sit 6.5" in from each end of the cross boards, so I cut four right to left stops out of the leftover 2x6 redwood and attached them with three screws from the bottom to each end. Then I cut four 6" x 3" x 0.5" front to back stops out of some raw base board wood with a single rounded edge and rounded the protruding corner on each. These are attached with three deck screws 2.5" in from the end of the cross boards, which leaves 2" sticking out for the stop.
![Car Vehicle Automotive tail & brake light Automotive lighting Trunk]()
The last thing was to come up with a simple cot extension support method for the side facing the rear. I remembered Harbor Tool & Freight had some solid rubber wheel chucks that might do the trick and they did!
![Car Sky Vehicle Automotive parking light Motor vehicle]()
![Bumper Motor vehicle Wood Automotive tire Automotive exterior]()
These are surprising easy to cut with a saw and/or circular wood hole cutter on a drill press. I did one circular cut for the extension support and a 90* straight cut for the outer leg that isn't used to swing down a bit so you don't hit it when in the cot (the outer legs can also simply be removed if you desire).
![Gas Wood Rectangle Metal Aluminium]()
![Rectangle Composite material Transparency Metal Fashion accessory]()
They slide in right on top of the bed edge and hold securely in place and can still serve double duty as wheel chucks if needed in a pinch.
![Hood Motor vehicle Automotive tire Bumper Automotive exterior]()
The tent cot end straps attach nicely to the plastic fender surrounds and have quick release clips with cinch straps.
![Car Tire Wheel Vehicle Land vehicle]()
I'm very happy with the end result. Simple, neat, clean and light weight.
Next I'm going design a way to use the rain cover front zipper flap as a small awning over the entrance to the tent and tailgate. I might also make a shoe tray between the cross boards under the cot.
I started by purchasing two 2" X 6" X 6' redwood planks and cut them to 53.5" in length, then set them in the bed slots for the tent cot to sit on top of. The folded tent cot sits well below the cab roof, so there won't be any aerodynamic drag if left installed while driving.
Because I wanted everything to be portable, I thought it would be best to box in the tent cot legs to prevent it from moving right to left or front to back, rather than bolting it in. I noticed the plastic pieces on the legs came right to the edge of the cross boards when they are in their widest position in the slots while at the same time the fold out extensions hit the slanted bed edge coming off the back of the cab (it happened to sit in the prefect position).
After sleeping on it for a night and considering different methods of securing it in place I came up with this simple idea to use wood stops at all four corners with tie downs over the leg cross bar attached to the bed floor tie down loops. I drew this design on a Post-It for the stops.
The legs sit 6.5" in from each end of the cross boards, so I cut four right to left stops out of the leftover 2x6 redwood and attached them with three screws from the bottom to each end. Then I cut four 6" x 3" x 0.5" front to back stops out of some raw base board wood with a single rounded edge and rounded the protruding corner on each. These are attached with three deck screws 2.5" in from the end of the cross boards, which leaves 2" sticking out for the stop.
The last thing was to come up with a simple cot extension support method for the side facing the rear. I remembered Harbor Tool & Freight had some solid rubber wheel chucks that might do the trick and they did!
These are surprising easy to cut with a saw and/or circular wood hole cutter on a drill press. I did one circular cut for the extension support and a 90* straight cut for the outer leg that isn't used to swing down a bit so you don't hit it when in the cot (the outer legs can also simply be removed if you desire).
They slide in right on top of the bed edge and hold securely in place and can still serve double duty as wheel chucks if needed in a pinch.
The tent cot end straps attach nicely to the plastic fender surrounds and have quick release clips with cinch straps.
I'm very happy with the end result. Simple, neat, clean and light weight.
Next I'm going design a way to use the rain cover front zipper flap as a small awning over the entrance to the tent and tailgate. I might also make a shoe tray between the cross boards under the cot.
