How To BUILD A WOODEN TRUCK BED FLOOR--For $75 Or Less! (Truck Bed Camping / Work Truck Bed Liner)
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How To BUILD A WOODEN TRUCK BED FLOOR--For $75 Or Less! (Truck Bed Camping / Work Truck Bed Liner)
A wooden floor is one of the best things you can add to your truck bed.
It's more comfortable to move around in than your typical metal or plastic truck bed liners. It gives you a consistent FLAT surface. And, you can build off it, as I did in my truck bed remodel video!
Adding a wooden truck bed floor is not difficult. This short video from The Honest Carpenter will show you how.
(Note: this floor is made from untreated 3/4" plywood because I have a cap / camper shell on my truck which protects it from the elements. If you don't have a cap on your truck, you most likely want to use treated plywood, and possibly drill "weep holes" in it to allow water to run out.
Most truck beds are over 4' wide. So, you'll need to make your wooden truck bed floor out of TWO sheets of plywood instead of one.
Notching out around the wheel well is the most difficult part of creating a wooden truck bed floor. But, in the video, I illustrate how this can be done by simply pulling a system of measurements from the back of the bed wall (the part right behind the cabin).
I also added notches around the swiveling tie downs near the truck gate. These allow me to have access to these truck bed tie downs in case I want to strap longer stuff hanging out of the bed.
I also raised the floor on treated spacers or strips of wood (situated between the bed liner rills) to create a bit more of an air gap in case water blew into the truck and got stuck under the wood floor.
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When I did this, I used my truck for hauling and camping, so I made mine easily removeable. I cut my plywood down the center and then used indoor/outdoor carpeting. The carpeting acted as a hinge. I could then fold it in half and pull it out. It was also easy to store.
That's a good idea, Joe! I contemplated the center hinge. In a lot of ways, it's even better because you can cut two mirror sides!
AIRASSAULT!
Actually did the same thing, but I used 4 in webbing straps screwed with some washers. For the wheelwell cutout measurements, just used a scrap piece of cardboard (thx Amazon) and cut outline using scissors...adjusting when needed.
@@nickrct designed the wheelwells in CAD?? Cardboard aided design that is, lol. That is what i was wishing was done in the video, such an easy way to make a rough template
Cool Man
They sell plywood for balconies in sheets up to 5x12 feet. They have a layer on top to help repel water. I used them in my last 3 work trucks. I used poster card board from the dollar store, taped together to make an exact template of the shape i wanted to cut out.
Good idea with the poster board
Good idea. What do they call this plywood for balconies?
Exactly!
Where do you buy this? regular lumber yards as opposed to big box stores?
Love it. Waaaaaay back in the day, my uncle laid one of those down, then stretched gold/brown shag carpet over it and of course, there was a canopy. That was me and my cousins hang out on long trips.
I like the way you did the sheet cuts for your truck. I have never put in a plywood bed liner in a pickup but if/when I get another Pickup I will. Thanks
I haul wood chips, gravel, etc that are difficult to clean out afterward. Your idea is just what I was looking for!
Timely for me. I am about to fit drawers between wheel arches and a platform above in a 1995 Toyota Hilux fuel cab ute. Your 2 ideas have solved an issue for me. I was going to use mini wheel under the drawer which would run in the deck groves, but there is a lot of load on those wheels. Your ply floor does give a fastening surface. Your spacers solve the dampness issue. Thanks for your innovations.
Nice job on the raising feature of the bed deck. You are right those beds and bed liners are murder on your knees.
I'm converting our Suburban to a camper. This is exactly what I was looking for so I can lay wood flooring on top. Thank you!
The best advice in this video is giving that extra layer of airspace . Excellent video as always and Happy Holidays to one and all .
Thanks Quantum, Happy Holidays! That floor lift has already proven useful for a couple wet camping trips.😁
@@TheHonestCarpenter Going fulltime camping in my f150 topper. What do you think of adding polyiso insulation down in between the planks than reflectix attached to the bottom of the floor than rug on top.
That’s a great idea to put a base down for attaching accessories. Lots of great pointers in this video! Good work, Ethan!
Thanks, buddy! Not nearly as good as the new floor in your event barn 😁
I have a 05 Suburban that I use for my biz... Great ideas and configuration suggestions! Awesome content👍🏾
As a tradesman I have always put some kind of a floor in my beds, but usually just buy 10' ply. I like your style with rails that covers the whole bed more and gives you airflow underneath.
Great job as always. I’d definitely use this method in the future for my vehicle
i needed a visual to start to a carpet kit like in the 70s , this vid was great , thank you
I wonder if you could also make an extension for the tailgate. That would make for a very nice work bench-type surface.
Thanks for this. I was planning in my head for what I would do and your build was exactly what I need.
WOW!! That looks fantastic. Very clever to use wood base to build storage compartments on it. Thanks for posting this helpful video.
You're welcome, Lisa! Thanks for watching! :)
I purchased a carpet kit for a Nissan Frontier with a cab. I can sleep in the truck, it has storage under the carpeted plywood but doesn't have a bottom. It just rests on the trucks floor liner.
You just solved my problem! Thank you.
I love the ideas you give us man. Please keep them coming!
Will do, STRoNG, thanks for watching!
Turned out great. Thanks for sharing.
Love your idear. Just brought a new Ute and I will use your system . Thanks
Thank you so much.... this is exactly what I was looking for!!!
I like your design! Thanks for the video.
Excellent project. As others here have mentioned, having that extra airspace was a good idea.
Thanks, Hiriser! 🙂
What a great idea and a super nice build. I'm looking into a sliding bed for my 2001 Tundra. It has a molded liner in the 8' bed. Commercial bed slides are pricey and since I don't have a cap on the bed, living in Florida makes moisture a real problem. Thanks for your videos.
Thank you. I have F150. I’m putting on a shell. I think I am going to lift it above the wheel wells to give more floor and storage and or insulation
Honest carpenter, I’m an independent carpenter in/from Raleigh NC. But I’m 46, so now you know at least one.
I did the same (inspired by this video!) but made the joists 2 3/4" tall and left a 31" gap down the middle so now there's a space to store a folding table.
Perfect video. Exactly what i was looking for and first suggestion on search. Can't get any better than that!
Great idea.! I think I'm going to pull out my plastic bed liner and do this.
I’m considering this for my f-150. I plan to cut the plywood down the centerline and install bottom hinges. This way I just fold the floor up from the outsides to the center and remove the floor in a jointed single unit.
Great DIY vid and thanks for sharing
Great video! Thanks for sharing.
I did a similar thing with my chev cargo van. However, I also put 4 heavy galvanized eyeballs through the floor board so that they were recessed below the plywood surface. This allowed me to mount a cheap used passenger van bench seat for when I wanted to use it for the family. It was easily installed and removed. Especially handy for camping and towing the ski boat. It had the additional advantage of making it level to slide and stack cargo easier. At the cost of 3/4" of headroom.
Good idea, Jodi! Amazing how many ideas can work when you blend carpentry and vehicles... plus a little creativity
Thank you, quick and clean
Nicely done. Very smart
We used a truck for our trailer and used a similar sheet with carpet on it so we could sleep on it when camping. it was removable and it worked great.
That's my plan
My son-in-law is restoring a 1950 GMC one ton. This video is going to him as soon as I’ve seen it all. 👍
That's great to hear, Guy! I hope it proves useful for him!
I'd love to have a '50
Definitely doing this to my 1st gen Tacoma!
Good information. I looking to purchase either a topper like the RSI Smart Cap and move away from a bed rack and I was looking for ideas on how to mount a fridge on a slide and "solar generator".
Well done. Love your content.
Thanks, Alton, I appreciate you watching!
Looks like a good practical frugal project
Great idea!
Absolutely would do this. I might even do it in my Dacia which has a short but tall space which always seems wasted. This would solve it. Great ideas. Thanks for the video.
Thanks, Chris! I hope the idea works well for you--work safe!
I wouldn't have added the piece across the end of the bed since the whole point of your risers is to give air space and let any water channel out. That end piece is like a damn for any water that might get under the floor. If you extended those risers out far enough you would have had the same support at the end of the floor that you have throughout the rest of it. I happen to be working on the back of my camper build and trying to figure out if I should try to match the profile of the bed liner or just go straight over. I think you convinced me to just go straight over, or maybe add some risers as you did. I really hope there won't be any water inside and I might possible epoxy the floor to prevent water damage if it ever happens.
Dude yes I needed this exact information 🎉
Great vid
I built a set of drawers for my truck when I owned a business. But I like your idea
Great video
I look forward to your videos each upload 😊
Thank you, Audiofilo! :)
Have you ever thought about making long drawers that can be pulled out of the truck bed and then pushed back in? That way it's easier to access heavy tools all the way in the back of the bed. I'm thinking that when you have the drawer pulled all the way out, you can drop down a leg on a hinge to support the weight of the extended drawer. Curious to hear your thoughts, thanks
Good idea, look up what a ticking stick is, would make laying out those cuts easy
That’s awesome 🤩 the possibilities
Thanks Kiro! 😄
I'd want to verify that this stays dry underneath before screwing much in place. I seem to recall (a few decades ago) getting a lot of spray coming up from my front bed drain openings when driving on wet roads. I'm a bit concerned that the bottom horizontal piece at the back might hinder air circulation.
Great job
That's dope! I need to do that for my truck
@@dporrasxtremeLS3 🙄Troll!
My D-Max checks 42 inches between the wells, there is a distinct weld line at the center section. My cabinets go to that edge and leave me with 37 inches, parallel.
This is a terrific idea. I was looking into a spray in liner or a plastic liner but don’t feel like spending $600-$1200 for it. With this I can protect the bed floor from dents/ scratches and build mounts to hold off-road gear.
Those are insane prices! Pur dealership did spray ins for any truck for 450
Nice Wor👍
That’s awesome
Great idea. Thanks.
Thanks, Doak!
I’ve been thinking about doing this for my dog. He Actualy prefers riding in the bed rather then inside the cab. But I have a 98 dodge and anyone who has the bed cover knows it hurts the feet so I can only imagine how he feels. Only difference is I’m going to lay cheap carpet over the wood so it doesn’t splinter his feet.
Pure awesomeness Sir
Thank you Rommel! 🙂
Looks great, I had the same idea.
Thanks TJ! :)
Nice job
Great ideas. May do something similar w a YJ.
Thank you, divemaster! Good luck with the build 🙂
Really a nice job. I wish I had your skills. Question, the 6 inch cutouts in front and back of the wheel wells, are they designed to span 1x6 across the bed to support a type of platform or anything more specific?
Just answered my question, span with 1x6 for carrying full 48 wide building materials. But good use too for building some shelf systems off of casing front and back of wheel wells.
I have bad knees & the ribs are so hard. I like this idea.
Thank you
Thanks for the video!! Awesome me and my hubby were debating this!! Making me mad! Lol! So I’m glad I found your video! We are planning to use this video for our culture of Powwows! Camp out at powwows in the USA N CAD!! thanks and we subscribed - cheers 🎉
That was very nice how u did the floor in your truck .
Very nice!
Thanks, ben!
I used 1.25 inch thick plywood two eye bolts bolted to the plywood and chain link attachment to the truck tie downs did two coats of primer and house paint I used six rubber bumpers distributed evenly which raised the plywood for ventilation opened up the two drain holes in the truck bed of my 2007 Toyota Tundra 5.7L Crew Max the truck bed has been all over the US snow,dirt,sand rain extreme heat in Palm springs California and Las Vegas for months at a time 113 degrees out 118 degrees in Yuma Arizona and Calexico California the truck bed seen a lot never gave up on me never bowed or chipped if primmered correctly it was the cheapest most effective modification I ever done and worked well it kept up with the lifestyle cheers great vid buddy
What did you use for rubber bumpers?
I will have to keep this video in mind when I buy a truck or cargo van!
Had I used this advice in my Chevy cargo van years a go , I wouldn't have had to spend hours using a wire brush and repainting .
@@QuantumPyrite_88.9 Can't you just pressure wash the crap out and air spray a new paint layer? I'm not planning to get a new Cargo Van so it'll probably be beat up, being that I'll be the 2nd, 3rd, or 4th owner. Just want something to move stuff around for personal home renovision.
@@henri6595 Do what ever trips your trigger . I used a motor wire brush to get down to bare metal and particularly around rusted areas which were shock absorber mounts showing rust inside the van floor .
I used Expensive epoxy paint and a brush . Undercoating was sprayed over the epoxy paint . Treated 3/4 " plywood was the flooring .
Question would a template out of let's say paper work if you were to lay it out on bed of truck, tape together than lay on top of plywood, it worked for me one time when I had to cut linoleum for a floor, thanks
What perfect timing. Or maybe CZcams definitely listening to our conversations. Anyway, how much would you charge for something like this? Got a mobile detailer asking if I can find a way to secure his items properly in his truck bed. This is a brilliant idea
Beautiful work man, my question is what are the measurements of the slats under the floor ?
now i have the reason to build something for my truck .... :-)
Thanx. That’s what hat I want to do. So are you saying I could screw in a fridge slide out without screwing in to the bed of the truck?
Would I do this to my truck? Would YOU do this to my truck? LOL! I ordered a Belair camper shell and I need a foundation for my truck build. Great video. Thanks!
Do you have any suggestions on how to use a jig saw so that one edge of the cut is the same as the bottom. My blade always seems to bend with out placing pressure on the tool. I use a Bosch barrel grip jig saw. Thank you in advance.
do you ever bolt your frame down to the bed itself? how do you avoid the wooden parts from sliding and bouncing around?
going to coppy yours i have a nissan 2012 D40 with hard lid
What are your thoughts on building a tonneau cover vs buying one. I would like a cover that is strong enough to were I can also load weight on top if need be. But a hard folding cover I’m looking at $879
Did you or are you going to apply a layer of paste wax to protect your new wood liner? I would think this would keep the surface smooth and prevent staining. Just curious.
also easier to slide things in and out. Ah you forgot to mention that spacers should be sized perfectly to fit snug into those contours, so the whole floor doesn't move/jostle when pickup is in motion.
We want to build out a sleeping platform with long sliding drawers underneath. Any chance you’ve built something like that for your tacoma??? We got quoted by a carpenter for $1800. But I think we could do it on our own.
If you go over big bumps does the whole floor bounce up because it’s not bolted to the truck bed?
Thank you for the great content! Any tips for people with a typical passenger car, regarding transporting full sheets of plywood?
Just an FYI I recently started a project and fit 2x4 plywood through the rear seat fold downs in my 2010 Corolla. I also was able to fit 2 8 ft 4x4s and 8 8ft 2x4s through there, along with other stuff to haul home. I wouldn't attempt 4x8 plywood, I could barely even fit that in the old Expedition I had. I mean you can try tying that to the top on brackets or something but good luck with that.
Thanks, nik! That's always a tricky one. A subaru or anything with a rack has the potential for holding a strapped sheet (while driving slowly). But often I would suggest to my clients to just rent one of the Home Depot trucks if they needed to do a quick lumber run. You can often get them for about $25 for one good trip--just plan to buy enough material for a few projects all at once!
I'm in the same boat, small car. I just bring my circular saw with me and break down the sheets into pieces that can fit into my car in the parking lot. I even use the cart they have for sheets goods so I don't have to do it on the ground. With all the seats folded down and sometimes wood sticking out passenger window, I've been able to sort of do all the projects I've wanted. Thinking of trading the car in for a used minivan so I won't have to anymore.
@@chrisfox6843 Yes, for years I struggled with this. I had a roof rack for my Toyota Camry, and I could put 4 x 4 sheets of plywood on top. But for a full 4 x 8 sheet I needed to rent that truck from Home Depot. Last year I finally purchased a used pickup. I probably should have done it years ago. Aside from hauling plywood, it is also nice for runs to Costco.
I have a triple extension ladder. I take 2 sections and secure them to my roof rack. I use them as a bed on which to lay and strap down the 8x4 sheets, never had any problems transporting the sheets.
How did you secure it down to the truck bed itself? Or does it just sit in there for easy removal?
Wouldn't you be more concerned about water trapped under the furring strips than water between the ribs of the bed and the plywood? What about cork peel and stick dots stuck to the plywood spaced out every foot or so along the ribs?
Nicely done! Got a question for you:
I have a small workbench in my house that I recently replaced the flaked, rough particle board to with a sheet of MDF. I countersunk the screws for a smooth top and it’s maybe .3° off level so I’m OK with it. My question is what I should use, like a polyurethane or something similar that will seal the MDF against liquids, and I’d like it to be able to self-level after pouring. What would be the right thing to use here?
Thanks My3! If you want something self-leveling, you’ll probably have to go with some sort of epoxy pour 🤔 Otherwise just a brushed-on polyurethane should give you all the protection you really need.
Always thought it would be cool to use some nice looking tongue and groove for a wood floor in the bed.
My knees vote YES!
Mine too, Mark 😆
Great video but you don't need that "airspace" are the bed floors ridges act to provide the airspace....especially if you opt for treated wood. Save height and weight in the process.
I am a working blacksmith for 35 years. I work out my truck is a Ford F150 3.7 v6 .I am all way. Building it to be better.
Packouts 🤏🐓
Good JOB !...before cutting nice, expensive plywood...practice with cardboard or scrap wood board
Like the idea, but I need something like draws for the bed of my truck and the work I do
In my last truck, Joseph, half the bed was a raised floor, and beside it was a long drawer-like box with a cover that I could pull out and push back in. I called that thing the "coffin" because that was sort of what it looked like. That set up worked pretty well for a while!
You can practice your measurements, cuts, and fitment with cardboard to get that perfect fit.
Cardboard, great idea thank you.