Subaru Outback Platform

After spending several uncomfortable and cold nights in the car before the fresh ski in the morning, Elise and I decided to research some more comfortable sleep conditions. It seems like there's several articles and tutorials of outdoors folks making platforms for their cars, so we thought we'd try to make our own.

​

The benefit of having a platform is that it allows for easy separation of skis, other equipment, and the sleep area. It's also simple to add a carpet or raised headrest on the platform to make sleeping more comfortable. 

​

One thing to note is that your Subaru Outback may have slightly different dimensions than ours due to the trunk dimensions changing over years and different model versions. Our specific Subaru is the Subaru Outback 2017 Premium.

​

All of the following materials can be bought or customized from Home Depot.

​

Materials - (overall cost < $150)

​

• 1 piece of plywood 34.5" x 41.5" x 0.5"

• 1 piece of plywood 27.5" x 41.5" x 0.5"

• 1 piece of plywood 11.0" x 41.5" x 0.5"

• 2 planks of wood 8" x 37"

• 3 rectangular wood scraps 2" x 2" x 3"

• Wood Glue

  • 037083050042

• 2 Clutch Style Bar Clamp

  • 091162009604

• 3 carriage bolts 3/8" -16x2"

  • link​

• 2 Satin Nickel Radius Door Hinge - 3-1/2 in. x 5/8 in.

  • 030699208241​

• 12 Round Head Stainless Steel Machine Screw 

  • 887480144819

• 1 Daredevil 3/8 in. x 6 in. Spade Bit

  • 000346388596

• 1 bag of 30 piece 1/4 in. Nuts, Washers, Lock Washers

  • 887480035223

• 1 rug 6ft x 8ft

  • 080321106063

• 1 Flooring Trowel

  • 010306497152

• 1 Qt. Carpet and Artificial Turf Adhesive 6700

  • 075378670001

​

Instructions:

​

1) Go buy the materials

• Home Depot will do custom cuts of plywood​

• To double check that your wood was cut correctly, place cut pieces in the trunk of your Subaru in the final planned formation

2) Build the Base Platform

• Attach the three planks of wood to the short edge of the largest piece of plywood.

• The planks should only be sticking out on why side of the plywood.

• Smear wood glue on areas that'll be stuck together

• Attach the planks and the plywood. 

• Use the clamps to keep the surfaces stuck together, let dry overnight.

​

3) Create Hinges for the Middle Platform

• Drill a hole using the spade bit through the center of a 2"x2" plank of plywood one inch from the top. 

• Put the 4 of the machine screws through the top of the hinge, tighten with corresponding nuts.

• Put a carriage bolt through the hinge and the plank, tighten with a corresponding nut.

• Create 2 more of these.

​

4) Attach Hinges to Middle Platform

• Drill 3 sets of four holes through the middle plank in the areas, see pictures for a reference (two on the ends, one in the middle).

• Use the hinges to mark where the screw holes should be before you drill the hole..

• Attach 4 screws to each hinge, tighten a nut around each screw. 

• The screws are much longer than the hinge thickness.

• They prevent the wooden planks from rotating too much.

​

5) Cut the reflective material into the shapes of each window

• These covers allow for privacy when parking and sleeping in a public area, such as a ski resort parking lot.

• They also help with heat retention.