Converting a Toyota Corolla Into a Sleeper

Sometimes it is nice to have a backup plan, such as the ability to sleep relatively comfortably in a car for the night if the need arises.

This project details how a camp stretcher was fitted into a Toyota Corolla. It may not fit into all cars as the car probably needs to be a hatch or something similar.

Supplies

Camp stretcher

Car which will fit the camp stretcher (I used a Toyota Corolla, but am pretty sure I have also fitted into a Toyota Yaris)

Duct Tape

Few small boards

Tools:

Hacksaw

Step 1: Modify the Stretcher Bed

The object is to fit a stretcher bed into the car so you have a flat, supported surface to sleep on.

1. Unfold the stretcher bed.
2. Cut off the middle support just after the cross over support with a hacksaw.
3. Tape the cut edges so they do not damage the car's interior.

Step 2: Get the Car Ready to Take the Stretcher Bed

1. Remove the parcel shelf from the boot.
2. Flatten down the back seats.
3. Move the front seats forward and then flatten the seats backwards.

Step 3: Fitting the Stretcher

1. Slide the made up stretcher bed into the car through the boot.
2. Slide pieces of wooden board under the stretcher bed's legs to support it and protect the car's furnishings.
3. Use duct tape to secure the stretcher's legs to the boards.
4. Check the stretcher is level, adjust with more supporting boards if required.

Step 4: Store You Luggage

1. Put the removed parcel shelf and front head rests back into the car.
2. Place any other items back into the car, there is space under the stretcher to store items.
3. Close the boot (trunk).

Step 5: The View From the Stretcher Bed

Getting onto the stretcher can be achieved by coming through the drivers door and lying with your head near the rear of the car. While there is not much head space you doesn't feel claustrophobic as there are windows all around.

Step 6:

Comments

[charlessenf-gm]

"purchased from aldi for about $50"

What's an 'aldi?'

In the Army (U.S.), we called them cots!

Curious to learn where folks call them "stecher beds?"

[BevCanTech]

Can understand the confusion when local words go out to a wider audience :-).
An 'aldi' is a supermarket chain which is German based but now has stores in many other countries. It is known for its 'specials' where one or two days a week they will have things you don't usually find in a supermarket and didn't know you 'need' until you see it.
'Stretcher bed' is used to describe a bed made from poles with canvas slung between in Australia and New Zealand. Not sure what other countries call them. Interestingly, the word 'cot' usually refers to a baby's bed in AU and NZ. Maybe a more universal description is 'camp bed'.

[charlessenf-gm]

The Adli's have moved to America. We shop there often. In the U.S. Army, we had cots that were made from Olive Drab canvas and and oak(?) (square) poles hinged so as to fold into a compact form that fit into a canvas bag of the same color as the cot's canvas. There was a pair of cross pieces with round tenons at each end which fit into the poles at either end to stretch them (and the canvas) taut. I used one long after I left the service. Loaned iit to a friend and never saw it again.

[dcitomd]

Seems to me that an inflatable air bed on a cardboard base would provide a more comfortable and roomier solution to this problem???

[BevCanTech]

I agree, the only real benefit I can see of using a camp strecher is it can give extra length as is allows the full length of the car to be used, from the rear window to the front window. Which may be useful depending on height.

[ges53]

I was going to say that, at least in the USA, a Corolla isn't a hatchback, but then I found that there have been a number of years in which Toyota made a Corolla hatchback (including since 2019). Here's an article on the various incarnations: https://www.auto123.com/en/news/12-toyota-corolla-hatchbacks-through-the-years/65009/

[MikeTomk41]

Das ist aber nicht ganz dasselbe, oder?
That is not quite the same thing, though- is it ?
Mark you, I have slept in the back of an Austin Maxi, with my dog present, without anything done to the car/ or dog at all! On Bodmin Moor, if you want to know. Dog lay on the front seat.

[BevCanTech]

The Austin Maxi, in the days when British Leyland were making pretty average cars. But they were still making them. Were you able to sleep on a flat surface? The modified stretcher provides a flat surface for little work (shorten the middle legs) and cost - purchased from aldi for about $50.

[MikeTomk41]

BevCanTech- sorry, I wasn't decrying your idea- it's good. I was just pointing out to Werder that a Touran is not the same as a Corolla. Yes, the Maxi had a flat surface to sleep on, bags of room, but not a reliable gearbox, I broke two or three over two cars. But as a drivers car it was very good.

[werder]

ich habe in einem VW Touran eine einfache Liegefläche eingerichtet: ich habe für den Fussraum hinter den Vordersitzen aus 6er Basic Einlagen
in einem
Flaschenkarton
für Weinflaschen ( Enviropack ) eine Erhöhung geschnitten, die bis zur Basis der Ladefläche reicht. Das gleiche habe ich für zwei
entfernte Rücksitze gemacht. So habe ich eine durch durchgehende Liegefläche für eine Matratze.

[BevCanTech]

Like your idea of using inserts, especially one for wine :-). I have wondered if something similar could be achieved with a blow up bed, which has contours of the car's flatten seats built in to give a flat sleeping surface.

[GanadoRH]

I was curious as to how one closes the door after climbing in, since your head (and arms) will be near the rear of the vehicle. (Please report.)

[BevCanTech]

Yes, it does involve, twisting your body around, adding a cord to the inside of the car door would help. I like to keep a small gap in one the windows for ventilation too.

[mulapretaz]

He did not post a photo of the dismantled and folded bed.

[BevCanTech]

Here's 2 photos of the folded bed, pretty compact.