Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks: 179 Queen Bed Plywood Upgrade

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179 Queen Bed Plywood Upgrade

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Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
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URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11699
Printed Date: 27 Jun 2025 at 2:08pm
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Topic: 179 Queen Bed Plywood Upgrade

Posted By: ouRdogPod
Subject: 179 Queen Bed Plywood Upgrade
Date Posted: 09 Jun 2018 at 9:36pm

Just curious if any one has upgraded the 1/4" plywood under the bed to 1/2" or 3/4"?

Tonight My wife and I took the bed up to familiarize ourselves with the water heater, valves, furnace, etc and I was surprised with the 1/4" plywood. One of our dogs jumped up on the platform before we removed it and it flexed more than I thought it would. Now on the 179 with the storage provided underneath the bed is a square section about 32.75" x 28.5" that is not supported for the bed platform. I went ahead and ripped down some 2"x4"s and added some bracing. Im not sure why this isn't done at the factory it wouldn't affect the storage at all.

Now Im considering replacing the 1/4" with 3/4" plywood to have a much more stable platform. Can anyone think of any possible Con's other than a little added weight?

Many thanks in advance.

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RDOGPOD
2 Dogs and Us
2016 R-Pod 179
2015 Toyota Tundra

Replies:

Posted By: lostagain
Date Posted: 10 Jun 2018 at 7:49am

I think the OEM plywood under the bed is 3/8ths luan. It ain't very strong. When I raised our bed I realized that it was sagging pretty badly and I put 4 stringers under the plywood to stiffen it, similar to what you did. They run front/back. It's taken care of the sagging problem, but heavier plywood might be better over the long run. The luan plywood is not very sturdy. The weight problem would depend on how much stuff you tend to carry. If you're pushing the limit already, then it may be an issue, otherwise, it's really not all that much. I think it would be in the neighborhood of a little under 20 lbs. of additional weight.

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Never leave footprints behind.
Fred & Maria Kearney
Sonoma 167RB
Our Pod 172
2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost

Posted By: ouRdogPod
Date Posted: 10 Jun 2018 at 10:37am

lostagain - You are correct about the luan. I feel better adding the cross bracing, but have decided to go ahead and add the 3/4" plywood. I feel this will be much more stable and provide a much better base for a sleeping platform.

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RDOGPOD
2 Dogs and Us
2016 R-Pod 179
2015 Toyota Tundra

Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 10 Jun 2018 at 2:05pm

Should make it more solid with the 3/4". Towing with an F-150 shouldn't notice it at all.

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Leo & Melissa Bachand
2017 Ford F150
2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk
Previously owned
2015 Rpod 179
2010 Rpod 171

Posted By: Keith-N-Dar
Date Posted: 10 Jun 2018 at 3:29pm

It is always a trade off. Pods are made as light as possible, and are still to heavy for many of the tow vehicles pulling them. 3/4 plywood adds weight as does sturdier cabinets suggested in another current post. For that matter so is the thick foam mattress we replaced our original one with. When you start adding tis upmit can be considerable, especially with people who think the weight of the water in the fresh tank overloads the system and makes their rig dangerous.

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Keith-N-Dar
Boris & Betty (Boston Terriers)
2011 R-Pod 177
2010 Ford F-150