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Straight legs with no cross bracing doesn't typically make for the most stable platform. Does it wobble around a lot?
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jdmyron

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Straight legs with no cross bracing doesn't typically make for the most stable platform. Does it wobble around a lot?
no it’s really stable actually. Impressively so. Once you get the legs where you want them there’s a lock that makes them quite rigid. A little hard to explain but I didn’t have an issues sleeping on there.
 
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jdmyron

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Just curious about how this fits in the 4 door with the split 60/40 rear seat. It looks like you have it on the passenger side, which is the narrower of the two sides. Can you still have the driver side setback in the upright position?
Last question relates to the length when using a folding table on the rear swing gate. Do you believe there is enough room to allow one of these? When I measure the length it appears that the passenger seat may need to be forward to allow a full 72" with a folding table.
Thanks for any info you can provide, and thanks for posting this. (I had already built a sleeping platform but would prefer the Hele Box now that I read about it.)
I’ll get some more pics later today and check on the questions you have here.
 

Luckylat

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I can set it up later today or tomorrow and post some extra pictures and measurements, sure.
First, Thank You for sharing! Great option as I currently use just a 4" foam pad.
I like the fact it is a level platform to sleep on.
Exploring their web site it list the Hele Box Camping Bed Size/Specs:

Constructed - 72” x 24”
Storage Case - 34” x 13”
Packaged Weight - 25lbs

For us taller & larger users; what is the weight capacity and is there an option for a a longer version? Six ft. long is too short for me and I am very weary of "one size fits all". Also any feedback on the stability of the bed for those of us well over 6' and 225 lbs.+. Thank you in advance for the follow up!
 
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jdmyron

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For us taller & larger users; what is the weight capacity and is there an option for a a longer version? Six ft. long is too short for me and I am very weary of "one size fits all". Also any feedback on the stability of the bed for those of us well over 6' and 225 lbs.+. Thank you in advance for the follow up!
I’m about 225 and 5’10. The length is good for me but I see how it could be short for someone over 6ft. No issues with the weight capacity at least.
 

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jdmyron

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I added some more pics from a bunch of different angles with the mattress off. Some interesting discoveries:

1. It wont fit on the drivers side because of the big chunk of tailgate the insert into the trunk. There isn’t enough room on that side. As such, you can’t have this in place with one seat up because the passenger side seat area isn’t wide enough to accommodate this with the drivers side seat up.
2. There should be enough room if you have a table attached to the tailgate as long as it’s not too thick when folded up. There are a few inches available there.

Ford Bronco Hele Box Sleeping Platform Review IMG_8031


Ford Bronco Hele Box Sleeping Platform Review IMG_8030


Ford Bronco Hele Box Sleeping Platform Review IMG_8029


Ford Bronco Hele Box Sleeping Platform Review IMG_8021


Ford Bronco Hele Box Sleeping Platform Review IMG_8023


Ford Bronco Hele Box Sleeping Platform Review IMG_8022


Ford Bronco Hele Box Sleeping Platform Review IMG_8028


Ford Bronco Hele Box Sleeping Platform Review IMG_8026


Ford Bronco Hele Box Sleeping Platform Review IMG_8025


Ford Bronco Hele Box Sleeping Platform Review IMG_8024


Ford Bronco Hele Box Sleeping Platform Review IMG_8027


Ford Bronco Hele Box Sleeping Platform Review IMG_8018


Ford Bronco Hele Box Sleeping Platform Review IMG_8020


Ford Bronco Hele Box Sleeping Platform Review IMG_8019
 

HotdogThud

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You seem kinda jaded.
A lot of us are, unfortunately. There's been a fair bit of astroturfing that's happened here so a lot of the 'reviews' are thinly-veiled ads that drive a lot of us nuts. You bore the brunt of that, it seems.

Real question. seems kinda big and bulky, and not any pictures of it without bedding on it, how big is the thing anyways?

*edit*, I see the ones further down the post. Not bad at all, but I'd definitely be clonking my head all the time being that far up
 
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husker73

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I wanted to share my experience with the Hele Box for camping in your Bronco.

I was going back and forth about building a platform, getting a RTT or some other alternatives. I enjoy overlanding trips. Ultimately I decided against the RTT since I wanted the roof available for supplies. I love the platforms I see out there but wasn't prepared to commit to that type of build. I like maintaining flexibility.

I came across the Hele Box recently and reached out to see if it would fit in the Bronco. After talking with the owner, Murray who is super helpful I decided to give it a try. He hadn't had any Bronco sales yet so this was a great opportunity to see if it worked. It fits great in my 4 door Bronco. With 6 independently adjustable legs you can get the fit just right. I opted for a 4 inch foam mattress and slept beautifully. The bed is super stable and I slept very comfortably on it. This was affordable and I'm able to keep my Bronco as a daily driver without making a lot of modifications. There's still plenty of room for a fridge in the trunk (next purchase) next to the bed. Adding some pictures here so you can see what it looks like in the car and packed in its bag. I love how thoughtful they were with the design. For example the storage bag for the platform slides under it and you can use it for storage.

IMG_7961.webp


IMG_7962.webp


IMG_7978.jpeg
Thanks for the post. Helpful. Saw them at Overland expo and was wondering how it would work in my Bronco.
 
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jdmyron

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Just curious about how this fits in the 4 door with the split 60/40 rear seat. It looks like you have it on the passenger side, which is the narrower of the two sides. Can you still have the driver side setback in the upright position?
Last question relates to the length when using a folding table on the rear swing gate. Do you believe there is enough room to allow one of these? When I measure the length it appears that the passenger seat may need to be forward to allow a full 72" with a folding table.
Thanks for any info you can provide, and thanks for posting this. (I had already built a sleeping platform but would prefer the Hele Box now that I read about it.)
So unfortunately I had to put it on the passenger side. The reason is that the tailgate has that part that's much thicker on the driver side and the Hele box wouldn't quite fit there. When I use this I put both seats down in the rear. I am able to keep the driver seat in the upright position, but the front passenger seat definitely needs to be slid up to accommodate it. I stick all sorts of stuff under the Hele box when I have it in place and it's nice having the space available next to it for whatever other gear you've got.

I have a foldout table on the tailgate and it's not an issue. I just made sure I didn't get one that was too thick when folded up. This is the table I use: https://turnoffroad.com/products/2021-ford-bronco-fold-out-trail-table. I'm sure there are fancier ones but I like this one just fine and it doesn't interfere with the Hele box.
 

husker73

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Did you have to buy the stubbies? or extensions for the front legs behind the passenger seat?
 

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jdmyron

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Did you have to buy the stubbies? or extensions for the front legs behind the passenger seat?
I didn’t buy any additional legs. It came with the long ones that go in the footwell and those work fine.
 

4avor8ntfair

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Looks like an interesting option, but their website says it’s only available for pre-order for a Nov 2025 delivery
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