Fold up bed, use wood or steel or?

[sbshaver]

I want to put a Murphy type folding bed in our 6x12, hopefully we can use it width wise. Can I assume that wood will be light and prettier and steel stronger? Wood cheaper? Trying to keep things light. tow vehicle is just a 6 cyl minivan.

Btw, call me crazy but our trailer will be a hybrid used for camping and occasional catering gigs. Our kitchen is on wheels so we can wheel in and out and hookup. But we have to keep built ins at a minimum and space open. I'm thinking of a built in bench along the wall for storage and it'll also be where the bed folds down and rests upon.

[CGRotorhead]

Good question I have been having the same dilemma

[Hiflyer]

Honestly, I made my fixed bed with unistrut U channel.

1) super easy to build and modify
2) a million types of brackets & connectors & hinge types
3) should be maybe $100 for a bed frame setup

It also flexes a lot less than the same size wood I would imagine

channel is 1.25"
http://www.unistrut.us/index.php?WP=cat ... 05&P=A1000

million different fittings

http://www.unistrut.us/index.php?WP=sho ... 20Fittings

you may be able to get away with building it out of the narrower 13/16 channel

http://www.unistrut.us/index.php?WP=sho ... %20Channel


or there are kits too like these from lee valley (do a search on their website for murphy for more):

http://www.leevalley.com/en/hardware/pa ... 42&p=41271

[tony.latham]

Youtube it. There are several videos about DIY Murphy beds. The hardware's available here and there (Rockler, Amazon, etc.)

TL

[chiefb711]

I'm going with 1x2" and 1x1" aluminum and welding a nice little frame up. Then I will attach it to the wall using Unistrut and some Unistrut wheeled tracks. Not quite sure how I'll hold it in place or lift it, but the concept is simple enough. The only reason I'm going with aluminum is the strength for its weight.

Ryan

[sbshaver]

My engineer friends all love Unitstrut. Does unistrut also make a hinge assembly to implement the murphy aspect of the bed? or is the thinking unistrut is just for the frame portion and the hinge stuff is a separate part.

Wish I knew how to weld. would be handy right about now.

[Hiflyer]

My engineer friends all love Unitstrut. Does unistrut also make a hinge assembly to implement the murphy aspect of the bed? or is the thinking unistrut is just for the frame portion and the hinge stuff is a separate part.

Wish I knew how to weld. would be handy right about now.

Unistrut prolly has 200 types of hinges. If you can think of it it's probably available

To lift / hold check the petzl microtraxon. It's a pulley that has an arm that comes down to make it also a one way pulley. Very slick

[aggie79]

I've also been looking into murphy beds for a possible CTC.

For many of the kits, you need to check out the minimum dimensions of the cabinet/enclosure. Most of the kits add extra height and/or extra depth to the dimensions of the bed/bedframe.

I've been playing around with alternate designs that don't add extra height or depth. I also need to add a second functionality to the murphy bed in the raised position like either a fold down table or some sort of folding sofa/bench. I've also considered a "Ricky and Lucy" dual-twin bed arrangement with a central aisle between. Because the twin bed is about half the weight of a full or queen, the gas lifts and/or springs have correspondingly less force to assist raising the bed.

I don't have metalworking skills so if I do build, it will be lightweight wood construction. There is an Ikea about an hour from our house, so I've been thinking about an Ikea wood slate mattress base as the foundation for the murphy bed.

[sbshaver]

Right now I'm thinking Unistrut outer frame with wood slats, so a combo, should give a blend of strength and weight. The wood might give a slightly better aesthetic too

[cornfused]

I made a lightweight steel frame with plywood over it for my trailer. I made it so they attach to e-track on the walls to I can change the height depending on what cargo is in the trailer or if I have to sleep a night with the cargo in the trailer. There is also the possibility of building two more to fit in there like two bunks or flipping both to one side. I don't have any completed pics right now, but here are a couple almost finished pics with no railings and a little less refined.

For me choosing the material, steel or wood, is more dependent on how "woody" or "race trailer" of a look you want to go for.





Edit: "in action" pic

[aggie79]

Cornfused,

I really like your design. Too bad I don't have the metal working skills you do.

Take care,
Tom

[CargoPete]

Cornfused,

Is that mounted on horizontal e-track?

I was thinking about making something based on vertical e-track that could be height adjusted.

Do you have a more detailed picture of how it connects in?

[AZ_Desert_Rat]

I've also been looking into murphy beds for a possible CTC.

For many of the kits, you need to check out the minimum dimensions of the cabinet/enclosure. Most of the kits add extra height and/or extra depth to the dimensions of the bed/bedframe.

I've been playing around with alternate designs that don't add extra height or depth. I also need to add a second functionality to the murphy bed in the raised position like either a fold down table or some sort of folding sofa/bench. I've also considered a "Ricky and Lucy" dual-twin bed arrangement with a central aisle between. Because the twin bed is about half the weight of a full or queen, the gas lifts and/or springs have correspondingly less force to assist raising the bed.

I don't have metalworking skills so if I do build, it will be lightweight wood construction. There is an Ikea about an hour from our house, so I've been thinking about an Ikea wood slate mattress base as the foundation for the murphy bed.

Hi Tom,
If you end up going with the Ikea wood slats, please PM me on how it works ... I have been doing the same (CONTEMPLATING) and trying to compare to the older spring-bed, but the wood slats are definitely lighter and it looks like one can purchase a set of full-size (I think) slats and use them for two single beds.

I am going to a late October gathering in Brainard and I really want to retire the Coleman cots ... REALLY RETIRE THEM

I just moved to Minnesota and need to find an Ikea store close to see the parts and maybe even lay on a bed. I am also going to see if the wood frame or metal (Unistrut) will work best for me or wood (I really like the warmth and texture of wood the best). I am looking at building two side murphy-style beds at 30" wide x 76" long each ... If I go with the spring-bed frame, I will go with a metal frame and if the wood slats are used, I believe either wood or metal will work.

I'll keep you (and the thread) posted as well...

[cornfused]

Cornfused,

Is that mounted on horizontal e-track?

I was thinking about making something based on vertical e-track that could be height adjusted.

Do you have a more detailed picture of how it connects in?

These pictures should help out. I used an e-track mount for a 2x4 wood and cut it down with a band saw, Then welded some 2x2 steel tube to what was left of the e-track mount.

[CargoPete]

That does help, thank you for adding the additional pics.