Intro and title, “motobox that my wife would camp in”

[flboy]

BigDave, I have to wait until the end of April for my new 6*12 cargo trailer due to a back ordered 5,200lb straight axle, so in the meantime, I want to build a steel frame for my bed lift in the 7*18 . The wood one works just fine, but is more complex than needed and very heavy. I want to build a bed similar to yours and shed a few pounds and be more sturdy.

I really like what you did and have something similar in mind. Recently, I hit a few hard potholes on some forest roads and the weight and G forces have started to crack where I put in lag bolts for the resting plates. It is just a matter of time... too heavy for the abuse it gets. It has lasted 4 years and I could repair it.... but I am itching to weld more.... I bought a portable bandsaw today to help me with the cuts.

To that end, can you help me with the source of your drive gear and bearing end plates (mainly just the drive gear)? I was thinking of using garage door bearing endplates , a shaft , 4 lift cable drums (all garage door hardware). I'll need to mate the shaft to the gear drive.

Also, does that drive ratchet in both directions so it does not "let loose" on the way down? Does your drill lift it well? My 2,500lb ATV winch is very noisy and I'd love to get rid of it. I have a use for it in my new CTC anyhow.

[BigDave_185]

I’m glad to help, Brian sent me a bunch of photos of what he did, I would love to do a rev 2 on mine.

First thing. 1x3 is over kill!!!! 1x2 Max needed!

Second I love your under bed storage so I would build a wood box to go under my bed that bolts to the metal frame.

Third my mattress is to stupid thick. Kills my head room under it. I would build one from foam if I had all the money in the world.

Forth,
The drive system I kinda stole if that makes sense after this. I called this lift company

Racor - PHL-R, Garage Ceiling Storage Rack Lift https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0009I8AO6/re ... UTF8&psc=1

I told the sweet lady on the phone that my shitty kids stripped out the gears in mine ( I don’t have one actually ) and I wanted to buy replacement parts, they don’t sell just parts. She sent them to me for free, some cable, the square drive shaft, the 90 degree drive gear. So stole it feels right but.... I tried to pay her.

Fifth, the drive shaft has a sharp edge on the cable that I really really don’t like. I’d like to use these


The garage door braided cable tends to wear on itself with out the v groove via my buddy who owns a garage door company. This your door at home has those drums. I would figure a way to add them instead of wrapping a shaft.

Sixth, the drill. It really feels laborsome on the drill, that said my drill motor is currently smoked and new one on the way (read stupid covid) and I will see from there.

Seventh, I don’t think after following Brian’s design I need the extra bearings, I haven’t removed mine yet as they are welded to hell and back to test my hypothesis but Brian’s doesn’t need them. Mine shouldn’t

It’s really just excessive I think.

One of the other concerns is the trailer I built mine in is not square. The bed frame is with in 1/16 of square in either direction and I think it binds

Amazon does have some gear drive options that I looked at but didn’t look to much further past my freebie. But 90degree gear reduction brings up a good search list end lots of powered options.


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[BigDave_185]

Flboy I’m not sure in understand your last question. The weight of the bed keeps plenty of tension on the cables as it lowers. The turnbuckles helped me keep them all even tension.

Otherwise did I miss your question?

It does rotate up and down on the drive gear.


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[flboy]

Flboy I’m not sure in understand your last question. The weight of the bed keeps plenty of tension on the cables as it lowers. The turnbuckles helped me keep them all even tension.

Otherwise did I miss your question?

It does rotate up and down on the drive gear.


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No. you got the question right.. just wanted to make sure the bed wont drop unless driven. Thanks much for the info.

I don't think I will get that lucky to get a gear drive.

Anyone out there have any ideas, I am all ears..

Thanks!

[BigDave_185]

Flboy I’m not sure in understand your last question. The weight of the bed keeps plenty of tension on the cables as it lowers. The turnbuckles helped me keep them all even tension.

Otherwise did I miss your question?

It does rotate up and down on the drive gear.


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No. you got the question right.. just wanted to make sure the bed wont drop unless driven. Thanks much for the info.

I don't think I will get that lucky to get a gear drive.

Anyone out there have any ideas, I am all ears..

Thanks!

Husqvarna Right Angle T Drive Gearbox 539003131 Craftsman SC 18A OEM https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DFNYQCC/re ... TER1JKBB8G

Happybuy 2PCS 30 Inches Electric Actuators Kit 12V DC with Mounting Bracket Heavy Duty 900N 10mm/s Actuators for Recliner TV Table Lift Massage Bed Electric Sofa https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07J2FL846/re ... AMM5DPXD1E

https://www.wayfair.com/outdoor/pdp/ale ... k3623.html

https://www.diyretractableawning.com/pr ... ing-parts/



I think it would be awesome to lower the bed from the ceiling if you had the power source.

I ran a drill because well I don’t do sparks lol


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[flboy]

Thanks, I Am finding the same things. I am not sure the awing gearbox is strong enough and the others are $100's of dollars.

I am thinking I may just build the steel frame and hook up my existing lift cables which will have a much easier lift with the lighter frame. This will be less expensive for now and I can still make the drawer work without the cables crossing under the bed. Will reuse the existing drawer as well

I can always change the lift later if I decide to (no real need to)... In any case.. I have to get rid of the wood. It is heavy and not as robust as I need it to be. I think a pine stud is about 9lbs and the same length of steel tubing will be ~ 5lbs? I have double 2x4's on sides, so without that and using steel frame built with the same dimensions, it should be less than half the weight.

Do you know how much an 8ft' piece of 1" square mild steel tubing weights?

[BigDave_185]

I can get that info for ya, I think I was only $130 ish on steel to.

I’ll get the weights tomorrow


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[flboy]

I can get that info for ya, I think I was only $130 ish on steel to.

I’ll get the weights tomorrow


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Wow.. you must have a wholesale place you get steel from. I bought qty. 2 - 1in x 2in x 8ft and qty. 4 - 1in x 2in x 6ft and it was $199.00. I am sure I paid too much. But, I'll have what I need to rebuild the bed in steel and use the existing lift system. It should weight less than half and withstand the bouncy roads. Will be a good upgrade...and be more professional if I sell the trailer. Toying with that idea.

Thanks again for your help and letting me hijack your thread with my bed lift questions.

[BigDave_185]

Not a worry on the page. Lol I don’t care about what I have seen termed DOT distracter of Thread

Yeah I get a great deal on steel after buying rebar for years and steel for handrails for my handrail guy they give me a good price.


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[BigDave_185]

I can get that info for ya, I think I was only $130 ish on steel to.

I’ll get the weights tomorrow


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Wow.. you must have a wholesale place you get steel from. I bought qty. 2 - 1in x 2in x 8ft and qty. 4 - 1in x 2in x 6ft and it was $199.00. I am sure I paid too much. But, I'll have what I need to rebuild the bed in steel and use the existing lift system. It should weight less than half and withstand the bouncy roads. Will be a good upgrade...and be more professional if I sell the trailer. Toying with that idea.

Thanks again for your help and letting me hijack your thread with my bed lift questions.

Just verified I paid $142 for 60’ of 1x3 1/8 thick

I do know steel to a fat hit on price this year. Thanks covid and Biden


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[BigDave_185]

I got mine and my friends all wired together to only require one battery charger to keep them up.




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[flboy]

That's a serious looking battery bank.

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[BigDave_185]

Bed frame back from powder coat


I went with a slight metallic grey since he was doing some other stuff that color and gave me a good deal vs the gray I wanted to do.

I’ll be installing this after the weekend since I don’t want to mess with it before our day trip riding with the boys.


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[brianjonesphoto]

Thanks, I Am finding the same things. I am not sure the awing gearbox is strong enough and the others are $100's of dollars.

I am thinking I may just build the steel frame and hook up my existing lift cables which will have a much easier lift with the lighter frame. This will be less expensive for now and I can still make the drawer work without the cables crossing under the bed. Will reuse the existing drawer as well

I can always change the lift later if I decide to (no real need to)... In any case.. I have to get rid of the wood. It is heavy and not as robust as I need it to be. I think a pine stud is about 9lbs and the same length of steel tubing will be ~ 5lbs? I have double 2x4's on sides, so without that and using steel frame built with the same dimensions, it should be less than half the weight.

Do you know how much an 8ft' piece of 1" square mild steel tubing weights?

Don This where I got my initial idea for the lift. http://www.racorstoragesolutions.com/(X(1)S(ygpiy2etal5o5cox5mbn0f2h))/p/detail/phl-1r I have the exact same gearbox as this lift and it's rated at 250lbs. for an empty bed I think will be just fine.

I'd be interested to know the weight difference between the wood and steel bedframe.

[BigDave_185]

Thanks, I Am finding the same things. I am not sure the awing gearbox is strong enough and the others are $100's of dollars.

I am thinking I may just build the steel frame and hook up my existing lift cables which will have a much easier lift with the lighter frame. This will be less expensive for now and I can still make the drawer work without the cables crossing under the bed. Will reuse the existing drawer as well

I can always change the lift later if I decide to (no real need to)... In any case.. I have to get rid of the wood. It is heavy and not as robust as I need it to be. I think a pine stud is about 9lbs and the same length of steel tubing will be ~ 5lbs? I have double 2x4's on sides, so without that and using steel frame built with the same dimensions, it should be less than half the weight.

Do you know how much an 8ft' piece of 1" square mild steel tubing weights?

Don This where I got my initial idea for the lift. http://www.racorstoragesolutions.com/(X(1)S(ygpiy2etal5o5cox5mbn0f2h))/p/detail/phl-1r I have the exact same gearbox as this lift and it's rated at 250lbs. for an empty bed I think will be just fine.

I'd be interested to know the weight difference between the wood and steel bedframe.

Link error

http://www.racorstoragesolutions.com/p/ ... eSupport=1


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