Bed Frame Construction

[Mhambi]

Looking for some advice on what material to build the bed frame out of. Below is a simple diagram (Not to Scale) of the bedframe I am going to build in the rear of the camper.
I am 6ft 5 and 22 stone, Question is do I build the frame out of rectangle steel box or wood 4x2?
Any advice on the strength of the wood frame versus the steel would be great thank you.

 

[MANGOFORTH]

Ah a well sized man like myself (6ft 7" and 21 stone)

I am lucky enough to have a massive bed already, It's 7ft long and 6ft6" wide. Bed base is a duvan.

It's got a foam topper, then thin piece of ply, then slats, then uprights to make it sit taller. I'm just going to chop it down to make it lower profile. Then stick the two togethe... IIf that makes sense. It saves starting from scratch as it's already a made bedframe.

Might be worth looking into?

 

[Mhambi]

Ah a well sized man like myself (6ft 7" and 21 stone)

I am lucky enough to have a massive bed already, It's 7ft long and 6ft6" wide. Bed base is a duvan.

It's got a foam topper, then thin piece of ply, then slats, then uprights to make it sit taller. I'm just going to chop it down to make it lower profile. Then stick the two togethe... IIf that makes sense. It saves starting from scratch as it's already a made bedframe.

Might be worth looking into?

Hi Mango,
My Bed will sit on top of this frame. The internal of this frame will form a storage/garage compartment accessible from outside via lockers on each side. In the middle will be a water tank

 

[pappajohn]

4" x 1" side/end rails
2" x 2" uprights x 6.

You won't bow a 4" plank on edge and you won't compress a 2 x 2 on end and a lot lighter than steel box section.

 

[HandyAndy]

I wouldn't use steel box for a bed frame, I'd use steel flat on it's edge and tie it in crossways with a few T sections. but wood will definitely be lighter. The flat base of the bed I would hang proper stressed (read bowed) bed slats onto the sides of the steel flat.
Maybe ikea bed base even..

Products - Discover Our Full Range Of Furniture And Homeware

Browse our full range of products from dressing tables to complete modern kitchens. Click here to find the right IKEA product for you. Shop online and in store today.

www.ikea.com

In fact, looking at that frame I would probably just countersink some thread into the steel flat on it's edge so that I could bolt the entire Ikea bed base inside of my steel frame, with all the bolts on the inside and the thread in the actual steel flat, I could have a "nut free" look

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Raul]

My choice would be laminated wood strips. If you got a table saw and few clamps, you could get something lighter and stronger than 4”x2”.

I used ikea slats as well just in a different way.

 

[Mhambi]

I wouldn't use steel box for a bed frame, I'd use steel flat on it's edge and tie it in crossways with a few T sections. but wood will definitely be lighter. The flat base of the bed I would hang proper stressed (read bowed) bed slats onto the sides of the steel flat.
Maybe ikea bed base even..

Products - Discover Our Full Range Of Furniture And Homeware

Browse our full range of products from dressing tables to complete modern kitchens. Click here to find the right IKEA product for you. Shop online and in store today.

www.ikea.com

In fact, looking at that frame I would probably just countersink some thread into the steel flat on it's edge so that I could bolt the entire Ikea bed base inside of my steel frame, with all the bolts on the inside and the thread in the actual steel flat, I could have a "nut free" look

I think ill make the frame out ot 4x2 wood with a 12mm ply sheet on top then fit this Ikea slatted base to the ply. This will also assist with the air flow around the mattress limiting damp and mould.

Thanks for all the suggestions.

 

[Mhambi]

My choice would be laminated wood strips. If you got a table saw and few clamps, you could get something lighter and stronger than 4”x2”.

I used ikea slats as well just in a different way.

Hi Raul, Please excuse my ignorance, but what is a laminated wood strip? Ill try google it now. Thanks

 

[Raul]

Similar to ply concept. With ply you get laminated veneer together to make a super strong board.
Laminated beams uses the same concept, strips of wood glued together to for a laminated beam. The advantage is you can discard knots, use prime material and end up with a supper strong beam.
Alternatively, C24 graded, or even C16 4”x2” in short spans will suffice.

 

[Mhambi]

Similar to ply concept. With ply you get laminated veneer together to make a super strong board.
Laminated beams uses the same concept, strips of wood glued together to for a laminated beam. The advantage is you can discard knots, use prime material and end up with a supper strong beam.
Alternatively, C24 graded, or even C16 4”x2” in short spans will suffice.

Great thanks, Ill ask at my local timber yard if they have this.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Wagoneer]

I've just removed my wooden bed slats (quite heavy) and replaced with the Froli system. Haven't really given them a good test yet but others say they are very comfortable.

Froli Star Bed System - Buy Securely on-line

Froli Star Bed system for caravans & motorhomes. Duvalay Memory Foam Toppers and Sleeping-bag-foam combinations. Cab Seat Ergo-Backrests. All discounted.

www.motorcaravanning.co.uk

 

[mitzimad]

i just used a second hand metal bed frame with slats that way someone else has worked out the loadings and picked the size of tube
something like this and throw the ends away
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/710-...0001&campid=5338547443&icep_item=223940301567