5 Best RV Bed Frame Hardwares For Custom Builds Nomads Swear By

You’ve spent weeks insulating and paneling your rig, but now you’re staring at the big, empty space where your bed will go. That bed is more than a place to sleep; it’s the anchor of your entire layout and the key to your rig’s daily function. Choosing the right hardware from the start is the difference between a clever, multi-use space and a source of constant frustration.

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Why Custom Bed Hardware Matters in an RV Build

The bed is almost always the single largest piece of furniture in a custom RV. Its design doesn’t just affect your sleep; it dictates your storage capacity, your living area, and the overall flow of your space. A simple fixed platform is easy to build, but it can create a huge, inaccessible void underneath.

This is where specialized hardware comes in. It allows you to transform a static sleeping platform into a dynamic, multi-functional system. The right hardware can lift, slide, fold, or suspend your bed, unlocking precious square footage and creating storage you didn’t know you had. It’s the mechanical heart of a smart layout.

But there are always tradeoffs. A gas-strut lift system adds weight and complexity. A Murphy bed requires robust cabinetry and eats into your wall space. The goal isn’t to find the "best" hardware, but to find the right hardware that solves your specific design challenges without introducing new problems.

Hatchlift Bedlift Kits for Easy Under-Bed Access

If you’re planning a fixed bed with a large "garage" storage area underneath, Hatchlift kits are your best friend. These are essentially pre-packaged kits with powerful gas struts, mounting brackets, and hardware designed specifically for lifting a heavy bed platform and mattress. Forget wrestling with your mattress every time you need to grab something from storage.

The mechanism works just like the hatch on an SUV. You give the platform a little pull, and the struts take over, lifting the bed smoothly and holding it securely in the open position. This provides wide-open, effortless access to your entire under-bed storage area. It’s a simple, reliable solution that makes a fixed-bed layout infinitely more practical for daily life.

The key is to choose the correct weight rating for your specific setup. You need to calculate the total weight of your platform, mattress, and bedding. If the struts are too weak, the bed won’t stay up; if they’re too strong, you’ll have to fight to close it. Measure twice, do the math, and buy the right kit for a frustration-free experience.

Froli Star Bed System for Comfort and Airflow

The Froli system isn’t a frame hardware, but rather a mattress foundation that solves two of the biggest problems in RV sleeping: moisture and comfort. Instead of a solid plywood sheet, a Froli system uses a grid of interconnected plastic springs that clip together. The mattress rests on top of this flexible, ventilated base.

This design is a game-changer for preventing mold and mildew. The space created by the springs allows air to circulate freely underneath the mattress, carrying away moisture that accumulates from body heat and condensation. In a small, sealed box like an RV, this is a critical feature for health and for preserving your expensive mattress.

Beyond airflow, the system adds a remarkable level of comfort. The individual springs flex and conform to your body, acting like a European-style slat system or a secondary box spring. This allows you to use a thinner, lighter mattress without sacrificing support or comfort, saving you both weight and precious vertical space. It’s an investment, but one that pays dividends in sleep quality and peace of mind.

80/20 T-Slot Extrusions for a Modular Frame

For the ultimate in customizability, nothing beats 80/20 aluminum T-slot extrusions. Think of it as an industrial-grade Erector Set for adults. These aluminum profiles have T-shaped slots on all sides, allowing you to connect them at any point using a huge variety of specialized fasteners and brackets. You can build incredibly strong, precise, and lightweight bed frames without a single weld.

The modularity is its superpower. If you build a bed frame and realize it’s an inch too high, you don’t have to rebuild it. You just loosen a few bolts, slide the component, and tighten it back down. This makes it perfect for complex designs like elevator beds that raise to the ceiling or multi-level bunk beds. It’s also ideal for builds where you may want to reconfigure your layout down the road.

The main considerations are cost and complexity. The initial price for the extrusions and hardware is higher than wood. There’s also a learning curve in understanding the different types of fasteners and how to design a rigid structure. However, for those who value precision, strength, and the ability to adapt, 80/20 provides a professional-grade solution that’s hard to beat.

Create-A-Bed for a Vertical Murphy Bed Build

When every square inch of floor space counts, a Murphy bed is often the answer. The Create-A-Bed kit is one of the most trusted hardware systems for building one. It’s not a complete bed, but a robust kit containing the heavy-duty piston lift mechanisms, pivot hardware, and legs you need to safely and easily fold a bed vertically against a wall.

This is the go-to solution for transforming a single-purpose space into a dual-purpose room. During the day, the bed disappears into a cabinet, freeing up the floor for a workspace, a lounge, or just open living area. At night, it pulls down in seconds. This is especially valuable in shorter vans, skoolies, or truck campers where a permanent bed would consume the entire living space.

A Murphy bed is a serious project. The Create-A-Bed hardware needs to be anchored into a very strong, well-built cabinet that is securely fastened to the vehicle’s structure. It’s a heavy and relatively expensive system that defines your layout from the very beginning. But for the right build, the space-saving payoff is enormous.

Accuride Slides for Dinette-to-Bed Conversions

The classic dinette that converts into a bed is a staple of RV design for a reason: it’s incredibly efficient. The key to a smooth and durable conversion lies in using high-quality, heavy-duty drawer slides. Accuride is a brand that nomads trust because their slides are built for industrial applications and can handle the weight and abuse of daily life.

The typical design involves two benches facing each other. A slatted frame, built to slide on full-extension Accuride tracks, pulls out from under one bench to span the gap between the two. The back cushions are then rearranged to form the mattress. Using locking slides is non-negotiable; this feature prevents the bed from shifting or sliding apart while you’re sleeping or driving.

Success with this method is all about precision. The benches and the sliding frame must be perfectly square and parallel for the mechanism to operate without binding. You must also select slides rated for a dynamic load that far exceeds the static weight of the platform and cushions—they need to support the weight of people moving around. When done right, it’s a rock-solid system that provides seating, dining, and sleeping in one compact footprint.

Combining Hardware for Multi-Function Designs

The most innovative builds rarely rely on a single piece of hardware. The real magic happens when you start combining these systems to create truly unique, multi-functional designs that are tailored to your specific needs. You’re not limited to just one solution.

For example, you could build a super-strong, lightweight bed frame using 80/20 extrusions. On top of that frame, you could install a Froli Star system for ventilation and comfort. Then, to access the garage storage underneath, you could attach the entire 80/20 frame to the wall with heavy-duty hinges and use a Hatchlift kit to lift the whole assembly.

Another scenario might be a dinette conversion. While you use Accuride slides for the main pull-out bed section, the tops of the dinette benches themselves could be on hinges with smaller gas struts. This gives you quick and easy access to the storage inside the benches without having to remove all the cushions. By layering these hardware solutions, you move beyond standard layouts and into a fully customized and highly functional living space.

Final Thoughts on Long-Term Hardware Durability

An RV or van is a terrible environment for hardware. It’s a rolling earthquake, subject to constant vibration, wild temperature swings, and fluctuating humidity. Cheap, residential-grade hardware will fail, and it will likely fail at the most inconvenient time.

This is where the "buy once, cry once" philosophy is crucial. Investing in proven, industrial-quality brands like Accuride, Froli, or Create-A-Bed isn’t about luxury; it’s about reliability and safety. A drawer slide that jams, a gas strut that loses pressure, or a bed latch that rattles loose isn’t a small annoyance—it’s a potential trip-ending failure.

Your bed is the most important piece of furniture in your rig. The hardware that supports and moves it is the foundation of your comfort and the functionality of your home. Choose it with care, install it with precision, and perform regular checks for loose fasteners. This investment in quality will pay you back every single night you spend on the road.

Ultimately, the best hardware is the one that solves your specific layout puzzle, turning a simple van or bus into a truly functional and comfortable home on wheels.