Murphy Bed
Printed From: R-pod Owners Forum
Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
Forum Discription: Ask maintenance questions, share your podmods (modifications) and helpful tips
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9999
Printed Date: 10 Nov 2025 at 3:35pm
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Topic: Murphy Bed
Posted By: Clejo
Subject: Murphy Bed
Date Posted: 21 May 2017 at 10:21am
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Almost finished with the murphy bed mod, just need to paint the underside of the bed platform. Built the bed platform up 5 inches and hinged it about 8 inches from the front wall to alow room for the mattress when lifted. Used a Cruz futon from Kmart underneath the bed, it weighs 55 pounds but was simple to install. With a half tank of fresh water there is still less than 500 pounds on the hitch.
------------- Joe M. Perryville, MD Green 2017 R-pod 180 Ford Explorer Sport Trac TV |
Replies:
Posted By: Clejo
Date Posted: 21 May 2017 at 11:21am
Pictures of murphy bed mod.
I started by cutting the section out of the front board for easy access to the water pump and valves. 
I built the forward section to match the thickness of the futon. 
I built the mattress platform from 3/8ths plywood framed with 1x6 boards for stiffness and to keep it lighter than just using thicker plywood. I used wood dowels sliding in conduit clamps to hold the bed up. I may add struts or some other way to hold it up as the valances may not be strong enough. 
When raising the bed I just lift the board and squeeze the ends of the mattress past the valences and slide out the dowels. The futon back lifts up and locks in place, pull it forward then back down to close things up. The bed platform just sits on the futon pad when lowered. 
------------- Joe M. Perryville, MD Green 2017 R-pod 180 Ford Explorer Sport Trac TV |
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 21 May 2017 at 12:02pm
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Nice work!
------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2025 Ford Transit Camper van 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: voisj
Date Posted: 22 May 2017 at 9:57am
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Clejo, From one 180 modder to another, Nice!! Just 1 question, I've tried lifting the mattress up and it hits the windows and valances. Did you get a little shorter mattress or still working this one out? rgds John ------------- http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9426&title=slopod-180-mods-johnsue - SLOPODMODS John&Sue,SLO,CA 2016 180 HRE, 2013 F150 Eco Boost 
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Posted By: Clejo
Date Posted: 22 May 2017 at 10:05am
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Still have the stock mattress. With the mattress on the platform you just need to squish the mattress in some to clear the valences and you need to have the shades up. I built the platform to have plenty of clearance on each side. ------------- Joe M. Perryville, MD Green 2017 R-pod 180 Ford Explorer Sport Trac TV |
Posted By: rawest50
Date Posted: 24 May 2017 at 6:29pm
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Do you have details of material and how you assembled it you are willing to share. It took me a few minutes to figure out what where the bed was. I kept looking and could not figure out how you gained space. That is nice. ------------- 2017.5 RPod 179 2017 Jeep Unlimited Wrangler 2017 Chevy Colorado Z71 Off Road Crew Cab 2 Weiner dogs Great wife puts up with my BS ❤️ Thoroughbred Racing. 
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Posted By: Clejo
Date Posted: 24 May 2017 at 7:26pm
I added some details to the pictures above, it is a very simple design. The futon operation is all self contained, the back automatically locks in the up position.
Picture with mattress lowered 
Futon from Kmart, just left the legs off. ------------- Joe M. Perryville, MD Green 2017 R-pod 180 Ford Explorer Sport Trac TV |
Posted By: Mirado
Date Posted: 24 Oct 2017 at 8:38am
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I like your idea. We have a similar situation with our 181G. After we use it a few times we'll decide if we want to mod it in some way. D ------------- Miriam and Doug 2015 Rpod 181G Silverado 1500 |