Enclosed Cargo Trailer/Toy Hauler Bed Finished Product

[@TimPaddy]

This looks like the lightest DIY setup I've seen

[@whereman1199]

Great idea, very nice video...

[@cervidvirg]

Super clean build! I need to go back and watch your other video.

[@billellison]

Awesome thank you!

[@naturalnat3452]

This elevator bed solution is absolutely fantastic! This is almost exactly the solution I was thinking of for trying to fit at least a full size bed in the back of a trailer that can raise and lower AND still have have room for at least one bench in the back so the trailer could still be utilized as a normal trailer if need be. The elevator bed doesn't need to be electrically powered like some other bed lifts out there and doesn't seem as strenuous to raise and lower as some other solutions out there. Brilliant!

[@billellison]

Thank you, I wanted to go with something that was light, removeable, relatively simple and didn't require a motor which draws power from the battery.

[@tinymission7821]

I love this bed. I can see you really don’t need the track if you just want all the way up or down. The crank didn’t have the loud ratchet noise. Very nice.

[@billellison]

Thank you! I am very happy with how it turned out.

[@Valentina.Montano]

I love your idea, one of the most useful videos out there ❤

[@billellison]

Glad you think so!

[@gunslinger10mm]

Your Elevator Bed has given me some good inspiration and I will incorporate much of your engineering. Thanks...and I recommend you be awarded the Master Tinkerer and Expert Fabricator Awards. Excellent Ideas and Fabricating!

[@billellison]

Glad I could be of help to you. Let me know if you have any questions when building your bed.

[@gunslinger10mm]

@@billellison I'd like to know more about how you sliced off the edge of that boat trailer winch. Do you have any pics of the process?

[@billellison]

I basically cut the top of the winch "U" section where it would normally be attached to a boat trailer in half. I removed the working parts, used one of the cut "U" sections to make a drilling template on the side of the bed frame. This allowed me to use the working parts of the winch in and through the bed frame. I used only on half of the cut "U" sections on the outer part of my bed frame. Hope this makes sense? :)

[@gunslinger10mm]

@@billellison I understand, now that I looked at the video and stopped it to see what you mean. Is that some sort of clamp that holds the gear to the shaft or is it welded? My materials are on the way. As soon as they get here I can start building. I have a fixed platform right now, but hopefully We can have a dining table and benches underneath. Thanks for your help!

[@billellison]

@@gunslinger10mm the large gear is bolted to the main shaft that winds the lifting straps. I welded a nut inside of the shaft and then bolted the gear to it. I also added a shear pin between the shaft and gear to prevent the gear from spinning on the shaft. It would be easy to weld the gear on the shaft as well.

[@mp180170]

Fantastic job my friend big thumbs up from uk 🇬🇧👍🏼

[@billellison]

Thank you!

[@totherevolution]

That is a great setup!!

[@gggmaverick5896]

I just finished watching both of your bed build videos and I must say its a simple yet brilliant idea and I hope you don't mind but I'm going to steal the idea. I'm in Australia and like yourself you would have access to alot of different and very technical options to use, however I'm going to be building an overland vehicle soon so the simple ideas are often the best.

[@billellison]

That is great, I am glad I could be of some help.

[@ralphcantrell3214]

Wow, what a really nice economy elevator bed build! I would remove the crank handle and replace it with just a hex nut. Then you could use a cordless drill and a socket to crank the bed up and down without any fuss at all. Just food for thought, that's all. Thanks for sharing this. 👍

[@billinmotion]

Thank you for the comment, that is a good idea as well. 😀

[@a.hermes5341]

Wowww excellent work !!!! Thanks for this video!!

[@billellison]

Thanks!!

[@scottaxness3971]

Thanks for sharing your ideas and execution, Bill. I just learned of a great product called linear bearings, that I think you might like in place of your E track. They are pretty economical too. Amazon has lots of different sizes and some of them have quite a bit of accessories with them.

[@billellison]

You are welcome! I definitely considered that option as well and think this is a viable choice as well. Thanks for the comment.

[@rdwilander]

great ingenuity and execution on this bed build...congrats on the project well done

[@billellison]

Thank you!

[@unitedstatesdale]

That is a Epic idea

[@samijust8689]

This rocks! You’re a genius!

[@billellison]

Thanks!!

[@MrThewhip333]

Looks like a tri fold ramp under mattress? I like the idea, I think I would add rollers on the ends for straps to pass easier and less abrasion

[@Pilgrimdave1960]

Really like your bed design! Answers some questions for me

[@billellison]

Glad it was helpful for you.

[@1973Grejluder]

To make it slide better up and down you can use the wheels used for inliners. I would mount them at a 45 angle on the inside of the extendable claws. That way, the wheels will slide on the track itself as well as the wall section.

[@MrTyroneweaver]

that's exactly how I want to build mine. But I would put the shaft thru some pillared blocked bearings for easier turning and lowering the shaft to allow more chord.

[@billellison]

Yup that would work too.

[@dougjones1380]

Brilliant

[@ncwomanparker1708]

I would love to see the finished trailer, I want to see how you did the cabinets, and kitchen set up

[@Vanrchy]

Great info thanks from a fellow Canadian 🇨🇦 how did u get the winch arched to the bar? I’m not sure I’m mechanically inclined enough to pull that off. :(

[@thechumpsbeendumped.7797]

I like the idea a lot. I’ve got a suggestion, why not make the locking pawls/latches, spring loaded (to the locked position) and controlled by 4 cords spliced together to make one handle? All that you would then need to do to raise or lower the bed is to turn the handle slightly to take the weight off latches, pull one cord and all the pawls would retract at once. The cords could be threaded through the large box channel so as to not be seen. Alternative to cords, bicycle brake cables would work and you could use the brake lever to activate all the cables together. Is the boat winch handle removable?

[@brennonmorning9682]

I like this idea. Do you have a link to the easy track clips he used? I really like how they slide in and out.

[@thechumpsbeendumped.7797]

@@brennonmorning9682 Unfortunately not. It looks like standard E-track so I doubt it’s hard to find. I just found it. Watch his bed build video he shows how its made and it’s made by Ericsson and costs £25 for a 3m (10ft) length.

[@RikiRSQ]

this is brillant. how did you attach the straps to the ceiling? Did you fabricate a fastener or buy one? Thank you in advance

[@billellison]

I attached them by using e track single lock down anchors bolted to the ceiling structure. I used e track straps for the elevator bed so I could use the e track accessories.

[@davidkozelsky]

Thanks!

[@youcanthide004]

Nice system, well done. The bedframe looks like a trifold Harbor freight ramp is that correct?

[@billellison]

I am from Canada and bought them at Princess Auto which is pretty much the same as Harbour Freight. I think as long as it has the right dimensions for what you are looking to accomplish you should be good. The brand I used was Erickson trifold.

[@youcanthide004]

@@billellison agreed, brilliant idea!!

[@msk4893]

Great design that does not need any electrical wiring. Can you use steel cable instead blue strap?

[@billellison]

Yes I definitely think you could adapt cables. You would need to have some sort of idler pulley or roller installed on the edge.

[@b0b0-]

Awesome build. For others, perhaps they could have left the spring on the spring bar that you used. Your bed would be zero gravity like a garage door. Simple pull up pull down instead of a crank. Like a garage door. I understand that you are happy with you system as you should be. If course, the spring is ugly and inelegant. Your bed is probably within the weight range of that adjustable spring. It would at least help with weight problems in cranking. A tiny crank could even be used. Thanks for your video.

[@billellison]

Thank you for your reply. Having a spring is a great idea and would certainly make it easier that is for sure!!

[@b0b0-]

I'm encouraged that you agree with me that it might work. Those springs are surely tried and true devices that can dependably serve decades while electronics, motors, cranks can "let us down". I might try this idea combined with done of your techniques on my current van build.

[@jamessmetana6405]

How were you able to adapt the boat winch? Welding the 1" steel tube to the gear? Any and all help greatly appreciated. Fantastic build. In the process of building my own toy hauler/camper. The ability to raise and lower the bed is the perfect solution especially if the need for electrically operated motors is eliminated. Thank you for sharing.

[@billellison]

I cut the top of the winch "U" section where it would normally be attached to a boat trailer in half. I removed the working parts, used one of the cut "U" sections to make a drilling template on the side of the bed frame. This allowed me to use the working parts of the winch in and through the bed frame. I used only on half of the cut "U" sections on the outer part of my bed frame. Hope this makes sense? I had a nut welded on the inside of the 1" tube so I could bolt the large gear to the shaft. You could also weld the gear on the shaft. If you bolt it on you will have to adapt a "locking key" to hold the gear to the 1" shaft. If this is not done then the depending on which way you wind the straps to lift the bed up and down may cause the gear to come loose.

[@jamessmetana6405]

@@billellison Thank you Bill. Again..a fantastic build and clever use of mechanical devices. Just purchased 4 shoring beams....await their arrival...and since imitation is the sincerest form of flattery...I see no reason to re-invent any wheel. Thank you.

[@grantgreaves4943]

Wondering if you considered using wood instead of aluminum and why you chose aluminum

[@billellison]

I chose aluminum for its light weight and stability. Wood would work just fine as well.

[@fuyu3342]

Bill, did you buy the bed or built it yourself? If the latter, can you share step by step instructions on how you did it. Please and thank you.

[@billellison]

I did make the bed myself. If you check out my other video on my channel it goes through how it is built and the supplies required.

[@martinverner1348]

Hello, how did you connect the winch to the shaft? Reel attachment ..reel adjustment? I want to do the same solution. Thank you very much.

[@billellison]

I found a nut that fit inside of the pipe/shaft and welded it in there so I could bolt the winch pulley to it.

[@danield-h1j]

whats your insurance for the trailer?

[@oldfarmer9004]

I’m afraid I wouldn’t like to get goosed by the winch handle when I get up in the middle of the night

[@rishifamilyjourney8606]

Nice

[@billellison]

Thanks

[@mmabaddass416]

Also forgot to ask what length are the straps?

[@billellison]

I used 20' straps but definitely could go a bit shorter.

[@mmabaddass416]

What straps are you using?

[@billellison]

I used a Erickson tow straps and E-Track tie off strap. I modified them by cutting the E Track fitting off of the tie of straps and the tow hook off of the tow straps.

[@mmabaddass416]

I kinda thought they were tow straps. I just ordered 2 of them. I’m doing my trailer this weekend. Love this design

[@Madridme3]

Oot!

[@benlacasse1032]

lol shorty....lol

[@benlacasse1032]

simp n sad how boat

[@jasonschuel4114]

Way too much work fold-up bed with a work much better

[@billellison]

It all depends what you are going to use your trailer/bed for. I had the extra height so having this bed allows me to have my full width. I can put it at different heights to allow people to sleep under the bed or easily remove it if I need to and the bed always a made up and ready to go all the time.