Our DIY Van Elevator Bed

Press one button and our bed comes down; raise it and the garage underneath is free again. Four linear actuators do the lifting, and precision linear rails (the kind used on CNC machines) only guide the frame. A control board keeps all four actuators in sync, so the bed stays level instead of binding.

The actuators are four Firgelli Super Duty actuators (220 lb, 22-inch stroke) with Firgelli's actuator control board with LCD and their MB20 and MB17 brackets. The rails are VEVOR SBR20, the frame is 2040 aluminum extrusion, and the mattress is a custom high-density foam mattress from Foamma. Michael put the whole bed at about $1,300 all-in, "a lot cheaper than buying the already made camper type like Happy Jack."

What we learned

• Rails guide, actuators lift. Without a synchronizing controller, four actuators drift apart and the bed binds.
• Use precision linear rails, not heavy strut channel: they are lighter and much quieter.