There’s nothing quite as maddening as having the covers fall off the end of the bed. Sticks-and-bricks homes have room for elaborate footboards, but RV beds? Here’s an easy hack—a PVC footboard.
PVC footboard hack perfect for RVs in so many ways
The typical RV bed has storage underneath, allowing you to lift the bed platform up and stuff things underneath. A home-style footboard just doesn’t cut it, as while you still might be able to lift the platform, a floor-mounted footboard would block the way to your “underground storage.”
Most RVers are weight-conscious (not me, just bring out the ice cream). OK, not that kind of weight-conscious, but the kind that messes up your rig from having too many heavy things on board. This PVC footboard hack is a side benefit. It’s made out of PVC plumbing pipe, using 3/4” stock. It’s lightweight, but strong!
Details, details
You don’t need to limit the number of “verticals” if you like a tighter “fence” around the foot of your bed. You’ll just need to increase the amount of PVC pipe and the corresponding number of elbows (and tees) used in the build.
So, how do you keep your PVC footboard in place? Notice the elbows at the bottom of this construct. What you can’t see is what’s under the covers in the drawing. Just run straight 3/4” pipe out of the elbows, aiming for the head of the bed. You then attach them to the bed platform with steel pipe brackets. We recommend at least two per “stringer” coming out from those elbows.
You can attach the stringers to the bed platform either “on top,” directly under the mattress, or “on the bottom” if there’s enough space between the outer reach of the bed platform and the supporting box. Use wood screws of the appropriate length and diameter to tie the pipe brackets onto the bed support.
Once you’ve constructed your PVC footboard and dry-fit tested it, glue it together. Now, find the right colored spray paint (that will bond to PVC plastic) and do your finish work!
Need more good reasons for a footboard to convince your significant other? Click here.
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That’s CRAZY!
At $16 a medical grade bed rail does the job and is a lot sturdier than PVC pipe.
Added hint: many RV bed platforms can be lifted at the foot to access storage. I used pipe straps (2 per leg) over the legs that slide under the mattress. The straps are bolted to the plywood but leave the legs enough room to slide. The rail can still be pulled out several inches from the bed foot to change bedding. And with the straps it is much easier to lift the end of the bed using the bed rail than reaching under to grab the edge of the plywood.
That’s not a bed rail, it’s just a storage pouch for a bed rail.
Exactly. We use a toddler gate for our granddaughter so she doesn’t fall from her bed above the MH cab. It would work just as well and folds flat for storage. I think we paid less than $20 for it.
Being 6’ 3” me and footboards don’t get along too well. Plus with our bed setup we usually have to crawl into bed from the bottom. I would probably break this the first night.
Simple idea. In addition to the covers sliding off, the head of our bed is raised 6 inches with a foam wedge. That wedge causes our mattress to slide off the box.
Several years ago I fashioned a web belt that connects along the side and across the bottom of the mattress. The belt is then pulled tight. To access the underbed storage, disconnect the belt buckle and raise. When finished, lower bed, loosen belt, and reconnect pulling tight. Easy peasy. Do not have to remove to pull in slide either.
Thank you for the suggestion and diagram, Russ and Tina! Your articles typically are good and informing. But, usually my favorite part is the humor so easily and naturally injected. 🙂 Have a great week and safe travels! 🙂