Campervan Fixed Beds Specialists

A fixed bed seems like a simple DIY job. You just build a box, right? The professional difference lies in weight, safety, and space. A pro build uses lightweight materials like aluminium extrusion or specific plywoods, saving critical payload for your gear. DIY frames often use heavy timber, eating into your van's legal weight limit before you’ve even packed. In practice, this means a professionally installed bed is engineered to be part of the vehicle, securely bolted to the chassis to withstand road vibrations and prevent it from becoming a projectile in a crash. It is also designed to maximise the "garage" space underneath, fitting perfectly around wheel arches and creating integrated storage solutions for water tanks or electrical systems.

When vetting a specialist, ask them why they use certain materials. A great builder can explain the trade-offs between a birch ply frame and an 80/20 aluminium one in terms of cost, strength, and weight. Inquire how they secure the structure to the van itself; the answer should involve bolts and structural points, not just screws into the wall panels. A major red flag is a builder who cannot show you a portfolio of similar bed platforms or gives vague answers about their methods. You want to see how their work integrates with the rest of the full conversion, not just a standalone box dropped into the back.

For most builders, a custom fixed bed platform costs between £800–£2,500 fitted. The price depends heavily on materials and the complexity of any integrated storage. Installation is usually quick, taking from one to three days. As a result, finding the right fit is crucial. CamperBrain allows you to compare portfolios from specialists who have experience with your specific base vehicle, whether it is a standard Transit or a less common model. You can read verified reviews that comment on long-term durability and get detailed, itemised quotes to see exactly what you are paying for.