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There are different styles and designs of trundle beds, but they all have one thing in common – one of the two mattresses lies on a low frame that has wheels and is stored under the principal bed. Let’s see how they actually work, how to set them up, and how to raise or lower trundle beds (if possible).
Basic explanation of how a trundle bed works
Simply put – just grab the edge of the trundle bed and roll it out.
The wheels make it super easy. If there’s a fluffy carpet underneath, it won’t be as smooth as when there’s no carpet at all.
And that’s it.
Some trundle beds have a system that keeps the trundle bed attached to the main frame. This means that you can’t separate them completely.
Other trundle beds are independent and can be entirely rolled out, so you can place the two beds in two different rooms if you want to.
Trundle beds are often equipped with caster wheels that you can lock in place to avoid rolling as you get in and out of bed.
The above is how pull-out (drawer frame) trundle beds work. The second type of trundle beds, called pop-up trundles, can be raised up in one extra step.
Pop-up trundle beds require you to pull them out first, and then press a bar (or a lever, if you will) to pop them up.
So, if you have a Twin XL trundle bed, you can make a Split King bed with a raised trundle. This option is excellent for older guests and couples, while the simple pull-out beds are, albeit sturdier, more appropriate for kids’ sleepovers.
Our list of top pop up trundle beds contains a chef’s kiss choice of practical and affordable designs, especially the stylish daybeds with trundles, so feel free to check it out.
Some trundle beds have a third level at the very bottom for drawers or even for a third trundle bed.
How to set up a trundle bed: basic instructions
Setting up a trundle is a piece of cake – as long as you have a trundle mattress and all the bedding, you’ll be fine.
Here’s how you do it.
Step 1 – Check for locking casters
Pull the bed towards you lightly to check if the wheels are free. If it’s not moving, unlock the casters on wheels (push the lever up on each wheel).
Step 2 – Roll out
Pull the bed by the handle(s). Either hold it in the very center or spread your hands equally away from the center and pull slowly. You want the trundle bed to roll out evenly.
If you pull too close to one corner, you’ll only pull that corner out and then jam the bed.
It’s not a big deal if you do, but it can be annoying to navigate the return to the original position before being able to roll it out properly.
Yes, I was that person as a kid and that’s how I know.
Step 3 – Lock the casters
Once the bed is extended, you should lock the casters – push the lever down on each wheel.
This is the final step before making the bed unless you have a pop-up trundle.
Step 4 – Pop up the pop-up
If it is a pop-up trundle bed, this is when you raise it.
Some trundles have a lever or a bar, some might have some sort of a button that you need to push to start the mechanism that extends the legs.
When the bed is tall, release the lever. You may need to secure any latches.
Some beds require you to manually extend the legs. Flip the trundle bed to its side, open up the legs, and set it up straight.
Furnish the bed with sheets, pillows, and a cover, and you’re good to go.
How to raise a trundle bed
Most trundle beds with a raising mechanism only require you to push a lever or a bar and keep it pressed until the trundle bed is the same height as the main bed. Then secure any latches that your bed might have.
This mechanism works like scissors – the legs form an X at the head and an X at the foot of the bed. As the X extends, the bed frame rises, and vice versa.
Another type is a simple trundle bed with wheels which has legs folded underneath.
Those legs may also feature a set of wheels like in the picture above. These extra wheels are there to keep the legs folded and up against the bed frame while the trundle is lowered.
By the way, this particular design is fantastic because it’s easy to make, and if you’re wondering how to raise a trundle bed that wasn’t made to be raised, you can easily modify yours and add a set of foldable legs.
How to lower a trundle bed
To lower your trundle bed, follow the same procedure as above, but in reverse.
Release safety latches (if there are any), push the lever, and hold until the bed goes completely down. Now you can roll back your additional bed and enjoy the extra space.
If the bed has simple foldable metal legs attached to the bottom, you should just flip the bed over to the side, fold the legs, and flip it back.
Pop-up trundle beds are easy to raise and easy to lower. That’s the beauty of this design.
Do trundle beds pop up?
Some do, but not all of them.
And as for those that do, they don’t just pop up automatically. You need to complete the steps described above to raise the trundle bed.
Sleeper sofa and daybed designs more commonly feature pop-ups.
Other types of beds with trundles include bunk beds and the captain’s bed, but those two usually don’t have pop-up trundles.
FAQs
They are perfectly fine for adults, but it depends on how exactly you’re using them. Some trundle bed designs are not as durable as regular beds. Even if their weight capacity is 300-400 lbs., it doesn’t mean that they are made to continuously withstand this much weight. A trundle bed is best used occasionally. The drawer-type trundle beds are more durable and you can use them as much as normal beds.
You can only use a mattress tall enough to fit into the trundle bed slot. A thin mattress (5-6″) is OK for all trundles, but tall mattresses can only fit on some frames. Another thing to check is the type of foundation – slats that are too wide are not recommended for memory foam mattresses. We have an entire guide on what goes under each mattress type.
You do not need a box spring unless you want to make your mattress higher. Bear in mind that box springs are compatible with innerspring mattresses and should not be used with foam mattresses.
Conclusion
Unlike a normal bed, trundle frames offer extra sleeping space and extra storage space.
They are super useful for guests and for kids who share bedrooms.
Trundles are also easy to use. Most trundle beds have a rolling mechanism (to roll the bed out) and locking casters (to keep it in place).
Some trundle frames are like drawers and others have a pop-up design that raises them to the level of the top bed. This is great because it can double the size of the original bed, but it can also be used separately.
To raise a trundle bed, press and hold a lever until the bed is tall and secure any latches.
To lower the bed, do the opposite. If your bed has a simpler mechanism, you might need to flip it to the side and fold the metal legs in or out before putting it back to the flat position.
Next step: Read our guide about the best non-squeaky bed frames. There’s nothing worse than a noisy bed frame. We tested out all of the top brands and came up with a list of pros and cons for each so you can decide which one is right for you.
With over 5 years experience writing about sleep and mattresses, she's considered one of the go-to experts on the topic.
She likes cycling, nature, art, and languages. She pays special attention to providing you with accurate and useful information when it comes to your sleep quality.
After solving her personal sleep and tiredness problems, she is on to help others by sharing this invaluable information.
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