Surf Bus or Van Loft Bed

Frame the bed platform with the 2x4 frame ends, sides, and center joists. Use the 1-1/2" pocket-hole setting to drill your holes, and attach with 2-1/2" pocket-hole screws.

Attach the plywood or MDF deck to the top of the platform framing. Use either glue and 1-1/4" finish nails, or 2" wood screws.

Build four legs from the leg verticals and horizontals, following your reference diagram, using 1-1/2" pocket holes and 2-1/2" pocket-hole screws.

Mark each leg set at the height you want the finished bed. Attach the bed platform to the legs from the inside with 2-1/2" screws or the 4" lag bolts — lag bolts keep the whole bed removable later if you ever need to break it down.

Attach the end rails to the legs and side rails with 2" wood screws.

Drill 1-1/2" pocket holes on each end of the 2x4 bottom supports and attach with 2-1/2" pocket-hole screws.

Cover the base of the bed in plywood or MDF. Use 2" wood screws if you want the pieces easy to disassemble later, or nails and glue for a permanent build.

Cut the wheels from scrap plywood and attach them to the side panels. Use a single bolt through the center of each if you'd like the wheels to spin.

Cut the bumpers to fit the front and back of the bed. Build the grill from the uprights and crosspieces using 3/4" pocket holes and 1-1/4" pocket-hole screws, then attach it to the front with finish nails and glue. Cut the headlights as 4" and 6" rounds from plywood, or use precut wood rounds from a craft store.

Attach the rungs to the underside of the ladder rails with 3/4" pocket holes, 1-1/4" pocket-hole screws, and glue. Round the top edge of the rails with a jigsaw. Attach the finished ladder to the inside of the bed's 2x4 legs with screws.