How to Keep a Trundle Bed From Separating

Remove all mattresses and bedding from the trundle bed. Slide the trundle portion completely out and detach it from the main frame. Examine both bed frames and note any sections that appear to be separating or damaged. Apply wood glue in all separated areas.

Set 3-inch metal L-brackets over any sections of the bed frame that have begun separating, positioning the brackets on the outside and the inside of the frame section, spacing them every six inches along the damaged boards. Mark the location of the bracket holes. Drill out the holes. Attach the brackets in position using 3/4-inch wood screws and holding the glued portions of the frame together tightly during the process to keep them from separating.

Use 4-inch flat metal straps in the same manner to fasten together flat frame pieces that have separated within a flat area. Attach these straps so that they span the separation, push the two sections together and mark the location of the strap screw holes. Drill out the holes and attach the straps with 3/4-inch wood screws, keeping the separated section tightly together.

Reinforce all frame panels of both bed frames by laying out 1-inch-wide metal strapping along the length of the panels, particularly on the underside of the mattress supports for the larger bed frame. Space this metal strapping along the panel and cut it off with tin snips so it fits the space. Set the strapping every 12 inches along the width of the panel, running the full length. Mark the holes in the strapping, drill them out and attach the strapping with 3/4-inch wood screws. Wrap the strapping around corners if necessary.