Why Do Bed Frames Have Wheels? A Complete Explanation

Bed frames typically don’t have wheels. They’re stationary since most people don’t want to move their beds around. That being said, some bed frames have caster wheels on all four corners. Some of them have two additional wheels on both sides of the frame.

Bed frames have wheels to help you move the bed around the room. These wheels can be locked by lowering the locking mechanism, tying the wheel with a rope, or removing the wheels. Bed frame caster wheels need to be replaced when they’re rusted or corroded.

In this post, you’ll find out why some bed frames have wheels, whether or not you can remove them, and what you can do to prevent your bed from sliding around the room.

Why Do Beds Have Wheels?

Beds have wheels because they’re much easier to roll and lock than beds without wheels. However, you can’t add wheels to beds that don’t already have them. If your bed frame has wheels, they’re more than likely caster wheels. These wheels are durable, lightweight, and easy to remove.

It’s important to remember that wheels don’t really have an effect on a bed’s maximum capacity. Bed frames have weight limits that need to be followed. Many hospital beds, cribs, and senior citizen beds have wheels to prevent the person from having to stand up and walk around.

On the bright side, barely any of these bed frame wheels are permanent; they can almost always be removed. Additionally, removing the wheels is quite simple. You rarely need any tools, nor do you have to ask a repairman to take a look at the bed frame.

If you’re interested in removing, replacing, or locking your bed frame’s wheels, read on.

Can You Take the Wheels Off Your Bed Frame?

You can take the wheels off your bed frame by gently tapping the base of the caster wheels with a rubber mallet. Don’t use a hammer because it could break the wheels. Some caster wheels have push buttons that lock the wheels, so push them inward to slide the wheels off the bed frame.

Here’s how you can take the wheels off your bed:

1. Grab the base of the wheel and wiggle it while pulling it down. Hunker shows you can loosen the stem of the wheel to slide it off the bed frame. Many caster wheels don’t need additional support because they naturally squeeze around the stem.
2. Gently tap the wheel down while lifting the bed frame. You can use a soft rubber mallet. Be extremely careful not to break the caster wheels. They’re made of rubber or plastic. You only have to try this step if the first method doesn’t work.
3. If all else fails and you know you don’t want the wheels anymore, saw them off of the bed frame. Measure and mark just above the wheelbase with a permanent marker. Use a hacksaw or a buzzsaw to remove the wheels. Check how stable they are with a leveler, then sand them if necessary.

Before taking the wheels off your bed frame, consider these points:

• Your bed frame could be much more challenging to move.
• Beds with wheels often have wheels because they’re heavy.
• There are plenty of ways to lock or jam the wheels to stop them from rolling without removing them.
• You can replace the wheels if they’re in bad condition.
• Almost all bed frame wheels are removable, but it’s worth contacting the manufacturer beforehand.

If you don’t want to remove the wheels or not them from rolling, your only other option is to get a bed frame without wheels. Countless bed frames don’t have wheels, especially the new stylish low-profile bed frames. They’re lightweight and don’t need anything to help you move them around.

Getting a bed frame can make a difference by relieving discomfort and stiffness in a mattress. However, it’ll do quite the opposite if the bed frame is halfway off the wheels. Read on to learn multiple ways to make your bed frame not roll around on its wheels.

How Do You Make Your Bed on Wheels Not Roll?

To make your bed on wheels not roll, follow these steps:

1. Remove the wheels from your bed frame. Try the aforementioned suggestion of pulling or hammering the wheels off the bed frame. This is the most effective way to make your bed frame stop rolling. I suggest putting rubber stoppers under the wheels to cover the exposed bed frame legs.
2. Put a rug under the bed if it’s on hardwood or tile. According to Frances Hunt, placing a rug under your bed frame will stop the wheels from sliding around the floor. Caster wheels slide around smooth, solid surfaces, including hardwood, tile, linoleum, etc.
3. Tie ropes or strings through the wheels to prevent them from rolling. Almost all caster wheels have holes. You can wrap a rope through the holes and tie them off to stop the wheels from moving. They might shift half an inch, but your bed frame won’t slide anymore.
4. Slide C-brackets through the wheels and secure them to the floor. The Fandamei Corner Brace is an excellent choice for bed frames with wheels. Place a brace on the floor next to each wheel. Slide a bolt through the brace and the wheel, then seal it with a nut on the other side. Use a thread sealant if you want the modification to be permanent.

If one or more of the wheels on your bed break, your bed frame will look crooked. I recommend replacing all of the wheels at the same time (or getting rid of all of them). Make sure you choose high-quality caster wheels (or whatever is recommended by the manufacturer).

Note: Some bed frame wheels have locks. All you have to do it slide to push the lock down the wheels to prevent it from moving.

In Conclusion

Wheeled bed frames are few and far between. They’re much more common in single-person beds, especially those in college dorms. However, you can always remove the wheels from the bed frame if you want to turn it into a stationary bed.