Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I purchased this frame because I am a rather large and HEAVY person. I needed something that was strong, durable, and economically affordable. Looking for a new bed and frame was a lot more expensive than I had anticipated and my funds are NOT inexhaustible (unfortunately for me), nor do I have that elusive "Money Tree" that buds various denominational Bills of currency growing in my back yard, or even my front yard, for that matter (again, unfortunately for me). So when I came upon this item, a heavy duty metal bed frame that claimed to hold and support up to 4400 lbs. and be lightweight and portable, and also be easy to put together with little or no tools, well let's just say that I was very enthusiastic. When I realized the price of this item was only $129.99 WITH FREE SHIPPING (being a "Prime" item) and I knew that I was not getting ripped-off because it was an Amazon fulfilled order, I went from being just enthused to ecstatic. I purchased the item and it arrived two days later. The bed frame was just as described, although the square metal tubing used to make the frame and the legs were skinnier (smaller) than I had imagined it would have been. The frame was easy to unpack, set-up and move, just as the description said it was and no tools were necessary to put together. All you need to do is unpack it and unfold it. This frame would be perfect for taking on camping trips and using a queen size air mattress. It is that simple and convenient. Four years later, almost five actually, and I am just now writing this review. I felt I needed to write this because of the.....flaw?? I guess I would call it for lack of a better word. You see, the frame IS strong...VERY STRONG. It will support a tremendous amount of weight. However, remember when I mentioned that I thought the square metal tubing just seemed a bit to skinny or small? Well it is! Also, the latching system used to hold the legs in place for that support are not well designed, or I should say, not strong enough. The hooks (latches) do not stay hooked and work themselves loose and come undone. When this happens, it allows for the frame to sway slightly. That motion weakens the welding that holds the frame and legs together. Also, the corners need additional support in the form of additional legs. Each corner has only one small, thin leg. This is not enough and it allows the corner (if any significant amount of weight is set there) to bend. Over time, the frame weakens and begins to break apart. It is usually the very lightly welded leg supports (a very long and thin piece of square tubing) that run from one leg to another leg to help keep them from moving. Once those bars starting breaking at the welds, that it. The frame is now compromised and unless you take it to a weld shop to have them re-welded (and significantly reinforced with new and heavier metal square stock) it will only be a matter of time before the legs break away from the frame and the bed collapses onto the floor. Don't get me wrong, this is still a very good purchase . Everything I have said took almost five years to happen. For the price I paid ($129.99 at the time of purchase - January 2014) it has held up well considering my weight, my children that have rough housed on the bed (you know how kids are), and being packed up and moved twice, it has done extremely well. I now find myself needing to buy another one of these frames as this one has just about given me all it can, but this time I know what needs to be reinforced so I will take it to a weld shop and have heavier metal square stock welded on, thereby replacing the original metal leg supports, and I will have the welds strengthens all around the frame plus have the latches (metal hooks) welded in place. That should solve any problems. Even with the additional cost of having that done, it will still be considerably cheaper than any other frame I could purchase that will be able to support the same amount of weight and still be lightweight, portable, and easy to assemble. It will even be cheaper (and easier) than purchasing the plywood and materials to build my own frame. I only gave this a FOUR STAR rating because I felt that if the manufacturer would have used a larger square stock and designed a better (more reliable) latch system (the hooks), added some extra legs for support at the corners (one additional leg at each corner), this would never have slowly come apart and have need to replace it. I hope this helps any and all who reads this.