Bunk bed mod in Interstate

[elgo]

I know from reading posts that to many here removing storage cabinets would be the last thing you'd want to do. However, I figure my stuff can sleep on a roof or hitch based storage device whereas my kids cannot. Advanced RV has a nice removable bunk bed option if you're willing to forgo some of the overhead cabinets above your back bed. Has anyone done something similar in your interstate and if so can you share?

[LB_3]

Here is an Advanced RV video on their bunk construction:
http://youtu.be/sE5nrA7kxmw

[elgo]

This link shows a view of the bunk mentioned above and in the video. It can be stowed away and looks like a reasonable modification to increase sleep capacity on the Interstates. I didn't see any ladders however so I guess you have to throw the kiddos up there and bring them down manually.

https://advanced-rv.com/a-second-home/

[73shark]

Someone here made a bed for the front seats by reclining them flat and using a bedboard and pad. Try a search for it as it had pics.

[InterBlog]

The folding front seat mattress idea probably traces back to this well-known Roadtreking blog post because I believe that guy was the first to develop the idea.

Your best course of action would probably depend on how many kids and what ages and what your budget is. There are other Class B's on the market that have at least one extra bed built in as OEM - my husband and I looked at them quite closely because we have a daughter. But we ended up concluding she shouldn't be a deciding factor in our purchase decision because she was a teenager and her interest in RV travel approached negative infinity (and still does).

The DIY Sprinter camper van community has a lot of info and ideas on adding beds. Much of it can be found on Instagram, FWIW. The most common way in which space efficiency is gained over a stock model such as the Interstate is to raise up the main bed such that there is space underneath, either for storage or sometimes for other beds.

[InterBlog]

Sorry - I meant Roadtrek Life above, not Roadtreking. Different bloggers.

[UKDUDE]

These pictures show something similar to what I had in my Class B - with elevating roof - many years ago back in the UK. More suitable for youngsters than the rest of us, but simple to put up and take down as long as you can find suitable anchor points.



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[elgo]

I like some of the ideas floated here. We explored the hammock idea but was concerned it didn't offer enough back support on longer trips. Some folks have built these to go over front seats and made out of PVC for something like $30 in materials. Worth exploring for shorter trips and even small pets.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/vie...81648&start=20

[InterBlog]

Probably beyond what you had in mind, but I saw this Outside Van pic on Insta last night and I thought I'd share it. Quite a nice job!

[LB_3]

Lots more outside van pics here:
https://www.outsidevan.com/option/bunk-beds/

[Hittenstiehl]

The Outside Van information is very neat. The bunks look very sturdy.

Been thinking a van might be a future tow vehicle for us and spent some time on a Ford Transit forum the other day.