DIY bunkbed

[missyloopy]

We have a Double bed in our Ambassador and needed a little more room for the children so with a little planning we made something that functions, doesn't have to be stored, Is lightweight, and is not an eyesore.

the double bed mattress is a single bed that slides out and a 1 ft mattress fills in the gap, it sits against the wall. over that the bunk hangs from the wall hooks and covers over the small piece of the double bed mattress. During the day, it functions as a sofa, at night, it becomes a small child's bunk over a double bed.

[Skatiero]

Brilliant!!! I love it!!!

[Aage]

You aren't worried about children falling off the bunk? I would be tempted to put some kind of fence, even a low one, to try and hold them in...

[dino242]

Originally Posted by Aage

You aren't worried about children falling off the bunk?

They will only do that once. Lesson learned after that
Hee hee.

[missyloopy]

Originally Posted by Aage

You aren't worried about children falling off the bunk? I would be tempted to put some kind of fence, even a low one, to try and hold them in...

If it were only a single below her I would be worried, but it is a double and she is only about two 1/2 feet above that. We did add extra cushion to the front of the bunk and it is hung at a slight angle to make it more difficult for her to roll out of bed.

[memgrove2000]

On our D I Y bunk we use a large long closet bar to keep the kids from rolling out. It has a bracket on each wall and lifts out nice and easy. Stows just under the lower bed matress when not in use.

[dcsawLoehr]

I was wondering what you used to make the frame of the bunk. 3/4 plywood or did you beef it up at all?

[missyloopy]

Originally Posted by dcsawLoehr

I was wondering what you used to make the frame of the bunk. 3/4 plywood or did you beef it up at all?

There is a frame made of 2x2's ( the long one against the wall is a 2x4 for supporting the eyes that slid over the existing wall brackets). Over that is 1/2 inch plywood ( the bed is for a six year old). Over that is a foam mattress cover( four times thick). We added a little extra foam to the front edge to keep her in the bunk. Back and front covered in material and it hangs in sofa position from the eyes. When it is raised the chains go from existing wall hooks to hooks under the front corners of the bunk. Hope that helps.

[JDP]

Originally Posted by missyloopy

If it were only a single below her I would be worried, but it is a double and she is only about two 1/2 feet above that. We did add extra cushion to the front of the bunk and it is hung at a slight angle to make it more difficult for her to roll out of bed.

I believe there is a product called guard rails or side rails that can be found at medical supply stores. The guard rail is supposed to slide in between the mattress and the plywood (or boxspring) to keep you from falling out of bed. The mattress shown in your photo might be too light, however, to weight down the guardrail and keep it in place.

[Aviator]

Very cool.

[purman]

how much weight do you think it will hold? the chains I'm guessing go into a rib on the roof.

[dino242]

The chains actually connect to the factory wall plates that the factory bunk beds attach to. On that side of the trailer, they are both attached to the wall. On the other side of the trailer, one is on the wall (shared with the rear bath), the other is on the ceiling. This being an odd (make that, apparent custom ordered) trailer, the "other side" has no sofa or sleeper below it, so we don't have it setup for that side.