Assistance with baby bunk beds in the Blast Shelter

[35thAV]

Okay gang it looks like we may be having another little one on the way soon!
That will bring up a serious space issue n the Blast Shelter though. I'm trying to figure out how I can remove the existing closet and icebox cabinet and convert them in to bunk beds with storage underneath.

There won't be enough room here to sleep two full sized humans but the mini-sized ones should have no issues for seveal years.
As you can see by the pics I should easily have enough room width, length & height the problem is I have no idea of the best way to build them and even worse I don't really know how I should attach them to the trailer walls and floor.

The area I have to work with is as follows:

60" long from the back wall to the dinette/bed
24" deep is the current cabinet & closet depth

Couple other thoughts:
*Also note that there is a window about half way up the wall that will cut into the front of the bunks by about 10 inches
*The back door opens 4 feet wide so I can build something outside the tailer and bring it into install if that works better

Any help would be appriciated! Thanks in advance!

Here are a couple pics of what I have now.

[john]

I am a fan of cots.

They work well in small campers. They easily disappear because they roll up to nothing, are easily washed (kids can be dirty), they are cheap to construct, my kids like them and lastly they are difficult to roll out of accidentally.

It is amazing how little space a kid needs for sleeping. My daughter used this tiny lower cot until she was 6 or 7. My youngest son can use it now. Note the light switches for size. Cot sag makes the space larger for her while in use.








As to where to put the cots in your camper I am not sure. The pics don't tell me enough. Also, how many kids do you need to find room for? My kids share bunks enough that I wonder why I gave them each a bunk.



I would consider (if there is room vertically and it looks like there might be from the exterior pics) mounting the dowels to the exterior walls just above the windows. This would put the kids above your bed which would alleviate removing existing structures in the camper. In our experience we have found having the kids close is convenient.

For strength my cot mounts are usually a 1x3 that runs more than the full width of the cot along the wall. For appearances sake I usually run the cot supports until both ends bump into something. (Which doesn't take long in a small camper.)

[35thAV]

Thats an interesting idea John! I'm looking to add room for two little kids and your idea my be an option.

My original thought was to remove the closet & icebox cabinet and build in 2 bunks with a large storage area below the bottom bunk (5' x approx 20" tall).
I just have no idea how to assemble it at the moment.

I can do magic customizing cars but I've never built a wood cabinet in my life!

[vtx1029]

Did you sew the cot fabric or buy them?

[john]

I stunned the wife by sewing them myself.

If it is a machine, I can run it (if allowed).

[kennyrayandersen]

very nice job on those!

[john]

Just trying to help you keep your closet. Believe me, you will wish you had it for the kid's cloths when it is gone. They go through a lot. I know.

How about something like this found on ebay:
http://www.littleurl.net/23b6

The set up is similar to one of my favorite manufactured campers, the Sunline 1550 (can be seen here: http://www.littleurl.net/579ad6 ) which I feel is one of the best for sleeping a high number of people in a tiny package while still retaining a toilet/shower, and galley.