Anyone ever convert double wide bunks to singles?

[JustB_Rad]

This is the style bunk house we have.


We have lived and learned in the last 2 years with this camper, and discovered that we really wish we had purchased a unit with a separate bunk house. HOWEVER, getting rid of this unit and purchasing a bigger unit isn't in the cards for us, so I'm looking to make do. Beyond the affordability, storage in the units that fit our size criteria (Under 7,800 lbs loaded) is a lot less than what we have in our current unit.

Has anyone ever converted from this style bunk to a single wide style bunk to try to make that bunk area a separate "room"?

My basic idea would be to extend the wall at the foot of the bed all the way to the ceiling, and square off the bunks, making approximately a 18" walkway along the length of the bunks. Then from the existing corner to the wall at the foot of the bed, I would put in one of the accordion doors. This would still leave me with storage accessible from outside under the lower bunk.

Thoughts?

Essentially going from this:


To this:

[Boondockin]

Looks like it should work, at least I can't see a reason it won't!

I assume the floor does go all the way under the current bed, as most do.

Might have a few small nail/screw/staple holes in the floor and wall. Minor cosmetics things really.

[dlfarley]

I like that idea! Not really the same thing, but I've seen "full" bottom bunk plans, where the bottom bunk had a long piano hinge that allowed it to be folded up for taller storage, like bikes. My daughter likes sleeping on the top bunk anyway, so I may attempt something like this on down the road.

[dlfarley]

To further clarify, the hinge ran lengthwise down the middle of the bunk, thereby still having a twin size bed to sleep in when folded up.

[mkosu04]

The biggest difficulty will probably be the structure to support the beds. Expect to need to totally rebuild the beds (vs just cutting them down) and you might need to open up the walls to find structure.

Or maybe you can build supports onto the surface walls - make sure the support goes all the way to the floor (don't trust the thin wood wall to hold a wall anchor)

[ahargrove]

Funny, we just bought our first camper and the previous owner removed the top bunk and I posted on here asking for suggestions to rebuild it. Here is a pic of what mine looks like with the bunk removed. They put a piece of wall matching trim where the top bunk mounted to the walls to hide the screw holes.

[5picker]

Originally Posted by JustB_Rad

This is the style bunk house we have.


We have lived and learned in the last 2 years with this camper, and discovered that we really wish we had purchased a unit with a separate bunk house. HOWEVER, getting rid of this unit and purchasing a bigger unit isn't in the cards for us, so I'm looking to make do. Beyond the affordability, storage in the units that fit our size criteria (Under 7,800 lbs loaded) is a lot less than what we have in our current unit.

Has anyone ever converted from this style bunk to a single wide style bunk to try to make that bunk area a separate "room"?

My basic idea would be to extend the wall at the foot of the bed all the way to the ceiling, and square off the bunks, making approximately a 18" walkway along the length of the bunks. Then from the existing corner to the wall at the foot of the bed, I would put in one of the accordion doors. This would still leave me with storage accessible from outside under the lower bunk.

Thoughts?

If you are handy with carpentry skills, this transformation should be pretty easy. You won't be eliminating any support wall(s). You'll actually gain some additional support (not that's it's needed) by adding to the stub wall and narrowing the bunks will just require some support at whatever width you decide you want the bunks to be.

Go for it and post lots of pictures.
We love pictures!

[JustB_Rad]

Originally Posted by mkosu04

The biggest difficulty will probably be the structure to support the beds. Expect to need to totally rebuild the beds (vs just cutting them down) and you might need to open up the walls to find structure.

Or maybe you can build supports onto the surface walls - make sure the support goes all the way to the floor (don't trust the thin wood wall to hold a wall anchor)

If my wife lets me do it, my plan is to build a wardrobe on the back wall (like a quad bunk house would have) using closet organizers (prefinished and you can get shelves, doors and drawers). That would support the back corner of the upper bunk.

I was talking to my FIL about it and how it might affect the resale of the unit. (I honestly don't care, I'm more interested in my current convenience, because the resale value already sucks...If it didn't, I'd just get another new camper) The reality is, I'm not really even decreasing the sleeping capacity of the unit. The bunks supposedly have a 150-200lb capacity as they sit, so you can't put 2 adults on a bunk anyway.

[JustB_Rad]

For those following along...here's a rough illustration of my idea without the accordion door and just the curtain. I made this to give my wife an idea of what I'm talking about....she's terrible at visualizing.

[saus]

You could also build the wall up and use laminate board. Home Depot has the same color back in the cabinet section. I have used it on my 5er. It might be easier than trying to match the wall paper.

[JustB_Rad]

I have to wait to get the unit back to measure it officially, but that wall board is used on the ceiling of the lower bunk. What I trim off of there will HOPEFULLY be enough to use on both side of the wall I have to install. Thanks for the tip about Home Depot...I've never been able to find anything that close to the dark color.

If the panel isn't big enough, I thought about doing Cork Board as a place to hang pictures and such.

[JustB_Rad]

So we did it! I think it turned out looking as good as it could have! I also added some cabinets on Saturday, but forgot to take a picture of the finished product!

[noslofivoh]

It turned out nice!

[karronb]

Wish I could see the photos, there is three but don't know how to view them

[Gravy Bubbles]

I did this to mine but my wall was already to ceiling. I really like the walkway to the back wall and it made it much easier to access the storage from the inside.