Converting our Devon bunks into a bed

thanks for letting me come and see it in the "flesh".
It really does look and work very well.
I have sketched up a MkII version for a local motorhome builder guy and including the following:-

• Alloy angle - powder coated to match the roof lining
• Lightweight plywood, laminated in durable finish to match the roof lining (could have any colour)
• Boards covered in motorhome type lightweight carpet (going to use air mattress on top)
• Boards all concertina up to lay upright at the back whilst in transit.
• All bits and labour

Cost £240

So you have done excellent to finish it for less than £100.

I'm going to let him do the work as it will all be finished by Thursday afternoon and I don't have the time.
Ill post some piccys.

 

make sure your poptop springs are good or you might get squashed kids, unless you have a barney bodge as zed puts it to hold roof nice n steady. Looks nice i could put betty up their

 

A piece of 2x2 timber should suffice

 

My bunks are now fitted. I'm going to the Rotherham show this weekend so will do some decent photos to post.

 

A few Photos for you. weighs about 8 kg

 

That looks good, I made me own like Joycee, cost me about £30 all in

 

Which is precisely why it's such a great and simple idea - one I hadn't seen before Joycee started this thread. The simple ideas are the best.

 

Yes it is good. The kids love it to which is a bonus.

 

Looks great. I'm glad the kids like it .

 

Here you go @1973daisey

 

Brill think I found them angled ali plates u got to bud

 

If you do it right you can use something like boatbuilders use .
Two thin ply skins maybe 6 to 9 mm for tension and compression and a spacer endgrain balsa or nomex honeycomb glued in between . Should end up lighter than solid wood.
The other alternative that I was thinking of was to leave the bunk metalwork in place but add angle iron at the sides and then the ply can be a lot thinner anyway as it gets support near the middle from the gas pipe of the bunks.

 

Great thread, got me thinking now!

 

Like this a lot!

 

Great idea

 

Not in place but here's a pic of what I did. I used the old ply boards as a template and remade them out of the same furniture ply as our interior. Not sure it's strong enough as it is. Cushions made to fit matching the upholstery in the van.

 

Now a few years on, are there any lessons learnt that you would change if making now? Looking at options for our Devon Bay. Any advice would be welcomed.

 

It seems good , if it’s for small kids you can get the over front seats hammock ,which is good especially if you need head room in main area .

 

Good idea, but I prefer the hammocks, to be honest.

 

Thank you. We’ve got the over cab bunk which works well. Thanks for the feedback. Will look at trying to reinstate the hammocks...