Upper bunk use

[windy hill]

We have an upper bunk which we use mostly for storage. We have grandchildren that will want to travel with us. How do you get into the upper bunk? A ladder did not come with it and have not found any mention of one in the forums.

 

[Treeclimber]

When I had an original owners info sheet, it stated the fold down bunk would hold about 300# equally distributed. I'm about 200# (I feel like 500#), but I tried out the upper-no problems. Even when I wiggled around, I never felt in jeopardy.
Tree

 

[RichR]

The younger you are the easier it is to climb into. Our daughter and granddaughter both stepped up on the bed below and onto the narrow counter next to the fridge. A little trick for making up the bed is to tilt the bed down without putting the props down and slide the mattress off far enough to put the sheets on then slide the mattress back in place.

 

[Bravada]

Show kids the bed and they will figure it out....the old monkey climbing gene will show up they will figure out a way.

 

[windy hill]

Thanks for the replies. Since no one mentioned a ladder I guess Hi-Lo didn't provide one. I guess the best way is to let the kids scamper up from the lower bed to the counter to the bed. I have been thinking about making a narrow ladder, 4 - 6 inches wide, with a hook to go over the bunk edge. Not too wide to block the aisle and could store it in the bunk when not needed. Hmmmm... may have see about working on that.

Thanks again, folks. Always good help here.

 

[RichR]

Go to a furniture store that sells bunk beds and they should have ladders. Easier than trying to make one.

 

[marininn]

Get or make a ladder. The thinner the better.
I made one from a cheap sliding board ladder. I used the horizontal steps, which were pretty shallow. I used conduit from Homedepot and drilled holes for the ladder rungs to go through.

My ladder leaned towards the bed a little. I bent the metal poles to make a hook so it hooked on the bed frame. Used tape to soften the metal edges. The ladder was not that thick, so stored easy. In the daytime it could go next to the fridge if needed.

Tip:
Sit on the edge of something so your legs dangle. Measure from the ledge to your foot. This is the distance from the top of bed to your top rung. (or just measure from back of knee to floor) This way you get out of bed and your foot is already on the top rung. No stepping down to find it and no upward movement when you stand on it.

Even though you won't use the bed another adult might. The kids will not need such perfection, monkeys as they are at that age…

 

[rmsoul]

I recently bought a '94 FunChaser that came with a wooden ladder for the bunk. It was made of white pine but had a lot of little holes throughout that may have been termites at one time. I rebuilt an identical ladder out of cedar (naturally resistant to insects). If you would like, I can draw up the plans/specs and send to you with pictures.

 

[tcongdon]

Missing Ladder

I bought a 1994 Funlite last year and put a lot of work into it. Partial new roof, both back cables, and sealing windows and other major stuff. I was wondering the same about the bunk ladder. Since I am a woodworker, I will just make one, probably out of oak. As thin as I can to hold me.

TEC

 

[windy hill]

RMSOUL That would be great!