How to Add a Bunk to a Travel Trailer

How to Add a Bunk to a Travel Trailer

Streamlined Motor Homes image by K. Geijer from <a href='http://www.fotolia.com'>Fotolia.com</a>

Your travel trailer provides you with many comforts of home while on the road. Sleeping in a soft bed after a day out enjoying the great outdoors makes the trailer cozy. As your bedding needs begin to grow, you can add a bunk bed to the trailer with some retrofitting.



When you put mattresses into the bunk, try to use memory foam mattresses or some other sort of lighter weight cushioning. The project can be done in half a day.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:
  • Power saw
  • Power drill
  • Power screwdriver
  • Two 8-foot length 1 by 4 timbers
  • Wood screws
  • Measuring tape
  • Stud finder
  • Pencil
  • Bunk bed
Step 1
Measure out the distance of the trailer where you will place the bunk bed to make sure it will fit. Pay attention to the ceiling and the distance between the top bunk and the ceiling. Try and leave at least 2-1/2 feet of space between them.
Step 2
Find the trailer support studs along the wall where you will attach the bunk bed. Use the stud sensor to locate and mark stud location with the pencil.



Cut down the 1 by 4 timber to the length of the trailer wall and drill them onto the trailer studs. Trailers use very thin and lightweight studs, so you want to reinforce them with the 1 by 4 timber when you mount the bunk bed.
Step 3
Move the bunk bed to the side of the trailer where you want it, and where you have placed the extra support studs. Use an assistant for the moving to prevent back injury.
Step 4
Position the bunk bed so the support timbers of the bed align with the support 1 by 4 timbers. Screw the bunk bed to the support 1 by 4 timbers.
Step 5
Add the mattresses, linens and bedding.

Tips & Warnings

 
If your bunk beds do not already have protective lips to keep sleepers from rolling out, use a 2 by 4 cut down to the bed's length. Screw it lengthwise in the front to use as a guard against unwanted falling from the bed.

Article Written By Eric Cedric

A former Alaskan of 20 years, Eric Cedric now resides in California. He's published in "Outside" and "Backpacker" and has written a book on life in small-town Alaska, "North by Southeast." Cedric was a professional mountain guide and backcountry expedition leader for 18 years. He worked in Russia, Iceland, Greece, Turkey and Belize. Cedric attended Syracuse University and is a private pilot.

Write for Trails.com
  • Editor's Pick

    5 Top North American Wildflower Hikes

    5 Top North American Wildflower Hikes

    Springtime brings a sense of new beginnings and new life as flowers begin to bloom and fill the air with their sweet and pleasant fragrance. Luckily we can see wildflowers all summer long, since spring hits at different times throughout North America. See flowering cactu...

    More National Parks...
  • Popular Article

    National Park Substitutes: Great Spots Without the Crowds

    National Park Substitutes: Great Spots Without the Crowds

    Coping with crowds at national parks can get tiresome, especially during the peak tourist season. If you want to escape from the herd, or just take a breather from the bustle of bigger attractions, the United States has plenty of less-visited but still worthwhile spots t...

    More National Parks...
  • Featured Destination

    Prevent Yourself from Getting Lost While Hiking

    Prevent Yourself from Getting Lost While Hiking

    When you're hiking you're going to want to make sure you stay found. What I mean by that is that you've put an itinerary in the car, you know the area that you're hiking to, you know the route and the trail you plan on being on, you know what the trail markers are going ...

    More Camping Basics...

Hotel Finder

Destination
Check-in
Check-out
Adults (18+ yrs)
Children (2-17 yrs)
Get Rates and Availability

Trail Finder

US Map

Search by Keyword