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Bunks

February 26, 2015, 05:16:52 pm

I was wondering if anyone ever converted a closet to bunks.  We have a 42' DGFE model and I really like the motorhome so I'd rather not go to some 5th wheel that's more family oriented.  It occurred to me that my son isn't really that big and the closet would convert well to bunks.  I was wondering how foretravel would go about it though.  The closet doors may actually be useful to leave in place but I would have to take out the center divider in the closet. 

He would really love his own space and a place for his enormous toy collection.

It would also be great to not have to wake him up when we go to sleep late and move him to the sofa.  Then the wife and I can also go to bed at different times as we used to do.

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Re: Bunks

Reply #1 – February 27, 2015, 02:09:21 pm

We're currently at FOT converting a set of overhead lockers on the passenger side living room into a bunk, among other things, for our daughter. They will look like oversized overhead cabinets when closed, and will partially block the window, but will fold down to create a bunk that will allow for about 21" of headroom. Our kids are not that big either, but I understand they keep growing.

 

Susan

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Re: Bunks

Reply #2 – February 27, 2015, 02:31:53 pm

I'm assuming you're talking about converting the closet between the bedroom and the bathroom?  Are you thinking a bed up top and storage below?  Or something different?

Not sure that it's exactly comparable, but we have a 4200 RCFE huge closet in rear no desk and less kitchen storage and no closet between the bath and bedroom.  We are remodeling it to suit our traveling with a family of four with two kids: son age thirteen and daughter age twelve.  Our daughter specifically wanted a loft solution so we've been working with Larry at FOT's remodel group to build her a loft bed out of some of the overhead cabinets on the curb side with a disk space below.  She will have sound deadening privacy curtains around "her space" and our son will have the jackknife with a flip up desk and separate curtains around "his space".

We found that having the kids right next to our bedroom (in other situations) didn't give either group sufficient privacy from a sound perspective if nothing else. 

It's kind of ironic though, because your floorplan is EXACTLY what we were looking for.  Even asked Dave and Larry here at FOT originally to change the layout in the back of the rig to be be pretty much what you have back there.  At LEAST $30k and probably more like $50k to change the East/West to a North/South bed etc.

We'd be more than glad to share any details of what we're doing here that you think might help you?  If you want, I can ask Dave next time I see him how they would approach converting a DGFE 4200 bedroom/bathroom closet to a bunkbed?

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Re: Bunks

Reply #3 – February 27, 2015, 02:32:29 pm

Susan was faster than I was because she types less and just posted a picture. :-)

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Re: Bunks

Reply #4 – February 28, 2015, 12:01:37 am

FWIW,
I have a buddy with  a SOB  (Berkshire).  His closet has I think a rather neat feature.  He has the ability to have a hanging closet with one or two rods (one high and one one low).  In this configuration, there are bunks there and they are folded up against the outside wall.  If one needed extra bed space, these two bunks drop down into position and are perfect for kids that aren't 6 foot tall.  Of course the hanging clothes would have to be removed. They even have little TVs such that they can watch tv, play games, etc.  Also have little reading lights.  I am going on memory as I haven't see his coach for about 6 months.  However, I think it should be easily done by FOT or MOT (among others skilled in carpentry for RV).  I don't think it should cost outrageous as I don't think it is that hard to do and beds are not exactly expensive items.  It certainly could add up though especially when you start adding stuff.  One of the reasons he got that SOB was because of the ability to add/remove bunks for the grandkids.  If you wish I will try to get some photos of the setup/arrangement. 
Best of travels.

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Re: Bunks

Reply #5 – March 02, 2015, 11:47:48 am

I like the solution posted with the bunk out towards the living room by GofD.  I had a similar idea to do that right over the dining area.  The problem with that solution for me is that my son goes to sleep at 8pm and we go to sleep anywhere from midnight to 2am.  During this time period we want to be able to watch tv, talk, make noise, etc and we can do that if he's all the way in the rear bedroom.  If he was in a foldout bunk in the living room I don't think that would happen.  We could ourselves go to the rear bedroom at this time but then we would be locked back there and would not be able to access the fridge, big tv, desk, computers, etc.    We think that waking him up and moving him when we go to sleep is bad for his sleeping.  He has under eye circles and we know the cat's crazy late night antics are keeping him awake too.

From what Tigratrus said, those other activities tend to happen when he's awake and watching Cars anyway so he has no idea what's going on.  From start to finish he's glued to the tv but only that movie works   My significant other would prefer for him to still be out in the living room overnight.  We can also send him to either pair of grandparents much of the year if we want to as they tend to be reasonably close by.

Oh and Tigratrus we have realized that this floor plan is actually more useful than half the dual slide coaches even.  I work at the desk every day and it's wonderful to have it built in.  I used to work in my Winnebago I removed the recliner and put this in it's place BORGSJÖ Desk - brown - IKEA  That was an excellent solution but the additional desk real estate makes things feel much more at home with a multi monitor + laptop setup, plus a ton of drawers to keep all my stuff.    It hasn't been lost on me that if I cleaned my desk top off then I could just put a mattress right on top of the desk top.  I'd like to avoid that.

I also want to go to bed earlier than she does and not have to move him.  If he has a permanent bed and isn't moved during the night that is the most ideal solution for me.  The only possible solution I can see is that closet.  Wall it off on the bedroom side.  We don't really need the closet space (much to her protesting) and besides we only lose a little height as we would still use the lower portion for storage.  Obviously it's no good as he works towards teenage years but he's 3 so we have a solid 5-8 years before it will be an issue.

Any pictures of any solution would be good as it'd be nice to have something to convey to a carpenter.  I could do something myself but I'd really like it finished with walnut and look nice and that's where I draw the line and let someone else do it.  It'd be money well spent and maybe they will think of something I didn't in terms of folding out the bunk to make more space or something like that.

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Re: Bunks

Reply #6 – March 02, 2015, 11:49:24 am

The one thing that makes me so happy is that I could get it done at Foretravel and have it look like it came that way from the factory.  That's a really worthwhile thing to me. 

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Re: Bunks

Reply #7 – March 02, 2015, 05:52:41 pm

Here is a link that should take you to some photos of a SOB that has the flip up/down bunks in the closet.  I like them too.  I tried to copy and paste the actual photo but was unsuccessful.  The link will take you to the SOB being sold and from there just scan through the photos and see if that may be helpful.  Best of Travels. 


berkshire 390bh - Google Search

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Re: Bunks

Reply #8 – March 02, 2015, 10:30:19 pm

We've just accepted our fate and relegated ourselves to the back bedroom after bedtime.    Of course ours are a bit older, and don't go to bed until later - 10:30 is lights out, but I guess it's us going to bed now isn't it? Typically by the time we're ready for them to go to bed, we're ready to at least take off our pants, know what I mean? There's a time of day.

We're making progress!  (Don't know why photo isn't showing but it's in the album http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?action=media;sa=album;in=405


Susan

Edited to add album tag

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Re: Bunks

Reply #9 – March 03, 2015, 07:15:42 am

Larry does a great job. 

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Reply #10 – March 03, 2015, 08:35:03 am

Susan,

You need to post a LOT more photos of your project "in progress".  We (the Forum voyeurs) love to watch other people spending Coach Bucks!

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Re: Bunks

Reply #11 – March 03, 2015, 10:13:11 am

:-)
Will do.  Most of the pics so far are demo, just starting to put things back together now.  Unfortunately Larry is off on some Foretravel run to Florida and won't be back till probably Friday.  So the bunk/loft project is on hold until then. 

Bookey is working on the cabinetry for the back wall though, so hopefully that will be making progress soon.  I'll see if we can't post some of the demo pictures on the renovation topic.

@piku Totally understood. :-)

The remodel crew @ FOT has done a fabulous job so far... NOT inexpensive mind you, it's painful watching hours stack up @ $115/hr, but they do great work. Larry is a woodworker's woodworker, and a pleasure to work with.  It's also amazing how well integrated and factory original looking things look. The hard part is breaking up the job into must haves, and optional things then letting go of optional parts when the budget starts to get tight (and it probably always does).  In any project like what you're thinking about, labor is going to be the vast majority of the cost. Anything you can do to prep the space is hugely worthwhile.  It's also really important to talk openly with the craftsman about how much time various options will take, and what you can do to minimize the hours needed.  A little planning and coordination can go a long way in terms of keeping costs under control.  Larry's experience has been invaluable in helping us avoid some planning pitfalls.  I'm a big believer in listening to the advice of competent professionals who have experience we lack, that's a big part of what you're paying a premium for after all. :-)

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Re: Bunks

Reply #12 – March 03, 2015, 05:18:05 pm

That is why we go back a couple times to get it all done.  It is too  much to do all at once. Also, David will work with you on the hours or has in the past.  they usually do not charge for figuring it out only the install. 

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What about this for two kids...

Reply #13 – March 03, 2015, 05:36:38 pm

This could be an interesting solution as well...

DOC a sofa bed that converts in to a bunk bed in two secounds

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