Bunk bed supports

[mark1]

I've never had the need to use the top bunk bed portion until a trip to the Grand Canyon with a couple granddaughters last week. Normally, it's just a
matter of clipping in the straps to the ceiling "hooks", but my beloved PO put in a new (very nice) ceiling, and covered the access to the hooks. I
always thought about slicing into the really nice headliner, but could imagine that turning into a real mess.

Then it occurred to me that the upper bunk is considerably wider than the lower portion when it's folded out, so it would be easy enough to use
vertical supports instead of hanging it. I looked at some options (including just using sturdy wooden dowels of the appropriate length (right around
48"), but decided that I really needed something a little more substantial, and adjustable. What I found (and am very happy with) was a set of
FastCap Upper Hand Work Supports, which will work for loads between 28" and 60". Each is rated to support 150 pounds, so clearly they're up to the
task (don't think a 300 pound human would fit in the upper bunk anyway!). They cost me less than $50 for the pair, including shipping.

They stow under the lower section of the couch just fine (I take off one of the large, grippy feet to make it simpler), and adjust with a squeeze of
the "trigger". They seem to be very sturdy and I really can't imagine them being knocked out by accident, particularly with someone in the top bunk.
And of course, now I have more tools - I can imagine these things being very handy for lots of uses around the house / RV / garage.

--
Mark Hickey
Mesa, AZ
1978 Royale Center Kitchen

 

[Richard RV]

Mark,

I've been using and recommending FastCap products for years, but, while convenient and expedient, you probably should either look for another solution
or modify how the supports are set in place.

First off, FastCap tech support will tell you flat out that their supports are not meant to carry a live load (in both senses of the word). Someone
scrambling into or out of a bunk bed is definitely a live(ly) load!

Secondly, climbing into or out of a bunk bed entails losing sight of the landing spot and legs are moving about searching for a perch, so it would be
wise to account for the unthinkable and have a way to secure the supports in an upright position (Velcro, ties or whatever) to prevent a support being
knocked out of position.

You mentioned a need for adjustability - why?
The hanging straps aren't adjustable, and the bed should be horizontal, so where's the benefit in having adjustable supports?

Like I said, I have and love a number of FastCap products, I'm just not sure that bunk bed support is a good idea for this particular product.

Richard
--
'77 Birchaven TZE...777

 

[mark1]

While I agree in concept, I honestly can't imagine these things ever being a problem. First, they're rated at 150 pounds each (granted, for a "static
load"). Thing is, it's hard to imagine anyone other than a skinny kid ever using the top bunk, so the actual load is always going to be a fraction of
the rating. And with the adjustment of the lower "pin-set" portion of the stands done right, even if the adjustable portion of the stand did fail,
it's only going to drop a couple inches, if that (scary, but not dangerous).

I suppose it would be possible for someone to dislodge one of the supports during and awkward climb into the upper bunk, but on my coach at least,
you'd have to be looking for the hardest way to get into the upper bunk for that to happen. There is good access to the cockpit floor or the dinette
seat supports, both of which get you nearly into the upper bunk without flailing at all. I'm 5'10", 155 pounds and had not problem at all getting
into the upper bunk, though I doubt I could roll over without getting wedged under the upper cabinet. If there's a person (even a light one) in
the upper bunk, it's going to take a pretty concerted effort for anyone else to knock out one or both of the supports.

I agree the adjustability isn't really necessary, but was a nice feature that prevented me from having to get overly concerned with the precise height
of the supports. It was nice that the final adjustment of the supports was just a couple easy adjuster handle squeezes from the "fully down"
position.

--
Mark Hickey
Mesa, AZ
1978 Royale Center Kitchen