Home

   Log in or Register



Insurance Quotes
forums Campsite Search Comp Directory tips virtual brochure Profile
Tent and Awning Reviews Competitions Caravans and Motorhomes For Sale Shopping Diary Advent Calendar

Advertisement

Message Forums

Welcome Guest Register Login Search The Forum Posts Since Last Visit
 Reception - All Forums
  Caravans and Caravanning
Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email  Printer Friendly Version Print
Subject Topic: Bunk weight limit Post Reply Post New Topic
via mobile 30/1/2020 at 2:23pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: None Entered
View KJ56's Profile View Profile   Reply to KJ56 Reply   Quote KJ56 Quote  
Joined: 07/5/2013

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   14

Site Reviews Total: 1
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

Newbie caravaners here. We are just taking ownership of a 1993vabi award Nightstar - 5 berth.
I know the fifth bed is a bunk and we'd like to use it for our daughter so that we can leave the rear double and bunk set up as beds
Does anyone know if the bunks have a weight limit? Will they hold an adult or are they primarily designed for kids?
Thanks in advance


30/1/2020 at 4:47pm
 Location: East Herts
 Outfit: 1992 Elddis Wisp 450CT + X Trail
View Colin21's Profile View Profile   Reply to Colin21 Reply   Quote Colin21 Quote  
Joined: 05/11/2013

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   6270

Site Reviews Total: 18
Site Reviews 2024: 1  
Site Reviews 2023: 1  
Site Reviews 2022: 2  
Site Reviews 2021: 2  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 2  
Site Reviews 2018: 3  
Site Nights 2024: 7
Site Nights 2023: 8
Site Nights 2022: 12
Site Nights 2021: 18
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 21
Site Nights 2018: 18

I'm not that familiar with the caravan, but I think it would depend on what sort of bunk it is. If it's one of those with two poles with canvas stretched between, it would probably be only suitable for a small child, but if it is a more substantial wooden structure it would probably take more weight. I think it would largely be down to how it is supported. The ones with poles usually slot into plastic "U" shaped cups fixed to the wall, and I doubt whether they would take much weight at all.

How old is your daughter? If she's under 6 you may have no problem either way, but if she's 10+ you might, unless the bunk has fairly substantial support. I built bunks in my last caravan, a 1988 Elddis Tornado, and they would take our weight as two 60 somethings. They were solid wooden constructions though.

One of the things I like about these older vans is that you don't have to worry about depreciation if you modify them to suit yourselves, so maybe a bit of DIY construction work might make the bunk suitable for an adult.


-------------
Best Regards,
Colin


Discounted Insurance Quotes for UKCampsite.co.uk visitors! Up to 12.5% off!
UKCampsite.co.uk users are rewarded with up to 12.5% off Caravan Guard touring caravan insurance, folding camper and trailer tent insurance, and 5% off motorhome and campervan insurance. Static caravan insurance is also available. Get an online quote now

via mobile 30/1/2020 at 6:04pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: None Entered
View KJ56's Profile View Profile   Reply to KJ56 Reply   Quote KJ56 Quote  
Joined: 07/5/2013

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   14

Site Reviews Total: 1
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

Thanks for the reply :-)
It looks like a solid bunk and our daughter is 12 . I think hubby may have to add extra supports if we want to keep it up permanently.


30/1/2020 at 7:42pm
 Location: East Herts
 Outfit: 1992 Elddis Wisp 450CT + X Trail
View Colin21's Profile View Profile   Reply to Colin21 Reply   Quote Colin21 Quote  
Joined: 05/11/2013

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   6270

Site Reviews Total: 18
Site Reviews 2024: 1  
Site Reviews 2023: 1  
Site Reviews 2022: 2  
Site Reviews 2021: 2  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 2  
Site Reviews 2018: 3  
Site Nights 2024: 7
Site Nights 2023: 8
Site Nights 2022: 12
Site Nights 2021: 18
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 21
Site Nights 2018: 18

It shouldn't be too difficult to do, as long as you make the supports strong enough. You don't want it coming down on top of you. The walls themselves don't have a lot of strength being made of very thin panels, so don't rely on anything simply attached to the walls. If the bunk itself is made of timber, I would take some vertical timber supports down to the lower bed, or even the floor if possible. It's a bit difficult to advise without seeing the caravan. Best of luck with the project anyway.


-------------
Best Regards,
Colin


30/1/2020 at 8:37pm
 Location: London
 Outfit: Lunar Cosmos 524
View Monty15's Profile View Profile   Reply to Monty15 Reply   Quote Monty15 Quote  
Joined: 17/9/2015

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   2328

Site Reviews Total: 1
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 1  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 6
Site Nights 2018: 0

Not sure this is of any help, but on my modern (2016) Lunar, the foldaway bunks have square steel tube frame with chip board base on upper, the upper bunk weight limit is 57kgs (9 stones), the lower 75kg (12 stones) on a mix of slats (on seat bases) and the dinette table top (filling the gap between seats), these are slightly undersize beds, so not really adult size. The steel frame is mounted to the (outer) wall one side and rests on seat bases the other.

If any of your bunk relies on plastic clips/brackets as weight bearing or securing fixtures they MUST be regarded as unsafe, after nearly 30 years the plastic will almost certainly have lost it's properties and will be brittle and weak.


Advertisement



via mobile 31/1/2020 at 7:41am
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: None Entered
View KJ56's Profile View Profile   Reply to KJ56 Reply   Quote KJ56 Quote  
Joined: 07/5/2013

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   14

Site Reviews Total: 1
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

Thanks for that - yes most helpful :-)


31/1/2020 at 8:06pm
 Location: West country
 Outfit: Mondeo
View navver's Profile View Profile   Reply to navver Reply   Quote navver Quote  
Joined: 23/8/2008

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   4663

Site Reviews Total: 1
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

We had a 1989 Abi Ace Pioneer XL which had a single bunk. It ran lengthwise along the side wall and hinged up allowing substantial steel legs to drop down and rest on the seat box below. I think it had a sprung base. This was very substantial and probably would have supported an adult.

This van was 3 years older than yours and I think it was a completely different design. Yours was a much more modern looking range.


01/2/2020 at 5:57am
 Location: Derbyshire
 Outfit: ElddisAvante462 Honda CRV SE2.2 i-Dtec
View romany girl's Profile View Profile   Reply to romany girl Reply   Quote romany girl Quote  
Joined: 26/1/2006

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   3025

Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

Our old Lunar had a transverse bunk across the back over a single dinette, it was stored under the bottom of the back lockers and held in place with turn buttons when not in use. It then lifted down and folded out lengthways to form a full width shelf the same size as the bottom bunk, it was supported by sturdy fixed polished solid timber battons attached to the wall and no doubt internally supported behind the decorative wall board during construction. The weight limit for this upper bunk was 11stone, it was long enough to take two small children in a Top and Tail configuration, as well as either an adult or another child on the Dinette base which formed a decent sized single the full transverse width of the caravan.

Julia

-------------
Just love to be out amoungst Nature and Wildlife

Celebrating 37 years of Caravanning in 2019, Recently Considered Retiring, but Totally Addicted for Life!



In order to post a reply you will need to register, or if already registered please log in here

Prev       Next
Quick Links - All Forums - Caravans and Caravanning - Top of Page

Printer Friendly Version Printable version      Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email


Latest News, Discounts and Competitions  see all...














6426 Visitors online !

Free UKCampsite.co.uk Window Sticker  -  Recommend to Friend  -  Add a Missing Campsite

[Message Forums]  [Caravan Sites & Camping]  [Company Listings]  [Features / Advice]  [Virtual Brochure]  [Shop!]
[Reception]  [Competitions]  [Caravans & Motorhomes For Sale]  [Event Diary]  [Contact Us]  [Tent Reviews



Please note we are not responsible for the content of external sites & any reviews represent the author's personal view only. Please report any error here. You may view our privacy and cookie policy and terms and conditions here. All copyrights & other intellectual property rights in the design and content of this web site are reserved to the UKCampsite.co.uk © 1999 - 2024


Advertisement


Advertisement


UKCampsite.co.uk
2024 Advent Calendar


Advent Calendar

24 Daily Prizes PLUS a Christmas Day Star Prize worth £999

Request a Reminder