Dog Bunk Bed

evpeeling

Another project I can cross off my list: dog bunk bed! I love my dog, but is she a criminal bed hog. At 75lbs she is pretty big, and with another adult in the camper it was starting to feel a bit cramped. She starts the night in a neat little ball, but by morning there would inevitably be dog paws in my face. Overall, I am very pleased with how it turned out. It makes the bed feel a lot roomier and keeps the pup off of our legs.

I more or less followed instructions posted on facebook by someone making this for a 2016 tag max (https://www.facebook.com/groups/777150495737351/permalink/3362102723908769) . The A/C unit must stick out further in my 2020 5wide, because I could not place the poles as wide as they did. I had to place the poles on the horizontal cross pieces to avoid running into the A/C unit.

Materials needed:
(2) 2x4x8’
(1) 2x6 (need min of 4.25ft)
Poles to support the sides of the hammock. (I used strong galvanized steel poles, but could use closet poles or something similar. If you can easily flex the pole it won’t be strong enough)
Saw to cut poles to length
Heavy duty open closet pole sockets
Sturdy non-stretchy fabric for hammock (I used two layers of outdoor fabric)
Optional - pocket hole jig (not needed but made it easier and makes a strong joint)

Cuts:
Horizontal pieces -
(2) 2x4 pieces cut to 25.5”
(2) 2x6 pieces cut to 25.5”
Vertical pieces -
(4) 2x4 pieces cut to 24”

Assemble wood pieces with pocket holes and screws. Determine location for pole sockets and attach them. Measure and cut stretcher poles to length. To make the hammock I used two layers of sturdy outdoor fabric. I attempted using one layer first and it was too weak and would sag under the weight of the dog.

First I cut the fabric to the appropriate length and seamed the ends. Next I created a sleeve for the pole by folding over one side and double stitching down the length of the fabric. I measured the width between the two poles and then shortened that slightly (~0.5”), so the hammock would be pulled as tight as possible. If your fabric has a lot of stretch you will need to shorten the width more. I made a sleeve on the other side but only did one stitch. Once I tested and confirmed that I had the width right I doubled stitched the remaining side.

Lastly, I sanded it and painted it white so it would blend in a little more with the walls.

JamesDow

Great work! How does the dog like it?

evpeeling

@JamesDow she has no problem getting on it and will stay on there. Will probably end up getting a dog bed or crate liner to make it a little more comfy. Given her way though, I’m sure she would rather be right in between us 😂

HikinMike

Brilliant.

Longlakelady

Did you attach it to the sides of the camper? Or how does it stay in place?

evpeeling

@Longlakelady no it isn’t attached to the camper. The frames sit in between the wall and the mattress and the poles on each side of hammock keep the frames upright. It’s like a cot

evpeeling

Happy to say that after a three day test run, this was a successful mod! The pup stayed up there all three nights for the whole night, and I have never slept better in the tag. I did find a cozy dog bed to put up there that I think encouraged her to stay. Another thing that worked well was the beddy's bedding. Made it easy to make the bed without having to take off the cot.

Some alterations I am considering in the future:

• Reconfigure the frames into a simple square shape. The current design came from my original plans of mounting the cot up higher on the pieces of the frame on the sides of the windows. That plan didn't work because the AC sticks out too far.

• Use thinner wood so that the underbed storage can be opened without having to remove the frames

• As someone on FB suggested, mount the two front sockets for the cot to a locking track so the cot can simply be pushed back out of the way when not in use

GigHarborTom

Very Nice

drsukie

I love it!@ There is no way I could get my two dogs to stay up there. I wish!!!! Leg room? What is that?