Bunk ladder suggestions...

Bedlam wrote:
If you go look at the larger campers where the floor starts above the truck bed rails (Chalet, Eagle Cap, Host), the climb into the cab over is much less. We are tall and nimble, so bed height has not been an issue and we are getting our Host for the added square footage. I have more of an issue with shower heights being too low than bed heights being too high...

I have the same problem with the shower height being too low. When I stand in the shower, my head is at the top of the skylight right above the shower and I can see out over the roof of the camper.

Wardster wrote:
I made this ladder using red oak that enables my daughter to climb safely from the top of the bunkbed and into a large loft that she plays in. Seems like something similar would work in your situation as well.

I believe that would work quite well. Per chance do you have a bill of materials and some dimensions? Not much of a wood worker but I can try...

Thanks, if you can...

I made this ladder using red oak, which enables my daughter to climb safely from the top of the bunk bed into a large loft that she plays in. Seems like something similar would work in your situation as well.

Between the cab over bed being a climb and the shower/toilet pan too low, I have my issues.

I cured the low shower pan with a teakwood insert I got from Amazon. Did a little custom fitting and it worked well. My wife has short legs and sitting on the throne, she couldn't touch the floor pan... not good but that was an easy fix, plus now, no more wet feet from a wet shower pan.

Another reason for needing a bunk ladder, My wife is short and old, both negatives to climbing into bed at night.

If you go look at the larger campers where the floor starts above the truck bed rails (Chalet, Eagle Cap, Host), the climb into the cab over is much less. We are tall and nimble, so bed height has not been an issue and we are getting our Host for the added square footage. I have more of an issue with shower heights being too low than bed heights being too high...

Bedlam wrote:
Surco and Stromberg Carlson make aluminum bunk ladders for RV's. Arctic Fox has a wooden ladder option for their cab over.

I have a feeling this topic is going to get a lot of interest. My wife & I are at the point in our lives where we will either have to give up our truck camper or design a way for my wife to get into and out of the cabover bed easier. I bought the wooden steps that Arctic Fox has for sale, and they are totally useless for our Arctic Fox 992 (they weren't cheap either). It definitely needs a grab handle to hold on to, and I'm thinking about a seat that can be raised and lowered with an electric motor. It would have to be removable and stored in the cabover due to the slide out.

Surco and Stromberg Carlson make aluminum bunk ladders for RV's. Arctic Fox has a wooden ladder option for their cab over.

My front step encloses the water tank and electricals and it's a hike getting in but a real nightmare gettinng out literally, especially for those middle of the nigh bathroom journeys that accompany old age...lol

Leaning toward some sort of ladder over an additional step up, something I can remove and stow in the bunk when not in use. My popup don't have all that much room to begin with (the wife had to have a wet bath no matter what and that took a bit of room).

The ladder must have rungs that are useable in bare or stocking feet (don't sleep with shoes on) and it needs to attach to the upper bed board or the floor in some way so it don't slide out from under us (me, as my wife sleeps liker a log all night, I'm the get up and go potty person) when getting out of bed, half asleep for that potty trip.

Pretty tall order I guess. I still don't understand why builders don't make the bunk access more user friendly. One does have to access the bunk at some point and we aren't all spring chickens anymore.

My biggest fear is in the middle of the night, when it's pitch black in the camper, missing the step up and falling forward and busting my melon on a cabinet. My old melon is fragile.

I see North Star offers a ladder as an optional accessory (should be standard, not an option), I called them but was not able to get dimensions so I don't know if it will adapt to my Palomino and it's pretty expensive too. With shipping, over a hundred bucks. Makes me want to build my own

Considered a half of a wooden stepladder as an alternative as well.

I'm open to ideas.

I'm going to either build something, or buy something before getting out this year. Just getting to be a royal PITA getting into and out of bed.

I probably should add that I don't have any slides so width isn't an issue other than the side dinette enroaching a bit.

I'll pass on as far as I've gotten, which isnt far.
Ours is a bit of a hike, mid step off to side, as much awkward as hard.

Having exposed some wood paneling when removing carpet that was on wall over window I started seeing a ladder again..
Made some sketches but haven't pursued. I'd like it to go to floor but the water tank box/step would push it out too far. So it'll be from top of box up, that'll give it a slighter slope and 2 rungs.
Adding some form of hand hold.

Second is want/need it easily removable (mostly due to slide & tank access, the small drawer, oh and the converter-details). Nice if it would swing over to side but looking at just hanging into brackets that I can lift ladder off of. I 'think' it'll layout where we'll have good width steps and still use the top of tanks for first/last step.
Hurdle that's holding till warmer weather though is attachment. Just haven't given it much follow up.


Not far, but a direction if/when I get motivated.

I'm just putting the finishing touches on my milk crate lid. I have a Northstar popup with a pretty awkward climb. The milk crate will go on the "step" over the water tank. I'm fine going up and down when I'm awake, but if I have to get up in the middle of the night it can be challenging.


In other words, I'll be watching for responses. :)

(There might be something out there for class Cs. I don't have room for an entire ladder though.)