Lower bunk/dog crate mod

[GregJames]

Now I know everyone has their own needs and purposes with their campers, so this isn't for everyone.
In the past we have kept our two medium sized dogs in a big crate in the middle of the living area. It's always been a pain trying to squeeze around it to use the bathroom, and then having to break it down and take it outside every morning.
We don't have any kids, and typically only have younger couples our age stay with us, so this seemed to be a perfect option. Plus the fact that the bottom bunk doesn't have an AC vent like the top one does, so everyone either prefers the top bunk or foldout couch.

I used the middle insert that came with our dog crate and bent it to match the curve of the plywood bed frame.
There is a little channel that the door slides down in perfectly and keeps in place in the event that a dog leans up against it and hits it with their paw.
I then mounted it to the wall with two metal wire supports that act as a hinge.
Lastly, I anchored a chain to the upper bunk's wood frame, and ran the chain down the side of the wall.
Total install time was 15min.






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[GregJames]

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[SMS1115]

That is pretty darn awesome! How do the dogs like it? I might have to add this to my must do list.

[GregJames]

They love it since it's bigger than the crate, and they actually have a window to look out of now.

I did remove the screen and curtain from the window so they couldn't destroy it. They aren't chewers, but I may make some sort of mesh wire protective cover for the emergency exit handle.


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[GregJames]

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[GregJames]

Since I posted that last photo, I realized that I had a second divider for the crate. I bent the ends over the window frame so that it sticks out about an inch further than the emergency handle.
(For those that are wondering, it takes about 3lbs of force to pull on it and access the emergency exit)


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[GregJames]

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[schiguy]

That looks amazing. My dogs, I think would try to scratch and chew through the wall. Let us know how it turns out. Great job!!

[hoss10]

OK now I wish we had got a bunkhouse trailer! Good job!

[Loosenuts]

What lucky dogs! They are very fortunate to have owners that love them like you do!
I don't know too many that have their own little spot like that. Very clever and resourceful you are! And I like the fact that you re-purposed the old crate!

[GregJames]

Our dogs are like our kids.



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[Mustang65]

PETA may question your wire protection of the safety window, without proper training of the dogs on how to remove the wire protector and how to pull out the emergency window opening bar so they can get out should the need arise. (like another cute dog, skunk....)

Don
Nice idea!!!

[GregJames]

PETA needs to sit down and eat a burger. Ain't no body got time for that


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[Loosenuts]

I wanna know if you can teach them to turn on and off the light

[jsims]

I love this mod, thanks for sharing. The wife and myself have already decided that when we upgrade in a few years, we will look at the bunk units for our 4 legged friends.

[TWP723]

That's a real cool idea! Nice work GregJames!

[Tunce the traveler]

Great idea for the bunk house and I know you took a quick pic but did you replace the mattress and cover it when you were done or do you just use their dog beds.

[GregJames]

I originally did the modification while we were camping, so I only used what I had on site.
This week I'm going to use clear plastic sheeting to cover the wood and run it up the wall about 2 inches. I'll staple it place, and then fill the area with multiple dog beds.
That way there won't be any smells or dirt soaking into the wood over time.
The plastic will make for easy cleanup also in the event that one of them gets sick


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[GregJames]

I put the regular mattress on top of the one on the top bunk, so now it's really soft and the thickness of a real mattress


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[Ally39]

Thanks for sharing. We also have 2 dogs and when looking for a new camper this year I joked about buying one with bunks and using them as dog beds! DH wasn't on board but I can't wait to show him this later.