We added a bunk bed to our 2008 Jayco Jay Feather Sport 218. We took the overhead cabinet out above the J-steel sofa and placed the bed there. I pulled the staples out of the pantry stick wall and placed boards in to make a solid wall to attach head board. We built a 3 sided box out of 1x12 premium pine. The long board down the wall had to be cut out for the window to allow the bunk to be 24 inches from the ceiling. We took the aluminum frame off the window and used for a template to cut out for window. The aluminum frame on the inside comes off and is not attached to window.
After making the cut out for the window we placed a 1x6 board inside the box. Through the cut out we painted the 1x6 board black. I attached the plywood bottom to this board. We placed a 1x4 board on the footboard that comes out even with the headboard. We put in the 3 sided box first. The headboard is screwed into the solid pantry wall. I opened the pantry door and put the screws in from inside the pantry. There is a metal backing board above the window that the cabinet was screwed into and also at the foot. I found this with a magnet. The metal backer board is not for supporting a bed but I was surprised how tight the screws went in. Attached plywood bottom, outer board and bed rail. Placed two braces under foot board. The bed is more solid than the bunk that came from factory. The 218 in the front has a corner queen with a bunk over it. We needed one more bunk for the grandkids. Now we have the queen, and two bunks and the j sofa. With this setup we do not have to break down the table every night to make a bed.
Two issues are weight and loss of storage from removing the cabinet. I do not like the j steel sofa so we will remove it and use plywood with much more comfortable cushions. Whatever the new bed and boards in wall weigh it is much less than the J steel sofa. That thing is heavy. I’m sure we will come out ahead on weight. I already have planes for two to 5 new drawers which will offset losing the cabinet space. I sure hope this make sense. Doing this will allow us to get a few more years out of this camper.
Nice, growing up we had a folding bunk over the sofa. When up it looked like any typical OHC and could be used as such. The faceplate was hinged. When down, it sat on a few brackets. When up, there was two clips to hold it in place. When down, there was a thin piece of plywood that slipped forwards, which covered all the doors.
I was the youngest. So I had that spot for many years.
Thank you all for the comments. Jay2504 I don’t think I’m very skilled but have enough saws and tools to do some projects. I never planned on sharing mods on a forum or I would have tried to make more photos at the beginning and do a better job with the photos. I couldn’t figure out for a while how to do this and didn’t find much help on the internet so I decided to share. Maybe it might help someone with this model or similar.
JDug66 no head bumps yet. Sometimes we have to make do with what we have. Would love to move up to a larger bunkhouse but not at the present.
Jagiven I really enjoyed reading your post about the pop up. Reminded me of when we tent camped with family and dogs and whoever and whatever could get in. Great memories. I think tent camping might kill me now. ��
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