The Micro-Bus Bunk Bed and Playhouse.

 by Uptonb
Contest WinnerFeatured
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My brother is recently having a new house built to better suit his family.  I thought an appropriate house gift would be a bunk bed for his 3 year old son.  Since my brother is a huge Volkswagen fan, what better than a VW themed bed.  After scouring the web for ideas, and not finding anything up to my expectations, I decided to just design my own.  This is the end result.  I am pleased with how it turned out, and better yet my nephew just loves it.
 
The inside will be used as a play area here, but it will easily fit a single mattress for when he is old enough to have a friend over for a sleep over.  I am designing bench seat futons at the moment.


I didn't start taking pictures until I was 3/4 of the way through the project.  Kind of spaced it out to be honest.  I will provide illustrations up to the point pictures were started.

I have added the sketchup file I used in the design phase of the project.  Some measurements may be off a tiny bit within it.

If you think this project is deserving, please vote for it in any of the contests it is entered in.
Make it Real Challenge
Shopbot Challenge

I would love to win the Shopbot CNC.  I could finally start my home business and produce many of the designs I have created on my computer.


A side note.  Using the same basic design of this project, I am sure you could tweak some measurements and convert a boring old bunk bed frame into something great.
 
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1-40 of 110Next »
pb_foots says: Apr 3, 2012. 11:06 AM
My wife wants me to build one of these in blue for our son, and one large enough for us too!

Great design, thanks so much for sharing!
atlantica in reply to pb_footsMar 8, 2013. 9:46 PM
My wife wants me to build one of these in blue for our son, and one large enough for us too!

So she's comfortable with the idea of the back of a van. Awesome. My kinda girl.
atlantica says: Mar 8, 2013. 9:43 PM
Incredible. Genius.
I hope you win the Shopbot. This deserves it. I wish everyone would include sketchup (or any) plans of their cool ideas to truly be sharing them and not just showing off.
I vote for this as the best thing I've seen on Instructables all year.
shsps says: Jan 23, 2013. 4:05 AM
wow this very very very cool most kids whould love you for this cool concept its a very cool idear from an ex coach lorry truck van builder i may make some of theasa in the uk if thers a market
shsps says: Jan 23, 2013. 4:05 AM
wow this very very very cool most kids whould love you for this cool concept its a very cool idear from an ex coach lorry truck van builder i may make some of theasa in the uk if thers a market
Bikebudy says: Jan 6, 2013. 11:59 AM
Truely Awesome !
rolfy12 says: Jan 5, 2013. 7:39 PM
Just have to add my own voice to the show of admiration. Looks great!
Brandon1979 says: Nov 29, 2012. 5:32 PM
My wife and I loved your design so much I built one for my son. I'm almost finished but I'm having trouble finding the right size headlights. I was wondering if you could tell me what you used? You can email me at bsemrinec@yahoo.com. Thank you and thanks for posting your awsome design.
MaskMarvl says: Nov 29, 2012. 2:20 PM
Awesome! :D
pussiedoctor says: Aug 4, 2012. 10:00 AM
Hi, what a great idea and design. It looks great all assembled.
skipernicus says: Jul 8, 2012. 6:21 PM
Could that be any cooler?

No, it could not. Exceptional!
shrew says: Apr 27, 2012. 5:12 PM
Cool. I would have loved something like this as a kid. Even now it is tempting.
ka1dza says: Apr 1, 2012. 4:07 AM
Good morning,

This is great project!! I'm sure it will become an heirloom to be passed from one generation to another..

I too own a VW bus, but have no little ones to build this bed for. May I have permission to share these plans with the members of type2.com? They are a worldwide group of bus owners who share ideas and help each other with bus related problems. Type 2 is the designation VW gave to the bus's engine.

Thanks,

Bob
Uptonb (author) in reply to ka1dzaApr 1, 2012. 5:48 AM
Thank you.

Of course you can share the bed plans. I hope the group you are a part of enjoys it.
ka1dza in reply to UptonbApr 1, 2012. 6:13 AM
GREAT!!!! thanks.
AussieCFviolin says: Mar 13, 2012. 2:35 AM
Good luck in the next 24 hours , we will find out soon , 20 finalists 13 prizes , cool
Uptonb (author) in reply to AussieCFviolinMar 13, 2012. 6:10 AM
Thanks. The anticipation is a killer, eh? Glad I don't have to choose a winner in the contest. Some really good 'ibles.

Good luck to you as well.
canucksgirl says: Feb 18, 2012. 11:45 PM
This is just awesome! You got my vote and I hope you win. (Awesome prize too). ;)
Uptonb (author) in reply to canucksgirlFeb 19, 2012. 6:11 AM
Thank you very much. Good luck on your entries also.
peacefulshades says: Feb 15, 2012. 5:20 AM
Fantastic!
Uptonb (author) in reply to peacefulshadesFeb 17, 2012. 2:24 PM
Thank u.
bridgetbjork says: Feb 13, 2012. 10:08 PM
BEST idea EVER!!!!! <3 <3 <3 This!!!!!!! I <3 VW's
Uptonb (author) in reply to bridgetbjorkFeb 14, 2012. 10:15 AM
:)
dimdiode says: Feb 13, 2012. 6:45 AM
This is totally brilliant - I am in awe of your creativity.

well done, very well done!
Uptonb (author) in reply to dimdiodeFeb 14, 2012. 10:15 AM
That's very nice, thank you.
ToolboxGuy says: Feb 12, 2012. 9:50 AM
ABSOLUTELY AWESOME!!!!!!
Uptonb (author) in reply to ToolboxGuyFeb 14, 2012. 10:14 AM
Thanks.
MandingaRes says: Feb 11, 2012. 9:06 PM
Excelente trabajo!! Muy original, muy bien pensado y sumamente práctico para los niños!!
Realmente te felicito y por supuesto que voy a votar por este proyecto!
Uptonb (author) in reply to MandingaResFeb 14, 2012. 10:14 AM
Gracias
jonnyphenomenon says: Feb 9, 2012. 5:53 PM
This is such an incredible project. I am quite impressed. as an avid "VW" enthusiast myself, I can totally see myself building this for my 3 year old. She would just flip!

is the inside floor big enough for a second bunk bed mattress?
Uptonb (author) in reply to jonnyphenomenonFeb 9, 2012. 6:15 PM
Yes, the inside floor is actually larger than the top area. Not by much granted, but just a few inches.

I have seen this 'ible linked in quite a few VW forums and people have been trying to determine if it's a splitty or a bay. I originally designed it to be a splitty, but in order to keep the knockdown available I had to sacrifice the piece that would split the front window. Thus making it a splitty with a bay window lol.

I am happy you like it, and I hope you revisit here and post pictures of a finished bus.
Esteroid in reply to UptonbFeb 12, 2012. 2:00 PM
Re: splitty vs bay -- well, IMHO it just HAS to be a splitty with doors like that, they're quite distinctively splitty doors! Great job, love it!
dorotheasuemike says: Feb 11, 2012. 7:51 AM
this so kool . thank you we are going build for my nieces
Uptonb (author) in reply to dorotheasuemikeFeb 11, 2012. 8:21 AM
Thank you very much. And welcome to the instructable community. Its a great how to/diy site.
Kiittyfartz says: Feb 10, 2012. 7:22 PM
Sell the plans man.....................way too cool!
Uptonb (author) in reply to KiittyfartzFeb 11, 2012. 5:29 AM
Thanks.

Would rather let other people build it and have their little ones enjoy it, more than turn a small profit.
flyingpuppy says: Feb 10, 2012. 9:16 AM
Ah, that brings back memories of 1966 when dad stuck us in a van and drove us down the Panamerican highway. At night, the van converted into a bed for five of us 7 kids...
Uptonb (author) in reply to flyingpuppyFeb 10, 2012. 10:46 AM
Sounds like great times. Glad to help in bringing up good memories.
medic1961 says: Feb 10, 2012. 5:46 AM
Thank you so much for posting this I love VW and my grandson will love his new bed/playhouse great instructable.
Uptonb (author) in reply to medic1961Feb 10, 2012. 6:30 AM
Very glad you like it. :)
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