The Micro-Bus Bunk Bed and Playhouse. by Uptonb
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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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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 says: Mar 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) says: Apr 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 says: Apr 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) says: Mar 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) says: Feb 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) says: Feb 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) says: Feb 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) says: Feb 14, 2012. 10:15 AM
That's very nice, thank you.
ToolboxGuy says: Feb 12, 2012. 9:50 AM
ABSOLUTELY AWESOME!!!!!!
Uptonb (author) says: Feb 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) says: Feb 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) says: Feb 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 says: Feb 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) says: Feb 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) says: Feb 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) says: Feb 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) says: Feb 10, 2012. 6:30 AM
Very glad you like it. :)
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