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Wed Oct 29, 2008 8:23 pm

Is there a listed weight limit for the upper bunk on vanagon westy's?

Wed Oct 29, 2008 8:26 pm

This post could get wrong real fast :lol:

Depends on watcha doin'...

I see bacon frying... :oops:

Wed Oct 29, 2008 8:34 pm

I knew someone would twist it but lets keep it civil.

tikibus wrote: This post could get wrong real fast :lol:

Depends on watcha doin'...

I see bacon frying... :oops:

Thu Oct 30, 2008 4:21 am

I have slept up there with a combined weight of 360lbs.

Thu Oct 30, 2008 10:15 am

No spec I know of.

The bunk platform in my 89 flexes considerably under my 210 lbs.
My 81 would creak and groan.. My 72 felt like I could park a truck on it.

I'd not sleep two large adults up there.. but I have no qualms about two kids... two smallish adults. maybe 300lbs max.
Not worried about breakage.. worried about stress to materials and fasteners.

Thu Oct 30, 2008 11:46 am

you can put 350 or so up there no problemo.
it will flex though, and will scare the hell out of someone sleeping below when you change positions.

It seems to be to be mostly that extension part, not so much the larger main section at the rear of the poptop - that makes the most noise when you have some weight up there. it seems like it could use one more brace to just keep it from flexing... or maybe cut a thicker chunk of wood to use as that section?

Thu Oct 30, 2008 12:10 pm

On the under side of the fold out section, you could mount you a Pipe Flange... Then just fold out the top bunk, and screw in a section of steel pipe as a leg. I'm sure one would do the trick, but if you did 2, out on the edge you could figure out a way to make it double as not only a support but also a ladder for kids and drunk adults to get in and out of the top bunk easier.

I have a rough image of what it could look like on the cocktail napkin I call my brain.

Thu Oct 30, 2008 12:31 pm

what about putting a metal bar across the fold out section of the top bunk to support excessive weight?

Thu Oct 30, 2008 2:59 pm

I have had over 500 pounds of people sleep up there no problem. It does bow a bit, but wasn't anything to worry about.

Thu Oct 30, 2008 3:19 pm

I swapped mine out for 5/8" thick pieces of Baltic Birch. Looks great and is solid as a rock now. The only creaks and groans are from me hauling my 230 pound butt up there. :wink:

Thu Oct 30, 2008 3:56 pm

dart330 wrote: I have had over 500 pounds of people sleep up there no problem. It does bow a bit, but wasn't anything to worry about.

And I thought my wife and I at a TOTAL of 360 was high! That 500 must have been a comfy sleeping arrangement...

Fri Oct 31, 2008 11:24 am

50 Kafer wrote: Is there a listed weight limit for the upper bunk on vanagon westy's?

I remember the first time I was inside a Westy, I asked a guy if the upper bunk would hold my weight.

His response: "I had two girls up there with no problems"

My response: "You are a GOD to me!"

Sat Nov 01, 2008 5:21 am

wow, look where this post went...

two girls up top... reason enough to buy one...

ASWAH

Sat Nov 01, 2008 10:15 am

This is starting to sound a bit like the old "How many people can you cram into a VW" kind of thing. Time for an updated challenge, perhaps...

Thu Apr 28, 2022 8:12 pm

I do need to upgrade my wood :roll:

Talking about the 5/8” birch

Thu Apr 28, 2022 9:42 pm

I doubled up the steel U-channel attached to the edge of the fold-out panel, leaving the the stock plywood. This made a HUGE improvement.

Hint: The tracks sold at Home Depot for garage shelving are the perfect fit for this mod. They now sell a few different brands which might have a different size or profile, so bring your measurements with you or better yet, the U-channel from your Westy to slip the Home Depot U-channel over the Westy U-channel.

See here:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/ClosetMaid-Maximum-Load-48-in-Silver-Shelving-Standard-3585/100182923

I dabbed spots of MIG-weld on mine and it's very strong. Then painted the correct Westy grey.

Fri Apr 29, 2022 3:58 am

It is my observation that those among us who carry a few more pounds than is "average" will probably not be able to hoist themselves into the upper bunk to test its load capacity.

Dave

Fri Apr 29, 2022 5:53 am

djkeev wrote: It is my observation that those among us who carry a few more pounds than is "average" will probably not be able to hoist themselves into the upper bunk to test its load capacity.

Dave

My son has grown up camping in our '87 westy. From a toddler to a 19 year old very large man.

He still uses the top bunk when we camp.

He is about 6'7" 340 lbs.

He can sit on the edge of the top bunk platform and it bends maybe an inch but goes right back to level after he lays down. I can attest that the stock platform is way stronger than you imagine. :shock:

Fri Apr 29, 2022 12:29 pm

i have spent a not insignificant amount of time in the top bunk. i weigh more than a duck, less than a gorilla. no issues.

Fri Apr 29, 2022 2:22 pm

dart330 wrote: I have had over 500 pounds of people sleep up there no problem. It does bow a bit, but wasn't anything to worry about.
????? :roll: