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RV Bunk Ladder DIY + RV Bunkhouse Remodel!

Camping· Crafts & DIY· RV Makeovers

29 Jan
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Part of our recent RV makeover included added our own semi-DIY RV bunk ladder to our existing bunk beds so the kids could easily get in and out of bed while still having an unobtrusive and removable camper bunk ladder. We found a solution that takes up virtually no space, is easily removable and works awesome. I’ll show you how to make your own RV bunk ladder for relatively little cost.

 

bunk ladder diy

 

RV Bunk Ladder

We recently did a modern mountain RV makeover on our fifth wheel camper and part of that makeover included a complete makeover of the kid’s bunk area. We bought our camper used and there was no RV bunk ladder included. It didn’t seem that there ever was a bunk ladder present but if there was, we didn’t receive it when we bought it. The bunks in our camper are pretty high and are difficult for an adult to climb up into, let alone a child! We knew we had to add a bunk ladder, but we didn’t want it to stick out into the already too-small walkway or take up precious square footage in the RV. We came up with a solution that solved all of our problems and looks great! Rope ladders!

 

bunk bed replacement ladder

 

DIY RV Bunk Ladder Instructions

I’m going to dub this a semi-DIY RV bunk ladder since you’ll be buying the ladder already assembled and then modifying it. We found that cost-wise and time involved, it was cheaper to buy these rope ladders on Amazon and then modify them to fit our RV bunk beds perfectly. If you are up for drilling dowels and stringing rope then by all means, go ahead! Here is how we made the RV bunk ladders.

 

RV Bunk Ladder Supplies

We bought all of these supplies from Amazon so I’ll provide the direct links to exactly what we used in this project.

  • 1 rope ladder for each set of bunks (we used 2 total, one on each set of bunk beds)
  • hooks for the ladder (and screws to install them)

 

bv bunk ladder

 

DIY RV Bunk Ladder Step 1

Order one or two rope ladders depending on how many bunks you have. We have a set of four bunks so we needed two ladders. The great thing about this DIY RV bunk ladder is that no matter the height of your bunks, this will work for you! Once you have your ladder you’ll begin by untying the bottom of the ladder and measuring the correct length you need. Since every bunk height will be different I won’t give you a specific measurement here. Hold it up to where you want to mount it and determine how close to the ground you want it. We left ours about six inches off the ground.

Then, untie the bottom of the rope and unstring and remove any excess wood dowels. After you’ve done this you may find that you don’t like the spacing of the wood dowels. If they seem too far apart then you can continue to unstring the dowels and move them closer together and then restring them as they were originally. Once you’ve finished and are happy with the spacing, securely tie knots at the bottom of the last wood dowel to secure it in place.

 

 

bunk bed ladder hooks

 

DIY RV Bunk Ladder Step 2

Next, mark the spot you want to mount the bunk bed ladder hooks and screw them securely into the side rail of the bunk bed. Check the side rail of the bunk bed to ensure that it is securely attached to the bed. Reinforce it with additional screws if you feel necessary. These ladders are only meant to hold a child’s weight. If you’ll be using them for adults then definitely make sure you reinforce everything to those higher weight capacities.

 

RV bunk ladder

 

DIY RV Bunk Ladder Step 3

Hook the rope ladder onto the bunk bed ladder hooks you installed. That’s it! Easy peasy right? I told you this was semi-DIY because you’re simply customizing a product to work for another use! When we are traveling we simply take the ladders down and store them under the bed so they don’t swing and scratch the paint. Kids can climb up into their beds and take up the ladder too if they want to prevent siblings from climbing up! My kids love doing this haha.

 

added storage in bunk room

 

These RV bunk ladders take up no extra space and are super functional which is exactly what I was going for! They also match my camping theme perfectly in our rv bunkhouse remodel. We added camping bedding, campfire throw pillows, arrow hooks, and wire baskets to each bunk to complete the look and add storage.

*It looks like the camping bedding is sold out right now, but here is a really cute camping bedding set alternative!

 

Shop The Look

 

Free RV checklist printable packing list. Don't forget anything on your next camping trip in your travel trailer. This free printable camping list has everything covered!

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Pin RV Bunk Ladder DIY

RV bunkhouse

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21 Comments

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Comments

  1. sANDRA says

    May 24, 2019 at 12:08 pm

    What a cute idea!!

    Reply
    • Sarah says

      June 2, 2019 at 12:53 pm

      Thank you!

      Reply
  2. Keri says

    May 26, 2019 at 8:41 pm

    Bedding is adorable- where did you purchase?

    Reply
    • Sarah says

      June 2, 2019 at 12:50 pm

      Thank you! It is from Amazon: https://amzn.to/315SZ5I

      Reply
  3. Chris says

    June 2, 2019 at 3:46 pm

    Thank you!! This is a great idea and exactly what we were looking for (the ladder). Wish the bedding was in stock 🙂 thanks!!

    Reply
    • Sarah says

      June 4, 2019 at 3:34 pm

      You’re welcome! Oh darn! Hopefully it comes back in stock soon!

      Reply
    • Allison says

      June 17, 2020 at 8:11 am

      How do you keep the ladders from swinging in while the kids are climbing up?
      We just make these for our bunk room and our kids can’t climb it because it swings under the top bunk as they’re climbing. We’re considering bolting the bottom of the ladder to the bottom bunk to keep it steady as they climb.

      Reply
      • Sarah says

        June 17, 2020 at 10:24 pm

        You could definitely bolt a circle hook to the ground and clip it to it! Our kids liked the challenge of ascending the ladder while it moved. Younger kids may want it more steady though!

        Reply
  4. Chelsea says

    November 2, 2019 at 2:45 pm

    What is this rv model?

    Reply
    • Sarah says

      November 7, 2019 at 8:35 am

      A Sunnybrook

      Reply
  5. Rosie says

    November 11, 2019 at 3:40 pm

    Oh wow, this bunk ladder is adorable! And I can only imagine they love using it! Sure beats a clunky big ol’ ladder any day. You have the cutest ideas!

    Reply
    • Sarah says

      November 14, 2019 at 9:35 am

      Awe thank you!

      Reply
  6. Alexis says

    June 21, 2020 at 7:31 pm

    Where did you find those adorable camp fire pillows?!

    Reply
    • Sarah says

      June 22, 2020 at 7:27 pm

      They were in the Target dollar spot a couple years ago!

      Reply
  7. Julie says

    August 2, 2020 at 7:38 pm

    What great ideas! I especially love the bedding! I clicked the link but it didnt have the same bedding style. Can you share the brand of the bedding?

    Reply
    • Sarah says

      August 3, 2020 at 3:15 pm

      It is the: Dovedote Reversible Comforter and Matching Sheet Set for All Seasons (Twin, Camping)

      Reply
    • Sarah says

      September 23, 2020 at 9:28 am

      Here is another set I just spotted: https://www.anrdoezrs.net/links/7814435/type/dlg/https://www.lakeside.com/Bed—Bath/Comforters—Quilts/Campsite-Quilt-or-Sheet-Sets/1kt7jpy/prod3900265.jmp?categoryId=cat3530003

      Reply
  8. Sally says

    August 15, 2020 at 10:44 am

    This looks so beautiful!
    Thank you for the inspiration.
    What did you do with the bedding’s comforter? Did you sew it to a smaller size? ( it’s too wide?) Tuck it under the mattress ?
    Making the beds in A bunkhouse RV has been difficult. Looking for ideas to make it easier.

    Reply
    • Sarah says

      August 18, 2020 at 7:55 pm

      Thank you! Our bunks are wider on one side than the other. I just tucked the extra under the mattress on the wider side and on the narrower side I folded the twin comforter in half.

      Reply
  9. Denise says

    August 22, 2020 at 8:27 pm

    How did you attach the wire basket to the wall?

    Reply
    • Sarah says

      August 25, 2020 at 8:39 am

      We screwed it to the wall

      Reply

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Meet Sarah

Meet Sarah, the mom behind Must Have Mom, where she shares easy solutions to simplify everyday life for busy families. As a mom to four young children she knows what it's like trying to be supermom and keep your sanity. This is the place for moms to unite and enjoy the crazy journey of motherhood. Read More…

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