Child proofing top bunk January 14, 2016, 09:15:46 pm Yahoo Message Number: 158101I'm not sure how many of you have had to deal with this... But I am trying to do a bit of planning ahead. We will be getting a Lazy Daze in a few months, and our initial plan is to have our (somewhat) young kids sleep in the bunk above the cab. Is there a reliable way to secure the kids in the bunk, to prevent them from falling out? They are kind of restless sleepers. I looked through the conversations and didn't find the info there (but could have always missed the 'right' keywords).Thanks in advance ...Rebecca In WA
Re: Child proofing top bunk Reply #1 – January 14, 2016, 11:23:40 pm Yahoo Message Number: 158102I can't remember this question being asked, actually I'm surprised it isn't a common question. A lot of grandkids travel in their grandparent's LD. A net of some kind, that is securely fastened around the perimeter, would be my first attempt. It need to be secure but quickly accessible, in case of am emergency. A heavy duty zipper, down the middle, would provide quick access. A strip of Velcro could be added at the top to lock the zipper, preventing "unauthorized leave" Mount the perimeter of the net using stainless steel, marine-grade twist twist fasteners. The net would also be useful for securing lightweight gear, stored in the bunk.Or use a child sized, rock climber's harness and tether them in, so they can't fall.Have fun.Larry
Re: Child proofing top bunk Reply #2 – January 15, 2016, 07:01:00 am Yahoo Message Number: 158105We sleep our 5 and our 8 year old grandkids. We have a TK and are able to put their heads up beside the bathroom wall. We also put the ladder up the first year to act as a railing. This past year we left off the railing. They seemed to find it - little monkeys both of them. My biggest worry was that they sleep walk, it seemed better to have them sleep walk down the ladder. We kept the bathroom door closed and stayed alert.
Re: Child proofing top bunk Reply #3 – January 15, 2016, 08:35:46 am Yahoo Message Number: 158107How old are the kids? We bought a MB when our youngest was 3. 2 of our kids slept on the top bunk with their heads facing the front of the vehicle and their feet facing the cliff. Before that we had a pop-up camper and used it from the time the kids were infants. We would fold down the dinette and put a porta-crib in that space. Without a doubt the best memories our kids have (and will continue to have) come from traveling in the RV. Space is tight sometimes, but kids are very adaptable. Nothing beats traveling with young eyes. Everything is new and exciting. Enjoy it.Rich '03 MB in NC
Re: Child proofing top bunk Reply #4 – January 15, 2016, 10:42:01 am Yahoo Message Number: 158112I've used bed rails in the past when my kids were younger.http://www.walmart.com/browse/baby/bed-rails/5427_414099_670359
Re: Child proofing top bunk Reply #5 – January 15, 2016, 10:52:45 am Yahoo Message Number: 158113I can think of at least a couple of ways, but one doesn't involve mounting any hardware. If you make a couple of "L" brackets of aluminum bar, say 3/16 to 1/4 thick and a couple of inches wide, bent at 90 degrees, the long leg of the bracket would slide under the mattress pad. The wood safety rail would attach to the top of the L brackets.The could be made in two sections using four L brackets and two top rails for ease of storage and more convenient partial access.Another method would be to attach a smaller L bracket at each side of the bunk shelf at the wall - this to reinforce the wall attach point of an eyelet on one side and a hook on the other. Then a rope could be used between the two points to serve as a "safety rail" - though some sort of snubbing device would need to be used so a child couldn't simply roll under it. On third thought, I like the solid safety rail better.bumper
Re: Child proofing top bunk Reply #6 – January 15, 2016, 12:05:10 pm Yahoo Message Number: 158116"A net of some kind, that is securely fastened around the perimeter, would be my first attempt."A volleyball net, perhaps?Andy Baird
Re: Child proofing top bunk Reply #7 – January 15, 2016, 01:28:03 pm Yahoo Message Number: 158118A really simple solution. A heavy duty tension rod. This is just one example. There are others that are more decorative.EdSteel Load Lock Cargo Bar 43''-75'' - $14.95 : Transport, Cargo Control Products, Binder Chain, Ratchet Strap, E Track Strap
Re: Child proofing top bunk Reply #8 – January 15, 2016, 01:29:23 pm Yahoo Message Number: 158119Thank you everyone for your suggestions... I definitely have quite a few options to research. My kids are 9 and 6, my biggest concern is really my 6yo as he is developmentally disabled. We will have a MB, but I can see how in a TK if you open the bathroom door it would be like a little fort up there for them. Fun!Thanks again.-Rebecca In WA"the possibility of unconditional love"
Re: Child proofing top bunk Reply #9 – January 15, 2016, 03:02:10 pm Yahoo Message Number: 158121Small children and netting are a dangerous mix. Even more so if children haven't matured in judgement. I would also only use bed rails that are intended for children, with their safety in mind. The CPSC recalls a lot of stuff with net and bars that are harmful to little ones. JMHO, Linda
Re: Child proofing top bunk Reply #10 – January 15, 2016, 08:45:56 pm Yahoo Message Number: 158125"Small children and netting are a dangerous mix."Good point, Linda! Suggestion withdrawn.Andy Baird
Re: Child proofing top bunk Reply #11 – January 16, 2016, 08:59:46 am Yahoo Message Number: 158127We looked at bunks in boats and yachts for children. You may get ideas there. I recall that more than one safety item was used for the beds. Netting (side-to-side sloshing safety I guess), a sloped inward bed, zippered bedding, and rails were just a few. I stowed my extra bedding and yoga mat below the bunk, just in case. I preferred the dinette bed for the kids. If you have an infant or toddler, the Aerobed for kids with 4-inch side rails fits perfectly in the dinette bed. Add a canopy and they love it.Diane Carlson Lansing, Mi 2004 MB
Re: Child proofing top bunk Reply #12 – January 16, 2016, 04:01:36 pm Yahoo Message Number: 158135Thanks for the suggestion. We know that the dinette bed is an option, but since we are planning on being full time, we want to keep the set up and take down as easy as possible. Letting the kids take the "bedroom" and having hubby and I in the top bunk is also a possibility...... But not the option we really want.-Rebecca In WA"the possibility of unconditional love"
Re: Child proofing top bunk Reply #13 – January 18, 2016, 11:46:41 pm Yahoo Message Number: 158175When I first thought my kids were old enough to be in the upper bunk (at a time when they were younger than your kids), I used the longest children's bedrail I could find - one where the poles extended quite far and could be tucked way back under the upper mattress. At that point, the kids slept with their heads at the front of the RV and their feet towards the back of it, so any rolling would only take them to the sides of the bed, not off the edge. After a couple of years of that and them growing, I felt more comfortable without the railing. When I started to see feet hanging over the edge of the upper bunk, they then moved to sleeping in the "normal" side to side position. Also, on the upper bunk, you can reverse the sleeping position from the side with the reading lights to the other side where there's a little more of a wall there to keep a bigger kid from rolling very far.We also use the dinette bed regularly now, although the upper bunk bed remains the coveted kid spot. Once you get a system down, it's not that bad to set up and break down the dinette bed. My current "system" involves the kids doing most of it themselves.
Re: Child proofing top bunk Reply #14 – January 21, 2016, 03:14:17 pm Yahoo Message Number: 158255My current "system" involves the kids doing most of it themselves. Ha ha I think I should have to try that system, I don't know why I haven't thought of that before.-Rebecca
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Topic: Child proofing top bunk (Read 16 times)
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