overhead bunk supports
 

Have never seen any comments about supports for the top when using the overhead bunk. My 85 Classic Voyager came with two 1" pipe supports that I assume would be used to support the top at the hitch frame when using the overhead bunk which is located in front. The factory manual makes no mention of these supports. Anyone have these supports or seen anything on this??

It would seem to make sense to support the top when the bunk is being used as the one side of bunk is being supported only by the top. Other side supported by bottom side walls via the fold down legs.

jimmy1

Jimmy, I doubt anyone has worried about this. We've only used our bunk to sleep a pair of Grandchildren. Their possible total weight at the time may have been in the neighborhood of 120#.

If you DID want to support the top, I'd cut two 2x4s to the proper length and support the top on the outriggers (the travel supports on the bottom half). Some people have been known to employ four of these and use them anytime the top is raised to take the strain off the cables.

- Jack

Yes I seen mention of using 2x4's in many posts. I don't have outriggers in the front area as the front is supported only by the hitch a-frame main box beams.
These supports definately were made for this trailer as the top have a u-shaped piece to go over the rubber bumper mounted to the bottom of the top and a u-shaped piece on the other end to slide over the top of the frame beam. They are painted blue. They may well have been home made by someone to brace the top when the bunk was used by a 300#er. jimmy1

I have never heard anything about supports being a part of any Hi-Lo, as you said, it may very well have been added by a previous owner.

Mine has supports on front of bunk and they have pins on the ends that fit hols on top of the lower walls
Look factory to me

This is an old pic but you can see the right support at the corner of the pic

Adam, yours is the normal configuration. Jimmy was concerned about the wall end being supported only by the upper half of the trailer. If you put a 200# person in the upper bunk, and he's in the middle, 100# of that weight is being supported by the lifting cables on that end of the trailer.

I suppose, Jimmy, if you're really worried, you could cut two 2x4s and place them on the corners near the wall hinges and support them on the lower half. That way, there would be no additional strain on the cables. You'd need to secure them so they wouldn't fall out onto someone sleeping on the bed below.

But really, in my 200# person scenario, the additional strain works out to 50# more per cable. I suspect they can take it. I believe there is a 250# weight limit for the occupant of that bunk, and I would not want to get close to that. The bunk itself is not really that strong.

- Jack

I have never heard of any bunks falling. If they were factory installed and are properly operated there should be no problem.

Well, the loft bed is rated at 350 LBS. I guess if you don't exceed that you shouldn't have anything to worry about.

I kinda wonder what my back hangers are screwed into on the back wall tho the camper is 25 years old and I'd hate to see those mounts come out

Really? I can't imagine having an elephant of that size above me. I'm not even sure the guy would fit. :eek:

- Jack

LOL just had to laugh... so I revived it

Now for ???? My 22TD its got a Overhead Drop down Bunk ...Never to be used by me...Should I just remove mattress and use area for storage....Or Total removal for more headroom in that front area..Pro-Cons- Ideas -PLEASE

I would take out the mattress and use the space for things that can't be stored elsewhere. I knew of someone that kept his archery equipment there. In any case, don't get rid of the bunk because having the bunk is a good selling point if you decide to sell the trailer sometime in the future.

would the hydraulic safety bar help take stress off of the cables????

Yes, it would but it is not meant to support the top on a continual basis. It is there to support the top in case of a lift system failure.