Jayco RV Bunk Ladder: Buy or Build Your Own RV Bunk Ladder
Bunk beds are cool, at least for young kids. they get to climb up and down and enjoy the different levels as kids do. The key to their fun is the ladder. But, the ladder may be missing when you buy the RV. That is not an oversight but a planned exclusion.
If your handyman skills are excellent, there is no reason not to build your own. However, buying one is simple and easy to do. It will be up to your preference which route you take.
To learn more about this issue, just continue to read our article. It has the information you want to know about so you can make an informed decision. It does pay to build your own and it gives you something to brag about to your RV friends and neighbors.
RV Bunk Ladder 101
Finding a Jayco RV Bunk Ladder Replacement
As we have always said when we write this section, this is not a hard task to do. There are numerous places where you can find a good bunk bed ladder to replace the Jayco model in your RV or trailer.
Amazon is a great place to look as it does have a fine selection of ladders that will fit the need and the design of your RV. The key to finding a good ladder at this marketplace is to search in the automotive section using the RV bunk bed ladder phrase.
There are lots of online options as well as home improvement stores that can help you out. Or you can check the many RVB parts & accessory stores for the right fit.
RV Bunk Ladder Sizes
Judging from the many images we have seen, a 4 rung ladder should be sufficient. Normally, a 4 rung ladder will be about 60 inches tall with the rungs at 11 to 12 inches on center.
These seem to be the standard size as there is not a lot of room to work with inside an RV. There are RV ladders that reach 66 inches in length. These are fewer than the 60-inch models. However, they do allow you to angle the ladders out so you have more maneuvering space around the ladder.
You do not want the posts of the ladder reaching up over the top bunk. That would make it hard for your kids to climb into it and may cause an accident. Another consideration will be the weight limit.
Make sure the ladder can handle over 200 pounds just in case you or your spouse needs to use it from time to time.
Travel Trailer Bunkhouse Ladder Options
Ladders are ladders no matter where you place them. The big difference that you have to be concerned about is securing the ladder so it does not fall. Any ladder that fits into an RV should work in a travel trailer. Within reason, of course.
The key decision you have to make is whether to have the ladder stand upright, next to the bunk beds or have them stand at an angle. The latter option has good docking systems that are very secure
You just have to make sure the right-sized bolts are used so that the ladder will not come loose at the wrong moment. When it comes to ladder construction material, the majority of ladders made for RVs and travel trailers are made from aluminum.
There were 2 wood options that we saw and about 3 rope ladders but that was the extent of choices you have.
Stromberg Carlson RV Bunk Ladder
These all come in the 60-inch length and they seem to be the models that stand straight up and down. There are different designs you can get when it comes to color and rungs but basically, they all look the same.
There is one 66-inch model for those RVs and Trailers that have higher top bunks. The treads are made from rubber and they are comfortable against bare feet. Also, they hold up to 250 pounds of weight allowing you to access the top bunk when you need to.
Their cost at Amazon is under $100 so they are not an expensive model to buy to replace a Jayco ladder. There are hooks you can use to secure the ladder to the top bunk. Or you can use the extrusion option.
Two other major RV ladder manufacturers compete with this company. They are Top Line and Surco and you will see that their ladders are very similar to the ones made by this company.
Camping World RV Bunk Ladder
The models we saw at Camping World are made by the previous company. They have the same features including rubber treads. Like the models described in the previous section, you can secure them with hooks or the extrusion security method.
They will hold about the same amount of weight, made from aluminum and you can get them in 60 or 66-inch sizes. Right now they are on sale at Camping World for almost 50% off their regular price of almost $100.
The 66-inch model has an anodized coating to make it look good and to protect the metal underneath. Pads on the feet will protect your interior flooring material. Right now you can get these ladders here for the same price you would pay at Amazon. The sale may not last long.
Folding RV Bunk Ladder
While there are folding ladders made for various construction and other duties, there does not seem to be any made for RVs. Any of the ones that do fold or are telescopic are made for outdoor use and not for indoor use.
Part of the reason for this lack is that the ladder manufacturers may not be able to make them safe enough for kids to use. Another part would be they may also not be able to be made strong enough to be safe.
In all of the websites we checked, not one had a folding ladder for RV bunk beds. If you find them that is great. They may be a specialized product for many of those odds and ends stores that sell unique items.
The only option that came close to this design was the few rope ladders we saw on sale. These rope ladders can be rolled up and put out of the way when not in use. Plus, they do not weigh a lot so you may not lose that much room in your weight allowance.
Heavy-Duty RV Bunk Ladder
All the ladders we found at Amazon, best top 10 lists, and other websites were all made from aluminum. This is not a surprise as this metal is lightweight and does not take up a lot of your weight allowance.
Also, aluminum has come a long way in the past 60 years or so. It is made to be very strong and heavy-duty. Their strength is comparable to other metals traditionally used for making metal ladders.
You may be able to find some heavy-duty wood ladders but these would have to be made out of solid 2 x 4 studs. A good wood ladder can also be bolted easily to the bunk bed frame.
You can try using oak, maple, birch, or some other hardwoods to make your bunk bed ladder. But these wood materials need special blades and tools and are often hard to work with.
The positive aspect of using hardwood is that they are not bulky and can hold as much weight or more as fir or pine 2 x 4 can.
RV Over Cab Bunk Ladder
Unfortunately, the ladder makers are not that sophisticated to divide their products into different types of ladders. Nor do they really redesign them to fit situations like cab over bunks.
All these ladders are designed the same no matter where they are going to be put. The one difference is that you would use a ladder that rests at an angle to give the driver and front passenger room to move into the back of the RV.
These are 60 and 66 inches long, made from aluminum, and should be able to hold over 200 pounds with ease. Plus, they can bolt into place or use hooks to keep them nice and secure. You just have to pick the right model at the right price for you.
You can try using a traditional wood ladder for this situation but those may be too bulky and not provide enough maneuvering room once they are installed. Which ladder option you choose to use here is up to you.
RV Bunk Ladder Wood
One of the strangest things about this topic is that the ladder makers advertise aluminum ladders for wood bunks. They do not seem to make a wood ladder anymore. You may have to be left to your own devices or adapt a traditional bunk bed wood ladder to fit your RV or trailer.
We found only 2 at Amazon that could be used in an RV or travel trailer. Your search may be more fruitful but the lack of models for this option may be due to safety concerns. Wood burns easily and they break a lot easier than aluminum does.
Converting a traditional wood ladder or building your own seems to be the best option you have if you want to use this material for your RV bunk beds. You have a lot of good wood materials to choose from when you decide to build your own.
The only real drawback will be the price of the different wood materials. Oak and maple look great but can cost a lot of money. You can achieve the same look by staining the fir or pine studs with the right stain color without spending a large sum of money
Easy Camper Bunk Bed Ladder Ideas
There are two easy bunk bed ladder options you can go to if you feel like making your own. The first one has been mentioned already and that is to build your own wood ladder. You can use 2 x 4 fir or pine as that is strong material or you can go to a hardwood that will be strong enough to handle the weight.
The wood option allows you to be creative and use your router bits to round the edges or make them decorative. The second option would be to go to a rope ladder. These are similar to the ones kids use for their tree houses.
Amazon has at least 3 of these on sale and they are not hard to make if you use the right materials. The rope ladder option is flexible allowing you to make it any length you want. Plus, they are easy to store out of the way when not in use.
They also do not weigh a lot but are strong enough to hold your child’s weight. The key to making a rope ladder is using the right rope material that can hold a lot of weight. You have some flexibility in rung material.
How To Make an RV Bunk Ladder
With wood, this is a simple project. You just buy the 2 x 4 wood studs and then measure the size you need. Cut the two rails to size and then cut the rungs. These rungs can be 1 foot in length.
Then simply put your router to them to smooth off any rough edges. next, apply some nice wood stain that will go with your RV’s interior look. Let the stain dry and then coat it in varathane or varnish.
When that is dry, use some strong lag bolts to hold the rungs to the rails and then to hold the rails to the bunk. This is not a difficult project when you are used to working with wood.
You would not need a lot of wood studying to make this ladder. The key will be to measure accurately. Remember you can always cut wood off if it is too long. You cannot put wood back on if you cut it too short.
Tips For Building Your Own RV Bunk Ladder
1. Watch the amount of clearance you have when looking for a place to secure the ladder. You will want the room to move around the ladder
2. Pay close attention to spacing. The bottom rung should be about 8 inches off the floor and each rung after that should be spaced 10 to 12 inches apart
3. The top rung should not be above the rail of the top bunk. You do not want your child tripping over the top rung entering or exiting the bunk.
4. Make the ladder rail flush to the bunk bedpost for better security. It also helps keep the ladder sturdy and strong. Just make sure to use strong lag bolts when you do this step.
5. Add padding to the feet so you do not damage your flooring material. You can get different padding material just about anywhere.
6. Take your time. You want to be accurate, have a sturdy ladder and you want it to look good. Going too fast will end up in making mistakes and possibly costing you more money when you have to replace the wood.
Buying RV Bunk Ladder Parts
These are not hard to find either. You can check Walmart and the other big box stores. The Home Improvement outlets should have a larger selection and supply of these parts.
You can find them at Amazon or other online marketplaces and outlets as well. Wherever bunk beds are sold, you should be able to find ladder parts. What you are looking for will be treads, rungs, hooks, bolts, extrusion, and padding parts.
Bolts are found anywhere including your local hardware stores.
RV Bunk Ladder Extension
There are no real extension ladders made for RV bunk beds or any bunk bed in a traditional home. If you need a longer ladder, you would have to go out and buy a complete ladder and swap the old one out.
The ladders we saw on sale for RVs were limited to 2 sizes 60 and 66 inches in length, and not one retailer mentioned an extension for these ladders. The only way to get a real extension is to make your own rope ladder. Then you can make it any length you need.
Some Final Words
RV bunk bed ladders are set to two standards. One is the upright model and the other is the angled model. They come in the same lengths, 60 and 66 inches, and can be attached with hooks or bolts.
If you are not satisfied with the commercial aluminum ladders, then it may be a good idea to make your own. That way you can get the strength and the look you like.
