Removing RV Bunk Beds: How To Remove Bunk Beds Out Of an RV
One of the first steps in this project is to realize any RV furniture removal will not be like removing furniture from a traditional home. The RV construction is done in such a way as to allow room for RV components and to provide some storage space under the bunks.
In most cases, this will be a slow and careful project as you have more than just screws to remove. Then you have to be careful as you will find water pumps and other devices placed under the bottom bunk making it hard to remove that bed and replace it with something else.
To learn more about this project, just continue to read our article. It explores this project so you have a better idea of what to do when you want to remove those handy bunk beds. All is not rosy when it comes to RV furniture removal.
Can You Remove Bunk Beds From an RV?
In general, yes, you can remove bunk beds from your RV. Many RV owners have taken on this project successfully. Other owners who have started, found out that it would not be feasible to do so they stopped what they were doing and left the bunk beds in place.
The reason for the latter is that you do not know until you examine the construction of the bunk beds is part of the structural support or not. If they are, you may have to alter your plans somewhat so you do not lose that support.
It is not like the RV will fall apart when you remove the bunk beds. But the structure will be weaker if you do. That means you need to design a good substitute to preserve that support.
The other major problem you may run into, and this is not for every RV model, is how the bunk beds are fastened to the wall. If they are fastened from the outside they will be under the exterior skin.
That means you have to remove the skin to get to the screws to release the bunk beds. This is not a widespread construction technique but more than one RV owner has run into this problem.
Your project deconstruction process will be determined by how the RV maker constructed the bunk beds. Screws may not be the only fastener the RV maker used to secure the bunk beds in place.
How To Remove Bunk Beds From RV
We will try to get two sets of instructions to give you a broader idea of how you can take your bunk beds out. There will be many different techniques depending on what is on the walls, how much space you have, and so on.
1. Examine your current bunk bed space
This is important as you need to know where all the screws and fasteners are. Plus, you need to know what components are under the bed and if they can be removed or not.
Do not just go in there using a pry bar and pulling boards apart. The space may be small but it has challenges that could cost you if you are not careful.
2. The tools you will need
These will range depending on your situation and we will only mention the essential ones. You will need a hammer, drill with screwdriver bits, screwdrivers for tight spots, wrenches for any bolts, a crowbar, a utility knife, a protective tarp or tape to keep the walls from being marked up, and a lot of patience.
3. The steps to take
First, remove all bedding so you can see the bare bones of the bunk beds.
Second, remove any lights, to other components that may be in the way of removing the bunk beds. If there are components underneath the lower bed, do not remove those if they are vital to your RV’s operation.
Third, remove all screws that you see. You should know where they all are from your investigation. There may be some hidden screws you did not see the first time so watch out for those.
Plus, the bunk beds may also have a few screws sunk into the floor and not just the walls. There may be bolts holding the two beds together so remove those. Do this step in logical order so you do not have pieces of wood falling on top of you.
Fourth, take everything you have removed outside as soon as it is removed so it is not in your way.
Fifth, if you damaged any part of the walls just repair them with putty or paint. The tricky part here is not to remove something that is holding up a wall or light in another room.
You have to watch what you are doing because RV makers have little room to work with and they make use of all that available space.
That is option number one. The second method is similar to the first but there was a lack of space.
The first thing the owner did was to remove the window coverings, and lights that were in the way and made it impossible to remove the bunks. Their bunks could be removed in one piece and space was not available with those items in the way.
The second thing they did was remove the lower DVD monitor as it would be in the way. The upper model was out of the way so it could remain and be utilized later on.
To remove the lower monitor, they had to shut off the power to that section of the RV, remove the wires and cap the ends off so they would not meet anything and create a short circuit.
If you are not removing the wall, you can slide those wires back behind the wall and seal up the opening. After this, you simply remove the lower bunk bed and any drawers that are there.
You can store them if you decide to sell the RV at a later date and the new owner would want to have the bunk beds installed. Once the bunk beds are out, you will have to look at the floor to see what can be done to reinforce it to hold more localized weight.
The material you would use would depend on what you are putting in place of the bunk beds. The installation will be a topic for another day. Removing bunk beds is all about using your common sense and not assuming anything.
RV makers get very creative so you have to watch your step while doing this work.
Removing RV Bunk Beds Tips
1. If you have a closet cabinet between the bunk beds, look for about 3 screws behind the cabinet for each bunk. There will be hidden screws so if something does not come loose, there is another screw or nail holding it in place somewhere
2. Watch out for wires, pipes, and components- sometime sit is very hard to tell what the RV maker put in the walls. So work carefully and make sure not to cut any wires or damage any pipes. Components may not be moved in most cases so your plane may need to be revised.
3. Remove every piece you disassemble from the RV- you have little space to work in so there is no need to make that space harder and more difficult to maneuver in.
4. If the bunk beds are held by screws from the outside- do not remove the bunk beds. That is unless you are experienced at removing exterior panels and can put them back in without damaging them.
5. Watch out for structural support- this is an issue for some RV models. The bunk beds help with the support and you have to be careful not to leave the other walls, etc., without that needed aid. Have a plan to restore that support so your RV does not get damaged down the road.
6. Weight will always be a factor- removing the bunk beds will not be an issue. You are gaining some weight but what you replace the bunk beds with will make weight an issue.
You have to make sure you are not adding more weight to the RV as that will cut down on what you can bring in the way of supplies, equipment, and so on.
Some Final Words
There is nothing wrong with removing bunk beds when you do not need them anymore. What you have to do is make sure any support you remove is re-installed with your new application.
The key is to go slowly as you never know what is behind those walls or under the lower bunks till you look. Get a clear idea of what is there so you know how to work.
Finally, the actual removal of screws, etc., is like doing it anywhere else. You will just have less room to work in and more obstacles to overcome.
