Are you a VW fan or just one who loves clever ideas? If you’re either, this clever VW micro-bus bunk bed and Playhouse is a great project.
The bed is a gift to a three-year-old nephew whose father is a mega VW fan. The VW micro-bus bunk bed idea was easy, but finding suitable plans wasn’t! Sure there are VW bed plans that can be found online but they failed to meet the standards they had in mind. So the big decision was made – why not design and build from scratch? The result says it all – a fabulously detailed VW bunk bed complete with working headlights and turn indicators.
It also has a steering wheel and fully functioning doors. The top and bottom areas can take a full-sized single mattress, giving plenty of space for sleepovers. Or you can just use the top as a bed and the bottom as a fabulous play area.
Is there a child – or parent – anywhere who would not love this VW micro-bus bunk bed project?
Contents
Building a VW Micro-Bus Bunk Bed
Click on any image to start the lightbox display. Use your Esc key to close the lightbox.
Materials
- 5 sheets of 4’x8′ 1/4 inch plywood for for outer skin
- 2 sheets of 4’x8′ 3/4 inch MDF or plywood for the top and bottom bases
- 11 sticks of 3/4″x4′ dowels for the safety railing/faux cargo rack
- 7 pieces of 1″x2″x8′ firring strips for safety railing/fuax cargo rack
- 3 pieces 1″x3″x8′ firring strips for the ladder
- 9 pieces of 2″x2″x8′ firring strips for the frames of doors and safety rail/faux cargo rack
- 2 pieces of 2″x6″x8′ studs for ribs of curved front end
- 12 – 14 pieces of 2″x3″x8′ studs for most of the framing – dependent on how much bracing you’re comfortable with
- 1 piece of 4″x4″x4′ post. Some hardware stores will cut this for you. If not, a full 6 or 8 foot stick may need to be bought
- 4, pre-cut 16″ diameter, 3/4 inch thick plywood circles. Some hardware stores sell these else you will have to cut your own
- 1 piece of 3/4″x12″x44.5″ pine board. Try to get a nice knot-free piece here
Hardware
- 1 box of drywall screws
- 1 box of 2″ deck screws
- 1 box of 2.5″ deck screws
- 1 small box of 3.5″ deck screws
- 4, 1/4 inch x 3″ carriage bolts
- 4, 1/4 inch washers
- 4, 1/4 inch nuts
- 4 hinges for the doors
- 12 “L” brackets 4″x4″ – found in the door and hinge section of your local hardware store
- 12 “L” brackets 1″x1″ – found in the area that contains framing hardware, such as hurricane straps
Tools
- Jigsaw and/or band-saw if available
- Power drill
- Countersink bit
- Compound miter saw
- Table saw, if available
- Hand sander and sandpaper
- Wood filler
- Paint
- Clamps are used when you need that 3rd or 5th hand to hold pieces up.
Accents
- Hubcaps
- Steering Wheel
- Headlights
- Pinstriping
- Little decals and stick-ons
Instructions
This VW micro-bus bunk bed is designed to be knocked down to help facilitate moving. It is easier to start from the bottom and work your way up. I have pre-drilled and countersunk every screw used.
You will need the following size pieces of lumber for this step…
2, 41 inch 2″x3″s
2, 79 inch 2″x3″s
3, 38 inch 2″x3″s
4, 8.5 inch long 4″x4″ legs
82″x41″ sheet of 3/4″ MDF or Plywood.
Assemble the frame of your VW micro-bus bunk bed as shown in the picture. Space the 3 inner braces 18 5/8″ apart.
Attach the 4, 4″ x 4″ to the inside corners of your VW micro-bus bunk bed using 3.5″ screws as shown here.
This picture shows the frame of your VW micro-bus bunk bed with the 82″ x 41″ cut piece of 3/4″ MDF attached.
There are 5 parts to the left and right walls of the VW micro-bus bunk bed. One side is a continuous piece. It’s the side with no doors. The side with the doors consists of the front, back, and two doors.
Now, depending on where you plan on putting the VW micro-bus bunk bed in the room, this is the step you take to decide which side is which. This tutorial shows the build with the doors being on the “passenger” side of your VW micro-bus bunk bed.
The pre-cut lumber needed here is:
- 4 pieces of 41.5 inch 2″x3″
- 4 pieces of 27-inch 2″x3″
- 2 pieces of 25.5 inch 2″x3″
- 1 piece 27.5 inch 2″x3″
- 2 pieces of 19-inch 2″x3″
- 1 piece of 14.5 inch 2″x3″
- 2 pieces 14.5 inches long 2″x3″ with the end cut parallel 82 degrees.
- 2 pieces 15 inches long 2″x3″ with the end cuts being parallel 76 degrees.
- 1 piece of 75.75 inch 2″x2″
- 2 pieces of 19-inch 2″x2″
- 2 pieces of 25.5 inch of 2″x2″
- 4 pieces of 40-inch 2″x2″
- 4 pieces of 13.5 inch 2″x2″
- 2 pieces of 10.5 inch 2″x2″
The pictures explain the layout of these pieces of timber for your VW micro-bus bunk bed. Remember to pre-drill and countersink your screws.
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