Fold Down Bunks - Sprinter

dhalltoyo

Veteran Expediter
I have been told that the Bentz fold down bunk frame sticks out past the wheelwell; hence, restricting the load of three skids in a Sprinter van.

Does anybody know of another style bunk that would work well with the Sprinter? One that would permit the loading of three skids.
 

wgifford

Expert Expediter
We have our sprinter with a bulk head that holds 2 skids and is acceptable for A&E, so it will pass for most anybody. we have one bed that is set up, only when the doors on the bulkhead is open, allowing complete use of the van space when layed over. When the bulkhead is shut up and in use we have a bed, twin size 39in wide, we use to sleep, switching on and off drivers. When we have 3 skids we open the bulkhead, fold the bed up to allow the third skid to go in. we did this set up and it has worked great as we have never missed a load that needs a bulkhead or a 3 skid load The 3rd skid must only be 62" high with the other two at 68". It took us about 2 days to build, not hard at all. cost abt 200 for wood not counting 2 mattress }>
 

usisde

Seasoned Expediter
wgifford: How about a few photos of your Sprinter bunk. Many of us Sprinter owners have thought about your type of bulkhead / bunk setup. This would be helpful to many.

Thanks
 

vipra

Expert Expediter
I always recommend what I have- a bunk that hangs from my Sprinter's ceiling on chains which goes up against the ceiling when I have freight. I have an twin-sized air mattress, and I let the air out to make more room when I have tall freight. Right now I'm carrying three 4-foot-tall skids for 2 days, and to sleep I'll just lower the bunk so it sits on top of the skids, no hotel necessary, and no sleeping in the driver's seat. I've been using it for 2 years, and it works great.
 

wgifford

Expert Expediter
Here's the pictures. You can store the mattress behind the open doors of the bulkhead when hauling 3 skids, or in front of the refrigerator. Doors with bungy straps are behind wheel wells when done right. The only draw back is 3 skids overnight. A guy can throw a mattress on top of the load, but my wife will not sleep that way, so we make sure 3 skid loads are no more than 600 mile runs and unload when we get there. If you can get your wife to climb on top of the loads you both could sleep, if waiting to unload.

I have 3 load bars, when having 2 skids, so load doesn't damage doors on bulk head. The load bar picture shows that you can place a board on load bars with mattress and have 2 beds, for separate beds, when laid over with no load. Make sure that you have a bottom plate so skids cannot continue to driver on 3 skid loads. You will be using 3 straps, but I still made sure the bottom plate was installed and top plate. If straps break it gives a little added protection.

I have bought a new truck D unit, and will pick it up in 6 weeks, but I wanted to see what it was like to live in a van. Been in the sprinter 8 months. I have a small fleet 5 units and figured my 2 H/W van teams would benefit from me knowing what they go through when driving a van. I will have 2 units available soon, drivers getting new equipment. I think the sprinter is a very good van. I have 370,000 miles on sprinter engine, nothing needed, but new water pump. Hope this helps those that can't or don't want to be out the money for someone else to build. The way the sprinter is made the side pieces are the hardest to make, as they are curved, rest is easy. Bed folds down on boxes (that can be used for storage) so bed is not on the floor. The refrigerator sets on top of cabinet that has a porta potty for wife, keeping it out of sight. The microwave is mounted to wall and refrigerator, and the computer printer is mounted to microwave by industerial strength velcro. If using microwave always start engine until your finished as it will run batteries down fast if not running. We were actually very comfortable in this set up. We have a 17 in flat screen tv & DVD player that is really light weight that we store in computer bag, when not used. We have a hanger for it on wall when laid over.


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RichM

Veteran Expediter
Charter Member
W Giff Hey why not try to find a REAL WOMAN that will sleep on the top of 3 skids of cargo. I am sure lots of them are out there. What about a seat belt,do you use a e trak strap to strap her in.:p :p :p
 

Prarysun

Seasoned Expediter
Hi nice set up, what does the bulkhead slide on? I built a bunk behind the seats and can push it up and bungie it when I have 3 skids. I installed a frame and would like to create a sliding bulk head, some info on that would be great thanks!

































Dianne
 

greg334

Veteran Expediter
>I thought that DOT said that bulkhead had to be able to stop
>6000lbs. Will plywood do that?

Yes
 
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