How do you get into upper bunk in a BH model?

[mikehoyt]

Hi All

We have a 2022 Passport 221BH purchased new last Summer. We have not used the upper bunk yet for anything but storage. It is very difficult to get onto that bunk and stepping on the lip of the lower bunk edge can damage that edge (it is flimsy). Looking at ladder solutions. Must be removable since it would hamper access to bathroom and refrigerator.

One thought is something like this. Telescopic Ladder, 6.5FT RIKADE Aluminum Telescoping Ladder with Non-Slip Feet and Stable Hook, Portable Extension Ladder for Household and Outdoor Working, 330lb Capacity : Amazon.ca: Tools & Home Improvement

What are others doing?

Thanks

Mike
2022 Passport 221BH

 

[curtiscapk-]

We got this one for our BH.

https://www.amazon.com/Bunk-Ladder-Trailer-Ladders-Appartments/dp/B0DSBGM6SR/ref=sr_1_3_sspa?crid=2MEOE2URK3G4Z&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.72W-x2xOOHMht8YoRZYtZ-txa1N5T6p7FfRTjpRPhV26RYS4tiKwugjm_TXW0XjmmUUFdQ5vCgejOlQ_PhPR_9g9DbxxwrndV8wRSrHJ6l3xYaon9YdlaxxHp_aSY6vAtzLNdoBEe3_nU3m7Oau-cQywp8plJo0fifwC5qNz_RFNlZ50lT9Qg3dAx9gr-an5KNhSkfXrHwMM5qNSyZwc2Wiz58e2ta3ZLRNZ2L_u6Hcc4I5rOwL6_uGqahFPnWn58P9xGSGV6Mifg5i8KTmR1ll1sQ2zpk7c0tkB9wLuc_g.syQzHFKswMhFZoFDdM25kx1EpQIMTh4pcLQ_a1vi60A&dib_tag=se&keywords=bunk%2Bladder&qid=1745423875&sprefix=bunk%2Bladder%2Caps%2C278&sr=8-3-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&th=1

 

[NH_Bulldog]

Mike, the ladder you linked to would be good for the exterior roof access, but it is overkill for what you need/want inside. Our Passport 240BH didn't come with a ladder, so we bought a Stromberg-Carlson LA-460 60" Bunk Ladder. It came with receiver brackets that mount to the front of the top bunk edge, and the ladder has hooks that fit into the brackets, or you can just hook the top of the ladder over the lip of the bunk edge.

The ladder really didn't interfere with the bathroom access, but it was light enough you can just unhook it and toss it up on the top bunk if you wanted it out of your way.

Our Cougar came with a Lippert telescoping bunk ladder, but it is heavier and more expensive than the Stromberg-Carson

Amazon.com

 

[Peto]

Just grab the kid by the scruff of the neck and one...two...three....weeeeee.

 

[wiredgeorge]

The telescoping ladder Mike pictured will have to be lowered a rung or two which is easy but the step to the first rung will be high and using these ladders partially extended can be awkward. I would choose the bunk ladder.

 

[mikehoyt]

The 240BH and 221BH have pretty much the exact same setup of the bunk opening between fridge and bathroom so the Stromberg-Carlson should work on our 221BH. Thanks NH Bulldog. The RV bunk ladder also looks good Craig/Paula. How far out into the floor does the bottom of each project?

Another question is the hook part at the top of each ladder. The photos of the 221BH (attached) show the end piece of the top and lower bunk. It is a piece of 1/2 inch wood (plywood?) with two screws into the bunk base holding it in place and a third on the small side edge near the bathroom door. This fastening system is very flimsy (I have had to reinforce it already). I would worry that a ladder attaching here may pull this piece away from the bunk. Can you comment on this? I note from the pics that the 240BH seems to have a sturdier arrangement

Thanks and looking forward to hitting the road next month!

Mike
2022 Passport 221BH

 

[NH_Bulldog]

Just keep in mind that the top of the ladder isn't holding projecting any downward or outward weight, only weight pressing inward. I looked high and low on my phone for a picture of the ladder on ours, but I could only find one that shows the brackets I attached to the bunk trim face.

 

[curtiscapk-]

The 240BH and 221BH have pretty much the exact same setup of the bunk opening between fridge and bathroom so the Stromberg-Carlson should work on our 221BH. Thanks NH Bulldog. The RV bunk ladder also looks good Craig/Paula. How far out into the floor does the bottom of each project?

Another question is the hook part at the top of each ladder. The photos of the 221BH (attached) show the end piece of the top and lower bunk. It is a piece of 1/2 inch wood (plywood?) with two screws into the bunk base holding it in place and a third on the small side edge near the bathroom door. This fastening system is very flimsy (I have had to reinforce it already). I would worry that a ladder attaching here may pull this piece away from the bunk. Can you comment on this? I note from the pics that the 240BH seems to have a sturdier arrangement

Thanks and looking forward to hitting the road next month!

Mike
2022 Passport 221BH

here it is in action maybe 10 " out on floor. The lip is just plywood but I believe thee my be a piece of wood under bracing it.

 

[Bugboss]

Hi All

We have a 2022 Passport 221BH purchased new last Summer. We have not used the upper bunk yet for anything but storage. It is very difficult to get onto that bunk and stepping on the lip of the lower bunk edge can damage that edge (it is flimsy). Looking at ladder solutions. Must be removable since it would hamper access to bathroom and refrigerator.

One thought is something like this. Telescopic Ladder, 6.5FT RIKADE Aluminum Telescoping Ladder with Non-Slip Feet and Stable Hook, Portable Extension Ladder for Household and Outdoor Working, 330lb Capacity : Amazon.ca: Tools & Home Improvement

What are others doing?

Thanks

Mike
2022 Passport 221BH

Just bought a bunk ladder which you cut to size and hangs well at 30⁰

 

[KCAD]

We have a 2014 2910bh ( 2 sets of bunks ). I built a ladder for this out of red oak ( 2 - 1x3 and 2-inch dia rods ), it is customized to the need. Since my girls are a lot older, they don't need one. The ladder is now a blanket rack in our house. Took about 2 hours to cut the rails and bars, cut in grooves for the bunk edge, non-slip pads for the floor, glue and set.

 

[rlh1957]

Hi All

We have a 2022 Passport 221BH purchased new last Summer. We have not used the upper bunk yet for anything but storage. It is very difficult to get onto that bunk and stepping on the lip of the lower bunk edge can damage that edge (it is flimsy). Looking at ladder solutions. Must be removable since it would hamper access to bathroom and refrigerator.

One thought is something like this. Telescopic Ladder, 6.5FT RIKADE Aluminum Telescoping Ladder with Non-Slip Feet and Stable Hook, Portable Extension Ladder for Household and Outdoor Working, 330lb Capacity : Amazon.ca: Tools & Home Improvement

What are others doing?

Thanks

Mike
2022 Passport 221BH

Ha ha ha ha… sales joke is on you! Another Keystone rock in the pond.
None of these ladders, steps, holds are designed for anything but kids and that is a safety hazard there.
Shopping & viewing yoy aren't thinking or looking at realism you are tuned to the 101.1 sales spiel.
Only options are live with it or redesign & build something more functional & safe.
It’s mine, so I customize!

 

[DutchmenSport]

If you have carpentry or metal working skills, build one yourself that fits the need.

 

[Stircrazy]

Ha ha ha ha… sales joke is on you! Another Keystone rock in the pond.
None of these ladders, steps, holds are designed for anything but kids and that is a safety hazard there.
Shopping & viewing yoy aren't thinking or looking at realism you are tuned to the 101.1 sales spiel.
Only options are live with it or redesign & build something more functional & safe.
It’s mine, so I customize!

I have climbed up on mine so I know it will hold over 230lbs haha

 

[Theo Wellington]

We bought with the idea that these bunks were for gear storage. A folding step ladder works just fine, and since we have this type of thing along anyway, it's not a problem. I did put some brackets on the side of the top bunk so that I can have a wood board across the opening to keep anything from sliding out. I often have a milk crate up there that can double as a step. I don't need to *be* up there, just move stuff on and off the bunk.
We also use plastic bins for small stuff that fits through the back door even when the lower bunk is folded down. I loved the whole back door thing on our Passport 219BHWE exactly for being able to pass stuff in or out without having to go up the stairs.
I admit, that although a nimble child can use in our case the back of the dinette seat, I did wonder what the designers were or were not thinking about if you wanted to get up there to sleep.

 

[MrHappy]

Hi All

We have a 2022 Passport 221BH purchased new last Summer. We have not used the upper bunk yet for anything but storage. It is very difficult to get onto that bunk and stepping on the lip of the lower bunk edge can damage that edge (it is flimsy). Looking at ladder solutions. Must be removable since it would hamper access to bathroom and refrigerator.

One thought is something like this. Telescopic Ladder, 6.5FT RIKADE Aluminum Telescoping Ladder with Non-Slip Feet and Stable Hook, Portable Extension Ladder for Household and Outdoor Working, 330lb Capacity : Amazon.ca: Tools & Home Improvement

What are others doing?

Thanks

Mike
2022 Passport 221BH

Hi All

We have a 2022 Passport 221BH purchased new last Summer. We have not used the upper bunk yet for anything but storage. It is very difficult to get onto that bunk and stepping on the lip of the lower bunk edge can damage that edge (it is flimsy). Looking at ladder solutions. Must be removable since it would hamper access to bathroom and refrigerator.

One thought is something like this. Telescopic Ladder, 6.5FT RIKADE Aluminum Telescoping Ladder with Non-Slip Feet and Stable Hook, Portable Extension Ladder for Household and Outdoor Working, 330lb Capacity : Amazon.ca: Tools & Home Improvement

What are others doing?

Thanks

Mike
2022 Passport 221BH

Mike, we have a 2017 Passport 2100BH and had the same problem. We use a three step aluminum step stool. It is lite enough to move if the person on the bottom needs to get out and not a fixed to a bunk. It folds up to be put out of the way when not in use or access to the bathroom is needed.

 

[bareftn]

Hi All

We have a 2022 Passport 221BH purchased new last Summer. We have not used the upper bunk yet for anything but storage. It is very difficult to get onto that bunk and stepping on the lip of the lower bunk edge can damage that edge (it is flimsy). Looking at ladder solutions. Must be removable since it would hamper access to bathroom and refrigerator.

One thought is something like this. Telescopic Ladder, 6.5FT RIKADE Aluminum Telescoping Ladder with Non-Slip Feet and Stable Hook, Portable Extension Ladder for Household and Outdoor Working, 330lb Capacity : Amazon.ca: Tools & Home Improvement

What are others doing?

Thanks

Mike
2022 Passport 221BH

I use a 3 step folding step stool