Date:         Thu, 22 May 1997 11:33:17
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         Dan Houg <fairwind@northernnet.com>
Subject:      Pillow Talk

a question was posed on keeping the bunk pillows in place...

i had a similar problem.  in addition, being rather large of stature (and
expanding girth :( ) i needed more length.  so i cut a piece of plywood
that would just cover 1/2 the width of the birth opening.  on the front
edge it rests on the metal surround and on the back edge i unsnap 2 or 3
snaps for the cushion and it rests in on the bunk a few inches, the foam
cushion resting on top of it.  this isn't weight bearing but i can place my
entire pillow on the plywood and get a few inches extra room.  i also
covered the plywood with a piece of closed cell foam (double face carpet
tape secured it) to make it comfy.

this was all done in my pre-children era.  now i stick the 5 and 7 year
olds up there and me and Mama sleep down below.  new problem.  kids falling
out of bed.  i constructed a net made from a pickup tailgate net.  i
mounted it permanently on one side and used snap buckles for the other so
it is easy to put up and down.  works well, and gee-- the kids can't come
down once it is up.. "Whup! The net is up guys, gotta stay up there until
morning!"  actually, they like the security of the net and the feeling of
'separation' from the grownups.

sleeping down below, i need to face the rear gate and hang my feet over the
edge of the bed.  very comfortable and feels like just like at home :)

-dan