When it comes to camping, there is no better way to be comfortable than with a camping cot. However, if you have numerous people trying to share a tent or small cabin, then it can be challenging trying to find sleeping spaces for everyone. A homemade camping cot bunk can end that issue and will provide a comfortable sleeping platform for anyone in the tent or cabin.
To make your own cot bunk, there are a few materials that you will need to gather. The first thing that you will need are four 6 foot long 2-by-2s and four 3 foot long 2-by-2s. Next, you will need two 6 foot by 3 foot tarps with 1/2 inch grommets around their edges. You will also be needing a drill, some 3 inch long L brackets, some screws, a screwdriver bit, some 3/8 inch diameter rope, and a 1/2 inch drill bit. Finally you will need four 4 foot long 4-by-4’s, eight 1/2 inch carriage bolts, eight 1/2 inch wing nuts, a pencil, a tape measure, and a pair of scissors. Once you have obtained these materials, you can make your own camping cot bunk.
The first step in making a camping cot bunk is to use the tape measure and pencil to measure and mark a point 12 inches up from the end of each of the four 4 foot long 4-by-4’s. Then you will need to use the drill and 1/2 inch drill bit to drill a hole through each of these points. This makes the points for the bottom bunk to be attached when the cot bunk is assembled.
The next step in making the camping cot bunk is to use the drill and 1/2 inch drill bit to drill a hole through the 4-by-4s at a point about 3 inches down from the top of each of them. This makes the points for the top bunk to be attached when the cot bunk is assembled.
Next you will need to assemble the two bunk frames. To do this, use the 3 inch L brackets and some screws to attach a 3 foot long 2-by-2 at each end of two of the 6 foot long 2-by-2s. The screws can be driven into position with the drill and screwdriver bit. Once you have made one bunk frame, repeat the same process in order to make the second bunk frame.
Now that the two bunk frames are assembled, vertically erect the four 4 foot long 4-by-4s into the corners of one of the 6 foot by 3 foot bunk frames. Next have someone help you to raise the bunk frame to a point where it is in line with holes that were drilled 18 inches up from the end of the four 4 foot long 4-by-4s. Once that is done, use the drill and 1/2 inch drill bit to drill holes through the bunk frame. After each hole is drilled, place a carriage bolt through the hole in order to hold the bunk frame in place temporarily.
Now take the second bunk frame and have someone help you to place it in line with the 1/2 inch holes that were drilled 3 inches down from the top of the four 4 foot long 4-by-4s. Once again use the drill and 1/2 inch drill bit to drill holes through the bunk frame. After each hole is drilled, again place a carriage bolt through the hole in order to hold the bunk frame in place temporarily.
The next thing to do is to remove the carriage bolts from the bunk frames and position the four 4 foot long 4-by-4s on the outside of the bunk frames. Then place the top and bottom bunk frames back in their respective positions and line up the holes so that the carriage bolts can be slid into position to hold the bunk frames in place. Now tighten a 1/2 inch wing nuts onto each of the carriage bolts so that the bunk frames are firmly held in their positions. This prepares the cot bunk for the tarps to be put into position providing the cot’s sleeping platform.
With the cot’s bunk frames firmly in position, spread a 6 foot by 3 foot tarp over each bunk frame. Now use the 3/8 inch diameter rope and lash the tarps to the bunk frames by placing a length of rope through each grommet and tying the rope to the bunk frame. As you attach the tarps to the bunk frame, you can use the scissors to cut the appropriate length of rope that you need. Once the tarps are attached to the bunk frames, the cot bunk is finished.
If the cot bunk ever needs to be disassembled for transport, simply undo the lashing of the tarps from the bunk frames. Then loosen the wing nuts and remove the carriage bolts from the bunk. This will make the cot bunk’s legs transportable. Now use a screwdriver to remove the screws from the 3 inch L brackets and the bunk frames can be taken apart. The bunk frames are now collapsed into their original 6 foot long 2-by-2 and 3 foot long 2-by-2 components and can be easily transported.
When it comes time to re-assemble the cot bunk, simply re-construct the 6 foot long by 3 foot wide bunk frames and line them up with the holes on the 4 foot long legs in their respective positions. Then use the carriage bolts and wing nuts to fasten the bunk frames into position. Finally, you will need to again lash the 6 foot by 3 foot tarps into place and the cot bunk is ready to be used. Then there will not be any issue of having enough space for everyone to sleep the next time you go camping in a small cabin or tent.
Sources
Personal Experience
“Camping Cots Advice Guide,” Smart Camping Guide
“Disc-O-Bed Cam-O-Cot Bunk Beds,” Cabela’s
“How To Make A Folding Canvas Cot,” Chest Of Book
