150 lb trailer bed limit

[Tractorat]

Wondered if anyone has ever had any experience with this. The upper berth in my trailer has a 150 lb weight limit. (Im pretty sure this is the same with most trailers).



Im wondering just how precise they are in that limit. My son is 165 lbs, and thinks he can sleep up there without any problems to the berth. I think its probably OK, and that it should take quite a bit more than 165. But if it were to break, he would cause quite a headache to the person below.



Anyone have any opinions ?



I have a 19ft, 1988 Wilderness Yukon trailer.

 

[SRehberg]

You are probably the best judge, as you can assess the quality of construction etc. However, I would think the manufacturer has built a margin of safety into the rating, otherwise if the bed was only capable of 150lb. max, it would fail after awhile. The only experience I can relate, we had a cabover slide in camper, with a storage area above the dinette, that doubled as a childs bed. It was rated 75lbs. My wife and I utilized this space for storage, which we exceeded the 75lbs. , for the duration of our trips. We would go from California to British Columbia and back each year. We did this for 10yrs with no trouble, or signs of the childs bunk having stress problems. Obviously, if it fails, and the weight was exceeded, then you become the responsible party. If it were mine and the design looked adequate, and my son didn't plan on using it for a trampoline, I would probably go for it. I would think if it started to fail, it would show signs of failure or sounds indicating things are stressing beyond their capacity. Not every bed built into the RV will have the same capacity, just due to the difference in the wood, so some margin is calculated I would think.



This is just my opinion, so use your own judgement, but I'm sure you will get opinions on both sides of the issue.

 

[MojaveJoe]

Test It

M Buck,



For liability reasons the 150# rating is probably 50% of actual live load carrying capacity 300#.



If your son insists on sleeping on the top bunk, have him get up there and bounce around to whatever degree seems excessive. If you hear any cracking noises, open the bunk up and reinforce it with maybe OaK cross supports, or whatever other part cracked. It maybe that the long front edge is the part that will be the weakest. Again just reinforce it. In the alternative, you could tell him he's sleeping on the bottom. (it's a father's perogative you know )



Chances of him and the framing coming crashing down on the lower bunk are very slim, since the panel diaphram will probably only allow it to sag if a framing member cracks. If that happens put an vertical support (1x4) down to the floor or lower bunk and continue your vacation, fixing it when you get home.



Most of all, just have fun, and quit worrying about something that probably won't happen.



Regards,

Joe