Had my dad and brother in from Australia for a few weeks. We had planned on taking the van to Pismo to camp and rent some quads in the dunes but it was pretty cool there. My dad wanted to head out to his old riding area in the Mojave from years ago where it was warmer so off we went. Camped at a spot that used to have some great riding before the BLM closed much of it.
It was around 100 degrees so we just arrived late afternoon, BBQ'd some great steaks and listened to some tunes as we caught up on life throughout the night. The cabins used to be adopt a cabins that friends would stay in on riding trips but it seems they have been shot up and trashed in the last 6 or so years, sad. We did have a rabbit friend come running up to join us for dinner.
Avoided a near possible tragedy with my Colorado Camper Van built top bunk bed partially collapsing. I was down below sitting on the front of the futon reaching for a sleeping bag as my brother was climbing up onto the top bunk when the last two wheel pins/bolts? appear to have just snapped causing my brother and the bed to come crashing down. So lucky I was leaning foward as the bed is heavy and metal framed so if someone was actually asleep and that hit them it could have been over, for good. Or at least some serious injuries going on, not good.
Very scary and it really shook my brother up a bit. Not sure if those pins holding the wheels to the bed were untreated steel, aluminum or what. One side of the bed landed on my counter top trim, taking a chunk out. The other side landed on the futon mattress. When I heard the first section snap I froze and thought ahh hell here we go again. Although Derek from Colorado Camper Van is a nice guy and this bed was creatively built I personally haven't had good luck with his work at all on my van. Mechanical stuff has so far been fine but some of the interior and eletrical work not so much. This is my opinion only and I have shared it to this point on this forum with only those who have PM'd me personally with questions.
Luckily by this point my dad was feeling no pain from a great night so we stuck him on the bench seat. He was out before my brother and I even made it to the Futon. Turned out to be a short trip, but one with some scary moments and great memories. As for the upper bed I completely removed it when I got home and it is sitting ready for the trash pickup....and while I will figure out another uppper bed I will have to think and research carefully about who will help on the next one.
Van in front of cabin
Van, cabin and the Dez - Used to be a great hill climb up the mountain until the BLM marked it closed
Cabin
Cabin 2
Gettin ready for dinner
Dinner....guest
Top Bed Close Call
Fail