The Trunk Bunk is…
The most popular vehicle camping product from Camp N Car. Based on a classic vanlifer design, the Trunk Bunk allows you to sleep comfortably in nearly any vehicle without having to make permanent alterations to the functionality of your car. It’s perfect for weekend getaways, long road trips or any kind of adventure you’re taking with a vehicle!
Described as “the most fun I’ve had in ages” by one of our customers, the process of putting the Trunk Bunk together is easy and enjoyable! All you need is an electric screwdriver, a couple hours and a sense of adventure and you’ll have your very own Trunk Bunk ready for all kinds of journeys. Instructions will be provided to help ensure a smooth assembly process but our team is also on standby to help if you encounter any hiccups along the way.
This quality product is made in Washington State using sustainable business practices. We stand by our work and are here to ensure your satisfaction with our products. Not sure if the Trunk Bunk is right for you? Check out the additional information below or contact us today with your questions.
5′ – 5.5′ – 6′
approximate variable length
25″ – 42″
approximate variable width
9.5″
total height (top to bottom)
36 – 40 pounds
total weight (depending on model)
The Trunk Bunk Guide
Unsure if the Trunk Bunk is right for your vehicle? Need some help figuring out sizing, dimensions or other fitting considerations? We’re here to help!
Dimensions
The Trunk Bunk comes in three different lengths to choose from, 5′ feet long, 5.5′ long and 6′ long. These are approximate measurements and each model is a little shy of these actual lengths. At its most contracted it measures 25 inches wide, and at its maximum expansion measures 42 inches wide. So long as your vehicle is capable of having a relatively flat, level surface in the back that measures a minimum of 5.5 feet long and 24 inches wide the Trunk Bunk will work for you.
Clearance
Sitting about 9.5 inches off the ground, the Trunk Bunk offers a solid amount of storage space underneath while not sitting up so high that you can’t sit up or start feeling claustrophobic. There is about 6.5 inches of clearance from the ground to the bottom of the sleeper platform, so keep this in mind when thinking about wheel wells and storage. If this version of the Trunk Bunk is too short for your needs then check out the Tall Trunk Bunk for a version that has twice the clearance!
Storage
Deploying, moving and storing the Trunk Bunk is extremely easy. Because it comes apart in two different pieces (either 2.5′ or 3′ long) it can be stowed away in the back of your vehicle or elsewhere without taking up tons of space. This makes it a great option for those who don’t want to make permanent alterations to their vehicle or may need their full seat capacity during the day. You can even transfer it to use in future vehicles if you upgrade your adventure-mobile someday!
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main benefits of using the Trunk Bunk for travel?
Being able to sleep comfortably in your vehicle opens up all kinds of travel flexibility and cost saving options, that’s what the Trunk Bunk is all about. Having a firm and comfortable surface to sleep on in your car makes it much more appealing than sleeping in your seats and we believe that once you get a taste of the travel flexibility the Trunk Bunk offers that you’ll never go back to spending money on hotels or Airbnb’s again.
With the Trunk Bunk anywhere you can park for the night becomes your new home all without ever having to leave your vehicle or pitch a tent! The Trunk Bunk represents a streamlined take on vanlife camping but without having to make permanent alterations to your vehicle or spend untold amounts of money on a new van and fancy conversion job. Once you get out there and discover this style of travel and camping for yourself we’re confident you’ll understand!
How much does the Trunk Bunk weigh?
Considering how sturdy and well engineered a product the Trunk Bunk is, it’s surprisingly light! The 5.5′ foot Trunk Bunk only weighs 38 pounds. Each section of the Trunk Bunk is either 18 or 20 pounds on its own, depending on the length. This makes the 6′ Trunk Bunk 40 pounds and the 5′ Trunk Bunk 36 pounds.
(all weights are approximate and may vary slightly)
What is the weight capacity of the Trunk Bunk?
To be honest, we haven’t been able to establish a maximum weight capacity because we haven’t been able to break it in our torture testing. The Trunk Bunk is very strong and can support hundreds of pounds with ease, we have had multiple people standing on one slat with one foot with the bed fully expanded and it hasn’t so much as bent. So long as you’re not using the Trunk Bunk for industrial hauling purposes and stick to using it for your gear and a few campers, you’ll be fine.
Is the Trunk Bunk easily removed and reinstalled?
Yes! All of our products are designed to be easily removed and reinstalled by the users so that you don’t have to commit your vehicle to a permanent alteration. The Trunk Bunk in particular is very easy to remove from your car and doesn’t take a ton of space to stow away. In fact, it can fit in the rear compartment space of most vehicles when not being used so you can regain use of your rear seats when you’re not camping out. Want to learn more about the Trunk Bunk? Contact us!
Is the Trunk Bunk easy to assemble on my own? What do I need?
Yes! The Trunk Bunk is both easy and fun to assemble. We provide extremely thorough and simple directions to make putting the Trunk Bunk together a breeze. All you need is an electric screwdriver and a sense of adventure and you’ll have your unit assembled in no time. Our team is also here to help you along the way if you encounter any issues or difficulties in the assembly process. Your honesty and feedback is important to us and is a key tool in helping us improve our designs and instructions over time!
Can you assemble the Trunk Bunk for me?
Yes! We are pleased to offer in house assembly for those who can come to our shop in Port Townsend Washington to pick it up once it’s complete. The cost of pre-assembling a Trunk Bunk for pickup is $250 and is an option available at the top of the product page.
Due to the extremely high price and logistical difficulties of shipping a fully assembled Trunk Bunk this is not a service we can offer at this time.
Have you ever lived or traveled extensively out of a vehicle?
The entire inspiration for Camp N Car comes from the shared experiences of the companies founders. Our managing director Steve Moore lived out of a special Honda Element camper in Alaska for 6 months which was designed by our Technical Director Martin Nerbovig. Through this experience he gained a deep insight into living a fulfilling and minimalist lifestyle on the road. After awhile friends started asking about getting builds of a similar nature done for their vehicles and here we are today! We are happy to share our experiences and skills with the world so that others may share in the same kind of joy that this travel brings. To hear more awesome vanlife stories join our mailing list today!
Why does the Trunk Bunk cost this much?
Everything we make is designed with a great deal of thorough engineering and care using advanced software and expensive machinery. From there we pick top quality and sustainable materials and hand craft everything here in Washington State to an extremely high standard. Additionally, our employees are highly skilled craftspeople who are paid living wages and are treated like our family.
The reality of doing all of this means we can’t offer goods that are as cheap as stuff you can buy from overseas manufactures, but we are determined to continue being a company that manufactures solely in the United States and supports our local economy. Once you make your purchase you will see the quality and customer care make it all worthwhile!
Can you ship out of the United States? How about Alaska or Hawaii?
Yes we do, but you will need to contact us to make a special shipping arrangement. We offer free shipping to all customers in the contiguous United States but for anyone outside the US or in Alaska/Hawaii we will need to generate a custom shipping quote and charge accordingly.
Final Considerations
To determine is the Trunk Bunk is right for your vehicle you may need to bust out the tape measure and ensure that there is a minimum viable flat surface no shorter than 5, 5.5 or 6 feet long and at least 25 inches wide. If you have that, then you can make it work! Currently the maximum length of the Trunk Bunk we can offer is just under 6 feet. We realize this makes it non-ideal for anyone who is especially tall, but there are a lot of creative solutions for ways you can rest your feet off the edge of the bed platform if it comes down to it. Feel free to contact us if you have questions on how to make the Trunk Bunk work best for you.
The Trunk Bunk is plenty big enough to hold Thermarest-style inflatable camping pads, twin mattresses or other smaller form sleeping cushions. It is not wide enough to hold “full” or “double” sized mattresses without the edges of those mattresses spilling off the sides a little bit, although this can work sometimes if your vehicle interior is actually wide enough to hold a mattress that large. Think of the Trunk Bunk as being about the same surface area as your average 2 person backpacking tent and that should give you a good idea of what you are working with.
Melissa –
I have a Vandoit with a slide out gear tray. The five foot length fits in my van perfectly to add storage but still allow for another sleeping area in the van. The product arrived promptly and the directions were perfect. It took me exactly two hours to build. Quality is fantastic and it is a really unique design.
David Jorgensen –
Easy assembly, works perfectly in my 2009 Element. I’m 5’8” and the 5.5 foot trunk bunk fits me and I sleep comfortably. The seats in the ‘09 don’t fold all the way forward, so the 6ft. Wouldn’t fit. Lots of room underneath for containers. The whole unit slides in and out of the car easily. Great for long road trips!
Brian –
The beauty of this system is that it is versatile (and it is of quality construction). Most systems are permanent to some degree, but this one has flexibility to be used in some different ways and easily moved. You can make your own platform for cheaper (assuming you have all the tools, time) but it won’t have the craftmanship and it probably won’t be as light and practical as The Trunk Bunk.
Tammy Kincaid –
I LOVE my trunk bunk!! It was exactly what I was looking for with my no build minivan camper. I’m in my upper 50’s and easily able to put together and move in and out of the vehicle. I use outdoor chair box cushions as a “mattress” and they fit perfectly. Communication was top notch. Love supporting an ethical business as well.
Amy Heibel –
Extremely awesome. I am not AT ALL handy and I put this together myself in two hours. As promised, it was fun! But most important: it fits perfectly in the rear of my Honda Element and creates a very comfortable bed out of the awkward uneven floor situation.
Alex Lamb –
The trunk bunk is an awesome product. Easy to assemble. Took about an hour start to finish from box to bunk. It’s a smart design that is versatile, simple, and perfect for adventure.
Jennifer Owen –
I absolutely love my Trunk Bunk setup and how easy it is to use for a No Build – van build option. I hate having clutter all around me so I needed something to give me some lift and allow me to have storage space under my bed. I have plenty of space to put all of my camping gear and clothing needs under my bed and give me ample floor space to move around.
I also love that while I will be doing most of my adventures solo – the Trunk Bunk will allow me to slide it out to make room for a second camper when I want to take one of my children or a friend with me.
Solid, sturdy and beautifully made. I am very thankful that I chose to invest in a good solid bed frame for my van life adventures. The cot I was using previously was very uncomfortable and if you want to be able to actually enjoy your van experience – you need to make sure you are getting good sleep.
I can’t wait to take my van all over the Pacific Northwest this summer and beyond! Thank you guys! It is PERFECT!
Megan Wildwood –
Assembling the Trunk Bunk was the most fun I’ve had in ages & the best part is that the mattress I bought for my previous platform fit the 6 foot frame perfectly. I seriously can’t recommend this enough. I’ve designed and built three platforms now and not having to measure and cut my wood has saved me a lot of trouble. Now I have way more time for adventuring in my Honda Element!
Maryann Tapiro –
I love the new bed frame Camp N Car made for my van! It’s a really great design, made with beautiful wood, and strong enough to hold me and my two dogs. I love that I can make it a single or double and it fits right between the wheel wells inside the back of the van.
It’s perfect for a necessary cross country road trip during a pandemic. Great guys with a great product! I highly recommend it.