Altering the Trailer

Don’t Be Afraid to Change Your Trailer

For the first few trips we used the camper exactly as it was designed. And honestly? It didn’t work to our liking.

The bunks felt cramped. There wasn't enough head space to sit up straight in either bunk. Once our second daughter came into the picture we knew we needed to make some alterations.

The Bunkhouse Upgrade That Changed Everything

The biggest transformation? The bunk beds.

Originally, the top bunk made the lower bunk feel like a cave—tight, dark, and not exactly inviting for kids who want a space of their own.

So we cut the top bunk in half.

It sounds drastic—but it completely changed how the space functions.

Now:

• The lower bunk feels open and breathable

• There’s enough vertical space for sitting, playing, and hanging out

• The bunk area became less of a “sleep-only” zone and more of a kid space

It’s where they read, play, and decompress after a full day outside.

And honestly—it made the trailer feel bigger without adding a single inch.

For a while the top bunk, now half a bunk, was our eldest's play area until our second daughter was old enough to sleep independently.

Now the oldest has the bottom bunk and our middle daughter has the top, half, bunk. These bunks are doubles so they're plenty wide enough for her to sleep horizontally, for now.

We fully anticipate another shift in the future where more than likely she will trade places with the youngest, whose currently on the permanent dinette bed, and the youngest will take the top bunk.

Comfort Matters More Than You Think

If there’s one upgrade I’d recommend to any RV family, it’s this:

Add foam toppers to every bed.

RV mattresses are… not great. And when you’re camping multiple nights in a row, sleep matters.

We added foam toppers across the board:

• The main bed

• The bunks

• The dinette (more on that in a second)

It’s a simple change, but it made a huge difference in how everyone feels day to day. Better sleep = better moods = better trips.

When the Dinette Becomes a Permanent Bed

With three kids, space evolves fast.

Once our youngest got a little bigger, the dinette stopped being a dinette.

Now, it’s a full-time bed and play space.

And instead of constantly converting it back and forth (which gets old quickly), we leaned into it.

We use:

• Portable tables for indoor meals

• The same tables for coloring, games, and crafts

• Outdoor seating whenever possible (because let’s be honest—that’s why we’re here)

This one decision removed a daily hassle and made the trailer feel more stable and predictable for the kids.

Living Small, Living Better

What we’ve learned is that small spaces don’t have to feel limiting—they just have to be intentional.

Every adjustment we’ve made has been about one thing:

Making the trailer feel like it belongs to all five of us.

Not just a place to sleep—but a place where:

• Each kid has a space that feels like theirs

• We can function without constantly rearranging everything

• The inside supports the adventure happening

Other minor adjustments we've made include:

• Command hooks, along the side of the kitchen wall by the door, for jackets, dog leashes, life vests, hats, anything that needs off the floor that can hang on a hook

• Fabric laundry hampers. For short trips, one for the girls, for long trips, one for each of them.

• Containers for pantry storage

• Camping cook wear with one handle that fits all the pots, it's compact and simple

• Drawer organizers for silverware and utensils

• Spice holder that can easily fit in the sink when traveling

Why This Lifestyle Works for Us

Camping in the Pacific Northwest gives us everything we want:

• Forests, lakes, and coastlines all within reach

• The freedom to leave on a Friday and be somewhere completely different by dinner

• A way to simplify, even if just for a few days

And the trailer? It’s not perfect.

But it’s ours. Customized. Adjusted.

A little bit unconventional. Just like our family.

Final Thoughts

If you’re hesitating to make changes to your RV because it feels permanent or “wrong,” here’s your permission:

Do it anyway.

Cut the bunk. Add the topper. Turn the dinette into something that actually works.

Because at the end of the day, no one remembers the factory layout.

They remember:

• The games played on the bed that used to be a table

• The stories told in a bunk that finally felt comfortable

• The feeling of being together, even in a small space

And somehow, especially in a small space, those moments feel even bigger.