confining my toddler

[jbb]

I am looking for suggestions for a barrier of some sort to put across the end of the bed to confine my toddler when he is asleep and we are not yet in the bed.

[Recumbentman]

How about a bed rail  you could use it at home and in the PU

[griffsmom]

We bought a Coleman Sun Valley when our DS was 14 months old and had the same issue. We used to remove the dining table and put it outside and then put a pack-n-play playpen in the space where the table went. It worked really well as you can see here:
 

 
The pack-n-play would also fit up on the bunkend, and sometimes we would turn it on its side so it could be a fort for our little one, like in this picture:
 

 
As Griffy got bigger, we would leave the dining table in the travel position (since it was only DH, DS and myself) and just cover it with blankets and let him sleep there. Like Brad (recumbentman) suggested, we used a portable bed rail so he wouldn't wiggle off in the middle of the night. Unfortunately, I don't have a picture of the bed rail in use, but here's the dining table bed (and Griffin w/friend):
 

 
Hope you're able to find something that works for you.

[spicyville1]

How about a bed rail  you could use it at home and in the PU

Bedrails are what we used and they work great!

[jeezy]

Wait a second.  It's possible to confine a toddler!  :yikes:

Do tell!  

We're actually still looking forward to our maiden voyage next month with our boys 3 1/2 and 2 (this sunday!  :cake: )   Our first trip coincides with #2's newfound ability to climb out of cribs.  Yet he's not at the point yet where he will stay in a toddler bed.   We have a high crib at home and have managed to keep him confined.  There isn't a pack and play on earth that will do the trick.  He's a little monkey.  This should be interesting.  

#1's easy.  During the day he just runs and runs and runs and runs and runs and runs and runs and runs and runs........until you make him lay down at night and he immediately crashes to the point that you need dynamite to wake him up in the morning.  

Good luck to you.  Keep us posted.

[wavery]

DUCT TAPE!!!!!!!

[JimS]

I also use a pack-and-play ontop of the folded down cover for the shower.  Fits perfectly.  I am going to try to use rails on the smaller bunk end when my son gets a bit older.
However, I really like wavery's suggestion of duct tape.  Also mouse traps in places and over things you don't want wandering fingers to get into might be a good idea :p Haven't tried that yet.   :screwy:

[wavery]

All kidding aside......

In a PU, one concern is the canvas sides, where they wrap around the bottom of the bunk platform. We have heard stories of toddlers slipping through there and ending up on the ground below.. :yikes:

It may be a good idea to sew 2" Velcro onto the bottom of the bunk-end canvas and staple the other part onto the bottom of the bunk-end platform.

I would think that an injury from that fall might be more serious than falling inside the camper (not that I am minimizing that).

[Dee4j]

We bought a Coleman Sun Valley when our DS was 14 months old and had the same issue. We used to remove the dining table and put it outside and then put a pack-n-play playpen in the space where the table went. It worked really well as you can see here:
 

 
The pack-n-play would also fit up on the bunkend, and sometimes we would turn it on its side so it could be a fort for our little one, like in this picture:
 

 
As Griffy got bigger, we would leave the dining table in the travel position (since it was only DH, DS and myself) and just cover it with blankets and let him sleep there. Like Brad (recumbentman) suggested, we used a portable bed rail so he wouldn't wiggle off in the middle of the night. Unfortunately, I don't have a picture of the bed rail in use, but here's the dining table bed (and Griffin w/friend):
 

 
Hope you're able to find something that works for you.

OMG does time fly!!  little griffy...

 we used a pack-n -play also

[wayner]

I am not sure if it will work yet.. but we are going to try to put up a baby gate between the bench seats.... and have our 14 month old sleep on seat cushions between those seats on the slide out dinette.  WE haven't had anyproblems with our toddler in the bunk ends... our two year old sleeps between our 7 and 5 year old...  no prob...

[Morin]

I agree on the Pack and Play..  it worked great....  really good