Dillon vs Gary vs Austin Bunk Beds: Which Heavy-Duty Bunk Bed Line Is Right for You?

Dillon, Gary & Austin Bunk Beds: Heavy-Duty Hardwood Designs Compared

Dillon Twin XL dual-height bunk bed in navy blue featured as the hero image for comparing Dillon, Gary, and Austin hardwood bunk bed collections.

"Last Updated" Date July 1st 2026

When choosing a high-quality bunk bed, strength, size options, ladder placement, and long-term flexibility all matter. At Just Bunk Beds, three of our most popular heavy-duty hardwood bunk bed lines are the Dillon, Gary, and Austin collections.

All three collections are built with solid hardwood framing and offer a 600 lb weight capacity per bed, meaning 600 lbs on the top bunk and 600 lbs on the bottom bunk. Each line is designed for families, guest rooms, vacation homes, rental properties, cabins, and adult-friendly sleeping spaces where durability is important.

All three collections are designed for customers shopping for durable Adult Bunk Beds built to support everyday use.

Although Dillon, Gary, and Austin bunk beds share the same strong hardwood foundation, each collection offers different advantages. Dillon provides the widest selection of styles, ladder choices, storage stairs, colors, and dual-height options. Gary offers a clean mission-style design with many size combinations. Austin is a dual-height bunk bed line with a simpler size range and ladder-on-end design.

Dillon vs Gary vs Austin at a Glance

Feature                        Dillon                                Gary                                     Austin 

Weight Capacity          600/600 lbs                        600/600 lbs                            600/600 lbs

Solid Hardwood                ✓                                        ✓                                           ✓ 

Dual Height                     ✓                                       __                                           ✓

Storage Stairs                 ✓                                        __                                          __

Colors                             5                                         3                                           3   

Sizes Available                Most                                    Many                                   Limited     

Dillon Bunk Beds    

The Dillon collection is the most flexible of the three lines. It is available in two main versions: a standard version with the ladder positioned on the long side of the bunk bed, and a dual-height version where the ladder or storage stairs are installed into the headboards.

The standard Dillon bunk beds are available with either a vertical ladder or a slanted ladder on the long side. This makes Dillon a strong choice for customers who prefer a traditional front-ladder layout.

Customers who prefer a traditional front-ladder configuration can explore the Dillon Twin XL over Twin XL Bunk Bed, available with either a vertical or slanted ladder.

The dual-height Dillon models offer even more flexibility. With the dual-height design, the bed can be assembled at two different height settings. The ladder or storage stairs install on the end through the headboards, which helps keep the front of the bunk bed more open and clean.

For added flexibility, the Dillon Dual Height Twin XL Bunk Bed allows the ladder to be installed on the end while offering two assembly height options.

Dillon is also the only line among these three that offers storage stairs. The Dillon storage stairs provide a safer, easier climbing option while adding built-in storage drawers, making this collection especially useful for children’s rooms, vacation homes, cabins, guest rooms, and shared bedrooms.

If built-in storage is a priority, the Dillon Twin XL Bunk Bed with Storage Stairs combines easy access with convenient drawer storage.

Dillon Size Options

Dillon bunk beds are available in:

  • Twin over Twin
  • Twin XL over Twin XL
  • Twin over Full
  • Twin XL over Full XL
  • Full over Full
  • Full XL over Full XL
  • Twin XL over Queen
  • Full XL over Queen
  • Queen over Queen

The Dillon line is available in five colors, giving customers more flexibility to match different room styles. 

Dillon Queen bunk bed heavy duty in espresso witrh storage stairs

Gary Bunk Beds

The Gary collection is a heavy-duty hardwood bunk bed line with a classic mission-style look. It offers many of the same practical size combinations as Dillon, but with a simpler design and fewer configuration options.

Gary bunk beds are a strong choice for customers who want a clean, timeless hardwood bunk bed with a mission headboard style. Like Dillon and Austin, Gary bunk beds offer a 600 lb capacity per bed and are built with solid hardwood framing.

The Gary line does not offer dual-height construction or storage stairs, but it does offer a wide range of sizes, including several adult-friendly combinations.

Customers who appreciate classic mission styling may prefer the Gary Twin XL Bunk Bed, which combines timeless design with heavy-duty hardwood construction.

Gary Twin XL hardwood bunk bed in espresso featuring classic mission-style headboards and heavy-duty solid wood construction.

Gary Size Options

Gary bunk beds are available in:

  • Twin over Twin
  • Twin XL over Twin XL
  • Twin over Full
  • Twin XL over Full XL
  • Full over Full
  • Full XL over Full XL
  • Twin XL over Queen
  • Full XL over Queen
  • Queen over Queen

The Gary line is available in white, gray, and espresso. Looking for larger sleeping accommodations? Browse our complete selection of Queen Bunk Beds, including Queen over Queen, Twin XL over Queen, and Full XL over Queen models.

Austin Bunk Beds

The Austin collection is a dual-height heavy-duty hardwood bunk bed line. It is available in a smaller selection of sizes than Dillon or Gary, but it still offers the key benefits many customers look for: solid hardwood construction, strong weight capacity, clean styling, and end-ladder placement.

Austin bunk beds are especially useful for customers who want a dual-height bunk bed but do not need the widest size selection or storage stair options. The ladder installs on the end/headboard area, helping keep the front of the bed open.

The Austin Twin XL over Twin XL Bunk Bed is an excellent choice for shoppers looking for a clean dual-height design with end-ladder access.

Austin Twin XL hardwood bunk bed in white featuring beadboard panels, clean farmhouse styling, and optional under-bed storage drawers.

Austin Size Options

Austin bunk beds are available in:

  • Twin over Twin
  • Twin XL over Twin XL
  • Full over Full
  • Queen over Queen

The Austin line is available in three colors, white, gray, & espresso

Ladder Placement and Room Layout

One important difference between these collections is ladder placement.

Dillon offers the most ladder flexibility. The standard Dillon models can be ordered with a vertical or slanted ladder on the long side of the bunk bed. The dual-height Dillon models use an end-ladder design, where the ladder or storage stairs are installed into the headboards.

Gary bunk beds also allow ladder placement on either side of the bunk bed, making them flexible for different room layouts.

Austin bunk beds use an end-ladder design and are also reversible, allowing the ladder to be installed on either side depending on the room setup.

For tighter bedrooms, end-ladder designs can help keep the front of the bunk bed more open. For rooms where front access is preferred, the standard Dillon with a vertical or slanted ladder may be the better choice.

Trundle Compatibility: Which Ladder Works Best? 

Not all bunk bed ladders interact with trundles the same way. If you plan to add a trundle bed for extra sleeping space, choosing the right ladder style is important.

Dillon Bunk Beds (Front Ladder Models)

Vertical Ladder: Recommended when using a trundle. The ladder stays flush with the bunk bed, allowing the trundle to slide in and out easily.

Slanted Ladder: Projects outward from the bunk bed and may interfere with pulling the trundle out fully. We generally do not recommend pairing a slanted ladder with a trundle.

Austin Dual-Height Bunk Beds

One advantage of the Austin Dual-Height design is that the ladder mounts on the end of the bunk bed rather than the front. Because of this design, the ladder does not interfere with the trundle, allowing you to use either the upper or lower bed height while maintaining full trundle access.

Gary Bunk Beds

Vertical Ladder: Recommended when using a trundle. The ladder stays flush with the bunk bed, allowing the trundle to slide in and out easily.

Slanted Ladder: Projects outward from the bunk bed and may interfere with pulling the trundle out fully. We generally do not recommend pairing a slanted ladder with a trundle.

Bunk bed Ladder Options

Choose the Ladder that fits your Room & Lifestyle

Comparison of vertical, slanted, and dual-height ladder options available for heavy-duty hardwood bunk beds.

Storage Drawers and Trundle Bed Options

One feature shared by the Dillon, Gary, and Austin collections is their ability to grow with your family's needs. All three bunk bed lines can accommodate optional under-bed storage drawers or trundle beds, allowing you to maximize both sleeping capacity and storage without increasing the footprint of the bunk bed.

Standard-Length Bunk Beds

Standard-length models can be configured with either:

  • Two under-bed storage drawers, or
  • One Twin trundle bed for an additional sleeping space.

This makes standard Twin and Full bunk beds an excellent choice for children's bedrooms, guest rooms, and vacation homes where occasional overnight guests are common.

Extra-Long and Queen Bunk Beds

Twin XL, Full XL, and Queen bunk beds offer even greater flexibility underneath the lower bunk. These larger models can accommodate:

  • Two under-bed storage drawers with a cubbie,
  • One Twin XL trundle, or
  • One Full XL trundle.

These larger trundle options provide comfortable sleeping accommodations for older children, teenagers, and adults while preserving valuable floor space.

Whether your priority is additional storage or extra sleeping capacity, Dillon, Gary, and Austin bunk beds are designed to adapt to changing needs for years to come.

Dillon vs Gary vs Austin: Complete Feature Comparison

Feature                               Dillon                                Gary                             Austin 

Solid Hardwood                        ✓                                       ✓                                    ✓

Weight Capacity                 600 / 600 lbs                      600 / 600 lbs                    600 / 600 lbs

Standard Models                      ✓                                       ✓                                    Yes

Dual Height Models                  ✓                                                                              Yes                               

Vertical Ladder                        ✓                                        ✓                                    __                            

Slanted Ladder                        ✓                                        ✓                                    __                         

End Ladder                          ✓ (Dual Height)                                                               

Storage Stairs                         ✓                                       —                                     __

Under-bed Drawers                  ✓                                       ✓                                      ✓

Twin Trundle                            ✓                                       ✓                                     

Twin XL Trundle                       ✓                                        ✓                                      ✓

Full XL Trundle                         ✓                                       ✓                                      ✓

Ladder Reversible                     ✓                                       ✓                                      ✓

Queen over Queen                    ✓                                       ✓                                      ✓

Twin XL over Queen                  ✓                                        ✓                                      —

Full XL over Queen                   ✓                                        ✓                                       —

Five Color Choices                    ✓                                        —                                      —

Which Collection Should You Choose?

Choose Dillon if you want the most flexibility, the widest size selection, the most color options, ladder choices, dual-height options, or storage stairs. Dillon is the best all-around choice for customers who want a heavy-duty bunk bed that can be customized to fit the room.

Choose Gary if you prefer a classic mission-style bunk bed with strong hardwood construction and many size options. Gary is a great choice when you want a clean hardwood design without needing dual-height construction or storage stairs.

Choose Austin if you want a dual-height bunk bed with a simpler selection of sizes and an end-ladder design. Austin is a strong option for customers who want heavy-duty construction and height flexibility in a clean, practical bunk bed.

Best Choice For...

If you're still deciding, this quick guide highlights which collection is the best fit based on your priorities.

If you're looking for...                                                          Best Choice

The widest selection of sizes                                                         Dillon

The most color choices                                                                 Dillon 

Storage stairs                                                                              Dillon

A front ladder (vertical or slanted)                                              Dillon or Gary

A dual-height bunk bed                                                             Dillon or Austin

Traditional mission-style design                                                      Gary

The broadest selection of adult-size configurations                       Dillon or Gary

Under-bed storage drawers                                                           All Three

Under-bed trundle options                                                            All Three

Solid hardwood construction                                                         All Three

600 lb weight capacity per sleeping surface                                    All Three

Best overall versatility                                                                    Dillon

Classic hardwood styling                                                                  Gary

While all three collections are built for strength and everyday use, the right choice ultimately depends on your room layout, preferred style, desired ladder configuration, and whether features like storage stairs or dual-height assembly are important to you.

Final Thoughts

Dillon, Gary, and Austin bunk beds are all built for strength, durability, and everyday use. Each line features solid hardwood framing and a 600 lb weight capacity per bed, making them suitable for growing families, guest rooms, vacation homes, and many adult-friendly sleeping spaces.

The best choice depends on your room layout, preferred style, size needs, and whether you want features like dual-height assembly, storage stairs, or front-ladder placement.

For the widest selection and most flexible configurations, Dillon is usually the best choice. For mission styling and broad size availability, Gary is an excellent option. For a simple dual-height bunk bed design, Austin is a practical and dependable choice.

Dillon - Best Overall Versatility

Best for families who want the most flexibility. Dillon offers the widest selection of sizes, five color choices, standard and dual-height configurations, front or end ladder options, and the exclusive availability of storage stairs.

Gary - Best Traditional Mission Style

Best for customers who prefer timeless mission-style craftsmanship. Gary combines solid hardwood construction with numerous size combinations, making it an excellent choice for traditional homes, guest rooms, and adult sleeping spaces.

Austin - Best Dual Height Value

Best for shoppers looking for a straightforward dual-height bunk bed. Austin offers solid hardwood construction, clean styling, and dual-height functionality in a streamlined collection with the most popular size options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Dillon, Gary, and Austin bunk beds all have the same weight capacity?

Yes. All three lines have a 600 lb weight capacity per bed, meaning 600 lbs on the top bunk and 600 lbs on the bottom bunk.

Are Dillon, Gary, and Austin bunk beds made from solid hardwood?

Yes. All three collections are built with solid hardwood framing.

Which line offers the most size options?

Dillon offers the widest overall selection, followed closely by Gary. Austin has a smaller size selection.

Which line offers storage stairs?

The Dillon dual-height line offers storage stairs. Gary and Austin do not offer storage stairs.

Which bunk bed line is dual height?

Dillon dual-height models and Austin models are dual height. Gary is not dual height.

Can the ladder be installed on either side?

Yes. The ladders on Dillon, Gary, and Austin bunk beds can be installed on either side of the bunk bed, depending on the model and room layout.

Which line is best for adults? All three lines are suitable for adult-friendly use because they are built with solid hardwood framing and offer 600 lbs capacity per bed. Dillon and Gary offer the widest adult-size combinations, including queen, full XL, and twin XL options.

Which line is best if I want stairs instead of a ladder?

Dillon is the best choice if you want storage stairs. The Dillon dual-height models allow the ladder or stairs to be installed into the headboards.