One query I get requested quite a bit is: how does a household sleep in a camper van? So on this put up I’m sharing the VW Transporter beds we have now utilized in our VW T5 and VW T6 day vans – sleeping a household of 4 with choices for extra beds if wanted.
VW Transporter beds in our campers
Camper vans – no two are precisely the identical. You possibly can customise them in a whole lot of how to make them the right arrange for you.
Lengthy Wheel Base or Quick Wheel Base. Pop prime or not. Full kitchen conversion or day van. The choices are limitless, particularly when in involves the sleeping preparations.
We’ve been fortunate to have the ability to check out two totally different mattress preparations in our camper vans.
Out first camper was a Lengthy Wheel Base VW T5 day van. It was not a totally transformed camper van however it was an excellent choice for us once we have been new to camper van life.
Our subsequent camper was a VW T6 brief wheel base with a pop prime. Once more it wasn’t absolutely transformed however it had a Caravelle rail system and seat which was a brand new characteristic for us. This mixed with the tremendous sensible Slidepod within the boot made the identical measurement large double mattress we’re used to.
The flexibility to maneuver the seat backwards and forwards can be nice for additional area when having picnics.
Right here’s some extra issues to contemplate when shopping for a camper van.
Need extra concepts for household holidays and days out? Learn my ideas for smashing household journey and join my publication.
Youngsters camper van beds
So, right here’s a bit extra in regards to the mattress set ups we’ve had for the youngsters.
Cabbunk detachable bunk beds for camper vans and motorhomes
Our first camper – a day van kombi with two rotating seats within the entrance – allowed us to make use of the Cabbunk kids’s camper van mattress.
This supplied a bunk mattress able to supporting two folks weighing as much as 70kg every and as much as 170cm tall. That is greater than ample for our ladies from the ages of 5 to eight.
Placing the Cabbunk up is fast and simple, upon getting executed it a couple of instances, and it packs away very neatly.
In our T5 we used the sliding door equipment which doesn’t must be screwed into the physique work making it a very detachable system.
If we have been going out for the day the bunk bought stowed away, but when we have been staying on website we merely left it in place as we used our awning for residing area.
Tip: It’s price working towards placing up the Cabbunk at house as there may be some adjustment to be executed to make the system good for you.
A barely ‘slacker hammock’ is right for very young children to make sure they don’t fall out, whereas bigger kids will want a extra taught hammock to provide them higher area and make it simpler to get out and in.
Our youngest discovered the bunk actually comfortable with out additional padding however our older daughter (then aged seven) preferred the addition of a small self inflating mattress for additional consolation. They each slept of their sleeping luggage with a pillow from house.
Pop prime
The Cabbunk system was preferrred whereas the ladies have been smaller. However that they had began to outgrow it and that meant placing up an awning for them to sleep in. Not preferrred whenever you simply need a fast evening away.
That is the place the large SCA 194 pop prime that got here with our V6 camper van was a welcome change. This had a great deal of room for them and, with a mattress and sprung body, it was tremendous comfortable.
Moving into the pop prime mattress means standing on the chairs on the entrance and swinging up, so I used to be glad that is the place the youngsters have been blissful to sleep.
The top room when the mattress was up additionally makes becoming wetsuits on the seashore a lot simpler!
Our pop prime was fitted from new. In case you’re contemplating getting a pop prime added after shopping for your van ensure that it’s executed by a good fitter.
Awning
In fact you too can put the youngsters, or your different half, out in an awning.
We had the OLPRO Cocoon Breeze air awning with out first camper van. This has two sleeping compartments which might be large enough for a few single camp beds or self inflation mattresses.
That is most likely the best choice for bigger households or these with teenagers so everybody has their very own area.
Check out my full overview of this OLPRO air awning which features a particular low cost code for OLPRO merchandise.
In case you’re undecided between a camper van or caravan you may also wish to learn my put up about caravan beds for teenagers.
VW Transporter beds for adults
One of many ‘necessities’ for any of our Tin Containers has been a big and cozy mattress.
Mr Tin Field will not be a slim sleeping companion and takes up quite greater than his fair proportion of the mattress. He’d most likely say the identical about me!
Because of this we have now dominated out the standard 3/4 width rock and roll VW Transporter beds (you discover theses in lots of full camper van conversions) when shopping for our vans.
Kombi beds
Our first van was a clean canvas having been a tradersman’s van earlier than we purchased it.
We determined to get a Forty Winks Kombi mattress fitted.
This straightforward design is nice for offering a flat, giant and cozy sleeping platform whereas retaining the usability of the van’s load area.
As a result of we had a Lengthy Wheel Based mostly van we may have the mattress in place with out having to fret about folding away the rear seats and it gave us fairly near a full measurement double mattress.
The system makes use of the present VW load area ground mounts so doesn’t require any drilling or modification and might be absolutely eliminated if required. It additionally folds in half permitting half of the load area to nonetheless be full top – preferrred if transporting bikes.
We had a excessive density foam mattress made to measure. It folded on the identical place the sleeping platform did so stowed away neatly.
We intentionally bought this executed with a water proof cowl and dense foam in order that we didn’t have to fret about taking the mattress out if we have been out and about paddle boarding or on moist, muddy canine walks.
For added luxurious we had a typical double reminiscence foam mattress topper (a particular from ALDI) that got here away with us on tenting journeys.
Rock and roll camper van mattress
Our second camper – a brief wheel base – got here with totally different mattress resolution.
The again seats roll absolutely ahead on the Caravelle rail system after which fold all the way down to make two thirds of the double mattress base. The ultimate third is supplied by the Slidepod in the back of the van. We topped this with a mattress to finish the mattress.
This was simply as snug as our different van and doubtless made for a greater use of the area.
How many individuals can sleep in a VW camper van?
We’re a household of 4 and have discovered we have now loads of room to sleep inside our camper vans.
However you may match extra.
It might be attainable to sleep three young children in a pop prime – the load restrict on our final one was 70kg. And you may prime and tail on the mattress at the back of the van.
For extra beds inside you may add a Cabbunk to the entrance seats. A single bunk is likely to be the most suitable choice as a double may make it troublesome for folks to exit the pop prime.
Including an awning clearly ups the utmost variety of folks you may convey away.
So the reply to how does a VW camper sleep comes all the way down to how pleasant you need to get.
Camper van bedding
So, which is greatest? A sleeping bag or cover?
We began out with a double sleeping bag*, with pillows and a king sized sheet from house. The principle profit is that it’s straightforward to pack away and retailer on days out.
You do must spend an affordable amount of cash on a cotton sleeping bag to make sure it’s snug and doesn’t get sweaty.
Another that we’ve lately been launched to is a coverless cover, which provides a little bit of luxurious to van life whereas nonetheless being sensible.
Learn my overview of the Evening Owl coverless cover and why it really works as camper van bedding.
Why our VW camper beds work for us
These camper van set ups have labored for us for a number of causes.
Firstly, when going away we are going to nearly at all times put up and awning.
We at all times used an awning with our caravan as a result of the additional area it provides with two kids and a canine is invaluable. It additionally means the van can simply be for sleeping not residing.
That mentioned we have now executed occasional in a single day stops with out an awning.
Second, we don’t journey gentle! Bikes, scooters, paddle boards, the checklist is limitless.
The area we have now to hold ‘stuff’ is large and the van has the load capability to take all of it. I don’t understand how we’d get all the things in a full camper conversion.
Lastly, the van is our major household transport, so whereas the youngsters have been in ISOFIX seats we’ve been in a position to make use of these in our vans.
How do you sleep in your camper van?
So, that’s our VW Transporter mattress arrange. Would this be just right for you? Or, for those who already personal a camper van, what arrange works for you?
I’m at all times interested by seeing how different folks use their vans so please share your set ups with me. Do you utilize a tenting pod methods such because the slide pods?
May you reside with out your pop prime? What a few roof tent? Do share!
Learn extra of my camper van weblog posts:
Researching your camper van mattress choices? Why not save this put up about VW Transporter beds on Pinterest.
