3 Sleeping Options for Kids in A Van | FAMILY VAN LIFE

If you have kids and want to do van life, one of the first things you’ll need to figure out is where will they sleep.

Here are 3 sleeping options for kids in a van:

1) Convertible Passenger Bench Seat

There are quite a few convertible bifold passenger bench seats on the market in van life. We think this is a great solution for those that are looking for a versatile option - it’s a bench seat to safely ride extra passengers by day and folds down into a bed at night!

This is a great option for smaller kiddos. There are also “trifold” seats that could sleep adults or older kids - however, it takes up quite a bit more space

PROS:

  • dual purpose: seat to ride in and bed to sleep in

  • great for small kids

CONS:

  • takes up approximately 50” behind the drivers seat

  • must move car seats out of the way to turn into a bed

  • not all are safety rated

  • safe, professional install is required


2) Cabbunk Bunk Bed System

The cabbunk bunk bed system creates a bunk bed style cot in the front cab of the van. You’ll need swivel seats on both the driver and passenger seats to make this work.

This is the option we will likely use for our kids since we won’t have to move their car seats to set up a bed at night.

PROS:

  • very affordable

  • doesn’t involve moving car seats

  • easy sleeping for two kids

CONS:

  • need swivels on front seats for it to work

  • extra setup required

3) Happijac Bed Lift System

This option might be the most popular one when it comes to overall layouts! The Happijac bed lift creates a second bed over your main convertible bench/bed area. During the day, you can raise the Happijac bed lift to the ceiling to still access the bench

This is a great option if your kids are older and need a full size bed to sleep in.

This is a complicated system to build into a van, so we recommend seeking a professional van builder to help with the install.

PROS:

  • creates a full second bed area

  • doesn’t involve moving car seats

  • no extra set up

CONS:

  • limits storage space - no upper cabinets

  • difficult install

  • makes back bed area feel very closed in