Sleep systems range from the very simple (blankets on the floor) to the complicated (slide-outs, Murphys, etc).

There are a few factors to keep in mind:

• physical comfort – most people like to sleep on some padding
• insulation – sleeping on a bare van floor can be very hold
• storage – whether or not you want containers, drawers, etc to fit under your bed
• ventilation – in order to prevent mold/mildew, bedding either needs to be able to breathe underneath¹⁾ or be “turned” manually to air out
• the bed is likely the largest object in the van in terms of square footage, and position can be critical to the layout
• taller people can get by with shorter beds by sleeping on a diagonal

Camping cots are lightweight, highly portable and compact when stored, quick to setup, and more comfortable than many might think. In cold weather a camping pad is often added for underinsulation.

Military-style cots, where the side “stretchers” make a taut sleeping surface, are unusually comfortable. They are slightly harder to set up and take down, and do require a bit of strength to assemble.

Depending on strut and leg design, cots may be difficult to store containers underneath.

Convertible beds