Sleep systems¹⁾ range from the very simple (blankets on the floor) to the complicated buids (slide-outs, Murphys, etc).

Regardless of simplicity/complexity there are 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 underneath²⁾ 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

Sleeping directly on the floor on a blanket or pad can be a long-term solution for minimalists, a necessity for people with very little vertical space³⁾, or a temporary way to get started immediately.

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.

Sleeping platforms are common for vandwellers because:

• the bed can be at any desired height (low for sitting, medium for underbed storage, high to allow space for bicycles, dog crates, etc)
• underbed storage can be significant
• the bed is always usuable
• the platform can be slotted or otherwise ventilated for mold control
• they can be built simply out of wood. 2x3s are often sufficient.

Convertible beds are movable in some way that maximizes usable space:

• collapse/slide into a smaller configuration (common)
• lift-up bed top to access storage below, as one might see in an RV
• swing up to the wall, murphy style
• lift up to the ceiling (less common due to complexity)

A sleeping bag is the most important piece of sleeping gear. Cold-weather sleeping requires mummy bags of the correct temperature rating. Note: some bags will be labeled “zero degree” but the details reveal they mean 0 deg celsius (32F).

• Bob Wells yt video Best of Beds