Beds in cargo vans

[Roniit]

Hey, <br>I asked this question before when i introduced myself, but&nbsp;I just wanted to see if I could get a few more responces here...<br><br>I've seen pictures all over the internet of full beds sideways&nbsp;in cargo vans.&nbsp;&nbsp;Are some&nbsp;cargo vans really wide enough for a bed to be in there sideways or are most people ordering special short RV style mattresses?<br><br>I'm only 5 foot 3, but my boyfriend is 6 foot!&nbsp; Our van is a 2002 gmc savannah (extended version)&nbsp;with an after market raised roof.&nbsp; What do you think?<br><br>Thank you!<br><br><br>

 

[VanFan]

We have slept width-wise across the back before, but no, I don't believe it will accommodate a full-length conventional mattress turned that way.<br><br>Depending on how you sleep, a shorter bed may or may not work out for the two of you.&nbsp; Taller folks usually sleep on the diagonal.&nbsp; This is harder for a couple generally, but with a combination like the two of you, it's probably a little more workable.&nbsp; (I am shorter than you, and my husband is around 6'3".&nbsp; We slept okay that way, but if you think about it, you're really not using all the space you've set aside for the bed.)&nbsp; You hear about a lot of people starting out with this arrangement because they curl up when sleeping anyway, but over time find they really need to stretch out sometimes.<br><br>By trying different things, we discovered (to our surprise) that length was more important to us than width.&nbsp; Our sleeping surface is 80" long and only 44" wide, and is only made up at night.&nbsp; Many people prefer to have the bed made up all the time.&nbsp; In practice, we found we really value open floor space.&nbsp; Keep in mind that reconfiguring stuff is much more taxing when you're tired, if it's really hot, or if it's pouring down rain.&nbsp; (And believe me, I know if you're gigging, you're already moving enough stuff around!)<br><br>Is there any way you can experiment with some different arrangements either in the van or in a mocked-up area before committing too much money and/or effort?&nbsp; Maybe you can block off the end of the bed you sleep in now and see how it works over time.<br><br>Probably more than you wanted to hear.&nbsp; Whatever you choose, stay loose and have fun!<br><br>Vickie<br><br><br>

 

[Roniit]

Good info! In our first apartment all we could fit was a twin sized bed so we slept like that for 6 months. He slept like a baby but I spent the whole night shoving him into the wall trying to make more room haha! I have to be perfectly comfortable to sleep but he can sleep anyway anytime. Even standing I swear. Maybe I should just get a short and wide bed since he doesn't care anyway! The only problem is having to buy a new bed :-/

I've seen some pretty cool loft beds that seem to create a lot of storage space, but might have to build one myself to fit it in sideways. So much work lies ahead!

 

[Seraphim]

<P>Sleeping sideways, one has to crawl over the other for potty runs. With our lengthwise foldout,&nbsp;both can slide off the foot of the bed and not disturb the other as much. It then folds up for more floorspace. It's three minutes to setup the bed and linens and to put them away. Organization. &nbsp;What will you do when one wants to sleep and the other wants to read or work? (Light control). Or when one wants to get up and make breakfast and the other needs to sleep late? Just some things to consider in your planning to help keep the marriage alive. lol<BR><BR>DW and I like being cozy, but there are still game plans in effect for a bit of separation when necessary. A tent off the side of the van might be an option...<BR></P>Fold out sofas for van camping can be bought all over the place, and used at good prices. Making sure you're comfortable at night can make or break the whole van dwelling experience. A pad of thick memory foam helps. It roll compactly for storage and takes a minute to unroll/put away. It's worth the time.<BR><BR>

 

[freenez2]

I used to have a box bed across the width in the back of the van and slept on a futon that had a semi-rigid foam cushion underneath. It was comfortable, but a little short so I tore it out and slept on the floor until building a free standing platform bed that runs length wise over one of the wheel wells. It's a lighter design, accommodates a lot of storage underneath, and can be easily removed. As it's a single bed there's plenty of room along side too. I try to keep the van simple and versatile. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; <br>

 

[akrvbob]

I have some friends (a couple) who live in a class B. What they do is leave the bed made out across the back of the van. But instead of sleeping cross ways, they have jury rigged a "footstool" down the hall of the van and they sleep with their head at the back door and their feet in the hall. This gives them maximum use of space in the van and lots of space for their upper body to move around away from each other. The disadvantage is their feet have to share a smaller space.&nbsp; In the morning they store the foot extension out of the way. Something to consider. Bob<br>

 

[akrvbob]

I forgot I have pictures of their setup here:<br>http://cheapgreenrvliving.com/Class_B_Living.html<br><br>

 

[Roniit]

<P>That class b is awesome!&nbsp; I love all the cabinets and storage.&nbsp; I ended up putting a futon long ways in the back.&nbsp; We took off the legs, and bought 26 inch long 4x4s and are about to screw them in so the futon is a little more than 2 feet off the ground.&nbsp; This way, we can put all of our storage under it.&nbsp; It works.&nbsp; </P>

 

[VanTramp]

Of course that B is the same basic design as Taj, same model even. I am 6' and sleep fine across the back. Heidi is like 5'4" so she has more room. I couldn't handle having that extension up the isle, it would interfere with where the bathroom is and we usually end up using it during the night. As Jerry mentioned, one person ends up climbing over the other, but I have to say, since I sleep closest to the bathroom and tend to get up more, it has never been a problem. It is rare that she needs to climb over me since timing usually works out that I need it too and just get up anyway. Probably TMI.... Of course when she does have to climb over me, I don't consider that a bad thing anyway <img border="0" align="absmiddle" src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/tongue.gif">&nbsp;Definitely TMI...&nbsp;<div><br></div><div>The factory bed I believe is 72"x50" If I lay completely flat and stretched out, my feet will just touch and the very top of my head as well. I never sleep that way so it is a non issue. If I want a little more room, I angle myself a little with my feet toward the back inside corner. Heidi never needs that space since she is shorter anyway.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Hope that helps!</div>

 

[romani10]

Seperate. Two skinny beds, one on each side. It's what we do. One does not disturb the other. A victorian sleeping arrangement. The length is more important (to us) than the width.

 

[NWShortyFord]

The wife is 5'6'' and I am 6'1''...sleeping sideways was the worst, even she hated it and I was in pain every night. Moved the bed longways and have a system where I fold it up and down every day. The matress is a futon matress and it makes a place to sit in the day and sleep at night. Lots of ways to go about it but for us it was the best option in our tiny van. When I am sleeping longways the back of the front seats is only 1.5 ft from my feet, but in the daytime the whole "leg area" of the bed is folded back and it makes a nice living room about 5 feet.