Van Bed System Buyer's Guide: Platform vs. Murphy vs. Modular vs. Solo

Table of Contents

How to Choose a Van Bed System for your Sprinter, Transit, or Promaster

Having a comfortable place to sleep on the road makes all the difference on long trips, but with such a finite amount of space in a van, many people think their only option is a removable flat board. Flatline Van Co makes several different van bed systems, all designed for straightforward installation, to give you more options for sleeping on the road without sacrificing usable space.

When choosing a van bed system, there are several things to consider when finding the best solution for you. Storage space, sleeping position, adjustable mounting and height, and ease of takedown are the reasons why we have a variety to choose from.

Quick Answer

The best van bed system for your build depends on how much storage you need and whether the rear of the van has to do a second job during the day:

• Best Overall: Traditional Van Bed System - Fits Sprinter, Transit, and Promaster. Adjustable height, the most open garage space, and panels that come out in minutes with a tool. From $1,995.
• Best for Built-In Storage: Modular Cabinet Bed System - Panels lift off in seconds with no tools. Base cabinets sized for an electrical system or a wheel well water tank. Sprinter and Transit. $5,995.
• Best for Daytime Living Space: Sprinter Van Murphy Bed - Stows against the wall in seconds with no tools, and brings cabinets, a fold-out countertop, and a workspace with it. $9,995.
• Best for a Single Sleeper or Bunk Budget: Adventure Van Solo Bed - The smallest footprint of the four at 74 by 27 inches. Hangs from wall mounts or sits on adjustable legs, and folds flat against the wall. Universal fitment. From $1,195.

The Five Types of Van Beds

Classic Platform Van Bed System

The Flatline Van Co traditional van bed system for the Sprinter, Transit, and Promaster vans consists of a rigid platform and wall-mounted side rails built to fit the dimensions of your specific van. Designed with removable bed panels, this system can be stored when not in use to create more space in your van interior. With a simple install and adjustable height, you can maximize your garage space. The higher the bed is mounted, the more storage space you get underneath for mountain bikes, gear, or even additional sleeping space.

Pair your bed system with an L-track kit for on-demand bed height adjustment and extra mounting points for gear on the Sprinter or Transit. The optional bed brackets add extra structural support and higher mounting capabilities for the Sprinter and Transit. If your Sprinter van has Flarespace window flares, add on the Sprinter Flare Trim Extension Brackets for a stable surface that lets the mattress sit flush with the main platform.

The custom mattresses for the Sprinter, Transit, and Promaster vans come in soft and medium-firm options and are made to fit these bed systems exactly, with velcro straps that secure to the bed panels to hold the mattress in place, and stop it from sliding in the van every time you brake. All of our mattresses are made of multiple layers of foam with an extra cooling layer on the medium-firm option, for a comfortable sleep on the road.

Murphy Bed

Our most advanced bed system for your van, the Sprinter Van Murphy Bed packs sleeping, storage, and workspace into one unit. The design saves space without compromising comfort. With its stow-away bed, fold-out countertop, storage chest, heavy-duty drawer, and multiple storage compartments in the two van cabinets, there is plenty of space to sleep, store your gear, and house both power and water systems.

This bed gives a spacious 60-inch by 79-inch sleeping area with flares and a bamboo platform that won't warp the way wood can, providing a platform you can count on. Add on the foldable Sprinter Van Murphy Bed Mattress for a custom fit and maximum comfort on the go with layers of soft foam and an extra cooling layer on the medium-firm firmness level. This made-to-fit mattress was designed to stow away with the platform, out of sight until you need it. The gas struts make deploying and stowing the bed easy, with a designated space for the mattress and Flarespace inserts to hide away.

When the bed is not in use, the fold-out countertop provides space for a standing desk, dinner table, or workstation. The bedside cabinet has an overhead storage compartment in addition to a large, heavy-duty utility drawer and lockable cabinets below. The aluminum construction keeps the weight down without giving up strength or durability.

Also built specifically for this bed system is the Sprinter Van Murphy Bed Ladder, which makes getting in and out of the raised bed easier. When it's not in use, it folds and locks into place flush against the bed system, rattle-free. This bed system was engineered for an east-west sleeping orientation and includes inserts for vans with window flares. East to west, the sleeping surface measures 66 to 69-inches in a stock van and 79-inches in a van with flare pop outs.

Modular Cabinet Bed

The Modular Cabinet Bed System for Sprinter and Transit is a mid-tier solution for anyone who wants a bed system with built-in camper cabinets but isn't ready to commit to the fixed Murphy Bed structure. With two base cabinets and lift-off removable bed panels, this bed system is the complete package.

The large storage cabinets of the Modular Cabinet Bed System were engineered to house a complete electrical system like EcoFlow, so your wiring and power components stay hidden. They're also sized for NW Conversions wheel well water tanks, with capacity depending on whether you're running a Sprinter or a Transit. Both tuck away without giving up the garage space beneath the bed. When the bed panels are not in use, the cabinets have compact-grade laminate countertops for an added workspace. The system is also compatible with the Murphy Bed Ladder, so you can easily get in and out of the raised bed.

This bed system was engineered to be slept on in a north-south or east-west orientation, including window flare extensions if you've added flares to your van. The Modular Cabinet Bed System Van Mattress was custom designed to fit this system in both sleeping orientations, with flare inserts if applicable.

Hanging Solo Bed

The Adventure Van Solo Bed is a space-saving way to add a single bed to your van without the footprint of a full bed platform. It either hangs from wall mounts or sits on legs with adjustable leg height, so you can set it where it works for your build. Made for both adults and kids, it creates a 74-inch by 27-inch sleeping area. The custom Adventure Van Solo Bed Mattress has four layers of foam, including a cooling layer, and fits the platform perfectly with velcro straps to hold it in place, folding away with the bed.

Running two of them gives you a bunk bed setup, one over the other. When not in use, the platform folds up tight against the wall for maximum walking space in the garage.

DIY Lumber Platform

Similar to a bunkie board, many van owners have opted to mount a wooden platform across the width of their van to fit a mattress in a van build. It's the lowest material cost of the options here, but the price difference comes with trade-offs. Wood platforms have been known to warp over time as they take on moisture and move through different climates. Solid wood also has none of the cutouts or slats our bed platforms use to let air move, so moisture stays trapped under the mattress. These platforms are not built to handle the weight of a mattress and sleeper without the proper supports.

They are also harder to store out of the way and can't fold or stow away like our bed platforms, taking up precious garage space. Building one is a project in itself, needing special tools and skills. Without proper fitment to the van walls, these platforms tend to rattle and make noise on the move. This option comes with a lot of upkeep and isn't practical for most in the long haul.

For those who would rather have a DIY solution for their Promaster vans, Flatline Van Co makes a Promaster Van DIY Bed Mount Kit that includes just the bed mounting brackets needed to provide structural support on a DIY setup.

What to Look For in a Van Bed System

Material and Weight

Flatline Van Co bed systems are made with laser-cut aluminum panels and steel rails for strong support that doesn't sag the way a wood panel can. All panels are also powder-coated to withstand wear and tear. We use removable aluminum bed panels, plus carbonized bamboo on the Sprinter Van Murphy Bed to support the weight without warping. The bed systems are built with aluminum to keep the weight down without giving up strength and durability, which also makes the panels easier to move around and install.

Removable Panels

All of our bed systems have panels designed for removal or storage so you have the most available space when the bed isn't in use. Every Flatline Van Co bed panel is also cut with ventilation openings so air moves under the mattress instead of trapping moisture. The Modular Cabinet Bed and Traditional Van Bed Systems both have removable panels with hand-sized cutouts that vent the mattress and give you something to grip, plus L-track cutouts for mounting gear underneath. Our Murphy Bed System folds the bed platform up against the wall, leaving full walk-through access to the rear doors.

How fast the panels come out is one of the clearest differences between the systems. The Traditional Van Bed System panels come out in minutes with a tool. The Modular Cabinet Bed System panels lift off in seconds with no tools. The Murphy Bed stows the whole platform in seconds, no tools and no worrying about where to store the panels.

Height Adjustability

Often an afterthought, height is an important thing to consider. Whether you prefer to sleep closer to the floor or want a high mount for maximum storage space beneath, different bed systems and van platforms will give you different height ranges. This is worth working out before setting your rails. Our Traditional Bed Systems offer the most flexibility for the bed height, while our Murphy Bed and Modular Cabinet Bed System are designed for optimal height with storage underneath and sit in a fixed position.

L-track Integration

Optional L-track integration lets you mount your traditional bed system higher or lower in an adjustable position with the L-Track Bed Brackets for more or less storage space beneath. With L-track cutouts built into some of the bed system designs, the bed becomes another surface to tie down gear, maximizing storage.

Compatibility

Most interior changes won't affect which bed system you buy, but flares will. If you've added window bumps to your van, that extra width opens up the east-west sleeping orientation. The Traditional Van Bed System comes in a factory version and a flare insert version for the Murphy Bed and Modular Cabinet Bed System.

Most of our bed systems are built for specific van platforms, so make sure the system you are looking at is made for your Sprinter, Transit, or Promaster van. We also make our own L-track so you can add mounting points to whatever wall panels you are running, Adventure Wagon included. If you are unsure about fitment with your specific camper van interior, feel free to contact us at support@flatlinevanco.com to get the most accurate answer.

The Mattress

Part of having a space saving bed system is also having a space saving mattress. Standard mattress sizes do not fit van bed platforms so Flatline Van Co makes foldable mattresses for the Sprinter, Transit, and Promaster traditional platform beds as well as special mattresses for the Modular Cabinet Bed System, the Adventure Van Solo Bed, and the Murphy Bed to fit each space and system exactly, saving as much space as possible when not in use.

Made to order by Roam Rest, our mattresses are made with water, abrasion, and rip-resistent fabric and have removable covers for easy cleaning. Each mattress comes in either medium-firm or soft firmness with multiple layers of foam and a cool gel layer on the medium-firm option. With the added velcro straps, you can keep the mattress from sliding when on the move. If you've been wondering how to make a camper bed more comfortable, starting with a mattress built for your platform does more than any topper will.

Bed Orientation (North-South vs East-West)

Sleeping crosswise means sleeping side to side, east to west across the van width, while sleeping lengthwise means head toward the front and feet toward the back, north to south. This is usually a trade-off as sleeping north-south gives you the most room to sleep in comfort whereas sleeping east-west gives you the most garage space for storage and typically requires added window flares.

Keep in mind the published interior width of your van is not the width you'll be working with to fit your bed. Depending on your particular setup, you'll lose some inches with wall paneling and insulation. All of our FVC bed systems are designed to work within typical wall thicknesses, but usable van interior width is still something to keep in mind.

Storage Space

Having such a limited interior means every bit of space counts. Maximizing this space is important to consider when choosing a bed system as some allow for more storage organization and space than others. If you want van storage for an energy system like EcoFlow, Goal Zero, BLUETTI, or Victron, or even up to a 24-gallon wheel well water tank, you will need a bed system with built-in camper cabinets like the Murphy Bed or Modular Cabinet Bed to store them out of sight and make use of the space around the wheel wells. If you have gear you would like tied down, consider a bed system with L-track integration or built in molle panels.

Install

All Flatline Van Co products come with a link to the installation guide in the box, and every guide can be found on the product page so you can look over the installation process before purchase. Each of our bed systems can be installed by one person, though a few steps go easier with a second set of hands. Install time and difficulty depend on the system. If installing the traditional bed system platform without L-track, take into account what gear you would like to store underneath and how much space you'll need to fit before setting your bed height during install.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you sleep sideways in a van?

Yes, in most cases sleeping side to side or east to west gives you the most living space with the bed assembled. Several of our bed systems allow for sleeping in this orientation if that is what you prefer, with options for vans with flares. Most Promaster van owners can sleep crosswise without flares or any modification, but many Sprinter owners are more comfortable sleeping east to west with added Flarespace flares.

How do I install a platform bed in my campervan? Can I install a van bed system myself?

Yes, it is definitely doable for most first-time builders. Most Flatline Van Co products are designed to be DIY-friendly for an easy installation. Our van bed systems ship with all of the parts and hardware needed, and our product pages include detailed install guides to walk you through the process. Our YouTube channel has installation and key feature videos so you can see the steps and product details for yourself. That said, a few steps may go easier with an extra set of hands. If you'd rather have a professional handle it, check out our Find a Builder or Upfitter page for a list of vetted, authorized installers.

What is the best height for a van bed?

There is no best height as it depends on you and your storage needs. Many van owners set their bed heights based on the height of the gear they want to store in the garage space beneath the bed system. If you plan to store taller gear like bikes or a motorcycle in the bed/garage area, some extra planning around the height needed to store them is key to check ahead of time. Our traditional bed system platforms typically adjust between 30 and 59-inches depending on the van, allowing you to raise or lower the bed according to your needs.

Do you need flares to sleep crosswise in a Sprinter, Promaster, or Transit van?

It depends on your height and which van you're in. Sleeping crosswise means your body spans the width of the van, so the number that matters is how much east to west sleeping length your bed gives you.

The Promaster is the widest of the three so most people sleep east to west without modification, but the Sprinter and Transit vans are tighter, which is why some opt for flares. There are flarespace versions of the traditional van bed systems along with flare inserts for the Murphy Bed and Modular Cabinet Bed System.

Van	Interior Width	East-West FVC Bed Length
Promaster	75.6" (widest)	68.5" (5'8.5")
Sprinter	70.4"	65.5" (5'5.5")
Transit	70.2" (max)	62" (5'2")

How much does a van bed system cost?

It depends on what features are non-negotiable for you in your bed setup. The most basic single bed we offer starts at $1,195 whereas our most premium option starts at $9,995. With Flatline Van Co you are paying for high-quality and durable materials and added storage space that will keep up with your life on the road. Below is a chart comparing all of our bed system options by price.

Bed System	Platform Support	Price	Add-Ons
Murphy Bed	Sprinter	$9,995	Mattress: $990+ Bed Ladder: $415
Modular Cabinet Bed System	Sprinter/Transit	$5,995	Mattress: $860+
Van Bed System	Sprinter	$2,250+	Mattress: $790+ Bed Brackets: $495 L-Track Kit: $265 Flare Ext Brackets: $149
Van Bed System	Transit	$2,195	Mattress: $890 Bed Brackets: $495 L-Track Kit: $295
Van Bed System	Promaster	$1,995	DIY Bed Mount Kit: $419 Mattress: $790
Adventure Van Solo Bed	Universal	$1,195+	Mattress: $399

Will a van bed system fit my Winnebago Revel, Ekko, or Storyteller?

No. Our bed systems are built for cargo van conversions, not for factory-built rigs that already come with a bed. Flatline Van Co currently makes a series of parts and accessories for the Winnebago Ekko, and front end, side steps, rear upgrades, and storage solutions for the Winnebago Revel and Storyteller.

Can you put bunk beds in a campervan?

Yes. The Adventure Van Solo Bed hangs from the wall or mounts on legs and you can run a solo bed over another for a bunk setup. At 74 inches by 27 inches, one solo bed takes up much less room than a full platform, making it a practical way to add more sleeping space for kids or adults without redesigning the van layout.

Choosing the Right Bed System for Your Build

What separates one bed system from another is how much storage you need underneath, whether you sleep north-south or east-west, whether the bed needs to get out of the way during the day, and how it mounts to your van.

The classic platform is the most straightforward, with removable panels, adjustable height, and the most open garage space. The Murphy Bed stows against the wall and brings cabinets, a fold-out counter, and a workspace with it. The Modular Cabinet Bed System sits between the two, with removable panels and base cabinets sized for an electrical system or a wheel well water tank. The Adventure Van Solo Bed covers a single sleeper or a bunk in the smallest footprint. From there it comes down to the details: a mattress built for the platform rather than a standard size, L-track for tie-downs and easy bed height adjustment, and compatibility with the van interior you're already running.

The bed is the one part of your build you use every single night, and it sets up how the whole rear of the van works. Whichever system you land on, it is worth deciding early rather than last in your van build, since the system you choose shapes your storage, your layout, and what the space can do during the day.