Owner guides
Complete guide to hammock beds for campervan conversions
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Who says you need a mattress to get a good night’s sleep? If you’re looking to make the most of the space you have available in your campervan, then it’s time to ditch the traditional bed and get a little creative. This budget-friendly option offers the choice of camping indoors or outdoors, and there’s very little construction required!
With a couple of bolts in place, you’re ready to hit the open road. Here’s everything you need to know about hammock beds for campervan conversions!
Where to hang a hammock bed for van life
While there are lots of alternatives when it comes to DIY campervan bed ideas, a hammock bed can be a serious space saver. The great thing about opting for this sleeping set up is that you can hang it wherever works best for the adventure at hand. Check out some options below!
Across your living area
The campervan’s interior living area is a popular place to hang a hammock at night. You can simply pop it up and down when you need it, while keeping the space nice and free during the day.
Using the main living area is a great option, as you can also get the hammock out during the day when you feel like some downtime. Curl up inside it for a rest, or get out a good book and settle back for an afternoon of reading. You can even look out the windows while you rest and enjoy sweeping views no matter where you are.
Above your living area
If you have a pop top campervan and prefer to keep your hammock out of the way all the time, then set it up above head height. Here, it stays up and out of the way.
The great thing about using the ceiling area is that you don’t have to worry about pulling down the hammock to use the space during the day, and then fiddling around to pop it back up again when you need it. You can keep the hammock permanently out in this set up!
Outside your campervan
Want to sleep an extra person? Hammock beds for campervan conversions don’t necessarily need to be inside, meaning you can have one in addition to an actual bed.
To set up a hammock under the stars, hang it between two trees or even use the back of your campervan for support. During the day, you can fold it up nice and small or keep it out for a spot of sunbaking!
How do you hang a hammock in a campervan?
To hang a hammock in your campervan, you’ll like generally need:
2x eye bolts
2x D shackles
2x karabiners
And here’s how to do it:
Fix the D shackle to the eye plate.
Screw the eye plate into a solid part of the campervan wall.
Use a toggle bolt to fix the back into place (since the back of the steel can’t be accessed).
Add in the karabiner for fast hammock access. This makes it easy to put up and down when you need it.
Measure out the space between your fixing points, going off the length of your hammock and how much you want to allow for sag in the middle.
Repeat the above steps for the second anchor point.
Of course, read the manual for whichever hammock you end up purchasing before you set it up. There will likely be some product-specific instructions to consider!
Pros and cons of hammock beds for campervan conversions
When it comes to installing a hammock bed in your campervan, it’s worth considering where your van will be travelling and what type of weather you can expect along the way (if you plan to hang it outside!). But in general, here are some key advantages and disadvantages to sleeping in a hammock when you’re on the road.
Pros:
Cost-effective
Easy to set up
Frees up space
Compact when packed away
Simple to clean
Portable
Cool to sleep in during summer
Cons:
Not considered quite as comfortable as a proper bed and mattress set up
Doesn’t always cater to every physical ability
Not very sturdy
Colder to sleep in during winter
Hang a hammock bed in your campervan conversion
Looking for a space-efficient way to sleep in your campervan conversion? Then the hammock bed is a great option! And if you’re after some more clever DIY ideas for your campervan, then check out this handy DIY campervan conversion guide for all the inspiration you need.
Once your conversion is complete, you can list your van on Camplify and start earning back your investment!
Why Camplify?
Each year, heaps of Kiwis earn up to $10,000 by renting out their motorhome through Camplify. It provides a quick and easy way to generate long-term passive income and earn a return on their investment.
And the best part is, Camplify takes care of many of the expenses involved in hiring out your vehicle, including:
Comprehensive hire insurance.
24/7 AA nationwide breakdown cover for hirers.
Dedicated customer support.
If you’re interested in joining Camplify as an owner, try our earnings calculator and see how much income you could generate each year if you rent out your motorhome!