What’s the Best Van for Sleeping In? A Builder’s Guide to Choosing Comfort on the Road
Not All Vans Sleep the Same
When you’re choosing a van for your conversion, the question isn’t just “What’s the biggest one?”—it’s “What’s the best one to sleep in?” Because whether you're living full-time or weekending off-grid, sleep is sacred. And your van needs to support it.
In this guide, we’ll break down what makes a van great (or not-so-great) for sleeping, compare the top models, and share builder-tested ways to maximize comfort—especially when you're working with tight dimensions.
What Makes a Van Good for Sleeping?
Before naming names, here’s what actually matters for sleep comfort:
✅ Interior Width
The wider the van, the better chance you have at sleeping sideways (east-west)—which saves serious space in your layout.
✅ Roof Height
High roofs let you sit up, breathe easier, and add more layout flexibility. No one wants to hunch over their mattress.
✅ Modding Potential
Can you add flares or trim out window cavities to gain space? Some vans make this easier than others.
✅ Stealth & Profile
Want to keep your van looking stock? Then low-profile sleeping solutions matter. Some vans accept these better than others.
Top Vans Compared for Sleep Comfort
Let’s take a look at the 3 most popular van platforms in North America: the Mercedes Sprinter, Ford Transit, and Ram Promaster.
🚐 Mercedes Sprinter
Dimensions:
-
Interior Width: ~70" (closer to 65" after insulation)
-
Available in 144", 170", and 170 EXT wheelbases
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High Roof option available
Sleep Compatibility:
-
Lengthwise sleeping = easy
-
Sideways sleeping = tight without flares or window mods
How to Improve Sleep Setup:
Sprinters are prime candidates for flares and trim rings to enable comfortable sideways sleeping.
Builder Solution: The Sprinter Flare Trim Rings help cleanly trim out window flares while allowing for adjustable sill height—a huge advantage when aligning the window line to your bed platform.
Pros:
-
Lots of aftermarket support
-
Excellent for extended layouts
-
High build quality
-
Highly modifiable and future-proof
Cons:
-
Expensive
-
Needs modding for sideways sleep
🚐 Ford Transit
Dimensions:
-
Interior Width: ~70" (similar to Sprinter)
-
Available in low, medium, and high roof
-
High Roof version has excellent standing room
Sleep Compatibility:
-
Lengthwise sleeping = no problem
-
Sideways sleeping = possible with smart planning
How to Improve Sleep Setup:
Transits have factory window cavities that can be trimmed into for extra bed width without flares.
Builder Solution: Transit Innie Sleepers drop into the window cavity, giving you crucial extra inches without modifying the van’s exterior.
Pros:
-
More affordable than Sprinter
-
Easier to find and maintain
-
Innie Sleeper support makes sleeping mods simple
-
Great balance of budget and flexibility
Cons:
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Curved walls make cabinetry trickier
-
Sideways sleep still tight for tall people without mods
🚐 Ram Promaster
Dimensions:
-
Interior Width: ~75" (widest of the three)
-
Boxy shape = easy to build in
-
Available in 136" and 159" wheelbases
Sleep Compatibility:
-
Sideways sleeping = often possible without mods
-
Lengthwise = always possible
How to Improve Sleep Setup:
Most people don’t need flares or capsules in a Promaster. But this comes with a tradeoff—fewer upgrade options long-term and a narrower ecosystem of professional build tools.
Pros:
-
Great width for sideways sleep
-
Straight walls = easy to build
-
More affordable base price
Cons:
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Limited aftermarket support for advanced mods
-
No 4x4 or AWD options (yet)
-
Lower roofline than High Roof Transit/Sprinter
-
Less scalable for professional or complex builds
Builder Note: Promaster is a solid entry van—but many builders outgrow it as their needs evolve.
Quick Comparison Table
|
Van Model |
Sideways Sleep Ready |
Modding Needed? |
Trim Support |
Best For |
|
Sprinter |
Not really |
Yes (flares/capsules) |
✅ Flare Trim Rings |
Pro builds, long-term setups |
|
Transit |
Almost |
Sometimes (Innie Sleepers) |
✅ Innie Sleepers |
Smart DIYers, upgradeable builds |
|
Promaster |
✅ Stock ready |
No |
Basic trims only |
Entry-level or budget-conscious builds |
Final Thoughts: The Best Van for Sleep?
If your only goal is fitting a sideways bed without touching anything, the Promaster is a great starting point.
But if you’re thinking long-term—better layout flexibility, cleaner upgrades, and products that evolve with your build—Sprinter and Transit give you more room to grow.
With the right planning and the right gear, both Sprinter and Transit can become spacious, efficient, and sleep-optimized homes on wheels.
✅ Want to learn more about the systems that make sideways sleeping work? Check out our full guide: Sideways Sleeping in a Van
Sleep smart. Build smarter. Stay upgrade-ready.
– The GoCode Team
