How to Convert Back Seats of a Van Into a Bed

Cross-country drives can be wonderful adventures. For the more affluent, a recreational vehicle is ideal. If you don't have a lot of money but you do own a van, it will serve your needs quite well when you need a place to sleep. There's no need to pay for a place to stay; drive your bed along with you.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

Fold-down seat
Pillow
Blanket
Sheet

Step 1

Make sure your van's seats will fold down or out. If they don't, you're going to have to suffice with a pillow and a blanket in the backseat. If you're lucky enough to have a folding seat, there should be enough room to fold the back of the seat backwards and flatten it out.

Step 2

Pull the lever. There should be a lever in one of three places: Below the seat, between the seat cushion and the back cushion or at the top of the back cushion facing the back door. Pull this lever out and the seat should go down.

Step 3

Put a sheet or blanket over the seat. You might want to vacuum the seats before you lay out clean sheets or blankets.

Step 4

Grab some pillows. You'll want to be comfortable, because like it or not, van seats are not very comfortable for sleeping.

Step 5

Test it out. Your neighbors and family might think this part is a little weird, so drive to a 24-hour grocery store (maybe in the next town) and park in about the middle of the lot at about noon. Fold out your van seat and take a snooze. See how you like it. It might not be the most comfortable nap you've ever had, but it will surely suffice.

Article Written By Heather Broeker

Originally from North Carolina, Heather Broeker studied journalism and advertising at the University of North Carolina. After graduation she moved to Los Angeles, where she worked for Fox Searchlight, Fox Reality and later as a writer and marketing director. Broeker now lives in Los Angeles and runs Head Over Heels, a writing and public relations company.

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