Van Hanging Cot

Van Hanging Cot Bunk Bed. As a simple way to add an extra small bed into the van, we designed a hanging cot-style bunk bed.

A hanging cot is a perfect way to add an extra, non-permanent, and easily removed sleeping area for little ones. We can call it a bunk because it becomes two beds arranged in a tier.

Van Hanging Cot Bunk Bed

We wanted a way to add an extra bed without it being permanently installed. But how do you build van bunk beds solid and safe and still keep the costs as low as possible?

Using A Hammock In A Van

The easiest way to add another sleeping birth would be to simply hang a hammock in the van. Now, many have used a hammock in theirs but we wanted a more comfortable solution for our van. 

Enter the Van Hanging Cot-style Bunk Bed

Van Hanging Cot – Design Challenges 

• Keep Cost Low

Growing up we had a set of camp cots and used them regularly. They are way more comfortable than sleeping on the ground! To make a low-cost camper hanging cot we will be modifying this folding camp bed from Amazon.

• Strong Enough To Hang From Each End without middle supports

The thin material used in the Vivo camp cot is nowhere near strong enough to support any type of hanging weight. We will be replacing the original material with a stronger 1-¼”x1-¼”x1/8 rounded aluminum square tube. The rounded corners will make the edges a little “softer” and the ⅛” thickness is more than strong enough for an adult let alone a small child!

• Small When Packed Down

While it won’t be backpack small, it will roll up into a small thickness and will easily fit in our rooftop cargo carrier.  

Now it’s time for the main event…

How We Built Our DIY Van Hanging Cot Bunk Bed

Disclaimer! This is how we built our van hanging cot/bunk bed. DO NOT take this information as professional advice. Do your research and make your own decisions accordingly.

Tools and Materials

• Folding Camping Cot
• 1-¼”x1-¼”x1/8” rounded aluminum square tube
• ⅜” Eye Bolts, Flat Washers, and Lock Nuts
• 1” Square Tube Glides
• ¼” Hardware 
• 1″ – 1/4 THREADED INSERT
• Red Locktite 

Step-1 Disassemble The Camp Cot

This Folding Camp Cot is a classic design, that has been around for decades. The frame comes apart with the removal of two screws on each side. Once the screws are removed the canvas can be easily removed from the frame.

Step-2 Putting The Rails Together

• Pick Up The Material

We sourced the aluminum tube from our local Metal Supermarket. We had them cut it to our required length.

• Install The Eye Bolts

We installed Eye Bolts at each end of our rails.  We trimmed down the bolt ends so they don’t cause a snag hazard. Also, so nothing comes loose, we treated the threads with Red Loctite

• Trimming Down The Threaded Inserts

Finding a threaded insert to fit our metal was difficult, to say the least. We could not find Threaded Inserts to fit the odd size of the rail material. The only option was to trim down a set to fit.

• Gluing In The Threaded Inserts

We scuffed up the inside of the aluminum tube, Before using construction adhesive to glue the inserts in place.

• Installing the ¼’ screws

Ideally, we would have preferred to get an insert similar to the original Camp Cot Bed Frame ends. To get the same functionality we had to improvise. A screw and a nut will work in the same way to hold the frame end support in place.

Step-3 Modifying The Camp Cot Canvas

To make the canvas fit on the new rails we had to shorten it a little. We marked it out and dropped it off at our local Tailor to make the adjustments.

Step-4 Installing The Hanging Points

• Sliding Door Side

Here we used more Eye Bolts and large Fender Washers to create a solid hanging point. There is just enough space to slot in the nut and washer. Once in the gap, we tightened them down making a very solid connection.

• Drivers Side

On the driver’s side, we used UniStrut Kwik Nuts and the factory tie-downs.

Hang And Test Our Vans New Camper Hanging Cot Bunk Bed

Setting up the new van hanging cot is easy. By clipping on each rail and then fastening with the end piece, we can set up our new camper hanging cot in less than five minutes. In use this little bed is great. Although there is always a fight over who gets to sleep on it.

Interested In Some Of Our Other Cool Van Projects?

• Mounting Robe Hooks To Our Van UniStrut Rails
• Installing Our Van Mini Safe
• Van Window Trim
• Campervan Kitchen Pod – Mini-Prep Area

Check Out These Major Exterior Projects

• DIY Van Conversion Window Installation
• Van Roof Vent Installation
• DIY Unistrut – Superstrut – Powerstrut Van Roof Rack

Thanks for reading, I hope you get some value from this post. Take the road less traveled, stay sideways, and always keep it fresh.

Weekender Van Life – Van Life Blog – weekendervanlife.com