Collection: Sleeping Boards – Bed Extensions for Campervan Pop-Top Roofs

More space in your pop-top roof with the 50°Nord Sleeping Board

Anyone who regularly sleeps in a pop-top roof knows the problem: space is limited in a compact campervan, and at the front of the upper sleeping area there is an open access gap leading down into the vehicle.

The 50°Nord Sleeping Board turns this otherwise unused area into valuable usable space.

The foldable board is positioned across the opening between the cab and the upper sleeping area. It performs several functions at once: it extends the usable area of the bed, makes getting in and out easier, prevents items from falling into the campervan below and provides a practical shelf right next to the bed.

An open gap becomes useful additional space.

Campervan bed extension – 15 to 20 cm can make a big difference

The main benefit of the Sleeping Board is the additional space it creates in the upper bed.

The board can be used as a campervan bed extension. Your head and pillow can rest on the Sleeping Board while your shoulders remain on the sprung mattress, where they can sink in naturally.

Depending on the vehicle and installation, this allows your sleeping position to move approximately 15 to 20 cm further forward.

That may not sound like much on paper. In the confined space of a pop-top roof, however, those extra centimetres can make a considerable difference.

Your head is positioned further forward in an area with more space and height. At the same time, your legs and knees do not extend as far into the narrower rear section of the pop-top roof.

This can provide noticeably more freedom of movement, particularly when turning over during the night.

So the Sleeping Board does more than simply extend the bed – it helps you make better use of the available sleeping space in your pop-top roof.

Why was the Sleeping Board invented?

The idea for the 50°Nord Sleeping Board did not originate at a desk. It came from a night in a campervan.

After the managing director of ide-tec KG and owner of the 50°Nord® brand bought a VW California, a typical problem became apparent during the very first nights away: his pillow kept slipping through the open access gap into the vehicle below.

To create more space for his head and pillow, he had to move his sleeping position further towards the rear. But this pushed his legs and knees increasingly into the lower section of the pop-top roof.

The solution was an additional surface above the access opening.

That idea became the 50°Nord Sleeping Board.

Today, more than 8,000 customers already use a 50°Nord Sleeping Board in their campervans.

Easier access to your pop-top bed

The Sleeping Board is not just a bed extension. It also makes getting into the pop-top bed much easier.

With the bed lowered, the Sleeping Board is placed across the access opening. To climb into bed, the board is partially opened.

From the driver's or passenger seat, you can first sit on the Sleeping Board. Then simply lift your legs and swing them into the upper sleeping area.

Instead of awkwardly climbing over the front edge of the bed, the board creates a much more comfortable transition from the lower part of the campervan into the bed.

No additional ladder or other climbing aid is required.

This is particularly convenient when another person is already in the upper bed. The additional space above the cab allows you to get in without first having to crawl far into the bed and awkwardly turn around next to your sleeping partner.

Easier to get back down during the night

The same advantage applies when getting out of bed – for example, for a trip to the toilet during the night.

Simply open the Sleeping Board partially, move forwards, sit on the board, lower your legs and step down onto the driver's or passenger seat.

The Sleeping Board therefore creates a practical intermediate level between the upper bed and the campervan interior.

No more falling pillows

Once you are in bed, the Sleeping Board can be closed to cover most of the access opening.

Pillows, books, torches and other items can no longer simply fall through the gap into the vehicle below.

At the same time, this creates a clearer separation between the upper sleeping area and the rest of the campervan.

Particularly at night, this provides extra comfort and a little more privacy in the pop-top roof.

A practical shelf right next to the bed

When closed, the Sleeping Board also provides a generous shelf in the pop-top sleeping area.

A book, smartphone, torch, drink or midnight snack can be kept exactly where you need it.

Even when the board is partially opened, items can remain on part of the surface.

This gives the upper sleeping area useful storage space without requiring additional storage units or permanently fitted furniture.

Sleeping Boards for VW California, Marco Polo, Campster, Crosscamp & other campervans

Not all pop-top roofs are the same. Different vehicles, model years, roof manufacturers and campervan converters use different constructions. 50°Nord therefore develops its Sleeping Boards to suit the specific installation.

Suitable Sleeping Boards are available for vehicles including the VW California T5, T6 and T6.1, the VW T7 California, the Mercedes Marco Polo, as well as campervans such as the Pössl Campster and Crosscamp.

The vehicle itself is not the only factor. Depending on the model and model year, different pop-top roof systems may be fitted. Particularly with aftermarket pop-top roofs, you should therefore check which roof manufacturer and exact roof version are actually fitted to your vehicle.

Our individual vehicle categories will help you find the accessories developed for your campervan and take you directly to the appropriate Sleeping Board.

You will also find detailed compatibility information on each Sleeping Board product page.

Lightweight, foldable and highly stable

A Sleeping Board needs to be strong enough for everyday use while adding as little extra weight as possible to your campervan.

That is why the 50°Nord Sleeping Board features a high-strength, structurally optimised honeycomb core.

This construction combines low weight with high stability.

The board is also foldable. This allows it to be used flexibly and opened when required without having to remove it completely from the sleeping area.

Hard-wearing felt in neutral anthracite

The surface of the Sleeping Board is covered with robust felt.

We deliberately chose anthracite because its neutral appearance blends discreetly with a wide range of campervan interiors and colour schemes.

At the same time, the felt surface is hard-wearing and designed for regular use in a campervan.

Cleaning your Sleeping Board

Cleaning is straightforward too.

Light dirt can simply be wiped away or removed with a soft brush.

For heavier soiling, the robust surface can be cleaned more thoroughly. Even stubborn marks – such as spilled coffee – can be washed out under running water.

This makes the Sleeping Board easy to care for, even with frequent camping use.

Make better use of your pop-top bed

A bed in a pop-top roof is one of the cleverest ways to create additional sleeping space in a compact campervan.

At the same time, every centimetre counts.

This is exactly where the 50°Nord Sleeping Board comes in: instead of leaving the access gap as an unavoidable opening, it becomes part of the usable sleeping area.

The result is more usable bed space, more freedom of movement and more storage surface, while getting in and out of bed becomes more comfortable at the same time.

That is why the Sleeping Board is much more than a simple bed extension.

Which Sleeping Board fits my campervan?

The right 50°Nord Sleeping Board depends on your vehicle, model year, pop-top roof and, where relevant, campervan converter.

For vehicles with a factory-fitted pop-top roof, you can usually start with the relevant vehicle model. With aftermarket sleeping or pop-top roofs, the roof manufacturer and exact roof version are also important.

Always check the compatibility information for the individual product before ordering.

This will help you find exactly the bed extension for your pop-top roof that matches your campervan and its upper sleeping area.

And in the morning?

Perhaps the nicest benefit of that extra space has nothing to do with the night at all.

Open the panoramic canvas, enjoy the view and start the day with a coffee.

And the mug?

Naturally, it sits on the Sleeping Board. ☕