1. Which vehicles is the 50°Nord Sleep Board available for?
The 50°Nord Sleep Board is available for numerous campervans and vehicles with pop-up roofs. Since pop-up roof and bed frame designs vary, we develop suitable versions for the respective vehicle and roof models.
Our range includes Sleep Boards for, among others:
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Volkswagen: VW California T4, T5, T6, T6.1, and the new California T7
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Mercedes-Benz: Marco Polo, as well as various conversions based on the Vito and V-Class
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Ford: Various camper conversions based on the Ford Custom
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Crosscamp: Models based on Opel and Toyota
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Pössl: Campster and Vanster
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Other camper conversions: Vehicles with suitable pop-up roofs from SCA, REIMO, MS-Components, and other roof manufacturers.
- Larger panel vans: Sleep Boards for larger campervans, such as Pössl models and other vehicles based on the Mercedes Sprinter, Fiat Ducato, and others, are in development.
You can sign up to be notified when these become available by entering your email address on the relevant product page.
Important: The vehicle name alone is not always enough to determine which Sleep Board is suitable. Different pop-up roofs may be fitted depending on the model year and trim. Before ordering, check that your vehicle model, year of manufacture, and roof type match the details in the relevant product description.
You can find an overview of available models in our Sleep Board collection or go straight to the vehicle selector.
Is your vehicle not listed? Please feel free to contact us with details about your vehicle and the pop-up roof fitted. We will check whether one of our existing Sleep Board models is suitable.
2. What is the maximum load capacity of the Sleep Board?
The 50°Nord Sleep Board is approved for a maximum load of 120 kg.
When partially open, as it is when getting in and out through the access opening, the material is folded three times over itself. This creates a particularly stable support that reliably bears body weight.
For people with a higher body weight, sitting generally distributes the load over a larger support area. This can help the Sleep Board support heavier loads too.
In fact, customers weighing over 160 kg have told us that the Sleep Board does not noticeably bend when they sit on it.
Important: These customer reports do not change the official load rating of 120 kg.
Always observe the load limits specified by your vehicle or pop-up roof manufacturer!
3. What is the bayonet connector for?
The optional bayonet connector on the 50°Nord Sleep Board has two functions: it allows warm air to be supplied to the pop-up roof and also serves as a mounting point for practical accessories.
The bayonet connector is accessible from both sides of the Sleep Board:
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Underside: The CaliHeat warm-air hose can be connected here to direct warm air from the vehicle's auxiliary heater into the pop-up roof.
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Top side: An optional auxiliary fan can be attached here, for example, to increase airflow. Alternatively, a compatible holder for small items or drink bottles can be fitted.
The connection uses a bayonet fitting. The accessory is inserted and locked with a short twist. This makes it quick to attach and remove.
The bayonet connector can be installed on either the right or left side of the Sleep Board. You can select the side when ordering, or install it yourself later using a separately available retrofit kit, or use the 50°Nord installation service.
We explain which position is best for you in question 5 “Sleep Board with bayonet connector on the right or left?”.
4. Does the Sleep Board need to be drilled into place?
This depends on the vehicle model and the design of the pop-up roof or bed frame. In some vehicles, the 50°Nord Sleep Board can be installed without drilling; in others, it needs to be screwed into place.
Most of our Sleep Boards come with a specially adapted support rail. This compensates for the height difference between the bed and roof frames, creating a flat, secure support surface for the Sleep Board.
Different mounting methods are used depending on the vehicle:
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Mercedes Marco Polo: No height adjustment is required here. The Sleep Board can be installed without drilling.
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VW T7 California Ocean: The bed frame is suitable for adhesive mounting. The included support rail is attached with a removable nano adhesive that leaves no residue. Drilling is not required.
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VW T5, T6, and T6.1 California: On these models, the support rail must be screwed to the bed frame. We include special self-drilling screws for this purpose.
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Vehicles with an SCA pop-up roof: Depending on the roof design, the support rail is either attached using existing drill holes or installed with a clamp connection.
Our aim is to develop a mounting method for every vehicle that is as simple and secure as possible and suited to the particular roof design.
5. Is the bayonet connector better on the right or left side?
This is one of the most frequently asked questions when choosing a 50°Nord Sleep Board—and the answer depends on what matters most to you.
Every Sleep Board can be fitted with a bayonet connector for the CaliHeat. You can select the connector when ordering or install one yourself later.
There are two positions to choose from: right (passenger side) or left (driver's side), viewed in the direction of travel. This question is particularly relevant for the VW California T5, T6, and T6.1, as the auxiliary heater's air outlet is on the right-hand side of these vehicles.
Bayonet connector on the right (passenger side)
Advantage: Shorter route for warm air
The route from the auxiliary heater outlet to the bayonet connector is shortest on the right-hand side. The warm-air hose can therefore be kept short, reducing air turbulence and flow losses. It is even worth cutting the hose to the exact length required. The fewer accordion-like folds the hose has, the more freely the warm air can flow through it. This allows warm air to reach the pop-up roof by the most direct route possible. An additional fan can often be avoided.
Disadvantage: The hose may obstruct access
Most people climb into the pop-up roof via the passenger seat. If the bayonet connector is on this side, the warm-air hose must be disconnected each time you fully open the Sleep Board. This can be inconvenient, especially if you need to get up frequently during the night—and particularly if a fan is also installed. This is not an issue if you prefer to climb up via the driver's seat or drive a right-hand-drive vehicle.
Bayonet connector on the left (driver's side)
Advantage: Unobstructed access even with the hose connected
On the left-hand side, both the warm-air hose and the optional auxiliary fan can remain connected overnight. The Sleep Board can be fully opened without the hose or fan getting in the way when climbing up or down. Connected accessories, such as a fan, can remain in place without obstructing opening or access.
Disadvantage: Longer route for warm air
In this position, warm air has to travel farther and along a more winding route. This can result in additional turbulence and flow losses.We therefore recommend using the optional auxiliary fan with a bayonet connector on the left-hand side to help move warm air into the pop-up roof.
Which side is right for you?
If a direct warm-air route is important to you, the bayonet connector on the right is probably the best choice.
If, on the other hand, you want to be able to get in and out comfortably at night without disconnecting the hose or fan, the bayonet connector on the left is often the more practical option.
Our tip: If you're still unsure, order the Sleep Board without a bayonet connector initially and add the separately available retrofit kit later. That way, you can choose the position yourself and install the connector wherever it best suits your needs.
6. How are the right and left sides of a vehicle determined?
For vehicles, right and left are always determined in the direction of travel. In other words, it is based on the direction you are facing when looking forward.
For vehicles used in countries where traffic drives on the right (e.g. mainland Europe):
RIGHT = driver's side / LEFT = passenger side
For vehicles used in countries where traffic drives on the left (e.g. the UK or Australia), it is usually the other way around:
LEFT = driver's side / RIGHT = passenger side
7. Where can the Sleep Board be stored in the vehicle?
The 50°Nord Sleep Board can be stored unfolded in the center of the bed in the pop-up roof.
Most pop-up roof manufacturers generally do not allow luggage to be left in the roof when it is closed. However, when the roof is closed, the tent fabric folds inwards on both the left and right sides. This leaves a cavity in the center of the sleeping area, approximately the same size as the unfolded Sleep Board.
If the Sleep Board is laid flat and centered on the sleeping surface, it can remain there in pop-up roofs that are suitable, without obstructing the closing process.
Warning: The Sleep Board must never be stored along the sides of the sleeping surface!
The tent fabric needs enough room to fold inwards there. If there are objects in this area—including the Sleep Board—tension may build up as the roof closes and damage the pop-up roof.
Always follow the instructions provided by your vehicle or pop-up roof manufacturer!
8. How do you clean the Sleep Board?
The 50°Nord Sleep Board can be cleaned either dry or damp. You can simply remove light dirt with a soft brush or wipe it off with a damp cloth.
For heavier soiling, it can also be cleaned under running water. However, you should avoid soaking the Sleep Board unnecessarily.
Important: Water can penetrate the honeycomb core of the Sleep Board. This does not damage the material, but it significantly increases drying time. We therefore recommend cleaning the Sleep Board as gently as possible, using only a small amount of water.
9. Are custom Sleep Board designs available?
Unfortunately, we are currently unable to offer custom-made 50°Nord Sleep Boards for individual customers due to capacity constraints.
However, custom models are available for commercial customers with a minimum order quantity of 50 units. This offer is exclusively for vehicle converters and motorhome manufacturers.
Custom-made products for private customers are not currently available.
10. Can I use the Sleep Board as a sleeping area for my child?
No! The 50°Nord Sleep Board is not approved for use as a sleeping area for young children or as a fall-prevention barrier.
The Sleep Board is a comfort accessory that extends the sleeping surface in the pop-up roof and closes the access opening. It also serves as a storage surface and as a step for climbing up. It is designed to support a load of up to 120 kg and can bear the weight of an adult.
However, this load capacity does not mean that the Sleep Board serves a safety function. In particular, uncontrolled movement or rough play can cause the board to shift or fall. This creates a risk of falling for children.
The Sleep Board must therefore only be used for its intended purpose and must not be used as a sleeping area or fall-prevention barrier for children.
