For families or groups traveling with five or more people, the key to the perfect campervan for family of 5 lies in two things: seating and sleeping space. Whether you’re heading out for quick weekend getaways or gearing up for full-blown cross-country road trips, your van conversion needs to reflect the way you live and travel.
At ADF Sprinters, we specialize in designing custom vans with thoughtful layouts for larger families. If you’re only using the van for transportation, we offer streamlined designs that get your crew from point A to point B efficiently and comfortably. But if you’re planning on camping, hauling gear, or creating a true mobile basecamp, we can build in multiple sleeping areas, creative storage solutions, and family-friendly features tailored to your needs.
Let’s break it down by category so you can find the best campervan for a family of 5 that fits your lifestyle — not someone else’s.
Lifestyle First: What Will Your Family Camper Be Used For?
Before diving into layouts and bed types, the first question we always ask families is: “How do you plan to use the van?”
Your answer will shape every decision after that. The way your family camper fits into your life will influence the seating arrangement, sleeping configuration, storage requirements, and level of amenities you’ll need.
Some common use cases:
- Travel-only setup: Maybe you just need comfortable passenger seats, a good HVAC system, and some cargo storage to transport the crew between sports tournaments, family visits, or weekend trips. Add-ons like a dining table, water tank, or small fridge might be nice but not essential.
- Hybrid setup: If you want your van to act as a mobile base for hiking, biking, or beach days, you might want a more modular layout. Think comfy lounge areas, seating for all five, and a place to crash at night — even if it’s not luxury-level living.
- Full-on camper van: Planning long-term adventures or using the van as a second home? You’ll probably want a bathroom, queen size bed, bunk beds, kitchen setup, and pop top for extra headroom or sleeping space. In this case, every square inch counts.
Understanding your intended use will help us guide you through the pros and cons of each layout option and make sure your van suits your family’s routine and dreams.
Seating Options for a Campervan for Family of 5
Let’s talk seats — because this is often the biggest hurdle for families. You need to safely transport five people, sometimes including car seats, without giving up too much usable space.
The Basics:
- Front seats: Typically, two (driver + front passenger).
- Passenger seats in the rear: The most popular setup includes two captain’s chairs, creating an easy walk-through aisle and maximizing flexibility.
Bench Seat vs. Captain’s Chairs:
- Captain’s chairs are great because they swivel, recline, and allow you to walk between them — ideal for younger kids and accessing the lounge area.
- A bench seat is space-efficient but makes the cabin feel tighter and doesn’t allow for walk-through access.
Additional Seating Options:
If you opt for a dinette-style layout in the back, we can install lap belts for up to six passengers — three on each side — turning your dining area into additional safe transport seating when needed.
Whether you’re dealing with booster seats or a full-blown wrestling team, our goal is to make sure every rider is safe and comfortable — without compromising the van’s function.
Sleeping Solutions: How to Fit Five People in a Camper Van
This is where things get fun — and creative.
Every family is different when it comes to sleep preferences. Some kids love a bunk. Some parents need a dedicated bed. And some families just want flexibility.
Bed Types That Work for 5 People:
- Queen size bed (for parents): This is usually the foundation — either fixed, Murphy-style, or a convertible platform bed.
- Dinette-to-bed: The dining table and benches can convert into a second bed, great for two kids.
- Drop-down bunk bed: Installed above the main bed, this adds another sleep space while maintaining an open feel during the day.
- Removable bunk beds: Great for growing families. These can be mounted when needed and taken down to open up the living area.
- Pop top sleeping area: A game-changer. A pop top adds vertical space and can include a bed platform for one or two kids. Pop tops also make the van feel more open and livable, especially when parked for extended stays.
- Cab bunk or inflatable mattress: For smaller kids, the area above the front seats (or between them) can serve as an additional sleeping nook — perfect for that fifth person.
Sample Sleeping Configurations:
- Option 1: Queen bed + dinette bed + cab bunk
- Option 2: Queen bed + bunk bed + pop top bed
- Option 3: Queen bed + dinette bed + inflatable front cab mattress
If you want every person to have their own space (or at least their own corner), we’ll help you figure out the layout that works with your van size and storage needs.
Why Customization Matters for a Campervan for Family of 5
There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to building the best campervan for family of 5 — and that’s why we don’t do prefab models.
At ADF Sprinters, we specialize in custom van conversions because families need flexibility. Your layout isn’t just about furniture — it’s about how your family lives, travels, eats, sleeps, and stores gear. It’s about fitting bunk beds next to a water tank, or choosing between a fixed bed and a convertible lounge area.
We take everything into account:
- How often do you cook in the van?
- Are your kids using devices that need outlets?
- Do you need space for bikes, surfboards, skis?
- Should we add a second dining table for board games or homework?
Your family deserves a van that supports your lifestyle and grows with you. We’ve built countless vans for families of five (and larger), and we’d love to help you do the same.
Ready to Start Your Family Van Build?
Whether you’re at the dreaming stage or ready to break ground (or sheet metal), we’re here to help you build a van that checks all the boxes: safety, comfort, storage, sleep, and most importantly — memories.
We offer:
- Multiple layout options for large families
- Guidance on everything from seat placement to water tank size
- Real-life-tested solutions for storage, sleep, and comfort
- A personalized design process that puts your family at the center
Your family camper can be a basecamp, a weekend escape pod, or a home on wheels. Whatever you’re looking for, let’s build it together.
Looking for the best campervan for family of 5? Contact ADF Sprinters today to start your journey.
Real Vans, Real Solutions
A Few Builds for Families of 5
Still wondering what a finished campervan for family of 5 might look like in real life? Below are a few builds we’ve completed for families with different needs — from carpool warriors to weekend adventurers. Whether you’re focused on seating, sleeping, or a balanced blend of both, these examples show how flexible a custom van conversion can be.
Vans Focused on Seating & Transport
The Carpool Cruiser
Designed for a family constantly on the move — multiple sports teams, weekend tournaments, long drives across town and out of state. This van build prioritizes comfort and efficiency for all-day use. We added:
- Rear passenger seats with safe installs for car seats
- A compact fridge, sink, and overhead storage
- A full HVAC system with A/C
- Built-in Wi-Fi for working parents
- USB charging and a lounge area with a flip-up dining table
This is a family layout built for transportation with the bonus of comfort — a mobile living room for chaotic Saturdays.
The Team Mom
A lighter, more flexible version of the Carpool Cruiser — with additional seating capacity and a single bed for mid-day breaks or quick overnight trips. This family wanted a relaxing space between events, complete with:
- Five forward-facing bench seat options
- Modular layout for storing gear and uniforms
- Fold-out bed and power system for naps, devices, and light cooking
It’s part camper van, part mobile HQ for family life.
Vans with Two Beds (Perfect for 5)
If you’re looking for a van conversion with multiple sleeping zones, here are two great examples.
The Trailhob
A fully built adventure van with:
- Rear dinette that converts to a bed
- Drop-down electric queen size bed
- Full indoor shower, bathroom, fridge, microwave, and large water tank
- Flexible L-track seating system that allows seats to slide, swivel, or be removed entirely
Plenty of sleeping space, built for comfort during rugged travel.
The Nestor
Similar to Trailhob, this van has:
- Dinette + drop-down bed combo
- L-track adjustable seats to optimize interior flow
- Beautiful cabinetry, custom lighting, and all the comforts of home
For families with a smaller child, you can add a Gabunk (a portable, bunk-style sleeper that attaches above the front cab) or a Luno mattress that inflates between the front seats — both excellent options for that fifth sleeping spot.
Two Beds Below + Pop-Top Above
Th Speedway Chalet is one of the largest and most feature-packed family camper vans we’ve ever built. It includes:
- Rear dinette with drop-down electric bed
- Full pop top with a third sleeping area
- Movie projector, entertainment system, fridge, microwave
- Complete climate control, indoor shower, and bathroom
- Hidden storage zones and slide-outs for gear
This van is a rolling suite — perfect for road trips, vacations, and even extended travel.
Two Beds + Rooftop Tent
For families who don’t want to commit to a full pop top, a rooftop tent like the one on The Excursion Campervan is a fantastic alternative. It adds sleeping space for kids or guests without affecting the main interior. Combined with two beds inside, this layout comfortably sleeps five while maintaining a relatively simple footprint. You still get:
- A fully equipped interior with storage and seating
- Kitchen amenities and optional power systems
- Configurable bunk beds or dinette-bed setup inside
It’s a clean and functional way to get the most out of your camper van without going overboard on complexity.
