Which Rock And Roll Bed is Best For You?
WHAT IS A ROCK AND ROLL BED?
It’s basically a seat that folds out into a bed. During the day, you’ve got safe seating for traveling with passenger or for relaxing while pitched up, and at night it converts into a comfortable bed. It’s a smarter way to save space in your van, because everything in a camper van needs to optimise space, storage and enjoyment.
WHICH ONE IS BEST?
It all comes down to how you use your van, but there are some features that are important whatever bed you choose.
Comfort is king. Beds should stay flat, no weird bumps in the middle and the foam should feel good to lay on. At Smart Beds we use quality materials and all our rock and roll beds are precision engineers to sure reliable ease of use.
Safety sits right next to comfort on the priority list. If you’ve got people riding in the back, you really want to secure your bed is M1 pull-tested. That means they’re built and tested to handle a crash, so you’re not just guessing if everyone’s safe. The Evolution R, Evolution 2, Evolution 2 Full width and Evolution 2 1300 all have European M1 pull-test 76/115/EEC/2005 certification.
Then there’s how easy it is to use. A solid rock and roll bed should fold out with minimal effort and snap back into place when you’re done. Our reclining mechanism offers five adjustable positions and our innovative gas strut operated mechanism raises the bed from the sleeping position to the seated position with ease.
And then there is the practical stuff, integrated headrests ensure passenger safety and comfort and the option to include ISOFIX on all our rock and roll beds provides peace of mind and worry free travel.
BREAKING DOWN SMART BEDS ROCK AND ROLL BEDS
At Smart Beds we makes a range of beds aimed at different needs. Knowing the details helps narrow things down.
SMART BED EVO 2 3/4 WIDTH
This is our longstanding model and a classic. It’s a 3/4 width frame, fixed in place and is M1 pull-tested—so it’s good for carrying passengers while meeting crash safety standards. It comes with five reclining positions, a slicker slide-out mechanism (no need for awkward front legs), and better access to storage underneath. The cushions are really comfortable, too. This is a real all-rounder for folks who spend a fair bit of time in their vans and want safety, comfort and practicality. The 3/4 width bed is the ideal combination for a camper conversion with units, as it provides the perfect amount of space to include a cooker, fridge, cupboards and a wardrobe for storage.
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SMART BED EVOLUTION 2 FULL WIDTH
If you like to stretch our and want more sleeping space, the full-width bed gives you that. It seats three, gets the M1 tick for safety and works great for families. The downside? It eats up more interior space, so you loose some layout flexibility. Once again its M1 tested and includes a range of features.
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SMART BED EVOLUTION R (RAIL SYSTEM)
This one’s for people who want to really change things up depending on the trip. The bed sits on rails, so you can slide it forwards or backwards. Push it forward while driving to free up boot space, slide it back when camping to open up your living area. It’s M1 tested, has multiple reclining positions, and is basically the most adaptable bed we make. Perfect if you want your van’s layout to change with your plans.
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Choosing what’s right for you
Different van lives call for different beds, so pick based on what you actually do.
If your trips are mostly weekends or the odd night away, the Smart Bed Evo 2 does the job. It’s comfy, simple, and won’t over complicate things. You’ll get crash-tested safety, guaranteed comfort and easy operation.
Need extra sleeping space for you or the family? The full-width Evo 2 or EVO R is worth it—just know you’re sacrificing some flexibility in your van layout.
And if you want to switch things up a lot—carrying gear, changing up your living space, or doing longer adventures—the rail-mounted Evolution R gives you the best control.
FINAL THOUGHTS
There’s no one size fits all answer for rock and roll beds. Pick the one that actually works for your life. Focus on comfort, safety and how you use your van day in and day out.
We believe that Smart Beds stands out because our beds are clearly different from each other and actually fit a range of uses, from simple setups to versatile systems that transform with your needs. Knowing the strengths of each model means your camper can work the way you want, not the other way around.
Happy camping!
