Side Pods Benefits, Installation & What You Need to Know
If you're planning a VW Crafter, MAN TGE or Mercedes Sprinter campervan conversion, you've probably come across campervan side pods. Also known as side flares, sleeping pods or van side pods, they are one of the most effective ways to create additional living space without moving to a larger vehicle.
For many campervan builders, the biggest challenge is fitting a comfortable bed into a limited space. Side pods solve this problem by extending the bodywork at the rear of the van, allowing most adults to sleep across the width of the vehicle rather than lengthways. The result is a more spacious layout, increased storage opportunities and a more practical campervan overall.
What Are Campervan Side Pods?
Campervan side pods are moulded GRP (Glass Reinforced Plastic) extensions that are permanently bonded into the side panels of a van. They protrude beyond the original bodywork and create additional internal width in the sleeping area.
They are most commonly fitted to:
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VW Crafter side pods
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VW Crafter LWB side pods
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MAN TGE side pods
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Mercedes Sprinter side pods
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Sprinter campervan conversions
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Overland and off-grid campervan builds
Most modern side pods are supplied as a left and right-hand pair and are designed specifically for either MWB or LWB vehicles.
How Do Side Pods Work?
The primary purpose of side pods is to increase the internal width of the van where the bed is located.
A standard van body can often be too narrow for many adults to sleep comfortably across the vehicle. By extending the bodywork on both sides, side pods create enough additional width to allow a transverse bed layout. On the Wildworx VW Crafter and MAN TGE design, the finished sleeping width can reach approximately 6ft 6in (1980mm), allowing most people to sleep sideways comfortably.
This seemingly small increase in width creates significant design benefits because it frees up floor space throughout the rest of the campervan.
The Benefits of Campervan Side Pods
1. Sleep Sideways Instead of Lengthways
This is the biggest reason most people install side pods.
By sleeping across the van, you no longer need a bed running front-to-back. This can save over a metre of valuable interior floor space and completely transform the layout of your campervan.
2. Create More Living Space
The space saved by a transverse bed can be used for:
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Larger kitchens
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Additional seating
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Bigger garage storage
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Internal showers
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Composting toilets
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Extra worktop space
Many converters find side pods allow them to achieve layouts that would otherwise only be possible in a much longer vehicle.
3. More Storage Opportunities
Because the bed runs across the van, the area underneath can often be used more efficiently for storage. This is particularly useful for outdoor adventure equipment, bikes, recovery gear and camping equipment.
4. Factory-Style Appearance
Modern side pods are designed to integrate with the vehicle bodywork rather than look like an afterthought.
The Wildworx design uses a hidden fixing flange located behind the pod rather than around the outer edge, creating a cleaner OEM-style finish with no visible external flange.
How Are Side Pods Installed?
Installing side pods is a permanent body modification and requires cutting into the van.
A professional installation typically follows these stages:
1. Vehicle Inspection & Layout
The vehicle is inspected and measured before templates are applied to the bodywork. Positioning should always be checked by a second technician before cutting begins.
2. Cutting the Aperture
The surrounding paintwork is protected before pilot holes are drilled and the body aperture is carefully cut. Any internal obstructions must be identified before cutting.
3. Edge Preparation
All exposed metal edges are deburred, primed and treated with corrosion protection to prevent future rust.
4. Trial Fitting
The side pods are temporarily fitted to verify alignment, clearances and symmetry on both sides of the van.
5. Bonding
The pods are bonded using high-strength automotive polyurethane adhesive. This creates a strong, weatherproof connection between the pod and the vehicle body.
6. Structural Support
Many side pod systems require support beams or replacement framework where structural sections of the original bodywork have been removed. This is a critical part of the installation and should never be overlooked.
7. Quality Control
Once cured, the installation is checked for:
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Water tightness
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Adhesive coverage
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Corrosion protection
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Symmetry
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Finish quality
What Do You Need To Fit Side Pods?
Depending on the design, installation may require:
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Side pod kit
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Vehicle-specific templates
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Automotive polyurethane adhesive
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Corrosion protection products
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Cutting tools
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Clamps and support equipment
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Structural support beams or reinforcement framework
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Optional opening windows and blinds
Many side pods are supplied in a black or grey gel coat finish and require preparation before painting to match the vehicle.
Are Side Pods Worth It?
For most VW Crafter, MAN TGE and Mercedes Sprinter conversions, side pods are one of the highest-impact upgrades available.
Unlike many campervan modifications that provide marginal improvements, side pods fundamentally change how the interior can be designed. The ability to sleep sideways, create additional living space and maximise storage can make a medium wheelbase van feel significantly larger without increasing the vehicle's overall length.
For anyone planning a serious off-grid, overland or adventure campervan build, side pods are often the difference between a layout that works and one that feels compromised.
