Volkswagen California Beach Camper Van Gets Inflatable Bed, Kitchen Modules
For last many years, you may have noticed extensive use of inflatable technology in camping tents. There are even travel trailers like Opus O4, where the entire body is made by inflating a fabric shell. The global automotive giant Volkswagen (VW) is also taking the same approach, but its initiative is different, as it adds inflatables to the interior space.
Created in partnership with startup Stuff Bubble, this conceptual California Beach camper van features inflatable bed and kitchen modules rather than fixed components. The system comprises two separate air mattresses that can be moved or rearranged to sleep one or two people. These mattresses are set up on the top of the folded rear seats. This interior design is similar to Vantrack’s LightCamp that turns a Kia PV5 passenger van into a camper with inflatable sleeping pads.
The use of inflatables does not stop here, as the build further utilizes this technology in its mini kitchen. Stuff Bubble has utilized two rear bed foundation units as an indoor/outdoor kitchen set. One of them houses the full water system, including a faucet over a sink basin, while the other is a storage unit with a flat hard top to function as counter space. These inflatable modules can also be combined together into a bigger worktop, or used individually as needed.
VW and Stuff Bubble’s inflatable California Beach camper concept aims to lower the overall weight. The new kitchen weighs about 22 lbs (10 kg), while the inflatable double-bed setup measuring 79 x 53 inches weighs about 26.5 lbs (12 kg). As pointed out by New Atlas, the Stuff Bubble kit saves roughly 180 lbs (82 kg), reducing the van’s overall weight while retaining the camping functionality.
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The build also achieves high versatility in setting the interior space to meet different needs, such as a daily commute or camping. You can easily move the inflatable modules to turn it into a six-seater van for commuting easily or vice versa. Individual components can be configured inside the van for particular needs of the trip, such as a single bed if travelling solo or a second sleeping berth and kitchen when going on a family trip.
If you are interested in knowing more about the 2026 Volkswagen California Beach camper concept, more details will be revealed at the Caravan Salon in Germany later this month.
