Overhead space is the most underutilized real estate in almost every van build. While most converters focus on floor-level storage — cabinets, drawers, a bed platform — the cubic footage above your head remains empty for months before someone discovers cargo nets. A well-rigged overhead cargo net or interior roof net can store sleeping bags, pillows, clothing layers, lightweight camping gear, and dozens of small items that would otherwise clutter your living area, freeing up valuable floor space without any structural modification to the van.
Van cargo nets come in several configurations: roof-spanning cargo hammocks that stretch between anchor points on the ceiling ribs, side-wall pocket nets for the area above the wheel wells, and traditional cargo nets designed for truck beds that van builders adapt for interior use. The ideal solution for your build depends on your anchor point situation, how much overhead clearance you have, and whether you want open mesh storage or a more contained hammock style. We evaluated the top options available and adapted our recommendations specifically for interior van use.
Quick Picks: Best Van Cargo Nets and Overhead Storage
Rightline Gear Truck Bed Net (Van-Adapted)
- Heavy-duty elastic bungee construction holds irregular loads
- Eight corner hooks attach to any anchor point or D-ring
- UV-resistant and weatherproof for long van life service life
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AUGO Cargo Net for Van Interior
- Designed specifically for SUV and van cargo areas
- Adjustable attachment points fit varying anchor spacing
- Fine mesh prevents small items from falling through
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Coyote Cargo Net Interior Hammock Van
- Hammock-style design spans full width between ribs
- Large open mesh holds bulky lightweight items easily
- Simple hook-and-loop attachment installs in minutes
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Why Trust Our Picks
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We evaluated cargo nets specifically through the lens of van conversion use — not truck bed or marine applications, even though several of our top picks originate from those categories. Key criteria included hook compatibility with van ceiling rib anchor points, mesh size relative to common van life storage items, load capacity ratings, material durability under UV exposure and temperature cycling, and community reports from van builders who have run these solutions through multi-year builds.
Best Van Cargo Nets: Reviews
1. Rightline Gear Truck Bed Net (Van-Adapted)
The Rightline Gear Truck Bed Cargo Net is a product originally designed for pickup truck beds that the van life community has enthusiastically adopted for overhead interior use — and it’s easy to understand why. The net is constructed from heavy-duty elastic bungee cords in a grid pattern, which gives it two critical advantages over fixed-mesh nets: it stretches to accommodate irregularly shaped items that a rigid mesh would reject, and the elastic tension actively holds items in place rather than simply containing them, which is important when the van is in motion on rough roads. The net measures 48 inches by 60 inches in its relaxed state and stretches considerably beyond that, making it large enough to span the width of most cargo van interiors when run from one wall to the other. Eight steel carabiner-style hooks along the perimeter attach to any D-ring, ceiling rib hook, or custom anchor point — the van life community typically mounts small stainless steel D-rings to the ceiling ribs with self-tapping screws, creating four to eight overhead anchor points that this net’s corners and midpoints connect to cleanly. The UV-resistant nylon webbing and corrosion-resistant hooks have shown excellent longevity in van builds where temperature cycling between cold nights and hot summer days is constant. Total rated load is 150 lbs in the truck bed configuration, though for overhead van use practical load should be limited to lightweight items — sleeping bags, pillows, lightweight clothing, and soft gear — both for safety and to avoid stressing the anchor points.
- Pros: Elastic bungee construction secures items in motion, eight attachment hooks for flexible anchor positioning, UV and weather resistant, large 48×60-inch coverage, strong van life community track record
- Cons: Requires custom anchor point installation in the ceiling, truck-bed design means some adaptation needed for van use, mesh gaps too large for very small items
2. AUGO Cargo Net for Van Interior
The AUGO Cargo Net is one of the few products in this category explicitly designed for SUV and van interior cargo management rather than adapted from another application, which gives it meaningful design advantages for van builders. The net features a finer mesh size than most truck bed nets — approximately 2-inch square openings versus 4 to 6 inches on larger nets — which prevents smaller items like sunglasses cases, snack bars, rolled socks, and charger cables from falling through onto occupants or the floor below. Adjustable attachment straps with webbing loops replace the rigid hooks found on most cargo nets, accommodating varying spacing between anchor points without requiring precise anchor positioning during installation. This flexibility is particularly valuable for van builders who are still mid-build and haven’t finalized their overhead anchor configuration. The net spans approximately 55 by 35 inches in a relaxed state, well suited to covering the overhead area above the bed platform in a standard Transit or Sprinter. Build quality is solid for the price, with reinforced perimeter webbing and double-stitched attachment points that distribute load evenly. For van lifers who prioritize small-item retention and installation flexibility over maximum coverage area, the AUGO is the most purpose-built solution in this comparison.
- Pros: Fine 2-inch mesh retains small items, adjustable attachment straps fit varying anchor spacing, explicitly designed for van interior use, reinforced perimeter construction
- Cons: Smaller coverage area than truck bed nets, non-elastic mesh doesn’t conform to irregular items, attachment straps less secure than rigid hooks under heavy lateral loads
3. Coyote Cargo Net Interior Hammock Van
The Coyote Cargo Net takes the hammock approach to overhead van storage — a wide, relatively deep net that sags slightly under load to cradle bulky lightweight items like sleeping bags, pillows, inflatable mattress pads, and bundled clothing. This sag is a feature rather than a flaw: it creates natural containment that keeps items centered and reduces the risk of items rolling to the edge and falling. The open large-mesh design is intentional for bulky soft goods that would never fall through a 4 to 6-inch opening anyway, and the open weave keeps weight minimal — the net itself weighs under a pound, meaning it can be suspended from lighter-duty anchor points than heavier alternatives. Hook-and-loop attachment hardware installs in minutes without any drilling or permanent modification, making it ideal for renters, newer van converters who haven’t committed to a permanent ceiling build, or anyone wanting to add overhead storage without a tools-required installation session. Coverage spans approximately the full width of most van interiors depending on attachment point placement. For the budget-conscious van lifer who primarily needs a place to stash bulky soft items overnight rather than a precision storage solution for varied gear types, the Coyote hammock net delivers immediate functional value at minimal cost and weight.
- Pros: Budget price, hammock sag naturally retains bulky items, very lightweight, no-drill installation, wide span for bulky soft goods
- Cons: Large mesh openings unsuitable for small items, non-elastic so irregular shapes may not be retained securely in motion, hook-and-loop attachment less secure than drilled anchor points
Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose Van Overhead Storage
Measure your overhead clearance before purchasing. The available depth between the ceiling and your loft or bed platform determines how much sag a hammock-style net can have and still be accessible. In a high-roof van with the net rigged close to the ceiling, you may have 24 or more inches of clearance — generous enough for a deep hammock. In a low-roof build, a thinner profile net that sits flat rather than sagging is a better fit.
Plan your anchor points before buying the net. Most cargo nets require four to eight anchor points. In a van, these are typically created by installing small stainless steel D-rings or eye bolts into the ceiling ribs using self-tapping screws, or by utilizing existing factory cargo anchor points in the van floor that can be adapted for overhead use with extended hardware. Plan your anchor grid to match the attachment configuration of the net you select.
Match mesh size to the items you store. Large bungee mesh handles sleeping bags, pillows, and clothing bundles effortlessly but will drop a phone, sunglasses, or snack bar straight through to the floor. Fine mesh retains everything but can feel restrictive when loading or unloading bulky soft goods. Many experienced van lifers use two nets: a large-mesh bungee net for big soft items and a fine-mesh pocket net for small daily-use items.
Limit overhead loads to lightweight items. Regardless of a cargo net’s rated capacity, overhead storage in a moving vehicle creates real safety concerns if heavy items fall. Keep overhead storage to soft, lightweight items — sleeping bags, pillows, clothing, lightweight gear — and store dense or hard items in lower, secured cabinets and drawers where they can’t become projectiles during a sudden stop or swerve.
FAQ
Do I need to drill into the van ceiling to install a cargo net? Drilling into the ceiling ribs is the most secure method and what most experienced van builders recommend for any net that will carry load while driving. However, several products including the Coyote hammock net use hook-and-loop or adjustable strap attachment that requires no drilling — these work well for stationary or light-duty use but may not hold as securely at highway speeds or over rough terrain.
Will overhead cargo storage interfere with my van’s standing height? In a high-roof van, a net rigged tight to the ceiling typically costs you only 6 to 10 inches of headroom beneath it, which is rarely significant since most people don’t stand directly against the ceiling. In a standard-roof van where standing height is already limited, a ceiling net can be more intrusive — assess your available headroom carefully and consider whether a sidewall pocket net at shoulder height is a better fit for your specific build.
Can I use a hammock cargo net as an actual sleeping hammock in a van? Not safely. Cargo nets and hammock nets are not rated for human body weight in this configuration, and the van ceiling anchors used for lightweight storage are not engineered for the dynamic loads of a sleeping person shifting weight. Use a proper sleeping platform or a purpose-built vehicle hammock system if hammock sleeping in a van is your goal.
Final Verdict
For a van builder who wants maximum coverage, elastic security in motion, and long-term durability, the Rightline Gear Truck Bed Net is the overhead storage solution to rig first — its bungee construction and eight attachment points make it the most versatile and proven option. The AUGO Cargo Net earns the runner-up spot for builders who need fine mesh to retain small items and want adjustable attachment hardware that accommodates an evolving anchor configuration. And for anyone who wants a simple, no-drill, no-tools overhead hammock for pillows and sleeping bags, the Coyote Cargo Net Hammock is a lightweight and affordable solution that works immediately.
