Cheap, comfortable mattress source (right under your nose)

[ddawson]

When I had a regular shell on my truck I had a platform with an Ikea foam mattress. I scored it for free when my buddy moved:sombrero: It was pretty much brand new and came with a nice zippered cover. I used it many times and the only complaint I had would be that mine was a little on the firm side. It was much nicer then an inflatable mattress though, especially if I had a someone else with me. I would recommend it!

 

[RMP&O]

I have been searching for a cheap foam mattress to use in my camper shell for a long time now. Custom was too expensive, air mattresses, well, s*ck, thermarests are too thin.
I was about to buy a $200 mattress from a local futon shop, but my wife had the brilliant idea to check with Ikea. "Duh," said I, slapping my forehead. I found this, which fits perfectly on the sleeping platform in my Tacoma, is quite comfortable, and is cheap at only $90.

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/20102074

Ikea has a zillion different types and sizes of mattresses, definitely worth a look if you are tired of that self-deflating air mattress.

you say air mattress sucks but have you tried air beds? They come up to 10" or so thick, can be made as soft or as hard as you like. Quality ones can be had on ebay for as cheap as $10. I just bought one for my Taco, a twin fits perfect.

I have a very old thermarest but I think they still make it. It is 2" thick, their thickest model. I can't push through it to a hard surface when inflated (I am only 175lbs though) and it is really comfortable. I bought it in 1991 and still have it! How is that for quality!? Over the years I have picked up some other thermarests, you can easily stack them for more loft. I can toss them in my cot or on the ground or in the back of the truck and just a tube of RVT fixes and leak.

I personally do not like foam of any kind. To soft usually and to hard to clean. Also is a sponge around water. Rats, mice and dogs like to chew them or live in them too! That is just my opinion though....

 

[ExpoMike]

Just wanted to post us, my wife and I bought the mattress posted in the first link. After hearing that it worked well and we wanted something better than the foam pad with a memory foam topper that we had setup in our Kamparoo, we decided to try this one out. A first we were a little hesitant to think it would be comfortable being about 3.5" thick. Since neither one of use would be classified as "light weight" people, we have found most foam and air mattresses to just sink too much.

Well, we had our first outing over Thanksgiving and it was GREAT!!!! Sure it wasn't our bed at home but it also wasn't $1600 either. It was very comfy, we found we did not get pressure points that were sore in the morning or caused us to toss all night. It really was supportive without being too firm. I think if you are in the 150-175# range, it might be too firm unless you are used to that but 200-300# it seems just right.

Thanks to dustboy for posting this up. We are very happy!

 

[wanderer-rrorc]

my wife and I have the standard memory foam "bed in a box" from walmart...I think its 5/6in thick..works GREAT...

we looked at the 2 and 4in thick toppers...since we had a 2in one that we got with the bed (too much foam!! HELP THE BEDS EATING ME!!)...and folded it up and threw a cover over it for the dog...

we laid it out flat...2in wasnt enough...folded it once...and YUP...thats what we're gonna use for the sportsmobile/homebuilt bed!!...comfy...and CHEAP!!

 

[G35Vortec454]

Do not wash.
Do not bleach.
Do not tumble dry.
Do not iron.
Do not dryclean.

******, what do you do to clean it?

 

[wanderer-rrorc]

Do not wash.
Do not bleach.
Do not tumble dry.
Do not iron.
Do not dryclean.

******, what do you do to clean it?

buy another?? the dogs got the last one after it got dirty..

think of it as a regular matress..ya dont cleanem...ya get a new one...

I have sprayed it off with a hose (dogpuke!!)...and hung it up to dry...takes a couple days...

 

[Nick02]

I "borrow" a mattress from our pop up camper, works great! and was FREE (So if you so happen to have an RV, popup, boat, toy-hauler lol!...)
You can also have them made just for your application under $300; search RV or BOAT replacement mattress on google. Example http://www.sleepermattress.net/?page_id=20