comfy sleeping in a pop-top
- Thread starter suntinez
- Start date
ETAV8R
Founder of D.E.R.P.
So you do have it in your flippac? I'd like to check it out at the rendezvous tooI think you'll like it as much as I do!
Pepper, in true cattle dog form, prefers a dirty rock.
ExpoMike
Well-known member
So I got to check this system out at the Mountain Rendezvous this weekend. What surprised me is that Linda said, "lift the corner of the mattress and grab a corner and start pulling". Little did I know at that moment we were pulling the system out of her rig and taking it over to our FWC. Cool. Got over to our rig and put it under the 3" thick foam mattress. Immediately I could feel a major difference. It had a more "home mattress" type feel to the bed and not the hunk of foam you typically feel. A real test was laying on my side, my hip didn't feel the pressure that I feel with just the foam. We did check how easy it would be to latch the top down and it does take a little more effort as I need to pull the top down to get the latch to catch. From that part though, it didn't feel like it was putting any more stress on flipping the latches down.
Overall I am thinking of this system. The only real downside is the price. I think we are going to try a memory foam topper that we already have (used in the Kamparoo before we replaced the mattress completely). If that works, it's a free fix. If not, this will likely be the next thing to go with.
Thanks again Linda for letting us check it out... in our own rig. It was hard to bring it back to your rig.
Overall I am thinking of this system. The only real downside is the price. I think we are going to try a memory foam topper that we already have (used in the Kamparoo before we replaced the mattress completely). If that works, it's a free fix. If not, this will likely be the next thing to go with.
Thanks again Linda for letting us check it out... in our own rig. It was hard to bring it back to your rig.
ETAV8R
Founder of D.E.R.P.
I too was glad to be able to check out this system in person. I hear you about the pressure points. I get it on my shoulders when lying on my side in the flippac. I think this might work with the flippac too, just have to velcro it down and figure out how to keep the foam mattress attached at the same time.
Overland Hadley
on a journey
That is great!
One point of concern is if you're having to pull the top down like that you're squishing the lift panel up against the roof, not sure if that will stress anything out there off hand.
Other than that you mentioned a 3" mattress, that isn't stock is it? I thought they either came in 4" or 2" (and the mattress double over when the slider is put back). I find the stock mattress is too firm on mine.
For my new build I'm thinking of trying out a dual layer Ikea foam mattress as a starting point, SULTAN FLORVAG is 4" thick. Definitely not as firm as our stock mattress is. Real test will be laying on one on a hard surface (I haven't bothered to pick one up yet since I have a ways to go on the build still and don't want to have to store it).
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/60139749/
craig333
Expedition Leader
Here's another option. I understand they'll do custom sizes too.
http://www.tempflowrv.com/tempflow_mattress_collection.htm
http://www.tempflowrv.com/tempflow_mattress_collection.htm
One clarification on my end, I just say someone's 2006 grandby FWC and the cambover section was a good 1-2" thicker than my 2000 Hawk. Not sure if that is how they all are now or if that was something special but it would provide more options/flexibility when it comes to mattress thickness and spring setups.
suntinez
Explorer
I was so busy gawking at your other changes I forgot to ask you about this. I'm blown away by that double-swingaway-bike-with-gas-can-gap hitch of yours! Smart idea and beautifully crafted.
So how did the new sleeping setup work out for you?
Roaming Robertsons
Adventurer
It worked pretty well but needs practice. When aired up properly they were just as comfortable as any other camp option I've tried, including the original FP mattress when it was new. Since I ended up coming with just one daughter and my wife stayed home with the other it wasn't a full test. I suspect once we get used to the feel of the mattresses at the right comfort level it should work well.
It is a bit more work to get the FP put away each time. Hopefully the added benefit of storing all the sleeping bags in the flip with the mattresses will offset the added time when storing it. If it doesn't work out, they'll go back to REI and I'll be searching for a new full mattress option. I completely forgot to come test out your springs.
How thick are the springs when compressed?
How thick is the spring system when it is fully compressed? I currently have a 5" mattress in my Hallmark Ute. The mattress is palatable for one night but more than that and my back starts aching. I initially tried a 2.5" memory foam mattress topper but it was too thick and I kept blowing the fuse when I tried to close the lid. I saw this thread last week and that got me thinking. Then I was at IKEA over the weekend and saw that not only do they sell some low profile mattresses but they have a similar spring system that goes underneath the mattress. There system is a little different and is made of birch strips that can be adjusted to provide the desired comfort level. The IKEA spring system would be just under 2" thick so I doubt it would work with my current mattress. Cost wise it was about $150 for a twin and you'd need two for a queen so we're looking at a slightly lower cost than the system described earlier in this thread.
How thick is the spring system when it is fully compressed? I currently have a 5" mattress in my Hallmark Ute. The mattress is palatable for one night but more than that and my back starts aching. I initially tried a 2.5" memory foam mattress topper but it was too thick and I kept blowing the fuse when I tried to close the lid. I saw this thread last week and that got me thinking. Then I was at IKEA over the weekend and saw that not only do they sell some low profile mattresses but they have a similar spring system that goes underneath the mattress. There system is a little different and is made of birch strips that can be adjusted to provide the desired comfort level. The IKEA spring system would be just under 2" thick so I doubt it would work with my current mattress. Cost wise it was about $150 for a twin and you'd need two for a queen so we're looking at a slightly lower cost than the system described earlier in this thread.
Roaming Robertsons
Adventurer
After some more testing and then checking out the Nemo mattress at the Off Road show in Pomona (thanks Mario), I returned my pads to REI and ordered... http://www.nemoequipment.com/nemo2011-cosmoair-and-pillowtop-pad . It's a combo 3" air pad with a 1" memory foam slipcover that combines two air pads into a single mattress with a triangular block down the seam in the middle. That way it actually feels like one mattress and there is no gap or valley.
My wife and I have a Twin Peaks mummy bag so there is no option to sleep on opposite sides and avoid the gap. http://www.thenorthface.com/catalog/sc-gear/twin-peaks-bx.html . Hopefully that will be our final attempt at a replacement for the old FP foam.
suntinez
Explorer
gregd - I'll try and take some measurements of it compressed but I would guess it's about 1.5"? They are pretty flexy, don't know if it would blow fuses in that stepper motor on your Hallmark or not. I never heard of those IKEA springs. Sounds like a good idea, but maybe more susceptible to deforming than the plastic ones?
shruk - I tried those Nemo pads out at the expo also, impressively comfy! There were a few folks asking Mario about them, let us know how you like it.
shruk - I tried those Nemo pads out at the expo also, impressively comfy! There were a few folks asking Mario about them, let us know how you like it.
Ikea base
Here's a picture of the slatted bed spring base from Ikea:
And a link to their page: http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/40125970/
Here's a picture of the slatted bed spring base from Ikea:
And a link to their page: http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/40125970/
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Overland Hadley
on a journey
I liked it, until I saw the weight. 50 pounds for the Full size, 30 pounds for a twin. Ouch.