I've been looking at some KEA Nomad Campervans, with the idea of getting a 2nd hand one.
But rather than have the club lounge seats and table at the rea of the cabin, that convert to a bed, I'd prefer a permanent bed.
Not that keen on sleeping on seats cushions.
Simplistically, we can just drop the table, add the boards between the seats, and rather than use the seat cushions, just drop a double mattress in there.
Though I'd probably do some simple carpentry to 'bridge between the seats more securely and add a storage locker below.
(the KEA Nomad type of layout has a dinette at the front anyway for meals, which works well for us)
The BIG question though, is getting a 'proper' mattress of the right size, rather than some foam thing.
It won't be any standard bed size, but probably 180 cm x 190 cm ish.
So we'll need a custom made mattress.
Any recommendations on places to get one from that won't break the bank?
Any thoughts or guidance is most appreciated.
hufnpuf said
10:44 PM May 25, 2022
There are different types of "foam", some of which can be very comfortable. Have you considered adding a topper to the seat cushions? That's what I've got, a latex topper over the seat cushions. You can cut it down yourself, I just used an electric knife.
If you go for inner springs, it will be heavy. I have a lot of trouble lifting my sprung mattress at home. It weighs a lot. They do make mattresses for caravans, the dealer you are looking at getting your van from should know who sells them.
watsea said
11:07 PM May 25, 2022
Hufnpuf is right about innerspring mattresses being heavy. The size of mattress that was mentioned is almost Kingsize mattress width and a bit under Kingsize length, so as an innerspring, it is likely to be heavy.
Previously, we had a double bed size width innerspring which was too firm for us. We opted to ditch that innerspring and replaced it with a high quality composite foam mattress from Clark Rubber. Test lie down before we bought. They have different composites.
$10 extra to cut to size for length and two rounded corners at the foot of the bed. Quite a few kilograms lighter than the innerspring.
hufnpuf said
08:36 AM May 26, 2022
watsea wrote:
a high quality composite foam mattress from Clark Rubber. Test lie down before we bought. They have different composites.
The "good" latex foam is very comfortable. I used to have a mattress at home that was all "foam", it was Dunlopillo. Very comfortable. Very light.
I also should have said that my innerspring at home that I have trouble lifting is only a single.
The foam in the cushions is actually high quality upholstery grade, it won't sag in a hurry like cheap foam, so it's a reasonable base for a bed. I find it way too hard with just the cushions, but putting the topper over makes it comfortable for me (and I'm like the princess in the princess and the pea story...) If you look at the sideviews of an innersprung mattress, they are made up of layers of this and that sewn together inside the cover. You can create your own 'layers' by using the seat cushions on the bottom, then your comfort layer or layers over the top.
RoboLB said
10:21 AM May 26, 2022
hufnpuf wrote:
There are different types of "foam", some of which can be very comfortable. Have you considered adding a topper to the seat cushions? That's what I've got, a latex topper over the seat cushions. You can cut it down yourself, I just used an electric knife.
If you go for inner springs, it will be heavy. I have a lot of trouble lifting my sprung mattress at home. It weighs a lot. They do make mattresses for caravans, the dealer you are looking at getting your van from should know who sells them.
Ah. A latex topper. That sounds like a good idea. We could use that in rental vans until we get our own.
I'll start googling!
Any recommended suppliers?
RoboLB said
10:22 AM May 26, 2022
watsea wrote:
Hufnpuf is right about innerspring mattresses being heavy. The size of mattress that was mentioned is almost Kingsize mattress width and a bit under Kingsize length, so as an innerspring, it is likely to be heavy.
Previously, we had a double bed size width innerspring which was too firm for us. We opted to ditch that innerspring and replaced it with a high quality composite foam mattress from Clark Rubber. Test lie down before we bought. They have different composites. $10 extra to cut to size for length and two rounded corners at the foot of the bed. Quite a few kilograms lighter than the innerspring.
Another great option. Many thanks.
I'll check them out too.
hufnpuf said
12:47 PM May 26, 2022
RoboLB wrote:
Any recommended suppliers?
I got both of mine from Clark Rubber. I had the latex topper on my bed at home, when I got the caravan I moved it out there. It was a bit wider than the caravan beds so I cut some off one side to fit. I then bought a new one for my bed at home, it's some wanky memory foam something or other, it's a lot squishier and softer than the latex. I don't think you can cut it, I don't know, but check when/if you get one that it can be cut to fit, if it needs to be smaller. As mentioned, Clark Rubber can do it for you.
(Why topper at home? It's not my bed, it's me....)
-- Edited by hufnpuf on Thursday 26th of May 2022 12:48:27 PM
RoboLB said
06:31 PM May 26, 2022
hufnpuf wrote:
RoboLB wrote:
Any recommended suppliers?
I got both of mine from Clark Rubber. I had the latex topper on my bed at home, when I got the caravan I moved it out there. It was a bit wider than the caravan beds so I cut some off one side to fit. I then bought a new one for my bed at home, it's some wanky memory foam something or other, it's a lot squishier and softer than the latex. I don't think you can cut it, I don't know, but check when/if you get one that it can be cut to fit, if it needs to be smaller. As mentioned, Clark Rubber can do it for you.
(Why topper at home? It's not my bed, it's me....)
-- Edited by hufnpuf on Thursday 26th of May 2022 12:48:27 PM
Many thanks, I'll check our Clark Rubber.
Cuppa said
08:57 PM May 26, 2022
We have had quality foam & Innerspring over the years.
The foam was pretty good, but hotter to sleep on in hot climate. To work well we had an Ikea cotton topper on it, & under foam mesh were essential.The cost of those 3 items combined brought the price up to that of a decent innerspring mattress.
We then had a single sided pocket spring mattress made for us by Beds Direct/Vanrest in Melbourne. The Mattress wa a Re-creation mattress. 100mm high to suit our rooftop tent We were very impressed with it. And it was lighter than foam!
Since the we swapped the RTT for a Tvan, & had another recreation pocket spring mattress made by the same people, This one is a bit higher & with a 'plush top',
We also have one on our bed at home.
I have a bad back & my wife has bad hips. These mattresses suit us very well. Their construction allows them to be folded in one direction like a foam mattress, which is a significant benefit if having to get them in & out of a vehicle with limited access.
They can also be made to any shape or size you wish.
-- Edited by Cuppa on Thursday 26th of May 2022 08:59:12 PM
RoboLB said
10:15 PM May 26, 2022
Cuppa wrote:
We have had quality foam & Innerspring over the years.
The foam was pretty good, but hotter to sleep on in hot climate. To work well we had an Ikea cotton topper on it, & under foam mesh were essential.The cost of those 3 items combined brought the price up to that of a decent innerspring mattress.
We then had a single sided pocket spring mattress made for us by Beds Direct/Vanrest in Melbourne. The Mattress wa a Re-creation mattress. 100mm high to suit our rooftop tent We were very impressed with it. And it was lighter than foam!
Since the we swapped the RTT for a Tvan, & had another recreation pocket spring mattress made by the same people, This one is a bit higher & with a 'plush top',
We also have one on our bed at home.
I have a bad back & my wife has bad hips. These mattresses suit us very well. Their construction allows them to be folded in one direction like a foam mattress, which is a significant benefit if having to get them in & out of a vehicle with limited access.
They can also be made to any shape or size you wish.
Hi Folks,
A question on beds.
I've been looking at some KEA Nomad Campervans, with the idea of getting a 2nd hand one.
But rather than have the club lounge seats and table at the rea of the cabin, that convert to a bed, I'd prefer a permanent bed.
Not that keen on sleeping on seats cushions.
Simplistically, we can just drop the table, add the boards between the seats, and rather than use the seat cushions, just drop a double mattress in there.
Though I'd probably do some simple carpentry to 'bridge between the seats more securely and add a storage locker below.
(the KEA Nomad type of layout has a dinette at the front anyway for meals, which works well for us)
The BIG question though, is getting a 'proper' mattress of the right size, rather than some foam thing.
It won't be any standard bed size, but probably 180 cm x 190 cm ish.
So we'll need a custom made mattress.
Any recommendations on places to get one from that won't break the bank?
Any thoughts or guidance is most appreciated.
There are different types of "foam", some of which can be very comfortable. Have you considered adding a topper to the seat cushions? That's what I've got, a latex topper over the seat cushions. You can cut it down yourself, I just used an electric knife.
If you go for inner springs, it will be heavy. I have a lot of trouble lifting my sprung mattress at home. It weighs a lot. They do make mattresses for caravans, the dealer you are looking at getting your van from should know who sells them.
Previously, we had a double bed size width innerspring which was too firm for us. We opted to ditch that innerspring and replaced it with a high quality composite foam mattress from Clark Rubber. Test lie down before we bought. They have different composites.
$10 extra to cut to size for length and two rounded corners at the foot of the bed. Quite a few kilograms lighter than the innerspring.
The "good" latex foam is very comfortable. I used to have a mattress at home that was all "foam", it was Dunlopillo. Very comfortable. Very light.
I also should have said that my innerspring at home that I have trouble lifting is only a single.
The foam in the cushions is actually high quality upholstery grade, it won't sag in a hurry like cheap foam, so it's a reasonable base for a bed. I find it way too hard with just the cushions, but putting the topper over makes it comfortable for me (and I'm like the princess in the princess and the pea story...) If you look at the sideviews of an innersprung mattress, they are made up of layers of this and that sewn together inside the cover. You can create your own 'layers' by using the seat cushions on the bottom, then your comfort layer or layers over the top.
Ah. A latex topper. That sounds like a good idea. We could use that in rental vans until we get our own.
I'll start googling!
Any recommended suppliers?
Another great option. Many thanks.
I'll check them out too.
I got both of mine from Clark Rubber. I had the latex topper on my bed at home, when I got the caravan I moved it out there. It was a bit wider than the caravan beds so I cut some off one side to fit. I then bought a new one for my bed at home, it's some wanky memory foam something or other, it's a lot squishier and softer than the latex. I don't think you can cut it, I don't know, but check when/if you get one that it can be cut to fit, if it needs to be smaller. As mentioned, Clark Rubber can do it for you.
(Why topper at home? It's not my bed, it's me....)
-- Edited by hufnpuf on Thursday 26th of May 2022 12:48:27 PM
Many thanks, I'll check our Clark Rubber.
We have had quality foam & Innerspring over the years.
The foam was pretty good, but hotter to sleep on in hot climate. To work well we had an Ikea cotton topper on it, & under foam mesh were essential.The cost of those 3 items combined brought the price up to that of a decent innerspring mattress.
We then had a single sided pocket spring mattress made for us by Beds Direct/Vanrest in Melbourne. The Mattress wa a Re-creation mattress. 100mm high to suit our rooftop tent We were very impressed with it. And it was lighter than foam!
Since the we swapped the RTT for a Tvan, & had another recreation pocket spring mattress made by the same people, This one is a bit higher & with a 'plush top',
We also have one on our bed at home.
I have a bad back & my wife has bad hips. These mattresses suit us very well. Their construction allows them to be folded in one direction like a foam mattress, which is a significant benefit if having to get them in & out of a vehicle with limited access.
They can also be made to any shape or size you wish.
bedsdirect.com.au/products/re-creation-mattress/
-- Edited by Cuppa on Thursday 26th of May 2022 08:59:12 PM
Sounds good, I'll have a look. Many thanks.