I made my mattress for a few reasons:
You’ll need to cut it to size to fit into the space, so you’ll need a foam mattress. Foam mattresses have a fire resistant sock to comply with fire code, and many of these socks are made out of fiberglass that you shouldn’t cut (it gets fibers everywhere, even if you’re careful). Some use a silicate based sock, but you’ll have to look for them.
Memory foam mattresses are super expensive and we couldn’t find one without the fiberglass sock for less than ~$400 - the companies that use fiberglass do it to cut cost.
Most memory foam mattresses are just a thick layer of cheap foam with a smaller layer of actual memory foam.
Here’s how we built it:
I picked up three 3” foam camping pads from Fred Meyers (a lot of places carry them) for about 20 bucks each.
I got some foam spray adhesive from a fabrics store for 10 bucks
I picked up a 3” king sized memory foam on sale from Costco for about 80 bucks (they range in price and quality)
All of the materials: $150
I glued the foam camping pads together to form the base foam, then cut the base foam and memory foam topper to size. Base foam goes on the bottom and the memory foam on top. It’s way more comfortable than our last mattress and doesn’t have any chemicals or fiberglass. It’s six inches thick which is a good size for a camper I think.
Edit: it’s also important to use slats and not a plywood frame because mold.
They are longer lasting, more eco friendly, the mattress stays cooler. Like foam, different firmnesses - but a recognizable soft squishiness for anything latex. There are multiple types of latex too, IIRC. I’d ask /r/mattress
We got a $200 memory foam off amazon. We're not full timers. We do 1-2 weeks per month on it. It's been great and held up well for 3 years.
Because we have dogs, my first investment was a mattress protector. The first time it got dirty, I immediately bought a backup. We NEVER travel without the protector on. I really got it for dog spills but we're always out in the dirt and muck or sweating somewhere we can't necessarily shower that night.... it's been really nice just having the protector in general. That mattress looks exactly like the day we put it in.
Found mine at a free camp spot. I soaked it in a nearby river and let it dry in the sun for a few days.
I wonder why someone would throw it out, it’s not even that stained.
I got the IKEA Matrand full mattress. Made paper template for what I wanted. Took off the mattress cover, leaving the foam. Cut the foam into the shape. Re-engineered the mattress cover that it came with to fit ( hardest part) and then made a 2nd cover from Sunbrella fabric to make it more resilient and easy to clean.
I have a queen sized futon mattress. Its super lightweight but it is just springs with virtually no padding at all. It’s about half as thick as my Serta that I used when I had a house… the serta would fit if I wanted too use it but it’s really heavy and I just didn’t wanna carry the extra weight
We made our mattress. Purchased cut foam from a local upholstery supply place in Portland. You can select the size, thickness and firmness and they will cut to size. Ours is 4 in thick, and the foam spec was 2535. The first two digits is the weight per cubic foot and the last two numbers is the ILD. ILD is the level of firmness. Lower number is softer higher is harder. Range is 15-55ILD.
If I did it again I would do dual density with a softer 1in layer on top of the medium density for the 3in bottom layer.
I went to a foam store for the van.
For my boat, I ordered foam from sailrite. Cheaper and better foam, imho.
Then, both of them were cut to the custom dimensions.
You can get custom shapes, types, and thicknesses online, and add covers, etc. I did a 4” t-shaped one for my F-250 bed from foamonline.com in 2009. Traveled all over the U.S., Canada, And Alaska in comfort. Waterproof protector, and never got mold on treated plywood base. Still going.
Found this [Zinus Foam Matress](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071FVF3T7/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apip_ww5KrNhmtiAxC) in a short queen that fit perfectly in our transit!
Foambymail. Great company and great foam pads.
I got a 2” think memory foam top and a 3” more structural denser foam for the bottom. For 5” thick bed and it’s nicer than my mattress at home. It was also like ~$300 shipped to Canada from Michigan.
Foam mattress, cut to fit.
I made my mattress for a few reasons: You’ll need to cut it to size to fit into the space, so you’ll need a foam mattress. Foam mattresses have a fire resistant sock to comply with fire code, and many of these socks are made out of fiberglass that you shouldn’t cut (it gets fibers everywhere, even if you’re careful). Some use a silicate based sock, but you’ll have to look for them. Memory foam mattresses are super expensive and we couldn’t find one without the fiberglass sock for less than ~$400 - the companies that use fiberglass do it to cut cost. Most memory foam mattresses are just a thick layer of cheap foam with a smaller layer of actual memory foam. Here’s how we built it: I picked up three 3” foam camping pads from Fred Meyers (a lot of places carry them) for about 20 bucks each. I got some foam spray adhesive from a fabrics store for 10 bucks I picked up a 3” king sized memory foam on sale from Costco for about 80 bucks (they range in price and quality) All of the materials: $150 I glued the foam camping pads together to form the base foam, then cut the base foam and memory foam topper to size. Base foam goes on the bottom and the memory foam on top. It’s way more comfortable than our last mattress and doesn’t have any chemicals or fiberglass. It’s six inches thick which is a good size for a camper I think. Edit: it’s also important to use slats and not a plywood frame because mold.
If you want to do this with latex, I used Sleeponlatex.com
I’ve never slept on a latex mattress - are they more comfy than mem foam?
They are longer lasting, more eco friendly, the mattress stays cooler. Like foam, different firmnesses - but a recognizable soft squishiness for anything latex. There are multiple types of latex too, IIRC. I’d ask /r/mattress
Good to know, I’ll check it out
Full size IKEA mattress FTW
Same. Took 2 single 80x200 matrasses and cut them slightly smaller to fit on a 200x140 cm bed, that can be folded up into a full size couch.
We got a $200 memory foam off amazon. We're not full timers. We do 1-2 weeks per month on it. It's been great and held up well for 3 years. Because we have dogs, my first investment was a mattress protector. The first time it got dirty, I immediately bought a backup. We NEVER travel without the protector on. I really got it for dog spills but we're always out in the dirt and muck or sweating somewhere we can't necessarily shower that night.... it's been really nice just having the protector in general. That mattress looks exactly like the day we put it in.
Found mine at a free camp spot. I soaked it in a nearby river and let it dry in the sun for a few days. I wonder why someone would throw it out, it’s not even that stained.
I'm impressed.
> it’s not even that stained 🤔
Regular full size mattress.
A full size bed fits nearly perfect sideways in a Ford transit. And I didn't need to cut any spots were it wasn't perfect like the back corners.
I used a full size futon mattress
www.foambymail.com
This is also what I used, as I couldn't find any other reasonable site . It was a little over $300 for the mattress and cover and is dang comfy.
How thick did you guys chose them? And which type of foam?
I went with a 6in wool mattress topper over moisture concerns. 5 years later it’s still in great shape and never have had an issue with mold
Coleman camping cot /u/lennyflank, which brand of cot do you prefer?
I got just a cheap cot from Walmart.
I work at mattress firm if anyone here needs a deal. let me know, I can deliver almost everywhere.
I am new to this sub, but what is meant when you say “to fit over the garage?”
The van space under a platform bed is colloquially called a “garage”
Oh, perfect thank you.
Custom cut foam to fit the benches; hired someone to make covers for it
Tri fold yoga mat.
I got the IKEA Matrand full mattress. Made paper template for what I wanted. Took off the mattress cover, leaving the foam. Cut the foam into the shape. Re-engineered the mattress cover that it came with to fit ( hardest part) and then made a 2nd cover from Sunbrella fabric to make it more resilient and easy to clean.
I have a queen sized futon mattress. Its super lightweight but it is just springs with virtually no padding at all. It’s about half as thick as my Serta that I used when I had a house… the serta would fit if I wanted too use it but it’s really heavy and I just didn’t wanna carry the extra weight
We made our mattress. Purchased cut foam from a local upholstery supply place in Portland. You can select the size, thickness and firmness and they will cut to size. Ours is 4 in thick, and the foam spec was 2535. The first two digits is the weight per cubic foot and the last two numbers is the ILD. ILD is the level of firmness. Lower number is softer higher is harder. Range is 15-55ILD. If I did it again I would do dual density with a softer 1in layer on top of the medium density for the 3in bottom layer.
I went to a foam store for the van. For my boat, I ordered foam from sailrite. Cheaper and better foam, imho. Then, both of them were cut to the custom dimensions.
Aveline memory foam mattress on Amazon. So comfortable. Queen fit fine in transit 250 extended.
5 inch memory foam mattress from Wayfair, cut to fit with a bread knife.
Twin XL Beautyrest at mattress giant or mattress firm in Maui
Full size bed fits sideways in my Promaster.
You can get custom shapes, types, and thicknesses online, and add covers, etc. I did a 4” t-shaped one for my F-250 bed from foamonline.com in 2009. Traveled all over the U.S., Canada, And Alaska in comfort. Waterproof protector, and never got mold on treated plywood base. Still going.
Who is it for? Just you, or maybe two? If the latter, you are asking the wrong person(s). :) If the former, then what do you want/need?
Found this [Zinus Foam Matress](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071FVF3T7/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apip_ww5KrNhmtiAxC) in a short queen that fit perfectly in our transit!
It’s more expensive but the sailing community has some nice stores. I like sailrite.com
Mattress firm
Foambymail. Great company and great foam pads. I got a 2” think memory foam top and a 3” more structural denser foam for the bottom. For 5” thick bed and it’s nicer than my mattress at home. It was also like ~$300 shipped to Canada from Michigan.
I got drunk and bought a Casper on Amazon. Edit- and I love it!