Mattress topper - 2021 TaB 320 Boondock

Bclarke

Hello.. we have been researching various options for a mattress topper for our new T@B 320 Boondock. While there are many options most are a memory foam of sorts.   However we are really trying to stay away from chemicals etc and would far prefer something organic ... cotton or wool for example. The bed is an odd size (71x72) so standard toppers don’t fit.  We have thought about using a standard camping air mattress but I am really seeking comfort ... gotta get this part down as my wife isn’t 100% confident about this new venture (she is a great sport!).  Any suggestions?  

LonesomeRoad

Might check out: https://www.thefutonshop.com/custom/

pthomas745

Mattress Insider. Just tell them you have a Tab, I bet they have sold enough to Tab owners they will tell yout he size!

https://www.mattressinsider.com/

Threads mentioning "mattress insider"

https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&sxsrf=ALeKk031sDt1tIPu9ug5X3y6ajUsVAwpNg:1612221460947&ei=FIwYYJ6qObms0PEPqeGh6AE&q=mattress+insider+site:tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com&oq=mattress+insider+site:tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com&gs_lcp=CgZwc3ktYWIQAzoECAAQR1CjEFi9P2CaR2gAcAJ4AIABf4gBjRGSAQQyOS4xmAEAoAEBqgEHZ3dzLXdpesgBBMABAQ&sclient=psy-ab&ved=0ahUKEwiehOr76MnuAhU5FjQIHalwCB0Q4dUDCAw&uact=5

MuttonChops

Slightly off topic - - -
Mattresses Toppers, sheet sets, making the bed are a frequent topic of conversation here and on several other RV Forums . . . which totally confuses me.
We are camping so we sleep in Sleeping Bags*!

And they have a mattresses / seat cushion topper built-in.
Over 50-years of tent/boat/T@B camping we have always used sleeping bags
Now lately I've gone upscale some:
   - placing a half folded Afghan Crochet Blanket** under the sleeping bag
   - adding a half folded sheet inside the bag
   - shifted to a summer weight year round***

  * Must be 100% inside cotton flannel /outside cotton canvas
 **currently using one of last gifts from Mom, so Love makes in softer
***just run Alde a bit more

And Yes, you can have as much togetherness as campers wish with sleeping bags - - - they all have full zippers.

Verna

I agree with @MuttonChops. I gave up on the sheets and blankets and the quilt since I don’t have the bed made up all the time. 

I have 2 sleeping bags, a 32* for me, and an inexpensive black and gray one for the two 16 lb dogs. I also have a 3” LL bean Camp Futon self inflating camping mattress. At night, I let the Camp Futon inflate, unzip the sleeping bag for me, and the dogs’ sleeping bag. Come morning, I roll up the Camp Futon, stuff the two sleeping bags and then I throw them behind the sofa back. It really takes less time than folding up the sheets, blankets and quilt. 

I am camping and I do sleep in a sleeping bag. (If it is really cold outside, I do take my 0* sleeping bag with me.)

Bclarke

Thank you all. @LonesomeRoad I appreciate the link to the site.  They do offer several “natural” non foam options.  

I have backpacked and slept in tents for many years but I promised my wife we wouldn’t recycle my equipment. We most likely will use sleeping bags but the topper will make all of the difference. Thanks!  

4ncar

@Bclarke:fwiw...the mattress insider memory foam topper we got came with an organic cotton cover. Not sure if that’s enough to sway you or not.  It is pretty sweet. I too came from the backpacking community, so this is like ultra lux as far as I am concerned!

Bclarke

Appreciate it @4ncar.  My wife is very sensitive to chemicals so we stay away from air fresheners, foams, paints etc that emit fumes / VOCs etc.  personally I would opt for the Mattress Insider especially due to custom size. Me? Give me my thermarest, mummy, and my hubba hubba (tent) and I am happy as can be. 

Mellow_Yellow

I'm trying out new gear and recently spent 2 nights in my T@B 320 S with a queen size mattress topper. It was great to sleep on but I hated how difficult it was to get a sheet on it and to roll it out/put it away. It was like wrestling a giant rubber monster while confined in a small box. I don't like the idea of storing it behind the rear seat back, next to the heater and where condensation might gather.
My next idea was to check to see what the local foam shop has to offer. I'm going to try a medium-density tri-fold mattress that is just the right size to fit in the storage under the seats. I'll use use loops to keep 2 of them together similar to a Thermarest joiner kit. Here's what I found locally (in Victoria BC): https://foamzone.ca/mattresses/travel-fold-a-bed/go-rest-model-3d-fold-a-bed-travel-slim-blue.html

Bclarke

@Mellow_Yellow you had me laughing with the visual of you wrestling the giant rubber monster!   Thanks for the link as well.   @LonesomeRoad  suggested The Futon Shop (above in the thread) that holds promise.  I am hoping that we can roll it up and also store it behind the seat back.   Curious as to the under seat storage ... we really don’t have much.  Hmmm.  The AC is massive. 

Sharon_is_SAM

We use a thick mattress pad.  Our original bedding set up included the mattress pad sandwiched within a duvet.  Very easy to fold/roll.  Much more compact than a topper.  We now leave the bed made up and hang out in the side tent.

@Mellow_Yellow - if you are solo camping, have you considered leaving a single bed across the rear?  That way you can have seating during the day and not need to roll up the bedding.

Bclarke

There are two of us that will travel.. and unfortunately I am 6’2” so I also need to create an “extension” somehow.  We will most likely use sleeping bags but I need the “base” comfortable. We also are struggling to sleep with our heads under the cabinets .. that seems really claustrophobic so may flip around.  

pthomas745

It is nice to see that my "sloppy" bed making is more common than I thought.  I gave up trying to "make" a bed in the trailer, and just kind of spread a flat sheet over everything, and use my sleeping bag as a blanket.  If it gets cold, zip the bag up and climb in.  I did break down and buy one of the Mattress Insider items, and I like it much better than the Thermarest I was using.

@Bclarke here is a link to the "tall guy mod" threads. 

https://www.google.com/search?q=tall+guy+mod+site:tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com&source=lmns&bih=1098&biw=1920&client=firefox-b-1-d&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjh_vLw0szuAhUTmp4KHZZiAxYQ_AUoAHoECAEQAA

Bclarke

Thank you @pthomas745.  “Tall guy” wasn’t one of the key words I was using.  Very helpful!

Mellow_Yellow

Sharon_is_SAM said:

@Mellow_Yellow - if you are solo camping, have you considered leaving a single bed across the rear?  That way you can have seating during the day and not need to roll up the bedding.

@Bclarke - I didn't mind the claustrophobia of sleeping under the cabinets, but a good whack on the head encouraged me to sleep the other way around. Downside: the fan vent lets in a lot of light.
Also, I have a pacemaker and need to sleep with my upper body as far away from the Alde as possible. The best night's sleep I've had so far was sleeping diagonally, with my head near the door, on a solo trip. I also discovered that BC rain can be bloody loud. I'll be adding ear plugs to my kit...

Bclarke

@LonesomeRoad I called the Futon Shop as you suggested. I am stunned by the many natural and organic options.  They were also unbelievably helpful.  Each is custom so we can create whatever size and or angles we need.  We are definitely going to order from them this week.  Thank you!

Hound

@Mellow_Yellow As a pacemaker person myself, I would be interested to know what it is about the Alde that calls for distancing. Thanks.

Mellow_Yellow

Hi @Hound - anything with an electromagnetic field can affect a pacemaker. The Alde seems like it would qualify. Out of precaution, I prefer not to sleep directly overtop of the Alde. 

Hound

@Mellow_Yellow- Sounds like a wise decision.