Mattress/pad recommendations for climbing van?

I built a platform in my van, anyone have any luck with ordering custom foam or something to use as a mattress? Currently using a full size air mattress but looking for something better.

Mattress/memory foam is easy to cut into whatever size you want - head to ikea and pick up a cheap foam mattress.

Buy a memory foam topper from Wal-Mart and cut it to whatever size you want.

I have a Full Size memory foam mattress topper from Costco. It fits perfectly in my VW Eurovan.

Eurovan platform bed

We tried memory foam, but when it is cold, until body heat warms it up and it starts to give it is rocky hard. Enough of a problem for us we sought different options. The most comfortable so far is a fat (like 3" thick) thermarest type pad with a 3" medium density standard foam on top, (not memory foam.) This is almost as comfy as our home sleep number bed.

Great ideas. Thanks everyone!

I like my 5" futon but they are not cheap. A twin size (75" long x 39" wide) fits perfectly between the Toyota Tacoma wheel wells. Full is 54 x 75. You could probably order a custom size somewhere in Atlanta. I got mine made in LA.

3" foam pad from Joannes fabrics... Black cotton duck canvas.. Snap closures. His and hers comfort! They don't pack down, but hey, its a van. It swallows gear. The tough canvas fabric wears well. We throw them on the roof or in the dirt and lounge. When they get too dirty, simply remove and wash.

Foam pad

Go dual use if you can...When I slept out of the back of my Hilux I used an Edelrid Crux pad; at 85" x 47" and 4" thick - with an inch of memory foam sandwiched in there - it's much larger than a twin bed. I slept on mine for a couple years and it still rebounds great.

I loved, loved, loved using a thin futon mattress for my one van road trip. I prefer the denseness of that to foam.

tinalovely100 wrote: How much did you buy this one? Is it heat-trapped? Looking for good materials with good warranty from good manufacturers.

Thermarest is thermarest. Foam was from an old futon core we had for 20 years, Price I don't know. I don't understand what "heat trapped" means.

I too am looking for a mattress, but for my truck bed,has anyone had a problem with memory foam or gel infused memory foam in the heat(100°)?

Luc Ried wrote:I too am looking for a mattress, but for my truck bed,has anyone had a problem with memory foam or gel infused memory foam in the heat(100°)?

I have a 4" memory foam topper as my mattress in my van. Very comfortable in the high heat. At 100 degrees, I just barely bottom out to the plywood base, but not enough to cause any pressure points. I'm guessing thinner would bottom out much easier as it softens with heat

Luc Ried wrote:I too am looking for a mattress, but for my truck bed,has anyone had a problem with memory foam or gel infused memory foam in the heat(100°)?

Being in a truck at 100* is going to be sucky no matter what mattress you have :) I have used an Ikea cheapo foam mattress in my van and my truck and I would have to say it is the best option and relatively cheap

In 100 degrees in the back of a truck I'd want an air mattress.
It'll help keep you cooler. If you use it in colder weather
you'll want to put some insulation between you and the mattress itself,
as it'll be cold air underneath you.

Mike Brady wrote:I have used an Ikea cheapo foam mattress in my van and my truck and I would have to say it is the best option and relatively cheap

I use an Ikea sofa bed mattress, which doubles for a couch and comes with an easily removable, washable cover: ikea.com/us/en/catalog/prod…

When I used it in my Element I just cut the foam to size with a serrated kitchen knife. It works fine with the pieces back in.

Two crash pads!

NateNelms wrote:Two crash pads!

Works very well. Not as comfortable though and after extended use it works your pads. I slept on a pad for 3-4 months and by the end the shell was thrashed (it was summer so I was sweaty and I tend to roll so maybe that has something to do with it)

Overstock.com has great deals on memory foam mattresses. You can cut it to the size you need. The ones with medium/hard density on the bottom and light density on the top work really well. I put in some random numbers in the coupon box and got an extra 25% off as well, worth a try. The memory foam is quite hard when its cold, so if you roll around a lot at night it might not be the best option. This being said, I usually role around at night but don't do it on the memory foam for whatever reason. I sink in and basically don't move until morning.

The one I have is ribbed on the top with some spaces in the middle. This works really well if you're going to be in hot weather a lot as it diffuses the heat out and away from your body. This option is really thick (mine is 7 inches) but is super comfortable if you have the room in your van. Best way I found to cut it is with a reciprocating saw.

Clayton Knudson wrote:Just Go Sleep has great deals on mattress topper reviews. You can cut it to the size you need. The ones with medium/hard density on the bottom and light density on the top work really well. I put in some random numbers in the coupon box and got an extra 25% off as well, worth a try. The memory foam mattress topper is quite hard when its cold, so if you roll around a lot at night it might not be the best option. This being said, I usually role around at night but don't do it on the memory foam for whatever reason. I sink in and basically don't move until morning. The one I have is ribbed on the top with some spaces in the middle. This works really well if you're going to be in hot weather a lot as it diffuses the heat out and away from your body. This option is really thick (mine is 7 inches) but is super comfortable if you have the room in your van. Best way I found to cut it is with a reciprocating saw.

Yeah I like memory foam material. I will try it
Thanks for the advice

mountainhick wrote:We tried memory foam, but when it is cold, until body heat warms it up and it starts to give it is rocky hard. Enough of a problem for us we sought different options. The most comfortable so far is a fat (like 3" thick) thermarest type pad with a 3" medium density standard foam on top, (not memory foam.) This is almost as comfy as our home sleep number bed.

We faced the same issue when we use memory foam mattress pad for our van. However, we still use it just because we have not found the alternative, we may use your suggestion here