Bed

[karen]

Hi,

I'm still in a house. And I've been sleeping on an uncomfortable Ikea chair-bed now for a few years. I've gotten sick of it, and last week I ordered this:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007GMS19W/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It is a Twin XL. It is 37.5 x 12 x 79 inches big and 58lbs shipping weight. I was going to put in on my bed now and then when I get a van move it into that.

But is that too freakin' big? Too heavy? I really would love to have a super comfy bed. It is only a few inches wider than my current bed and that is the narrowest bed id consider.

Should I return it? I know others have recommended doubling over a topper, but when I tried that with a 4" 4lbs topper - folding it over onto itself I still sunk to the floor.

What are your thoughts?

 

[SirJoey]

<br><strong style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">Can't wait to hear your report on how U like it! Although I can't afford one yet, I desperately need one, cuz my bed is horribly uncomfortable. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/frown.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img"><br><br>With my severe back &amp; hip problems, I SOOOOO desperately need something decent to sleep on. When I get up each morning, I'm always in excruciating pain, sometimes so bad I can't even walk for awhile, but right now I'm trying to first raise money to get my water heater fixed (AGAIN), cuz I haven't had hot water for 2 months.&nbsp;<br><br><br></strong>

 

[VanFan]

It does look like a very nice mattress.&nbsp; Love the full length.&nbsp; Have you considered how much room you'll need/want/have over head?&nbsp; If you're like most folks, you will probably want storage underneath.&nbsp; (We have a low top van and sleep on 44" x 80" x 8" of high-density foam on the floor, with our storage in the rear.)<br><br>Vickie

 

[coultergeist]

My bed in my first van is comfortable, but it is very narrow.&nbsp; When I was laying out the van I'm building now one of my priorities was a wider bed.&nbsp; Believe me when I say that being comfortable in your bed is priceless.&nbsp; You will end up spending a lot of time in it.&nbsp; I'd say go with the biggest most comfortable bed you can reasonably fit in your van.&nbsp; Mine is a full size foam mattress that has been shortened a few inches to fit side to side in the back of my van.&nbsp; It is about 10 inches thick.&nbsp; My van has a really high top so height isn't a big issue for me.&nbsp; Mine is two feet off the floor.&nbsp; <br><br>Figure out the best layout based on the van you will be using and make the bed as big and comfortable as will fit in the space.&nbsp;&nbsp; The great thing about most foam mattresses is that you can cut them down easily to the size that you actually need.&nbsp; Bigger is better than smaller to begin with.&nbsp; You can always cut some off, you can't easily add more to it.

 

[karen]

Thanks all for the replies.

I got it today and opened it up. It is 11" thick (manufactures always lie about size for some reason). I out in on my current bed and it seems very comfy!

I agree about making sure your comfortable. The previous bed ive been on isnt very comfy. But I had a queen sized standard bed with a 4" topper that a couple cats used as a cat box, so I had to ditch both of them. I moved this chair/bed in my room and for the last 18 months or so I've never slept very deeply - toss and turn a lot. And I'm now glad I bought this. It is wonderful to have a few more inches top and bottom. I can image it would even be more important in a van as things are more spartan as they are.

Anyways, this mattress is quite comfortable and seems high quality. It's got two covers on it that open up with a zipper.

My body will need to get used to it - going from an uncomfortable bed that I'm used to tossing and turning - to something I can float in will probably take a week. It took about that time when I got my topper last time. But I will give you a report in around a week to let you know for sure.

About the high of the bed in a van - I'm planning on constructing a composting toilet with a urine diverter and set that up with a removable or hinged cover that has a pad on it, and that height will be the height of my bed frame platform. At least that is the plan.

 

[karen]

BTW, when I construct my bed in the van, I plan on trying to make the head and the foot of the bed adjustable. Not like an adjustable bed, but so that I could park on an un-level parking spot. I figure I'd embed a bubble level on it as well. It would be nice to open up as many locals as possible to sleep camp at.

I've been inking on how to construct it so that: a) it is completely sturdy - no wobble or noise and b) to make it so that it is super easy to adjust. If either conditions are not met, I might as well forgetaboutit.

Any ideas on that, I'd be thankful. So far I'm thinking legs that slide in sleeve with dowels or metal pins that slide in - out.

 

[wagoneer]

with the hopeful 8 hours sleep (1/3 rd. of your life ) sleeping DO NOT skimp. I also do not skimp on my bike it gets my to a lot of important places. I also do not skimp on my food as it goes into MY body. I skimp on clothes I skimp on drugs I skimp on a lot of skimpable? things. Got used to sleeping on a harder surface on my back. Buckwheat pillow wool blankets. I am good to go.

 

[MK7]

shipping to you was free but i bet shipping it back is going to cost $100 at least.

 

[James AKA Lynx]

Karen, Adjust the van and not the bed.<br><br> My bed is totally solid. 4 X 4's across, 4 of them, lag bolted to the metal post and then 4&nbsp; x 4 post lag bolted to the metal post. 3/4 plywood cabinet grade (no holes/voids) with 2 in wood screws counter sunk. 1/16 space between the two pieces of plywood. I am 240 pounds and it does not budge, no squeaks. I gave it 16 inches clearance under to handle the 5 gal square water containers. <br><br>James AKA Lynx

 

[VanFan]

Being level end to end has not been a problem for us.&nbsp; We just switch ends so the head is highest if necessary.&nbsp; Tilting to one side is more uncomfortable.&nbsp; I agree:&nbsp; it's easier to level the van, although if your bed is on a "floating" platform, a small wedge under the platform might do the trick.<br><br>Vickie

 

[VanFan]

My daughter says she's invests more in her bed and shoes than other things because if she's not in one, she's in the other.<br><br>Vickie

 

[James AKA Lynx]

Just put it under the tires. Blocks or pieces of wood to raise a tire to make the van level. They all break in time. <br><br>James AKA Lynx

 

[monical]

i cannot believe it is a bed and you have own it. seems amazing

 

[MrNoodly]

I found a foam supplier here in town and am planning on having them cut a multi-density mattress to whatever custom size I'm going to end up needing. Then I'd take the foam to an upholsterer to have covers made -- one more or less permanent inner cover and one outer removable and washable cover.<br><br>I had an all-foam mattress way back before I was married (and divorced) that was pure heaven. I never had the back problems people claimed I would. My wife said she needed a really firm bed. Okay. I got used to that. I got a standard mattress after the split. Then another one. But as I age, my body has developed a lot of sensitivity at pressure points. I started using body pillows. It got to the point where most of the bed was covered with pillows. I finally realized I should just get a really plush foam topper. It's 6" thick. Oh man, what a difference! So my van bed is going to be as plush as possible. And as wide as possible. I'm a roller when I sleep. I had to sleep on a twin bed at my sister's house a few years ago. I ended up on the floor a couple of times. Guess I needed a guard rail.

 

[travel]

I just went through the mattress buying process too, and got a nice gel/memory foam twin size Sealy Posturepedic mattress. I would have gone for a twin XL for the 4" of extra length, but the Astro is rather short compared to other minivans. I figured I'd have about 12" of space behind a regular twin to put in a cabinet with a sink and storage. When you have so little space left over, losing 4" is a big deal. And besides, I'm 5' 10" and have slept on a twin size bed for many years. Sometimes I slide downwards and my feet hang off the end, but I'm used to it. Originally I was going to order a natural latex mattress from a place in NC, but it was over $800. I also don't like to skimp on a mattress, as a good night's sleep is very important to me. But I figured there has to be something almost as good locally, for less. There was. Ikea had one for $599 but I see on their website it's $729. Maybe it was on sale then:&nbsp;http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/30188468/<br><br>But, I found a local mattress store that had a sale. It has been on for a month, but ended on Tuesday this week. They didn't have any pure latex mattresses (which are hypoallergenic), but they had a hybrid gel-memory foam mattress. I was worried it would feel like I was sinking into a hole, but I tried the display model and it was pure comfort. It was regular $449 or $479 I think, down to $339 with free delivery. I got it for $300 and I pick it up from the store. They had to order it in, and I'm supposed to get it tomorrow. I think I'll bring it in the house and try it out for a few nights. I have a twin bedframe. I also bought curved wood bed slats from Ikea, so I'll try them out too. The slats are like this one, but no frame around the perimiter. I guess in-store they have different stuff, and it was only $25:&nbsp;http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/60125969/<br><br>I can't find a cut-away pic of the mattress I got, but here's a description from their website:<br><br>

<span style="color: #000000;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; background-color: #f5f5f5;">Sealy Posturepedic Optimum beds represent the next generation of Posturepedics for Optimum Tempurature, Optimum Comfort and Optimum Support</span></span><br style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; background-color: #f5f5f5;"><span style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; background-color: #f5f5f5;">• OptiCore™ with CoreSupport provides a center-third lumbar support layer where your body needs it most</span><br style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; background-color: #f5f5f5;"><span style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; background-color: #f5f5f5;">• Outlast® infused fabric technology helps keep you cool and in an optimum temperature range</span><br style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; background-color: #f5f5f5;"><span style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; background-color: #f5f5f5;">• High Density supersoft foam helps to add comfort and minimize body impressions, ensuring a longer comfort life</span>

<br><br>It's supposed to have a 10 year warranty. Cheaper mattresses had only a 5 year warranty. Not that I would likely make a warranty claim, but I figure it must be better quality if the warranty is twice as long. It may not be perfect, but it can't be all that bad either. I can't see it being significantly more uncomfortable than an $800 (or more) mattress.

 

[karen]

Thanks for the replies all.

Well it has been a few weeks and I can give you a bit of a review of the mattress I bought.

This mattress is quite comfortable. It is much more comfortable than the previous mattress that was on this bed frame. The extra width on each side and also on the head and foot area is a really nice feature. I used to have a queen sized bed where I could lay diagonally and with this bed I can sorta-ish. Much more than my previous mattress. At first I thought that it was too hot dispite the gel layer, but while it isn't a cool mattress - it really isn't hot either - I just was running a fever due to a cold it turned out.

On the comfort side, I don't sink into this mattress as I feared I might. It has 2" of 4lbs memory foam gel, 2" of 3lbs standard memory foam, and the rest is a regular open cell high density foam of unspecified weight. They probably could have made the entire mattress 8" thick and it probably wouldn't be noticeable, except that this is better for standard deep sheets.

I'm not super happy with the purchase probably due to the fact that no purchases seem to make me happy anymore.

It supposed to have a 25 year warranty, but surely it would be more troublesome to exercise that warranty than it would be to just buy another mattress. The mattress cover is really nice, is supposed to be silver impregnated to inhibit bacterial growth, and it does have a zipper to remove the cover - though the cover completely encases this mattress so removing it would be rather difficult. It also has another inner cover inside that which also has a zipper and would be even harder to remove no doubt.

All in all, I am glad I got this mattress. I was sick of sleeping on that tiny mattress.

 

[MrNoodly]

I've been taking naps lately sitting in an easy chair. Not a recliner, just a big cushy chair. I fall asleep rapidly and and sleep very deeply. There have also been instances of being between errands and appointments and taking a nap in my car, with the seat cranked back. The results are similar to the easy chair. So I'm wondering if I should skip putting a bed in my van and go with a recliner instead.&nbsp;<img src="/images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img">

 

[travel]

I finally set up my new twin size mattress in the house last night. It's quite comfortable. A bit firmer than my eurotop queen size bed, but considering it cost only $300, not bad at all. And they say a firmer mattress is better for your back. Just not too firm, or I end up getting back pain. Seeing what you paid, Karen, I'm beginning to wonder if I shouldn't have ordered the mattress you got! Oh well, I already have mine, about the same price, 8" thick and made up of foam and gel layers. I'll be better off on that, than with a thin piece of a foam topper. Now I just have to get used to the reduced width! I almost rolled off the bed a few times last night, forgetting I'm not in a queen size bed anymore!<br><br>As for a reclining easy chair, or reclined seats in a car or van... I can never get a restful sleep in either of those. Especially reclining seats in a car or van.&nbsp;

 

[WheelEstate USA]

In my last van I built the bed just tall enough to use milk crates underneath for storage. They were easy to access from the back doors and had a panel on the interior to get to ones I needed from that side.<br><br>Karen, the new mattress sounds pretty nice.<br>We have a Sealy Posturpedic with a coolfoam topper since Margie has hot flashes a lot.

 

[karen]

Actually travel, an 8" mattress is probably far better for van dwelling. Hopefully this matress will fit the bill for me though. It too is a firm matress, but I'm still not sure if it's too firm or just right. The body has to adjust. But I don't have any pain waking.

I too have a problem sleeping when not in a fully horizontal position, but if one could, it would be handy. My boyfriend's mom sleeps on her recliner in her living room, and her old bedroom is now her sewing room. She told me she can't sleep flat anymore. I have heard that some people with sleep apnea find relive sleeping in a recliner.

As far as being high, I'm looking on having storage underneath as well. But I've also thought about doing a sideways Murphy bed situation if I end up getting a Nissan high top NV. Thos vans are dead square inside so that might be do able, so that any storage underneath might be like a bench seat/storage.

I'll have to get the van first then spend hours upon hours sitting in it and planning it out. I've sent out feelers to dealers about deals, but I'm in no rush to buy and will only pounce if a smoking deal came my way.