Mattress Options For A Softer Mattress

Kevin S said:
Kathleen, you got me thinking again- I wonder if you spotted these used/marketed to long haul truckers:
https://www.amazon.com/stores/North...ef_=ast_bln&store_ref=bl_ast_dp_brandLogo_sto


They make matttreses in a variety of applications, with multiple layers. Not a lot of info on exactly what- but if long haul truckers have a favorite- thats a starting point...
Breaker breaker @Tour931 you out there, rubber ducky, cmon back....?

I like the idea of mixing and matching different layers of different materials in one's own home brew. The trick is finding material cheap enough to cut down and mix without spending an arm and a leg.

But if ya pay $30k for a new trailer, then getting your custom bed inside done Goldilocks "just right" to enjoy it as most cozy snoozing spot ever...seems a worthy effort and a very good investment...

Let us know on the Klymit- looks like a good mod at low enough price to write off as a good experiment, for "air mattress plus memory foam" integrated layer, as a step in right direction, with ability to adjust by inflation/deflation.

Pretty sure my big fat body needs more support and somewhat less smushy cushion,
as on the Milliard- it was just too soft, and too thick for toe room at 6".

So I'll be experimenting too...next for me is to pull out the factory innards to insert new home-brewed layers inside...medium/high density yoga mat(s), then memory gel, then super soft smooshy latex,

Cary and Brad D- that latex sounds inviting- while waiting on your North Rim trip, got a hint as to maker or a link, please?

PS:Brad send pics- I spent a couple nights car camping under stars on my big teton cot on the way home to NoDak just before fall season ended, during early 2020 Covid, slow rolling it to avoid catching and bringing the WuFlu home to my 85yr old Mom, in cancer care.

Such a beautiful mysterious place and wilder than the tourist trap on South Rim.

Oops I digressed;

The key here is to understand just what the stuffing actually is: "just foam", "memory" foam, "gel infused" memory foam...latex?

Separating facts from Marketing speak...hmmm.

I should mention I've found tucking a pillow between knees helps my back a lot too- Amazon has firm and shaped pillows for that.
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I am surprised but happy to see so many posts on this topic! I just inflated one of the Klymit mattresses and tried it out. Felt great both for side and back sleeping. Now I will try napping on it the next few days to makee sure it holds air. Right now it is on a rug over a hardwood floor so I imagine it should be even more comfy over the Froli. It is about 5" as described but definitely no more than that. I will be pulling the original mattress out today to and putting the mattress on top of the Froli for a better idea of comfort level and foot room. Will report back.
 
So...my experiment with the Klymit air mattresses was that they were quite comfy but did not hold air so I returned them. It was very disappointing. While I finished deflating them I could hear air coming out at the seams!
Got busy and have not decided what my next experiment will be, but that will resume very soon and I will report back on the results.

I forgot to add another thought I had. When I unzip the factory mattress cover and squeeze each of the layers, they don't feel as super firm as I expected, which got me wondering how the cover itself contributes to the problem of being too firm for me. Maybe the cover doesn't allow the foam to shape to the body? It seems like it would be easy to sew a softer cover. Has anyone tried that?
 
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KathleenK said:
So...my experiment with the Klymit air mattresses was that they were quite comfy but did not hold air so I returned them. It was very disappointing. While I finished deflating them I could hear air coming out at the seams!
Got busy and have not decided what my next experiment will be, but that will resume very soon and I will report back on the results.

I forgot to add another thought I had. When I unzip the factory mattress cover and squeeze each of the layers, they don't feel as super firm as I expected, which got me wondering how the cover itself contributes to the problem of being too firm for me. Maybe the cover doesn't allow the foam to shape to the body? It seems like it would be easy to sew a softer cover. Has anyone tried that?
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KathleenK- thanks for the update on the Klymit!

Dear Wife loves the organic latex mattress topper I ordered off Amazon a couple weeks ago, on top of our "Sleep Number" bed- which is basically a giant airmattress surrounded by padding.
Its got a padded mattress cover plus sheets of course, which do stretch and give some, and breath- needed in sweaty hot temps.

Good question on "how much does the stiffer OEM mattress cover affect cushioning?"

I dunno yet, as I've not yet tried it that way- 'stuffed inside" the OEM cover, but seems a reasonable question.

What combination of layers would you use to replace the OEM innards? The latex is pretty "plush" and soft and certainly not enough as a single layer - need a foundation under it, inside.

Any camping pad that has air mattress as part of it will fail eventually. I just pulled out of storage and tried an old but newer REI update which replaced our old thermorest pads used for backpacking and tent camping...REIs were 5+ years old and that thing gave out in one night- popped the valve right off...;)
but then I'ma big guy and monkeyfisted the valve most likely...adjusting in middle of the night!

So the trick is finding something (s) under the most plush layer...for foundation to give support without hips and shoulder hitting the hard floor.

Thats totally individual based on one's own weight, comfort level...thickness of layers. I prolly WONT depend on any air layer, but its really DW that has most sensitive back...so:

Next step for us is "the organic latex" on top of CI OEM mattress with a mattress cover and sheets over it...I really like how relatively easy the OEM is to keep clean, wrestle in and out even vs say the tri-fold Milliard I used in its place...per good reviews here by others.

So,the experiment continues!
 
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I just brought my Froli and original mattress into my living room and put a 2" foam topper from my bed on top of the mattress. Thought it was going to be great. It was not! Still too hard! More experimentation to come
 
KathleenK said:
I just brought my Froli and original mattress into my living room and put a 2" foam topper from my bed on top of the mattress. Thought it was going to be great. It was not! Still too hard! More experimentation to come
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TY for the resukts!
You are getting closer! Its all good!
Test to fail, as per SpaceX...;)
It only took Edison 2000 tries!
I suspect you will be there in a couple more iterations...something softer inside the OEM cover?
Two layers? Softer than the foam on top,
or more firm?
Do the Froli pads compress all the way and you are feeling those as if a hard floor?
or?
 
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I am in the middle of the next attempt. I just repositioned some of my Froli springs, which do not compress to level with the floor, as they are meant to keep air space under the mattress. I received 3 latex mattress toppers from Naturally Nestled yesterday--firm, medium, and soft. I stacked them up in the living room while the Froli was still there and it felt pretty darned good. Froli is in camper now and I just wrestled the firm bottom layer into the camper. I ordered them all in FULL size after doing some measuring. I didn't want to be cutting them down if I didin't have to. Turns out the full size looks like it was made for the camper. There's only a slight space around the edges, not even enough to be noticeable. I'm writing this now because I need a break before trying to get the next two layers out into the garage. They are very difficult to hold on to! Will give a progress report later.

Meant to add that I intend to use all 3 layers which is a lot of height, but I am barely 5' 5" so I think (hope) that foot room won't be a deal breaker
 
So, I got all 3 layers into the camper yesterday and took a one hour nap in the camper. Woke up in the same position I started in so it must have been a good sleep. I think this is the answer. Foot room is ok for back and side sleeping. Will need to be mindful about hitting that shelf when rolling over, but overall I think the 3 layers will be ok. The three 2" toppers plus Froli are aboutu 7 1/2 inches.
 
KathleenK said:
So, I got all 3 layers into the camper yesterday and took a one hour nap in the camper. Woke up in the same position I started in so it must have been a good sleep. I think this is the answer. Foot room is ok for back and side sleeping. Will need to be mindful about hitting that shelf when rolling over, but overall I think the 3 layers will be ok. The three 2" toppers plus Froli are aboutu 7 1/2 inches.
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Glad to hear you seem to have found the solution for your comfortable good nights sleep! If your lower leg area wasn't part of your original discomfort, you might want to try tapering the thickness of your layers as they enter the foot well area to give you a little more toe space. Good luck!
 
“tapering the thickness of your layers as they enter the foot well area to give you a little more toe space”

I second this. I realize you likely don’t want to wrestle those back out anytime soon, but is so, you could cut off say… the bottom 12” of the lowest layer. It is unlikely you need the support for your feet that much. And if so, you can duct tape it back on, as it’s the lower layer.
 
Just seeing the volume of different replies shows you how individual it all is. I'm just chiming in to make another vote for the Milliard tri-fold mattress. The more complicated you make this project, the more trouble you will have changing sheets. The tri-fold option makes getting fitted sheets on there much easier. I have the 6 in. thickness and find it still leaves me adequate toe room and the mattress is a big improvement over the stock one, imo. The only drawback that I can find is that the trailer width is about an inch narrower than a standard queen, making the fit snugger and sliding the mattress up and down a bit more work but all in all we are quite happy with it.
 
Recognizing how much this is a one-size-doesn't-fit-all topic, here was our solution:

Air Mattress Option

The two different-width air mattresses fill the space, end-to-end and side-to-side with no free sloppy space. The Camp-Inn cover is "full", and adds added some abrasion and puncture protection. It has a bamboo topper, and a Froli underneath, with still enough room for my size 11's to fit under the cupboard. There's no "bottoming out" as a typical air mattress is prone to do.

Benefits: different "hardness" settings between two sleepers. It's lightweight, which makes accessing the bins easier. And I haven't had to add any air to them in over 4 years. Go figure.
 
gregangsten said:
Just seeing the volume of different replies shows you how individual it all is. I'm just chiming in to make another vote for the Milliard tri-fold mattress. The more complicated you make this project, the more trouble you will have changing sheets. The tri-fold option makes getting fitted sheets on there much easier. I have the 6 in. thickness and find it still leaves me adequate toe room and the mattress is a big improvement over the stock one, imo. The only drawback that I can find is that the trailer width is about an inch narrower than a standard queen, making the fit snugger and sliding the mattress up and down a bit more work but all in all we are quite happy with it.
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You have a tri fold in a CI?? I’m very curious about getting one and using it to partially fold the mattress out of the way in transit. In my head, if this works, it leaves a good space for hauling cargo that sits in the plywood floor of the camper instead of on my sheets. Can you speak to that? Does folding the mattress back give way to a space that is good for hauling all the dirty camping gear? Does folding the mattress back still allow room to access the cabinets at the aft?
 
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