A Good Night’s Sleep

[daveb]

Originally Posted by eradikate

Looking forward to a lot of great nights in the new van that was just ordered. Just curious what people have found to be the most comfortable sleeping surface. Will be a platform bed, between 48-53” wide, four season use, so something that's comfortable in low temps as well as warmer temps. Please chime in, all insight and experiences welcome!

Sleeping on the stock SMB bed doesn't bother me. A lot better than a tent anyway. I'm with Eric as far as cabin heat though. If I'm kicking back in the van while bad weather is pounding away, it sure is nice to relax in light clothing. They do make 12v heating pads and figure those would be a good backup if my heater failed. I use a square double wide 0* sleeping bag as a throw and a fleece blanket as a sheet. One thing that is a must for me is to sleep on a slant where my head is higher than my feet. This requires parking in the preferred angle. Off road I can usually level it with rocks and what not if necessary. Many use leveling blocks especially in campgrounds where you don't have a choice in parking.

[larrie]

You say you want a bed that is between 48 and 53” wide. That is narrow for two people. It would be fine if you always traveled alone. A double bed is 56” wide and IMO is the minimum width for two when sleeping. Have tried the narrower versions and it is just to tight for two.

[boywonder]

Originally Posted by larrie

You say you want a bed that is between 48 and 53” wide. That is narrow for two people. It would be fine if you always traveled alone. A double bed is 56” wide and IMO is the minimum width for two when sleeping. Have tried the narrower versions and it is just to tight for two.

Yes, I'm curious about Eradikate's bed width too..assuming we are not talking about a penthouse bed...


Now I'm a wondering about the width of SMB Sprinter beds....the Econoline bed is 39.5" wide..barely enough for one comfortably.

[soaringhawk]

Someone I know made the error of leaving an extra 2” foam pad on the Penthouse bed and shutting the top. It took quite a bit of force to lock the rear latch. Great way to permanently bend the rear support bars. Hmmmmm

[eradikate]

Originally Posted by larrie

You say you want a bed that is between 48 and 53” wide. That is narrow for two people. It would be fine if you always traveled alone. A double bed is 56” wide and IMO is the minimum width for two when sleeping. Have tried the narrower versions and it is just to tight for two.

I’ll be using Flarespace bump outs to increase length and the bed can pretty much be any width I want. It’s just me and two canine “heating pads” so I can go with a narrower width and be comfortable or go wider for resale considerations. But I plan to keep this rig for a long time and am inclined to spec it out to my own preferences.

Not worried about heat since I’ll have the Rixen setup. Not sure how to relate this next thought without inviting all kinds of clever double entendres and such but here goes: I have read that while certain types of foam mattresses are generally comfortable, some types (memory?) get overly firm in cold weather. I’m used to backpacking and sleeping in the cold so even with the heater I won’t want it too warm inside at night but I wouldn’t want the sleeping surface to turn into a brick either.

[Steve_382]

We switched to the Exped MegaMat Duo a year or so ago and sleep better on it than we do at home. We have an RB50 and the full size Megamat fills the space wall to wall and front to back. We pump most of the air out of it in the morning and fold it in half and leave it behind the couch. We then put our bags on it during the day and you hardly know it's there. Expensive, but worth every penny. We also bought a small 110v electric pump that inflates it in a minute or two and the same on deflation. Much easier than trying to squeeze all the air out.

https://www.rei.com/product/113720/exped-megamat-duo-10-sleeping-pad?CAWELAID=120217890003836975&CAGPSPN=pla&CAAGID =22329232480&CATCI=aud-129902659960la-336145948711&cm_mmc=PLA_Google|404_1050507442|1137 200001|none|e6ec9643-e261-4705-baf4-bd2ec567ed5e|aud-129902659960la-336145948711&lsft=cm_mmc:PLA_Google_LIA|404_105050 7442|1137200001|none|e6ec9643-e261-4705-baf4-bd2ec567ed5e&kclid=e6ec9643-e261-4705-baf4-bd2ec567ed5e&gclid=Cj0KCQjwsMDeBRDMARIsAKrOP7GGTVe lZbDd_9T8GOyawyokcXxgrdiXaJabCmQfoC6UVXoxOiSAcOIaA jtJEALw_wcB

[Steve_382]

Another link to the mat:


MegaMat Duo vehicle fit guide | Exped USA

[eradikate]

Thanks! I’ll check it out.