Sleeping in a Westfalia Penthouse vs Riviera Penthouse

[The Posh Mushroom]

Hello!

I'm curious to get first hand opinions from people who have slept in the top bunk of a westy or riviera camper...

Is it substantially different? I'm woried that a Riviera top bed would feel very cramped, given the low headroom, in a way that the westfalia wouldn't due to your head being at the base of the tall side of the traingle..

I'm mostly thinking of post 73 westfalia with the rear hinged top, but if anyone has experience with the pre 73 westy "continental style" solid top bed (not that interested in the cot set up) please chime in!


Also, in general, is the top bunk much less comfortable than the z bed? Can this be mitigated with some kind of foam topper?


Thanks!

[frankvw]

so, we have a 1978 T2b Westfalia Berlin. top is a bit claustrofobic (we are tall Dutch persons) and we did use it once or twice, I created a board that closed the opening, so step in using the kitchen and then close the board. Board had foam with same height as matras, so the bed was taller. Not easy to get out middle of the night to take a pee
Kids liked it in the top of course !

So, we use the bed 'downstairs' normally
your question:
"is the top bunk much less comfortable than the z bed?"
yes, it is thinner foam, so depends on your size/weiht as well.
Z bed was also not very comfortable, we added a topper with nasafoam. way better !!!
and......the cabinet above our heads in teh Z-bed is also removed to make it less claustrofobic, and it stops me from bumping my head when I sit up in the bed

[Clementine79]

The Westy is much better up top than the Riviera, with our Riviera it is quite cramped up top for adults and as mentioned the matress was about 1" thick, vs the 3-4" of foam on the bottom seats. Neither are particularly comfortable but both are fine while out camping on short trips.

There are a few Rivieras that have modified the hinges and canvas to allow it to open higher than the stock setup.
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1979 VW BUS
Riviera Penthouse Model

[andrewtf]

I gotta agree with Clementine.

We have 2 Riviera's and a Westy.

Riviera - Murphy is 'stock' and up top it feels kind of claustrophobic to me. The pads are about an inch thick and we use a memory foam topper - and it is still kind of hard as well.
Two adult people up top in a stock Riviera would be uncomfortable. Do-able - but uncomfortable (in my opinion).

Riviera - Big Emma has 4" (I think) more lift with a custom canvas and added struts. The extra space makes it feel roomier - but not roomy. It is nicer to be almost able to sit up though.
It has thicker pads - and also a memory foam topper.

Westy - The Flaming Mallard is a lot more spacious up top. We have never slept there yet - as we are just redoing the bus, but I can already tell it would be a much more comfortable (physically and mentally) night in the Westy.
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'75 Riviera - 'BIG EMMA' - Travel Beast
'77 Riviera - 'Murphy' - Daily driver in nice weather
'78 Westy - New to the family
'63 Austin Healey - sitting alone in a museum