Inflatable bed for van or tent

[campism]

We had company over the weekend and not enough bed space so a neighbor loaned us his Aerobed and I thought it worth mentioning here in case anyone is interested in something like this for use in van or tent. It comes with its own inflator that plugs into 110V and fills the bed in about a minute. Handy if you have shore power or an inverter. Once inflated it’s as thick as a standard mattress, which might eat up some space in a van (especially a Westy) but if comfy enough might be worth the sacrifice. Get details, pricing and dealer locator at www.aerobed.com. Coincidentally, our new Campmor catalog arrived the same day and it features a Coleman Quickbed that looks like the same thing for less money. I think the cheapest Aerobed brand bed begins at about $99.

[thummmper]

thats what I do too

[kshbaja]

The walmart version, without pump, is less than $20.
_________________
1986 Westfalia

[MichaelRpdx]

[CQ]

Off topic but is that the original Westy cabinet door on the side or did you make that. I like the idea of the slider doors there in the rear cabinet...hmmmm.
_________________
82 Westy 'Betsy'
72 Bus 'Bertha' -Sold
Learning about 2.0L AFC Everyday.

[campism]

I copied Frank Condelli's mod on the closet. I'll find a link for photos.

*EDIT*

Here you go:
http://www.frankcondelli.com/closet.htm

[speedygeorge]

Silly question but why do you have a bed on a bed?

[bjrogers86auto]

Not to knock comfort...I'm all about it...BUT...the downside to an airbed, especially in colder temps, is that you freeze.

The air in the bed is the same temp as the air in the van. We used one many camping trips ago and quickly converted to Thermarest type pads.

In our van I use a 1 1/2" foam topper for added plush.

The other issue I had is if you move...so does your partner.

Ok...I'm done moaning now...

Brian.
_________________
86 Vanagon GL Westfalia 2.1
18 Nissan Frontier Pro 4X
19 Honda Civic Hatchback

A little rudeness and disrespect can elevate a meaningless interaction to a battle of wills and add drama to an otherwise dull day. Calvin and Hobbes.

[Timwhy]

I too think that the memory foam is far better than "the air bed on a bed" concept.
Leave the blow up bed for the tenting crowd. I bring them when the girls have
friends camping with us for the 3 man tent that they sleep in. For me the comfort
is in the memory foam.
_________________
'15 Audi A3 Quattro
'09 VW Tiguan (dead)
'87 VW Westy
'91 Tin Top
'90 Cabby
What the Westy wants the Westy GETS


http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_search.php?search_author=Timwhy&show_results=summary

http://www.youtube.com/user/TIMWHY2?feature=mhee

[JPrato]

2X on the memory foam. Yup, the Westy functions as a guest house at our place too!
_________________
Joe

87 Syncro Tin Top project
84 Westy, 2.5L Subaru power
06 Subaru 2.5 turbo in waiting
46 Cessna 140

[campism]

"Silly question but why do you have a bed on a bed?"

Not a silly question at all. The bed is on the bed for purposes of illustration, to show anyone who might be interested the relative dimensions of the Aerobed in a Westy. Personally, we use memory foam and have a 2" thick pad for the downstairs and one for the upstairs and we unroll these when necessary.

However, there are plenty of folks for whom the stock Westy bed is not comfortable enough who do NOT use memory foam or who may want a multipurpose (read tent in addition to van) alternative and I snapped some pix of the air bed in the van to show what is possible. It's just in case you haven't seen one and might find the prospect interesting, that's all.

[peterkrogh]

Anyone have a source for the foam?
Peter

[idahoskier]

I use a double-wide (72x52) thermarest style pad. It fits in the upper bed perfectly and could be wedged into the lower bunk easily. It could also be used in a tent. Not the cushiest self inflating pad on its own, but on top of the stock beds it adds a lot. Mine is made by outbound but most other mfgs make one.. got it on STP for about $30.
_________________
85 Westy w/ 2.2L Subaru
91 Westy w/ 2.5L Subaru - sold

[IdahoDoug]

Also interested in a source for the foam, and hoping for a place to get it at lower cost than what's commonly available. In other words, I'd love to find a commercial source selling it by the linear foot as opposed to paying 10X the amount because someone radiused the corners and put it in a fancy branded box with a cutout so you can feel it. Those brands have to be laughing all the way to the bank - $150 for a 2" slab of foam?! Hah!

DougM
_________________
1987 2WD Wolfsburg Vanagon Weekender "Mango", two fully locked 80 Series LandCruisers. 2017 Subaru Outback boxer. 1990 Audi 90 Quattro 20V with rear locking differential, 1990 burgundy parts Vanagon. 1984 Porsche 944, 1988 Toyota Supra 5 speed targa, 2002 BMW 325iX, 1982 Toyota Sunrader

[CREGAN]

I use a memory foam matress that I bought from Canadian Tire ($40). It was a double size but I trimmed about 4 inches off the side and made a little cutout for the electrical outlet. It was super easy to cut with the electric carving knofe - screw carving turkey! It sits about 3 inches up and is the perfect size to put a fitted sheet on and then any comforters or sleeping bags on. It is almost more comfy than my real bed! Only downside is rolling it up to access the under seat or trying to get into the back cabinet. But definately worth it. I hate air matresses for the fact that they always seem to lose air and when I move or my wife it shakes like crazy. it reminds me of a waterbed - sleeping on the hump. Go with the foam!

Craig

[Timwhy]

I think my memory foam is 1 1/2" from Target. Didn't pay that much for it either.
_________________
'15 Audi A3 Quattro
'09 VW Tiguan (dead)
'87 VW Westy
'91 Tin Top
'90 Cabby
What the Westy wants the Westy GETS


http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_search.php?search_author=Timwhy&show_results=summary

http://www.youtube.com/user/TIMWHY2?feature=mhee

[1621]

Climberjohn mentioned he picked up a memory foam matress topper from Overstock.com. Apparently the price is the same whether you're buying a twin size or king. If you purchase the king size you can cut it up and have enough for the upper bunk as well.

My only question for those with a memory foam topper is where do you store it, and how much space does it consume?
_________________
'85 Westy

[campism]

[msinabottle]

For the full details, you can see here:

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=3243013&highlight=warehouse#3243013

Best!
_________________
'Winston,' '84 1.9 WBX Westy
Vanagon Poet Laureate: "I have suffered in
many ways, but never, never, never in silence."

[DAIZEE]

another source if you can't find a foam factory, look for small mattress companies. Can buy foam there without any work done. Where I got my new back seat & back and mattress. I went 4" same as was in it but I should have only gotten 2.5 to 3".
_________________
'09 2.5L Jetta 5 cylinder, 5 spd, super turbo, see thread in H2O Cooled Jetta, etc...
83.5 Vanagon L Riviera Model with 98 1.9L TD AAZ 4 speed Daily Driver 3 out of 4 seasons (sold)
84 Vanagon GL Wolfsburg Westy WBX 4 speed (sold)