Mattress topper up top on bunk??? How do you fit it?

[jismay]

I found an inexpensive 1" memory foam topper.

What I did is shove it inside a duvet cover.

What we found on our cross-country trip is that it was very easy to just roll up the topper + sheets + blankets, and then put our chairs and miscellaneous other things in front of and on top.

Then, when it was time to make the bed we just moved the chair, etc and unrolled the entire bundle. Kept everything clean, even if the chairs had sand,dirt,gravel on them.

At home the entire bundle can be rolled up and fastened closed and then shoved into a closet until the next camping trip.
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1970 Squareback with 1915cc dual 40idf
1979 Beetle Convertible
1980 Vanagon Westfalia
1989 VW Cabriolet

[Nimbus'87]

Purchased 2"-2.5" Gel topper from Overstock.
Cal. King cut will fit both top & bottom. Cost was the same as king/queen.
Top was trimmed to 44" to allow for tent @ sides. Only one sleeps atop.
Folded into 3'rds, with top/bottom sheet & light blanket, all fit/compress with no issues up top, behind folded Westy mattress. Pillows are tossed below.
2" Gel compresses to approx. 3/8"
For weight and circulation issues, top is removed when not needed. Stored in trash bag and tossed into garage attic for storage.
Bottom stays folded behind seat with pillows and quilt ready at moments notice.
Huge bonus in comfort. Below 40deg. Gel is stiff till body heat molds to fit and again very comfortable. Seems to work well in keeping cool in summer too.

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'87 Wolfram Grey Westy. '92 2.2 Subie, KEP/Calif. Reg.

[MaineVagabond]

"... the upper bunk cover is grippy and the foam is sticky and it was a real workout without a cover on the foam."

Yup. That's how I destroyed my original foam over 3 years of use. (Trying to pull it forward as I rolled it up, it would stick on the "grippy fabric" and cause the foam to tear.)

I bought new foam and created — enough for a single version and a double version — and had a seamstress create washable covers with sleeping bag zippers. If I'm travelling solo, I bring the single, if I'm not, I bring the double.

[Corwyn]

I use an inflatable. The KLYMIT Double V Sleeping Pad is precisely the dimensions of both beds (47x74 inches). Not advertising, but very comfortable.

https://www.amazon.com/Sleeping-Lightweight-Comfor...&psc=1
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'90 White Westy ("The Longship")
FAS Gen V 2.0
The Annual Baja Rally
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=604813&highlight=baja

"If anything's" gonna happen, it's gonna happen out there"
~ Captain Ron ~

[ledogboy]

[pbrown]

[Westaru]

The ALPS Mountaineering Lightweight Series Air Pad - Double also fits well:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004QCJVT4/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I had 2x Klymit but eventually went to the Alps as I got sick of pumping them up and deflating every night. Comfort is similar between the two.

FWIW, if anyone is looking I have an extra of the Alps linked above. I purchased 2 of them but we only use 1 on the bottom bunk as the kids don't need the other upstairs. Used only 1x, feel free to send me a PM if you are looking.
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1984 'Westaru' Vanagon Westfalia EJ22
@UtahWestfalia on IG

[JungleJamJohn]

having read most of this thread, I have a couple observations/questions:

1. How about using a shorter topper that just goes down past your hips. This would use less room, fold and store easier and use less weight, yet you'd have all of the additional cushion you need where it counts.

2. Could a modified hinge be designed and installed to accommodate thicker replacements of the original mattress pads? If so, seems like an opportunity for some motivated engineer to create a kit and make dozens of dollars!

[bobbyblack]

Not at all sure of how it was accomplished, but I have SEEN the top bunk open AND the top down. There's your space, IMHO. I have not tried this. But when I commented to the person about the bunk being deployed and the top down with "I didn't know you could do it" he replied "It's yours, you can do whatever you want!"
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'87 Westy 'Flossie','86 Westy 'R1','86 tintop GL - Subi2.2 'J2','83.5 stock tintop L 'ZoomBus','74 Karmann Ghia, '63 Notch

[slapin]

I am curious how this ancient thread died before the one person who was doing some serious product testing and engineering came up with a solution? Have there been any updates to this age old question?

[pdm777]

KLYMIT Double V Sleeping Pad.

Light, quick to inflate, very comfortable.
Highly recommended.

replaced a mattress topper that was a pain in the arse.
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1990 Westy Full Camper

[valvecovergasket]

[CessnaJon]

I have a Klymit double that I’d gladly swap for a topper. I Love that it is easy to inflate and packs up so small, but I find it uncomfortable.
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1973 Westy (shared birthday)
1990 Westy Multivan
2015 Passat TDI 6sp
2015 Sportwagon TDI 6sp
LR-JET, Gulfstream 159

[wbailey2112]

We carry two of the Klymit Double V inflatable mattresses too. Pack up very small and fit under the bench seat for storage. Dimensions are an exact fit. The key is to also carry a couple of deep full size fitted sheets and use them to hold the air mattresses to the foam mattresses on both the top and bottom beds. Not as nice as memory foam for sure but easy to pack away and much better than sleeping on just the stock foam.
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'74 Thing
'83 Westfalia

[Rorke]

After 45 consecutive days in the bus, my partner said she needed an upgrade.
We have the Klymit and it is super helpful but loud and bouncy for two.

After reading the description, i had to buy one. I have a few other Fancher"s products. All great. Shipping was fast.

This Should work up top. Only tried down low.

My gal loves it.

https://fanchers.com/shop/ols/products/the-best-me...bric-cover

[Vetterdog]

Has anyone tried the “Casper Layer”? It’s. 2” mattress topper that is supposed to be fabulous. Originally made for dorm rooms etc so a guest could sleep comfortably on the floor. A twin xl is 37.5 x 79” x 2” and is under $100. I’m considering one since the topper I now use is ok, but only ok. And can I put the top down in my late bay with the bed open? Never tried it!

[Jake de Villiers]

We got a 1 1/2" medium density latex foam topper last summer and it has transformed our Westy sleeping experience! I should probably replace the OEM foam in the seat amd mattresses but...

It folds over and stores invisibly on top of the top bunk.
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'84 Vanagon GL 1.9 WBX
'86 Westy Weekender Poptop/2.5 Subaru/5 Speed Posi/Audi Front Brakes/16 x 7 Mercedes Wheels - answers to 'Dixie'
@jakedevilliersmusic1
http://sites.google.com/site/subyjake/mydixiedarlin%27
www.crescentbeachguitar.com
www.thebassspa.com

[dhaavers]

FWIW: Any memory foam up to ~2" will still allow you to close the poptop.

Mine was from Overstock.com a few years ago, under $40, cut down slightly
to fit & easily worth twice the price...

- Dave
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86 White Wolfsburg Westy Weekender
"The WonderVan"
<EDITED TO PROTECT INNOCENT PIXELS>

[Boegrrl]

Instead of replacing the original pad I simply purchased a Big Agnes self inflating Mattress For a tight and perfect fit. I then added a memory foam that does also get stuffed and tucked away. Best bed ever.
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'87 Wolfsburg Weekender