Felt layer under the rear mattress - what's it like?

[IdahoDoug]

Just put the mattress cover in the wash, and recall that the factory has a felt liner under the mattress to protect it from the engine cover/cargo floor. Wanting to be somewhat authentic and my Van came without it. What color is it supposed to be and how thick and any thoughts on texture, etc.

Also open to suggestions if anyone has come up with a cool replacement for it that is completely nonstock but improves function.

Thanks!

DougM
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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

[shadetreetim]

Hey Doug, I went out and took a picture of my '89 felt tonight. I folded it back so you could see both sides. Unfortunately my camera doesn't take good night time closeups. It's maybe 1/8" thick, dark grey, bound on all sides with dark grey, almost black vinyl. Mine rolls up the side walls slightly, like maybe it was for a GL, not a Wolfsburg.

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Tim Potts

Doing my best every time I drive it to dispel the myth these Vanagons have to be slow!


'89 Vanagon Bluestar/Country Homes 1.8T & .77 4th
'74 Jeep CJ5

[shadetreetim]

As to your query for a better idea... what about a moving blanket? About the right thickness. Would work great if needed to crawl under the van. Cheap.
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Tim Potts

Doing my best every time I drive it to dispel the myth these Vanagons have to be slow!


'89 Vanagon Bluestar/Country Homes 1.8T & .77 4th
'74 Jeep CJ5

[IdahoDoug]

I was thinking of improvements like a better material, bright orange so rescue help in back country etc. Maybe printed in large letters for use when broken down "POST TO SAMBA.COM TO HELP ME!".
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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

[DAIZEE]

You can get safety welding blankets but they are not cheap. I 'think' the felt was there to impede fires but I'm not sure. Scooby had one under the back carpet but I threw the felt out due to squirrels and mice pre ownership. I washed the carpet and still use it tho. Maybe look for a bright orange carpet piece? not much help am I/
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'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)

[BillWYellowstone]

My back mattress is right on the 'floor' to the back. There should be some kind of cover? Did not know that.
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Live Fulltime in motorhome
Have 86 Westy Camper 2.1 rebuilt
Work in Yellowstone NP year round.

[Jon_slider]

> Would work great if needed to crawl under

I like that idea

here is a pic of the brown one in my 85 westy (brown interior)

[PDXWesty]

I have a piece of grey trunk carpet I cut for the area. It's also a good place to store a couple tarps folded flat.
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89 Westy 2.1 Auto

[reluctantartist]

I put a piece of foil bubble insulation under my pad.
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1982 Westy, 1974 412 Variant... Yes, Aircooled's are great! Oh and I do have modern computer controlled vehicles too, but I just don't care about them.

[Californio]

I have a piece of 3/4" building insulation there to reduce engine compartment heat transfer and noise, with a GW-type rubber mat over that. Not exactly authentic to the original but anything to reduce summer heat back there is good by me.

[Wildthings]

The original padding gets real nasty when it gets wet. Would go a different route myself.

[danfromsyr]

I have a large dell monitor box folded flat back under there.
to reduce noise and to lay on if/as needed.
it's biodegradeable and can be disposed of in a campfire/recycle bin if too grimey.

we have a plethera of them here on a university campus.
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