Bottom Bed Mattress

[JuanVecino2023]

Looking at alternatives to the VW comfort mattress.

I’ve narrowed it down to three options (open to others if they are winners), as folllow:

Sea to Summit Deluxe self inflating (guess there’s a reason they sell out!)

Calibed Prestige III (currently my front runner as most direct swap as it folds on to the parcel shelf, no bags or deflating etc)

Outdoor Revolution Camp Star Rock 'N' Roll 120 Self Inflating Mat

 

[andyinluton]

Looking at alternatives to the VW comfort mattress.

I’ve narrowed it down to three options (open to others if they are winners), as folllow:

Sea to Summit Deluxe self inflating (guess there’s a reason they sell out!)

Calibed Prestige III (currently my front runner as most direct swap as it folds on to the parcel shelf, no bags or deflating etc)

Outdoor Revolution Camp Star Rock 'N' Roll 120 Self Inflating Mat

None of those, the Brandrup ixtend gets my vote, had one for 9 years now & kept in in lieu of the VW "comfort" mattress

 

[Philfox3]

We use a Simba mattress topper. There’s a 200 day trial and it rolls up on the rear shelf when not in use. Very good.

Topper

Transform even the most tired mattress with Simba's trademark foam and spring comfort mattress topper. With Anti-slip base and wriggle-free straps.

simbasleep.com

 

[myvanrodney]

Talking of downstairs bed… we’ve ordered our van without the expensive ‘comfort mattress’ option. I’m getting the impression we can’t just throw an aftermarket mattress or topper over the seats to make up the downstairs bed because of the difference in height at the rear? Or are there common solutions to those owners that don’t have the ‘bed extension’?

 

[andyinluton]

Talking of downstairs bed… we’ve ordered our van without the expensive ‘comfort mattress’ option. I’m getting the impression we can’t just throw an aftermarket mattress or topper over the seats to make up the downstairs bed because of the difference in height at the rear? Or are there common solutions to those owners that don’t have the ‘bed extension’?

You will have the bed extension, the only thing you won't get is the 3 way folding flat mattress that covers the whole of the folded down seat & the bed extension. You will get the small mattress that only covers the bed extension, that mattress levels up the rear extension with the folded seat so all you are going to need is a flat mattress.

 

[Corradobrit]

Looking at alternatives to the VW comfort mattress.

I’ve narrowed it down to three options (open to others if they are winners), as folllow:

Sea to Summit Deluxe self inflating (guess there’s a reason they sell out!)

Calibed Prestige III (currently my front runner as most direct swap as it folds on to the parcel shelf, no bags or deflating etc)

Outdoor Revolution Camp Star Rock 'N' Roll 120 Self Inflating Mat

I considered the S2S, but reports of microleaks and examining the single edge seam design put me off going that route as it would encourage further leaks. Yes they have a lifetime warranty (while still manufactured) but who wants to deal with that if it deflates on vacation. The pfaff of deflating and rolling was another negative. But they are comfy. I went for a barely used Calibed Prestige III for 50% off retail and now get a perfect, painfree nights sleep.

 

[Kayleigh]

Looking at alternatives to the VW comfort mattress.

I’ve narrowed it down to three options (open to others if they are winners), as folllow:

Sea to Summit Deluxe self inflating (guess there’s a reason they sell out!)

Calibed Prestige III (currently my front runner as most direct swap as it folds on to the parcel shelf, no bags or deflating etc)

Outdoor Revolution Camp Star Rock 'N' Roll 120 Self Inflating Mat

Have you tried the comfort mattress or just going by comments on here?
If you like a really firm mattress it may work for you. As someone who finds the T6 comfort mattress just right, I didn’t get on with the T6.1 version.

A few points to consider…
Do you want to be inflating a mattress every night and then putting on bed sheets? With a folding mattress that sits on the rear bench, it is really quick to make the bed, especially if the bed sheets are already attached.
How much space do you want a mattress to take up when not in use? The plus point of the VW comfort one is that it’s a low profile so you can easily store your bedding and pillows on top without obscuring your rear view when driving.

 

[myvanrodney]

You will have the bed extension, the only thing you won't get is the 3 way folding flat mattress that covers the whole of the folded down seat & the bed extension. You will get the small mattress that only covers the bed extension, that mattress levels up the rear extension with the folded seat so all you are going to need is a flat mattress.

Brilliant, thanks!

 

[JuanVecino2023]

Have you tried the comfort mattress or just going by comments on here?
If you like a really firm mattress it may work for you. As someone who finds the T6 comfort mattress just right, I didn’t get on with the T6.1 version.

A few points to consider…
Do you want to be inflating a mattress every night and then putting on bed sheets? With a folding mattress that sits on the rear bench, it is really quick to make the bed, especially if the bed sheets are already attached.
How much space do you want a mattress to take up when not in use? The plus point of the VW comfort one is that it’s a low profile so you can easily store your bedding and pillows on top without obscuring your rear view when driving.

Hi

I've rented a California with the comfort mattress for 4 nights. I do like a firm mattress, but this was perhaps too firm.

We also rented a conversion with a mattress topper. It was comfortable, but an absolute pain to wrestle into a bag each day.

It's why I am leaning toward the Calibed Prestige III, it folds up on the rear shelf just like the VW version. Albeit takes a bit more space.

In truth, the idea of inflating and deflating each night feels a touch painful.

 

[jonnystrong2000]

Talking of downstairs bed… we’ve ordered our van without the expensive ‘comfort mattress’ option. I’m getting the impression we can’t just throw an aftermarket mattress or topper over the seats to make up the downstairs bed because of the difference in height at the rear? Or are there common solutions to those owners that don’t have the ‘bed extension’?

T6 rear extension can be adjusted between low (big step up to the rest of the bed height) or high (bigger boot space) and nearly at same height as the rest of the bed - I use the little iXtend pad that fills this small height gap in - Branderup all day long

 

[montyburns1982]

Hi

I've rented a California with the comfort mattress for 4 nights. I do like a firm mattress, but this was perhaps too firm.

We also rented a conversion with a mattress topper. It was comfortable, but an absolute pain to wrestle into a bag each day.

It's why I am leaning toward the Calibed Prestige III, it folds up on the rear shelf just like the VW version. Albeit takes a bit more space.

In truth, the idea of inflating and deflating each night feels a touch painful.

I’ve got the comfort mattress with the comfortz memory foam topper.

No complaints, as comfy as home.

Upstairs is a different matter…….

 

[Kayleigh]

Branderup all day long

Err.. Should that be all night long?

 

[acer]

We use a Simba mattress topper. There’s a 200 day trial and it rolls up on the rear shelf when not in use. Very good.

Topper

Transform even the most tired mattress with Simba's trademark foam and spring comfort mattress topper. With Anti-slip base and wriggle-free straps.

simbasleep.com

This looks really good. I think that the width of the downstairs cali bed is 114 cm. What size Simba mattress do you use? I assume you have a double at 120 cm wide. Do you manage to squish it in okay? What do you do about the cut out at the back? Again, do you just squish it in?

 

[ChrisTravel]

Does look good
Do you use it straight on the seats or with something else?

 

[Philfox3]

We went for the 120cm wide and it both fits and rolls out okay. As you rightly point out it doesn't allow for the cut out at the back so we used it with the corner bit sticking up ( we have our heads/pillows at that end so it wasn’t a problem). Now that our 200 day no quibble return period has expired I’ve cut it to shape around the rear. We have tried a few mattresses and this suits us. We use it directly on the seats having tried it with the comfort mattress.

 

[Cavvy]

Just pondering what type of downstairs mattress to source for new Cali. Any thoughts on most comfortable but practical downstairs mattress?

I’ve read lots of posts on here and watched many reviews of the StS, Outdoor Revolution, Brandrup iXtend, Calibed Prestige lll

The last 2 very expensive but how do they compare to the StS & Outdoor Revolution? Much different?

Anyone got experience having to deflate daily and folding to store in the back? Is it much of a faff or easy enough to manage?

California Time reviewed StS versus the OR and favoured the latter but I’m wondering how practical it is?

 

[Corradobrit]

Just pondering what type of downstairs mattress to source for new Cali. Any thoughts on most comfortable but practical downstairs mattress?

I’ve read lots of posts on here and watched many reviews of the StS, Outdoor Revolution, Brandrup iXtend, Calibed Prestige lll

The last 2 very expensive but how do they compare to the StS & Outdoor Revolution? Much different?

Anyone got experience having to deflate daily and folding to store in the back? Is it much of a faff or easy enough to manage?

California Time reviewed StS versus the OR and favoured the latter but I’m wondering how practical it is?

Buy once. Get the Calibed or Brandrup. I picked up a barely used Calibed for half price. Its as comfy as my Vispring mattress at home. The Brandrup's appear occasionally on Ebay too. They fold like the Comfort mattress and are less of a pfaff deploying and stowing. The S2S will likely develop micro leaks requiring replacement, again a pfaff especially if a problem occurs when away on Vacay.

 

[Kayleigh]

I couldn’t be bothered with an inflatable mattress. Luckily I get on fine with the T6 comfort one, but the best thing about it is the speed of deployment. So if buying something different I would get the Brandrup one. You know it will be well made and it looks really comfy.

 

[Doric_loon]

We went for 2 x 55cm Duvalays comfort duvets and mattress topper combined and just lay them on top of the comfort mattress, transformed it

 

[Cavvy]

speed

Sound advice, I’m fairly well thrown together (14.5stone) and side sleep so need the extra padding

 

[JuanVecino2023]

My two cents; my first preference was a Calibed. But price & shipping made it a non-starter. I haven’t seen one come up for sale in the U.K. in 6 months.

I saved searches on eBay for Calibed & Brandrup (they seem pretty much equal).

As a placeholder I bought an Outdoor Revolution 120 as it was cheaper than the S2S and Campertime’s video rated it higher.

Conclusion, it was very comfortable (90kgs & side sleeper). Bit of a faff to roll up. But my mini USB pump sorted the deflation.

Since purchased Brandrup iXtend off a seller on here. It’s great. Comfy & quick to set up.

OR mattress now for sale if you want a placeholder while you deliberate.

 

[California Dreamer]

I have the very comfortable sea to summit and don’t really find it a faff - we enjoy doing everything more slowly when camping so an extra couple of minutes to get ready for bed is not such a big deal! I like that it’s small and light and we can easily whip it out if using the boot space. When camping I don’t bother deflating it, just let out a small bit of air to fold in 3 on the back shelf like the comfort mattress. It depends on how you use the van whether you want a permanent more bulky solution.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[ThomasHJ]

Assuming each different matress option gives you a good nights sleep (which is subjective), you can consider the difference in price, the difference in convenience in use and the difference in the size (shape) it takes up in your van and whether you can leave it in place or not (when using it in the top bed).

We own the S2S SIM and when used upstairs we can leave it in the bed (deflated). When we use it downstairs we just roll it up and leave it behind the backrest of the bench seats. We also leave the blankets/pillows, etc there. So we just push everything to the back of the van and convert the bed back into the seats and we're done. When making the bed again you just roll everything out again. It also takes up less room then a folding type matress would. And in my experience microleaks are not an issue at all. When in use in the upstairs bed, we bring along a mini-pump (battery powered, USB). Which makes deflating a simple and fast chore. Turn on the pump, leave it, go tidy up other things in the van or make coffee and after 30 seconds or so the matress has shrunken to less then half of its size. You could of course also use the pump when using the matress for teh downstairs bed, if you feel teh need to compress the matress before roling it up. Remember this is a SIM but it's more of a hybrid between SIM and foam matress. So inflating and deflating is incredibly fast and extremely fast with a small pump and it's very comfortable.

 

[Cavvy]

My two cents; my first preference was a Calibed. But price & shipping made it a non-starter. I haven’t seen one come up for sale in the U.K. in 6 months.

I saved searches on eBay for Calibed & Brandrup (they seem pretty much equal).

As a placeholder I bought an Outdoor Revolution 120 as it was cheaper than the S2S and Campertime’s video rated it higher.

Conclusion, it was very comfortable (90kgs & side sleeper). Bit of a faff to roll up. But my mini USB pump sorted the deflation.

Since purchased Brandrup iXtend off a seller on here. It’s great. Comfy & quick to set up.

OR mattress now for sale if you want a placeholder while you deliberate.

Many thanks, I think I’m going to take corradobrit’s advice and buy once if possible but really helpful getting your perspective on this too.

 

[pchmlk]

We have the Vango California 5cm self inflating for downstairs, straight onto the seats. The kids find it perfect and I’ve slept on it a few times and have been impressed. Just don’t be tempted to top it up with too much air or it’s too firm.
Designed and shaped for the cali.