Duvalay help pease...

[Maud]

Hi all,

I know that Duvalays have been mentioned a fair bit on various threads, but a forum search hasn't revealed any clear opinions on the best thickness for the Cali. So...

For those of you who have/had a Duvalay in the Cali, which thickness of memory foam did you go for and do you think you made the right decision?

My main reason for buying a duvalay is for use when sleeping downstairs. I don't have a Comfort Mattress or Zonesleep etc. but have spent several nights sleeping downstairs due to wind/cold and, whilst I managed to sleep, it was very hard and didn't result in the most refreshed camper in the morning!
I would also use the Duvalay upstairs as it would replace my current sleeping bag.

I am erring towards the 4cm Duvalay with winter tog duvet but would buy the 2.5cm one if it was thick enough for comfort, as this would presumably be a bit smaller once rolled up. Having said that, there will only be one Duvalay to store during the day as it's just me and the dogs...

Any opinions welcome and gratefully received!
Maud

 

[Skylark2.0]

Don't forget that with time memory foam forgets and feels thinner with less support. I replace my memory foam pillows regularly.

 

[snowy55]

We use the 4cm Duvalay Sleeping Bags and always sleep downstairs. Very comfotable.

 

[Maud]

Don't forget that with time memory foam forgets and feels thinner with less support. I replace my memory foam pillows regularly.

Thanks, Skylark. I hadn't thought about that and it is another thing in favour of the 4cm I suppose!

 

[Maud]

We use the 4cm Duvalay Sleeping Bags and always sleep downstairs. Very comfotable.

Thanks, Snowy! Is that straight onto the seat bed, as opposed to another topper?
Also, do you have the summer or winter weight duvet? I'm thinking winter weight will be more versatile but hopefully not too hot for summer (I only travel within the UK after all!).

Thanks again,
Maud

 

[snowy55]

Duvalay Sleeping Bag straight onto the downstairs seat.
Summer weight duvet fitted in it but we have taken it out on occasions and just used the upper bag just as a sheet.

Never been cold but we do take a fleece blanket that could, never had to, be used as an extra layer which mrs s also uses to wrap up in the evenings usually when I'm in T shirt and shorts!!

 

[2into1]

Think about the rolled size of the thicker one when you have to manhandle it through the hatch when using it upstairs.

 

[Maud]

Duvalay Sleeping Bag straight onto the downstairs seat.
Summer weight duvet fitted in it but we have taken it out on occasions and just used the upper bag just as a sheet.

Never been cold but we do take a fleece blanket that could, never had to, be used as an extra layer which mrs s also uses to wrap up in the evenings usually when I'm in T shirt and shorts!!

That's interesting - perhaps I could get away with the summer weight duvet too then, as I always take an extra quilt with me for colder nights anyway.

Thank you very much for your help!

Maud

 

[Maud]

Think about the rolled size of the thicker one when you have to manhandle it through the hatch when using it upstairs.

Thank you for pointing that out - it hadn't even crossed my mind but as you say, the thicker the memory foam and duvet are, the larger (and heavier) it will be to push up through the gap when sleeping upstairs.

Sometimes life would be easier with fewer options!

 

[calikev]

Why not a Zonesleep? folds up small and is lightweight and can be used upstairs or down

 

[steve and lisa]

The Duvalay is huge when rolled up, we ended up selling ours as it took up too much room and felt too confined especially in summer. I think they are more suited to motorhomes and caravans where they have more space.

 

[Maud]

Why not a Zonesleep? folds up small and is lightweight and can be used upstairs or down

I do like the look of the Zonesleep, Kev, but as there is only me using the Cali, the Zonesleep would be more than twice the price, plus I would still need to take a separate sleeping bag or duvet. I love how thin they are compared to memory foam though, so would almost certainly take that option if they weren't quite as expensive.

 

[Maud]

The Duvalay is huge when rolled up, we ended up selling ours as it took up too much room and felt too confined especially in summer. I think they are more suited to motorhomes and caravans where they have more space.

Thank you, Steve and Lisa! Do you remember what thickness of memory foam you had? I wonder if the 2.5cm would be more manageable once rolled up or if even this would be awkward for getting upstairs!

 

[snowy55]

Thank you, Steve and Lisa! Do you remember what thickness of memory foam you had? I wonder if the 2.5cm would be more manageable once rolled up or if even this would be awkward for getting upstairs!

But if 2.5cm isn't comfy enough your back to square one.

 

[2into1]

If you've some basic sewing skill, it is really easy to fashion your own duvalay from a double/king quilt cover. Just sew it down the (not quite) middle and add fasteners at each side to add your topper and single quilt of choice. That way you can take the quilt of choice per season, and try different toppers (from £25 in Aldi a few weeks ago.)

The duvalay format is good as it saves you having to fit sheets (particularly at the narrow end of the roof) and by making your own you get full choice of fabrics / quilts / toppers. For me, my homemadealay is very comfortable, easy and flexible.

 

[RedCali]

Hi Maud
As a cheaper alternative, and if your sleeping bag is still OK, l use two layers of anti condensation matting (sold for boat and caravan beds) in a simple bag made from a double sheet. I use it under my sleeping bag in the winter and sleep directly on it with a duvet in the summer. The bag l made is open at the end so l can take the matting out and wash the bag.

 

[2into1]

Hi Maud
As a cheaper alternative, and if your sleeping bag is still ok

Duvalay / Homemadealay = as comfy as sleeping under a big quilt with almost the convenience of a sleeping bag (imho).

 

[Maud]

Duvalay / Homemadealay = as comfy as sleeping under a big quilt with almost the convenience of a sleeping bag (imho).

That's what I am aiming for, ideally - something that just conveniently rolls out, smooths and softens the hard bits and is 'all in one' so to speak, but also allows a bit more freedom to move than the traditional sleeping bag. I will investigate the option of making my own by think I may end up just taking the plunge and ordering a 4cm Duvalay and hoping for the best - the access through the hatch is probably my biggest concern now, but I guess there is no way of knowing with that one until I try it. If it is really awkward rolled up, I guess I could just unroll it and then drag it up top!

Thanks again to everyone for your replies and advice!
Maud

 

[Ewan]

Sounds like a Duvalay is a great option for you. They are the best accessory we bought for our van - very comfortable and we tend to sleep better in the van than we do at home !

My advice is to get the 4cm version with summer weight duvet. You then have the flexibility to add an extra blanket or duvet on top on cold nights. Better that than roasting in summer.

We fit 4 side by side in the rear parcel shelf. They easily fit through the hatch.

 

[Maud]

Thank you, Ewan! It's good to hear that they fit through the hatch easily and that you can fit 4 across the rear shelf, so with just one I will still have plenty of room for other things beside it.

Decision made I think

Maud

 

[snowy55]

Here are our two with 4cm bases not very tightly rolled on the back shelf with 2 full sized pillows.

 

[RedCali]

Snowy55, please can you come and make the back of our Cali as tidy as the back of yours ?

 

[Yorkdubshire]

Could always have a look at this
http://www.caseysoutdoorleisure.co....ting-Mat/7Z3?gclid=CNavguin0soCFcSRGwodeb4A6g
Think that's what I'm going for.

 

[Maud]

Thank you very much indeed, Snowy55 - it's really useful to see the Duvalays in situ. To be honest, they don't look like they take up much more room than my hastily rolled up sleeping bag and pillow. Off to order now - plum I think!

Thanks again for the advice and ideas, everyone! Forum to the rescue as usual!

Maud

 

[calikev]

My Zonesleep downstairs topper