Inflatable mattress solutions

YELRAV · May 17, 2021

Hello,

I have been looking at the forums to see if anyone could recommend a compact self inflating mattress (single or double) that an be used in conjunction with the existing VW mattresses (top and bottom levels). The last posts seem to be a few years old and some of the recommendations are no longer sold / available.

We have a T6 Ocean that already has a comfort mattress.

Thanks

capt kirk · May 17, 2021

Sea to summit camper mattress fit exactly but a tads expensive. We used a 120cm comfort from decathalon which was about £25.00 from memory, but you need to put it in a single duvet cover to stop it squeaking against the plastic sides but otherwise perfect. Inflates with a cheap electric pump in about a minute and you can suck the air out with same pump when done.

subthree · May 17, 2021

Plus one for Sea to Summit.

capt kirk · May 17, 2021

If you can find one ..........

subthree · May 17, 2021

Sea to Summit Comfort Deluxe Self Inflating Mat Camper Van indigo | Bikester.co.uk

The Sea to Summit Comfort Deluxe Self Inflating Mat Camper Van indigo at Bikester.co.uk ✓ Biking specialists in the UK ✓ Buy online with free returns ✓ Easy shipping ✓ Great prices with the best service ✓ Find what you need with Bikester.co.uk ✓

www.bikester.co.uk

ThomasHJ · May 17, 2021

Plus one for the sea to summit SIM. Made to fit for the VW campervan. Absolutely expensive, but the other options usually are as well and this is without a doubt the most comfortable matress ever. The only real negative is that it takes up quite some room and it takes a bit of work to deflate. Not a problem if youre two people but a bit more hassle if you are 4. But still well worth it.

VWCoastbusters · May 17, 2021

We just got a sea 2 summit for our new van and it's by far the best thing we've slept on. We had two or three toppers in the old van but it was still very hard. Only negative to sea 2 summit so far is we sleep downstairs and it's a pain to deflate each day. Still worth it for the comfort though.

ArunAlec · May 17, 2021

Do you Sea to Summit users find you get sweaty with the non breathing inflatable mattress?

VWCoastbusters · May 17, 2021

ArunAlec said:
Do you Sea to Summit users find you get sweaty with the non breathing inflatable mattress?

We didn't but have a sheet on it and sleep with duvets. Having said that, it was chilly last week so jury's out on warmer climes.

Elly Swanson · May 17, 2021

subthree said:
Plus one for Sea to Summit.

Plus another for the Sea to Summit campervan version. It’s worth waiting for if you can’t find one at the mo.

ThomasHJ · May 17, 2021

ArunAlec said:
Do you Sea to Summit users find you get sweaty with the non breathing inflatable mattress?

nope but we do use a sheet on it.

Hunchyfish · May 18, 2021

ThomasHJ said:
Plus one for the sea to summit SIM. Made to fit for the VW campervan. Absolutely expensive, but the other options usually are as well and this is without a doubt the most comfortable matress ever. The only real negative is that it takes up quite some room and it takes a bit of work to deflate. Not a problem if youre two people but a bit more hassle if you are 4. But still well worth it.

Does the sea to summit SIM take up more storage room than the VW topper? We sleep upstairs so didn’t order the Vw topper but we may need something at some point downstairs (If we let the kids in the bus for example !).

subthree · May 18, 2021

Hunchyfish said:
Does the sea to summit SIM take up more storage room than the VW topper? We sleep upstairs so didn’t order the Vw topper but we may need something at some point downstairs (If we let the kids in the bus for example !).

We fold the S2S SIM in thirds, width ways, and store on the rear shelf. The valves are reversible, and hence become non-return valves, so as you squeeze the air out then the air cannot re-enter the mattress. So you can get the mattress fairly thin. We then put jackets, bedding and pillows on top. Great bit of kit which you could even use as a very comfortable (emergency?) guest bed at home on the floor! No doubt you will pay VW £200-300 for a mattress so get one of these instead. We have the genuine VW 6.1 mattress, it is still in the plastic wrapper, but it is much thinner than the T6 version. :thumb

davidgmo · May 18, 2021

We are going to try on the bottom bed an Outdoor Revolution 10cm self -inflating mattress for £99- review here:

ThomasHJ · May 18, 2021

Hunchyfish said:
Does the sea to summit SIM take up more storage room than the VW topper? We sleep upstairs so didn’t order the Vw topper but we may need something at some point downstairs (If we let the kids in the bus for example !).

When we let the kids sleep downstairs, they sleep without any matress at all. Works just fine. Ours are still young though (4 and 6).

In this older thread @California4x4 posted a photo of the space that the S2S SIM takes up in the boot. It's what convinced me that it wasn't too big.

CampervanTime · May 19, 2021

We are just waiting on our T6.1 arriving and previously had a T6 with the zone sleep upper bed replacement mattress which wasn't too bad.

We managed to pick up a Sea to Summit camper SIM on here second hand (we were lucky!) but we haven't tried it in the van yet. We have had it out twice at home though to see how quickly it inflates, deflates, getting it back in the bag etc.

We have bought a small rechargeable pump that you can hold in your hand (to give size indication) and it helps get the SIM pumped up quickly. The one way valves on the SIM are really clever and help a lot.

Our plan is to remove the standard VW mattress that comes with the T6.1 up top and leave our SIM up there partially deflated and just inflate when we want to use it. If we are going to sleep downstairs we can always crack the roof open and drag it down.

We didn't bother ordering the VW bed extension thing downstairs (didn't on the T6 either) as the aftermarket options are so much more comfortable (like the SIM or a zone sleep).

Claremacrob · May 19, 2021

I bought one of these: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/265114490688?_trksid=p2485497.m4902.l9144 to augment other top or bottom bed - it fits perfectly and feels very comfortable, but I've not actually done a night on it yet.

ThomasHJ · May 21, 2021

We too use a small electric pump to inflate the SIM. Because were usually on sites with electricity anyways. But it's nice to know its not needed and you can inflate it without the pump if ever needed.

subthree · May 21, 2021

We have one of these - tiny but great.

Jet Stream Pump Sack - Outdoor Camping Mats (Sleeping Mats) - Sea To Summit UK

Our range of sleeping mats provide the best night sleep you can have. Our products are lightweight, durable and perform at the highest level

www.seatosummit.co.uk

YELRAV · May 22, 2021

capt kirk said:
If you can find one ..........

Yip, seem have been out of stock for a long time. I emailed them but haven’t heard back.

Her Outdoors · May 23, 2021

We bought the S2S mattress from Bikester 3/4 weeks ago and will soon be using it on our first trip. I didn’t realise they were a German supplier and had a bit of a panic that we’d be caught with additional import vat and duty, but am pleased to say that’s not been the case.

I’ve got a couple of questions:
How self-inflating is it? Do we need the jet stream pump bag?
and
One for those who use it upstairs, if you’re staying a second night and elevating the bed, do you deflate it?
I'm assuming we can deflate it and leave it up there when we lower the roof during a trip?
All advice welcome.

Vee · May 23, 2021

ArunAlec said:
Do you Sea to Summit users find you get sweaty with the non breathing inflatable mattress?

Not at all.

haydnw2 · May 23, 2021

Her Outdoors said:
Do we need the jet stream pump bag?

We use it, and it does make inflation easier. It sounds weird thing to point out, but the bag material is really noisy in use, so if someone is sleeping upstairs then make sure you inflate your mattress before they go to bed!

subthree · May 23, 2021

Her Outdoors said:
We bought the S2S mattress from Bikester 3/4 weeks ago and will soon be using it on our first trip. I didn’t realise they were a German supplier and had a bit of a panic that we’d be caught with additional import vat and duty, but am pleased to say that’s not been the case.

I’ve got a couple of questions:
How self-inflating is it? Do we need the jet stream pump bag?
and
One for those who use it upstairs, if you’re staying a second night and elevating the bed, do you deflate it?
I'm assuming we can deflate it and leave it up there when we lower the roof during a trip?
All advice welcome.

If you haven't already, before you use it for your first trip you need to let in inflate at home. No doubt it was vacuum packed in China many months ago and needs many hours to expand.

tedgina · May 23, 2021

YELRAV said:
Hello,

I have been looking at the forums to see if anyone could recommend a compact self inflating mattress (single or double) that an be used in conjunction with the existing VW mattresses (top and bottom levels). The last posts seem to be a few years old and some of the recommendations are no longer sold / available.

We have a T6 Ocean that already has a comfort mattress.

Thanks