Thoughts on changing upstairs bed from wooden slats to Froli Star?

[SailSki]

Hi all, I have been finding the upstairs bed very uncomfortable as standard, and still not great even with a Zonesleep topper from bottom bed.

I have been considering a Zonesleep Ultra but it is an expensive trial and I'm not convinced that it will cope with my 100kg+ and actually deliver much more comfort.

I would really like to be able to get more comfort upstairs without needing an additional topper (I also have an Isotop internal liner so not much space under the roof when dropped).

Having seen that the Cali 6.1 seems to be coming with something like the Froli bed system I started wondering about either adding the Froli parts instead of the slats (If not enough space) or on top of the existing slats>(https://www.bing.com/images/search?...608053044795147756&selectedIndex=4&ajaxhist=0)

Would appreciate your thoughts.....

 

[bigmac77]

Wait for showroom T6.1 models to appear and then go and have a lie down in the roof and see if it’ll make a difference.

 

[TripleBee]

Don't think putting them on top of the slats will work.
Close your roof and try to put your hand between the roof lining and the mattress.
This would mean you'd have to take out the top mattress when driving.

 

[GSX1300R]

I know that we can’t even leave a summer duvet in place when we are travelling. The roof just won’t go down enough for the seal to make full contact and that little bit extra to stop the wet getting in.

 

[SailSki]

Thanks for the feedback - that’s what I thought - looks more like a replacement for the existing wooden slats

 

[TripleBee]

Thanks for the feedback - that’s what I thought - looks more like a replacement for the existing wooden slats

Maybe you can upgrade your slats to the new T6.1 unit? Will cost you some ££, but if your sleep is worth it?
Or if you could find an alternative (not from VW) that does the same for less ££?

 

[GSX1300R]

I would say for us the standard California top bed is quite comfortable but for some no good at all. Compared to most VW conversions the bed is a dream. We sleep better in the California than we do at home. And yes at home we have a brand new mattress with a 75 mm memory foam topper. It just probably to do with the fresh air you get from the upstairs “Tent”

 

[westfalia]

I thought about this a few weeks ago and thought it might
be possible to remove the wooden slats but its not possible
as the sliding hatch slides under the curved slats.

Id like to see how they've done it on the new ones.

 

[SailSki]

The video review here seems to show how they do it - at 11mins 20 secs a short part showing the new flexi squares mounted on transverse ribs just above the sliding hatch.

vw california 6.1 - Search Videos

www.bing.com

 

[pjm-84]

I find the top bed also uncomfortable. But this is more to do with the sensitivity of the head down angle. I find if I over angle the van so that the front is up; then I sleep better.

 

[TripleBee]

I find the top bed also uncomfortable. But this is more to do with the sensitivity of the head down angle. I find if I over angle the van so that the front is up; then I sleep better.

That is what I am trying to do also. Take the ramps, drive slightly up, so the water level is just unlevel at the front, and then the top bed is top.

 

[Brian’s Dad]

Hopefully it will be an upgrade in comfort and you can buy new flats. But it will be v expensive!

 

[The Merle]

I have froli bed in my club joker, it is better than the Cali roof bed but I still use a topper. I think that you would still need one even if you managed a conversion.
I’ve just got a duvalay 2.5mm topper very comfy and they come in a few different sizes, 2 singles will fit perfect in my roof bed. Gooutdoors sells them.

 

[SailSki]

Thanks for the feedback - if the Froli system is too high for a direct retrofit I am curious what VW are using for the 6.1 as it seems similar but different to the Froli - quite basic as it looks to be simply riveted to transverse ribs that are replacing the wooden slats

 

[ejmoore]

I find the top bed also uncomfortable. But this is more to do with the sensitivity of the head down angle. I find if I over angle the van so that the front is up; then I sleep better.

If we are not level, I put a couple of folded towels under the mattress on top of the slats to lift the head of the bed slightly.

 

[Soton Campers]

From what I seen it looks like the Froli system is fitted to straight slats on the T6.1 whereas on the T6 the slats are curved. That's how they have managed to do it and keep the thickness of the mattress the same. I think they have also changed the material of the mattress. I'm off to the NEC show next week so hopefully will get a chance to try it out.

 

[Paul Grice]

feeling your discomfort... I'm also a big lad and have the same issue. Those Germans ...eh "Yah.. cold shower and a hard mattress, this is good yah!?!" that's when they a not running around naked in the woods in the middle of the winter.

At home our guest bed used to be unbelievably comfortable because it was topped with a memory foam mattress.... not anymore, nicked it, took it upstairs in the Cali... chopped off the excess and stuck it inside a single duvet cover which is almost s perfect fit. When on the move I simply roll it up and wrap some thule luggage straps around it to keep it in a nice tight sausage bundle. When I arrive I simply bung it up there, take off the straps and roll it out. doesn't really take up much room on the back shelf. or you can lay it so it goes on the back seat, up the back and over the top of whatever is on your back shelf. It's pretty faff free and for the two mins set up/take down the increase in comfort is well worth it.... my wife finds it much more comfortable than the zone sleep topper and she really is the Princes that can't sleep on a pea. Just give in to the idea that you need a topper and you'll be comfortable. Looked online at the zone sleep total replacement that you can leave upstairs but can't believe it would e as comfortable as my current solution.... however please write a review if you buy one!

Really VW.... never mind the fancy facelifts, just make the roof void slightly higher and put in a thicker standard mattress that makes you feel like you are on holiday!!

 

[Baldrick]

Share your pain, literally. They look good, probably really expensive. We tried several possible solutions and settled on this (in a single duvet cover) fits perfectly and gives us both a very comfortable nights sleep. Rolled away into a mesh bag when travelling

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B06XW3GJBY/?tag=eliteelect-21

 

[TripleBee]

Really VW.... never mind the fancy facelifts, just make the roof void slightly higher and put in a thicker standard mattress that makes you feel like you are on holiday!!

Noooo! I want my van to be less than 2 meters high, and not less head space downstairs while the bed is down!

They might just make the roof a little flatter, so the top of the middle of the roof doesn't stick out the max height it is now.
This could make some extra clearance to have a thicker mattress or some extra on top without needing to remove before closing the roof.

 

[WelshGas]

Apparantly the weight limit for the top bed is 150 kgms Total, or about 25 st.
So that is a weight spread across the whole bed.
So if two are sleeping up top then a maximum 75 kgm or 12.5 st / side.
So if the mattress and slats are designed for that weight then over that weight and the bed is likely to feel uncomfortable.
Not many posts about children and teens finding it too hard or uncomfortable.

 

[Czmitche]

Hello all - I have direct experience of both as our previous van, Westfalia Club Joker City, had a pop up roof fitted with the Froli stars and we currently have a T6 Ocean with slats. I didn't find either particularly comfortable but the Ocean gets my vote.

 

[Dill Tart]

Share your pain, literally. They look good, probably really expensive. We tried several possible solutions and settled on this (in a single duvet cover) fits perfectly and gives us both a very comfortable nights sleep. Rolled away into a mesh bag when travelling

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B06XW3GJBY/?tag=eliteelect-21

Many thanks for this solution, it works brilliantly, so much more comfortable and we can still (at a push) fit two pillows, king size duvet and the topper in the wardrobe. It has transformed our nights sleep, thank you

 

[bvddobb]

See our earlier thread here. We find the Squeego disc spring system a lot better then the Froli system. And MUCH better then the old lattice rost:

Upgrading T5 upper bed lattice rost to disc springs

We have decided to upgrade our T5 top bed lattice rost to a disc spring system like available in the T6.1 series. We nearly always sleep upstairs on our Calibed Roof II mattress and until recently we slept very well. But since Marga's back hernia she was less comfortable and of course the...

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