I have an ‘05 26.5 MB, and I want to take out the original foam mattress in the over-cab bed and put in a standard full size mattress. My problem is the foam mattress is in sections and the front section that can fold over for more room in the cab, seems to be ‘permanently ‘ attached. I can’t figure out how to remove it. I don’t want to put the regular bed mattress on top of it because I think it will take too much space...there isn’t that much headroom up there! Has anyone else done this? Any recommendations?
You can do this but it will eliminate using the flip-up center section. Removing the Factory mattress will require undoing a lot of trim around the edges.
Instead of a new mattress, how about a topper? It's a decision we made years ago to accommodate keeping the Factory mattress and adding a memory foam topper and real bedding. Our previous 1983 LD did not have the flip-up piece so it wasn't too hard to adapt.
The bunk, with the memory foam and bedding, is comfy and permanent, eliminating having to set up and break down the bedding each day.
Last person up gets to straighten things up.
The bunk is what make the 23.5' Front Lounge work well for two friendly adults.
Larry
"I don't want to put the regular bed mattress on top of it because I think it will take too much space...there isn't that much headroom up there! Has anyone else done this? Any recommendations? "
I sleep up top on a 3-inch topper over the in-place mattress. It is fairly close to the ceiling, but I don't have any claustrophobia issues, and we don't mind if it stays down all the time. It is a great place to store jackets and other light objects during the day.
It does, however, put your noggin closer to the handle to the escape hatch. I bump my head a few times at the beginning of each trip just to keep in practice.
Virtual hugs,
Judie
The topper is the way to go. However, be prepared to experiment with foam type, foam density, and how many inches you need. A store like Walmart, with a fairly good assortment, is a place to start since they are willing to accept returns. Of course, it depends, too, on just how fussy you are about the getting the right "feel". Frank
I removed the over-cab mattress from our mid-bath. Memory says about 150 staples held it in place. It can be done, neatly, if you take your time. We converted that area to storage. The mattress went in a mattress bag and was sold with the coach. The new owner mentioned he might re-install the mattress. I said he probably could do so with fewer staples than the factory used. ;-)
The topper sounds like a better solution if you want a more comfortable over-cab bed.
Mark H.
Last person up gets to straighten things up.
The bunk is what make the 23.5' Front Lounge work well for two friendly adults.
Wait a Minute! I get up first, make coffee, cut up fruit, get everything ready - Then I STILL have to be the one to make the bed. I guess I need to propose a rule change ...
Steve
Wait a Minute! I get up first, make coffee, cut up fruit, get everything ready - Then I STILL have to be the one to make the bed. I guess I need to propose a rule change ...
Good luck with the discussion, knowing your wife, I predict you come out on the loosing end of it.
It may be best to leave things as they are.
Larry
"Good luck with the discussion, knowing your wife, I predict you come out on the loosing end of it.
It may be best to leave things as they are."
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I know your wife, too, and suggest continuing the current MO. ;)
I know her as well and she’s too smart to mess up a good thing. Carry on!
Just to dispel any possible misimpressions, the wife under discussion is a genuine sweetheart! — Jon & Loni
Just to dispel any possible misimpressions, the wife under discussion is a genuine sweetheart! — Jon & Loni
That is a good way to start the discussion on returning to the existing policy.
"...the wife under discussion is a genuine sweetheart!"
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She is, indeed! :D
We did this and are happy with the results.
We removed the factory foam from its covers. That left various screws and staples exposed. We carefully removed those. Then we left the covers in place as protection from the wood beneath. We had to do some additional securing of the fabric on the bottom of the flip over part of the bed to keep it from sagging into the cab.
In place of the factory mattress we use an Exped Mega Mat Duo mattress.
MegaMat Duo 10 LW+ | Exped USA (http://www.exped.com/usa/en/product-category/mats/megamat-duo-10-lw-ruby-red)
The Exped is a perfect fit and doesn’t reduce the headroom up there. Being an air mattress with foam interior the firmness is highly adjustable.
The bed is now alway open, which we don’t find a problem.
No more sore hip bones from sinking through the factory mattress and better sleep.
Terry Burnes-
I just took out the factory mattress and left the old covering, as you suggested.
It looks like the piece that covers the access to the cab is about 3/4 of an inch higher than the rest of the bed platform. Did you put additional wood up there as a shim so that your mattress would lay flat?
Thanks!
Laura
As far as I recollect all the pieces of the platform up there are at the same height, thus it's all "level." If you have differences in height some high density foam might be a way to fill that in. Buy it in the thickness you need and cut it to fit.
Our new mattress has held up well with no leaks. I would be sure to do a very careful check for screws, nails, staples, splinters, etc. to be sure there is nothing beneath the mattress that could puncture it.
Another suggestion
Mattress Insider | Mattress & Bed Store in Denver, Littleton, Lakewood (https://www.mattressinsider.com/?sscid=c1k5_vxpcr)
mattressinsider makes custom sized replacement mattresses for rv's.
Please go to the post from I'm Not Lost I'm RVing – Get Lost With Us (http://www.imnotlostimrving.com/). They seem to be very pleased with their replacement mattress.
Craig