Community Forums

Lil'Darlin1972 · 09-26-2006, 04:38 AM

I took someone else's advice and we packed up the orginal shams and bedding and are going to save them for resale. Instead we put our own pillows and blankets on the bed. I had some that go really well with the color scheme. Now for our issue....we have a king bed in a slide out with a storage area underneath. The mattress is just resting on a piece of plywood and lifts up with a stay in place hinge. It's a good place to put the kids sleeping bags. However, the plywood is really rough and has already snagged my sheets !! I was thinking of maybe covering the plywood with felt ?? Anyone else have a solution to this ?? I have heard people say that they have replaced the mattresses in their campers. We could put a new king size mattress in there...but we would have to just put it on the plywood. The problem is they don't sell JUST the mattress...you have to buy it with the box springs. At least that is how it is at all the stores in our area. Then I am going to be stuck with a box springs that I don't need. Has anyone ever taken out the storage box that makes up the frame in the 5th wheels and replaced the whole thing with a traditional bed ?? I am wondering if it would be too much weight for the slide...

Lil'Darlin1972 · 09-26-2006, 04:38 AM

I took someone else's advice and we packed up the orginal shams and bedding and are going to save them for resale. Instead we put our own pillows and blankets on the bed. I had some that go really well with the color scheme. Now for our issue....we have a king bed in a slide out with a storage area underneath. The mattress is just resting on a piece of plywood and lifts up with a stay in place hinge. It's a good place to put the kids sleeping bags. However, the plywood is really rough and has already snagged my sheets !! I was thinking of maybe covering the plywood with felt ?? Anyone else have a solution to this ?? I have heard people say that they have replaced the mattresses in their campers. We could put a new king size mattress in there...but we would have to just put it on the plywood. The problem is they don't sell JUST the mattress...you have to buy it with the box springs. At least that is how it is at all the stores in our area. Then I am going to be stuck with a box springs that I don't need. Has anyone ever taken out the storage box that makes up the frame in the 5th wheels and replaced the whole thing with a traditional bed ?? I am wondering if it would be too much weight for the slide...

Retired and Happy · 09-26-2006, 06:53 AM

You might want to try some sanding on the plywood, then maybe if it's still too rough, some paint or polyurethane coating. Also, in the Atlanta area is a place called the Original Mattress Factory. I just called and they sell mattresses without the box springs, and can even build to special dimensions if needed for an extra $50. There are likely similar places in other large cities. There might be some reason not to remove the box frame under the mattress. Our motorhome has part of the engine heater system mounted under there. A previous MH had electrical panels under there.

I hope you enjoy your new toy and will report back on your travels and adventures. Not all of them will be pleasant. Wait till the fridge swings open or the tank drain springs a leak. But the good will definitely outweigh the bad.

NeilV · 09-26-2006, 08:05 AM

Your local Sams Club should be able to sell you just the mattress. I just picked up a Serta Flame Retardent queen size at my local club and it made a world of difference in the comfort. Sand down the plywood around the edges to protect your linens but don't make the whole thing slick of you will have to put rubber pads down to keep the mattress in place.

As far as replacing the base remember that it may be built to move with the slide so you may not want to mess with it.

Regards,

BIGRED1 · 09-26-2006, 08:31 AM

Besides sanding the plywood, you could cover it with an old blanket or one of the inexpensive "egg crate" foam pads. Original Mattress Factory and Sam's Club were good suggestions for finding a new mattress without having to buy a full set.

AmericanGypsea · 09-27-2006, 04:45 PM

Shannone~

We just (ahem) made an investment in an expensive mattress and boxsprings. In talking with the salesman, he continued to make the point that unless we bought the set (with the box springs), the warranty would be voided. That certainly left me with the impression that we could purchase just the mattress. If you've gone to a mattress store that only sells the set, keep shopping. Someone will sell you just the mattress.

Marcia

Novi · 09-27-2006, 05:29 PM

We went to a mattress manufacturer and had them custom make our mattress to fit the motorhome. We did not like the usual RV mattress and they are expensive. It was not all that much more $ to have it custom made and go for the higher qualitiy mattress.

BigRedLancer · 09-27-2006, 06:53 PM

I replaced my queen mattress with a select comfort air bed. The bed is designed to be used without a boxspring. Select comfort makes a model especially for RVs. I have one at home too and it is the best bed I have ever had.

Lynnvt · 09-28-2006, 04:57 AM

We added a 3" memory foam topper to the cheap rv mattress and it has made a world of difference. I don't think you need a box spring. We have a platform bed in the house with just a mattress on top. Salesman never said anything about voiding the warantee on the mattress.

2SAM · 09-28-2006, 05:07 AM

When we bought our moho new in 2000 first thing hubby did was cover the plywood, with carpet stapled after wrapping the edges, love it and nothing slides, even sheets stay put.....and while we got the delux interspring mattress we also have a 2-1/2" thick memory foam topper, Boy do we sleep good!!!!

Lil'Darlin1972 · 09-28-2006, 06:31 AM

Thank you all for your suggestions !!

Dutch Star Don · 09-29-2006, 03:04 PM

You could cover the plywood with a sheet of nice vinyl/imitation leather and then staple it down over the edges. Then glue/staple a piece of indoor outdoor carpet on the under side to make it look nice.

We just bought a new queen mattress for our motor home (Sealy) and they took $200.00 off because we didn't need the box spring.

TIP: Keep in mind that the box spring is not as solid as a sheet of plywood. When you pick out a new mattress, buy one a little softer than you think it should be. It will be stiffer when placed on the plywood.

j2detoit · 10-01-2006, 04:40 PM

The dw and I just got our cherokee this spring NEW and figured that we would get a diferent mat for it BUT AFTER WE SLEPT ON IT AND FOUND IT WASN'T TO BAD WE DECIDED To try a coulpe things first so we carpeted the lift cover under the bed with a nice carpet then added a down filled mat pad gotten at bed bath and beyond on clearence then put a nice soft sealy mat pad on the top Wow for a small fraction of the price of a new king mat we got a great sleeping mat and its heated via factory option we went camping every weekend from mid april to the end of sept plus 2 week long vacation stays .Slept like a baby most every nite I'd like to think the revamped mat has a lot to do with it goodluck

jerry7 · 10-02-2006, 07:43 AM

Try useing thin 1 mil platic on the bunk ends you can get it nat walmart in the fabric dept about $1.50 for the size you need?? that will protect the bottom of the mattress