Foam for Sleeping in the Back

[MojaveMadMan]

So what kind of padding are you guys using when you sleep in the back of your 4runners? I got a trip coming up and I think I will be sleeping in the back of my 4runner, seats down no special set up. I want some kind of foam or padding to sleep on but I don't know where to get it or what kind people are using.

Did the alternate search method, didn't come up with a good answer. What are you guys using?

 

[3rzrunner]

What I did was buy 1cm thick sleeping foam mats (blue in color), then I removed the cargo area carpet and put the foam down (cutting it in the right shape), then reinstalled the carpet back on top. so now I have permanent sleeping foam under my rear carpets, (which is extremely comfortable) and it also acts as a sound deadner.

ive done this to many runners and it has always worked out extremely well.

 

[Salman]

For my last trip I used my old Ikea twin sultan foam mattress which come in 3 pieces. I used two pieces as back seats were folded but not taken out. It was not very comfortable as I was sleeping diagonal and folded seats were still little higher than cargo area. I am 5.8.

I am using similar foam mattress for my bed as I can't sleep on spring mattress. So, I was expecting a better sleep but it was not the case. I was camping alone so I placed some important camping gear and food inside with me... not recommended for comfortable sleep.

google for sleeping platforms you will get some good results and ideas for what others are using.

 

[3rzrunner]

here you can see the blue foam in the gap between the wheel well and the carpet

 

[MojaveMadMan]

What I did was buy 1cm thick sleeping foam mats (blue in color), then I removed the cargo area carpet and put the foam down (cutting it in the right shape), then reinstalled the carpet back on top. so now I have permanent sleeping foam under my rear carpets, (which is extremely comfortable) and it also acts as a sound deadner.

ive done this to many runners and it has always worked out extremely well.

This is a cool idea, but what about the seat backs? I am a bit larger than just the cargo area... haha

 

[JB.]

I want some kind of foam or padding to sleep on but I don't know where to get it.

I had one of those cheap 3-piece futons with flimsy foam that I put up with for a few trips and then visited a foam warehouse type shop and had the foam replaced with high density 4" foam. Quality foam is amazing stuff. You can sample the various densities and purchase exactly the firmness you want. The good stuff will last a very long time without losing any resilience.

 

[habanero]

Were I to not use my tent I'd put my Thermarest Trekker air mattress in there because it's easy to inflate, comfortable and easy to roll up and about the size of a Nalgene bottle when stored. Comes in various brands and sizes. It's not the cheap plan but I already have one because I'm too kinda old and creaky for the 1" thick versions.

 

[2014 Warthog]

Yeah I use air mattresses too. I got one that completely form fits the rear area, around the wheel wells with the seats down. 6 inches thick. After putting bedding on and pillow, my head actually goes over the seat backs. Super comfortable and best part is when deflated it takes up almost no room and is super light compared to a big hunk of rolled up foam. Course you do have to inflate and deflate it

 

[papapoopski]

-Look for closed cell foam as it will not absorb water. A wet bed sucks.

-If you are traveling into a cold climate you want insulation underneath you. A couple folded blankets work. Fleece blankets are great. This is what I use for warmth - RidgeRest SOLite | Closed-Cell Foam Camping Mattress | Therm-a-Rest paired with this for comfort extra warmth Trail Scout | Self-Inflating Camping Mattress | Therm-a-Rest

-I have a cot in the back of mine. I went with a cheap, low standing, three legged cot like this - Wenzel Camp Cot - Walmart.com
This fits in the back with the rear seats folded down. I don't have to remove the lower seats. The portion of the cot just behind the drivers seat rests on top of the folded up rear seats. I can slide milk crates under the cot for storage leaving a clear "aisle" for moving around - changing etc.

I just camped in the back last week in VT with air temps at -22F at night. My boards, boots and clothes, supplies etc slide right under the cot. I stayed toasty warm.

 

[3rzrunner]

This is a cool idea, but what about the seat backs? I am a bit larger than just the cargo area... haha

LOL

my feet really don't need any foam, and since my hips and shoulders are on the foam I am comfortable

 

[MojaveMadMan]

You guys have some good methods! I really like the idea of a truck bed style inflatable air mattress. Space is an issue sometimes so that might be the ticket. I also found a foam store here in ABQ I might have to go check out!

 

[thebrandon]

I bought an inflatable twin mattress and shoved that in the back. It's the best. They make cool truck bed ones like 2014 Warthog said that are made to go in the back of trucks/SUVs. My twin mattress was super cheap from wally world and does the job for me.

 

[Jetcycles]

I use a Therm-A-Rest basecamp XL self inflating pad, adjustable firmness and it rolls up and packs into it's own stuff sack. I actually have 2 more BNIB that I need to list for sale soon, probably $55 shipped, just need to figure out how to ship the dang things!

 

[MojaveMadMan]

I look at those things and just can't help but think; how can that be more comfortable than an air mattress? I know for hiking and stuff they make total sense, but if your sleeping in your rig are they really comparable?

 

[habanero]

I look at those things and just can't help but think; how can that be more comfortable than an air mattress? I know for hiking and stuff they make total sense, but if your sleeping in your rig are they really comparable?

They are not more comfortable than an air mattress. Personally I think they are as comfortable. The main benefits of the Thermarest type mattresses are pack-ability and smaller size (and I already have one!). The air mattress is a fine option if you've got the room and don't mind the packed size. I did have a lot more trouble with leaks concerning the air mattress vs the thermarest air mattress.

You can get an inflator for either version, the air mattress can be had with a built-in version.

 

[tS_kStin]

Well I am cheating a bit being I work at a mattress factory so I can get stuff for free, but I will be putting a piece of latex foam in the back that is wrapped in a bed protector to keep the smell down. In essence, latex is just a super high quality foam that is stupid comfortable, and heavy, and expensive. Not sure what size but probably 2-3" thick. Then just cut to size. But really you could do this with any foam that is used in a bed.

 

[MT Runner]

Warthog, which air matress do you use specifically? I've looked around and can't find exactly what I'm looking for. I bought the Coleman suv air mattress which is basically a slightly wider twin. It was ok, it almost filled the area between the wheel wells, but when my wife and I both slept on it while on a road trip this past summer, it wouldn't hold air over night. Neither one of us are big (350lbs max combined weight), we couldn't find any pin hole, but it's flat by the morning. We only use the 4Runner as a camper occasionally, we usually just set up a tent, but part of that reason is because I can't find anything that is semi comfortable to sleep on and doesn't take up too much space when not in use.

Yeah I use air mattresses too. I got one that completely form fits the rear area, around the wheel wells with the seats down. 6 inches thick. After putting bedding on and pillow, my head actually goes over the seat backs. Super comfortable and best part is when deflated it takes up almost no room and is super light compared to a big hunk of rolled up foam. Course you do have to inflate and deflate it

 

[RAD4Runner]

Really depends on how luxurious you want it to be, and how much room you're willing to sacrifice.

I'm a minimalist (hence, my first-gen MoreFunner), so I find a combination of the closed-cell foam and self-inflating Thermarests Habanero and papapoopski mentioned ^^ very luxurious. In the backcountry on snow, I only sleep on one Ridgerest foam

I'm also thinking of ways to keep/store the sleeping pads/mattress/foam under the headliner to add sound insulation while driving.

 

[2014 Warthog]

http://www.truckcandy.com/TC/TruckBedz/TruckBedz.htm#Weekender

I /think/ I got this one "VFSBC1" Tacoma 5'6" bed (Not the "T Shape" one)

Plus there are different levels of them quality wise, with toppers etc. I got the plain, rolls up pretty small

Just used it last weekend! It holds air with me on it alone, have not tried two people yet though.

Warthog, which air matress do you use specifically? I've looked around and can't find exactly what I'm looking for. I bought the Coleman suv air mattress which is basically a slightly wider twin. It was ok, it almost filled the area between the wheel wells, but when my wife and I both slept on it while on a road trip this past summer, it wouldn't hold air over night. Neither one of us are big (350lbs max combined weight), we couldn't find any pin hole, but it's flat by the morning. We only use the 4Runner as a camper occasionally, we usually just set up a tent, but part of that reason is because I can't find anything that is semi comfortable to sleep on and doesn't take up too much space when not in use.

 

[Koko4]

My girlfriend, 85lb black lab, and I slept on a double-sized (I believe) air mattress in the back of the 4Runner. We had the back seats folded down, and slightly under-inflated the air mattress. If it would have been totally inflated, the rear door wouldn't have shut all the way. With it under-inflated, when I shut the rear door it smushed the entire air mattress so it all fit nicely when the door was shut, and laying on it, it still felt "full". Hope that makes sense.

We had some room on the sides of the bed (where the wheel-wells are), but just used this room to stuff other items that we had brought with us. Besides waking up in the middle of the night FREEZING cold, it was fine. It was in the 20's outside, though. I think the only thing that could have kept us warm would have been insulating the glass windows somehow. I touched the window at night at it was like ICE.

We had one 15 degree bag, one 25 degree bag, two blankets, and the black lab. And we were still cold!