Sleeping mattress material?

[kaitlyn2004]

What do most people use for mattress material?

I have backpacking sleeping pads, but I'd rather not deal with setup+take down in the car when I may be waking up, need to pack it in my bag, and go backpacking. Plus, surely I can get better for the car

It still seems ultimately it's between some type of foam or air? I worry about air in the car just because unlike my tent setup, there's just a bunch more STUFF around, I'd worry it's more likely to get punctured? On the flipside, it's likely a much more durable material? I'd say the big plus is this will take up the least space when deflated... but of course that just means inflating every time it's needed!

For a foam mattress, I even looked at something like a 3" foam mattress off amazon? Obviously the back isn't completely square (narrower between wheel wells). Would probably still want somethign in "sections" that could be folded up+stacked when not needed?

A slight minor element is that there may just be myself sleeping sometimes, or 2 people.

So, yeah... what do you guys use? Tried anything that DIDN'T work for you?

 

[delloro]

Twin size air mattress fits fine, but I got a foam mattress too. More comfy, but the air mattress takes up a lot less room when deflated.

This is the one I got:

Amazon.com: Best Choice Products 4in Thick Folding Portable Twin Mattress Topper w/Carry Case, High-Density Foam, Washable Cover: Home & Kitchen

You have to remove the rear seat bases for the mattress to fit, they are a bit too long with the seats in. They are easy to remove though. Two 14mm bolts each.

 

[SpeedyKevin]

The backpacking pad i use (xtherm) is so light I just throw it at the top of the pack and head off on the trail. Pretty quick! Plus I use my arb twin to inflate it lol

 

[kaitlyn2004]

Twin size air mattress fits fine, but I got a foam mattress too. More comfy, but the air mattress takes up a lot less room when deflated.

This is the one I got:

Amazon.com: Best Choice Products 4in Thick Folding Portable Twin Mattress Topper w/Carry Case, High-Density Foam, Washable Cover: Home & Kitchen

You have to remove the rear seat bases for the mattress to fit, they are a bit too long with the seats in. They are easy to remove though. Two 14mm bolts each.

I like the whole mattress built in with removable cover and folding partitions! I guess the one downsize is 39" is a bit wide - I think even between the narrowest part the width is over 41"? And then obviously wider beyond. With two people, I could see each person sleeping on a slight angle - head towards rear towards, feet more towards middle at rear hatch...

I suppose alternative padding or random stuff could be put to the sides near the doors to widen it...

And yeah, removing the rear seat bottoms would be part of the process...

 

[kaitlyn2004]

The backpacking pad i use (xtherm) is so light I just throw it at the top of the pack and head off on the trail. Pretty quick! Plus I use my arb twin to inflate it lol

I have the xtherm too! Great pad! But for me, I put it at the bottom of my bag squished in with the sleeping bag. Even then, it can be a bit annoying to fully deflate and fold+roll it up...

And even though it's decently durable for its weight, I'd worry about having it in the car, rubbing against random items, trim pieces, etc...

The idea of a non-breath inflator is definitely more appealing in the car

 

[kaitlyn2004]

The backpacking pad i use (xtherm) is so light I just throw it at the top of the pack and head off on the trail. Pretty quick! Plus I use my arb twin to inflate it lol

You also made me think about the z-pad they make - the "eggshell" foam that folds on itself, minimizing space... but it seems nobody makes a thicker version of this

 

[SpeedyKevin]

You also made me think about the z-pad they make - the "eggshell" foam that folds on itself, minimizing space... but it seems nobody makes a thicker version of this

Eggshell...I call it the eggcrate! haha. I use that in conjunction with my Xtherm during winter. Hmm why not layer two of them?

 

[DallasTRDPro]

I use the Exped MegaMat. It’s durable. Its comfortable. I’m 6’1” and the pad is 72x25. It’s easy to inflate/deflate. And it packs/stores up small.

They make a Duo which is 72x41. I don’t want to sleep in the back of my 4R with another person and my dog and my gear. It allows me to put a cooler/fridge in there while having a spot for Nick to sleep. My feet hang off a little, but since I have the 40% rear seat bottom removed it gives me plenty of space to stretch out. I just throw the rest of my stuff in front seats.

 

[Wolfman’s Brother]

Wife and I use two Thermarest NeoAir pads and they work just as well in the truck as they do on the trail. Traveling light is the only way to fly.

 

[tylertenny]

We use a full size 4 inch tri fold mattress. I removed the mattress cover and used an electric knife to cut out sections to fit perfectly along the wheel wells. It's comfortable and folds up really well when not in use.

 

[rheosibal]

I use the Exped MegaMat.

+1 on the Exped Megamat. Best camping mattress period. I've used this for a few years before switching to a RTT, and I think it's perfect for the 4Runner. I have the Megamat Duo which fits perfectly between the wheel wells and in-between the rear seat bottoms and trunk when folded down. If you need the extra headspace, like I do, just remove the seat bottoms.

Packing them up is pretty straight forward, not much of a hassle, but definitely worth the cost and price. Since moving onto a RTT platform, I still get plenty of use with the Megamat at home and for ground camping.

https://www.rei.com/product/113720/exped-megamat-duo-10-sleeping-pad

 

[MooseT4R]

Our solution which has worked pretty well is a full size memory foam mattress we cut down to fit the cargo area, basically making the whole back in to a big dog bed. When traveling, we put our totes of gear, cooler, etc. just right on top of the bed (we put an old blanket over it for dirt and dog hair). When we get to camp, we move cooler and totes out of the way and the bed is ready to go. Our mattress is 3" off amazon. I'm sure there's a 4" and if I had it to do again that's what I'd get for extra comfort. Has slept 2 adults and a dog and other than moving gear (which we'd be doing regardless) there is no set up or take down. You could even cut the mattress in to 2-4 sections and only use the pieces you need based on how many people you are sleeping.

 

[Wolfman’s Brother]

Two ThermaRest pads can weigh as little as two pounds and compress to the size of a Nalgene. Even the thicker ones that inflate to 3 inches and would be considered too heavy for backpacking.

I know car camping ain’t Ultra Light Backpacking, but these rigs are already pigs and weight adds up. It increases the wear you’re putting on bushings, wheel bearings, etc and hurts you vehicles range.

It’s heresy to the 35s, steel bumper, steel skids, RTT on a trailer crowd but there is another path to getting out in the backcountry in comfort.

 

[mteolus]

I was thinking about this for a long time. I didn't buy it because of the price. So I found a "like new" one on eBay for $99 and I bought it. I just got it in on Tuesday so I haven't slept on it yet, but I did put it in and I do like it. Obviously a 3" or 4" pad would be better but takes up too much space. This 1.5" pad isn't too big and although probably harder than a 3" pad, it does provide cushion and you don't sink all the way to the hard bottom of the back of the 4Runner. And I did buy one of those new type of camping pad that is inflatable but packs up really small. It got a leak the first trip. This new pad doesn't air up so no leak possible.

I also just bought this (backseat filler mattress) and this (pillow). Both of these are inflatable so less space taking when not in use.

I'll let you know how it goes. If you do buy the inflatable backseat fill mattress, make sure you look at the measurements as they are different depending on which one you look at. The one I bought looks like it will be a good fit. You obviously have to take out both back seats in order for it to work on a trip.

 

[ElectroBoy]

+1 on the Exped Megamat. Best camping mattress period. I've used this for a few years before switching to a RTT, and I think it's perfect for the 4Runner. I have the Megamat Duo which fits perfectly between the wheel wells and in-between the rear seat bottoms and trunk when folded down. If you need the extra headspace, like I do, just remove the seat bottoms.

Packing them up is pretty straight forward, not much of a hassle, but definitely worth the cost and price. Since moving onto a RTT platform, I still get plenty of use with the Megamat at home and for ground camping.

https://www.rei.com/product/113720/exped-megamat-duo-10-sleeping-pad

The Megamat is a great mat for car camping and at-home for an extra bed. Very comfy but expensive, heavy and large, not for backpacking.
I wanted a less expensive option for truck/tent/backpacking so I got the Exped Synmat Duo (LightWeight version). It’s 77.6 x 51.2 x 2.8 inches. Fits perfectly in my setup. I built a two-piece slightly raised platform for mine. It inflates with a separate wind bag which works great. And it’s delicate, you can’t sleep with your dog without risking punctures.
https://www.rei.com/product/114100/exped-synmat-duo-sleeping-pad

 

[Jetboy]

I'm a big fan of these. Had the cheaper generic camper foam mattress in my little camp trailer and switched to these. I sleep great on them. And also use them for guests sometimes. I don't know what size would fit in the back of the 4Runner correctly, and that'll depend on 2 or 3 row. (3 row is a different length with the seats folded).

Amazon.com: Milliard Full Tri Folding Mattress with Washable Cover (73 inches x 52 inches x 4 inches): Kitchen & Dining

 

[kaitlyn2004]

I'm a big fan of these. Had the cheaper generic camper foam mattress in my little camp trailer and switched to these. I sleep great on them. And also use them for guests sometimes. I don't know what size would fit in the back of the 4Runner correctly, and that'll depend on 2 or 3 row. (3 row is a different length with the seats folded).

Amazon.com: Milliard Full Tri Folding Mattress with Washable Cover (73 inches x 52 inches x 4 inches): Kitchen & Dining

Yeah, I think I might just end up with some variation of these! Probably have to do some trimming so it fits between the wheel wells, but oh well!

 

[mteolus]

So my back seat filler came in. Actually fits pretty well. I had to move the front seats up some but I don't intend on having this filled up while driving, only while sleeping. Only negative is it is a little bouncy but I think if I sleep with my feet on this and head to the back it will be fine. You have to accept the bouncy since it can deflate into a small space so it doesn't take up much room when not sleeping. This was one as $41 and some others are cheaper, but the other ones were bigger and wouldn't have fit. As you can see, I have the smaller back seat out. If I take the other seat out it will work as a double bed.

 

[umidkusername]

Make sure you pay attention to moisture and the sun. Don’t want a mess on your hands.


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[kaitlyn2004]

So my back seat filler came in. Actually fits pretty well. I had to move the front seats up some but I don't intend on having this filled up while driving, only while sleeping. Only negative is it is a little bouncy but I think if I sleep with my feet on this and head to the back it will be fine. You have to accept the bouncy since it can deflate into a small space so it doesn't take up much room when not sleeping. This was one as $41 and some others are cheaper, but the other ones were bigger and wouldn't have fit. As you can see, I have the smaller back seat out. If I take the other seat out it will work as a double bed.

That does seem like a good fit - but I think I'd probably aim for stuffing container boxes or just plywood+legs there instead. I guess it's nice that section deflates to almost nothing, but it also means to use it you lose ALL storage space in that area - and removing the seat bottoms gives you some nice extra storage space!