RTT Mattress Comfort Improvement Experience and Recommendations

[Dissent]

I spent two nights in my new to me TJM Yulara. The hinge area was a source of hip pain/pressure points for the wife and I. I'm looking to improve the mattress a bit for more comfort, preferably on the cheap.

What have you guys done that's cheap and minimizes the condensation issue to make the mattresses more comforatble in your folding RTT? I've looked at inflatable options under the mattress but that get's pricey quick and I'm concerned about pinching the inflatables in the hinge joint so I'd rather not go that route. I also have the Tepui fitted sheets already so I'd like to retain a 2.5" mattress to fit them to.

I am planning on using those puzzle like stress mats on the floor under the mattress as an immediate cheap improvement and I suspect it will minimize or eliminate the condensation buildup under the mattress.

Another option is just to buy another mattress (Tepui Luxury which is a bit firmer than the basic model) in it's own cover and just toss it on top of the existing mattress.

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

If you can make it work I have found EXPED to be an excellent choice.

 

[Dissent]

I'm trying to keep it cheap and non-inflatable to start. The Exped negates both of those but it does look awesome.

I spoke with Will over at Sierra Expeditions, he recommended one of those carpet grippers in a 5x8 foot size to help with condensation and cheap/promo mouse pads to help cushion the bolt heads. Beyond that he never used anything beyond the OEM mattress.

I did find that I didn't properly lock the telescoping ladder to support the platform. The platform would sag about 1" before hitting the ladder. That may have contributed to the discomfort on the hinge since our feet were lower.

I figured someone has already gone down this route but I guess it's comfy out of the box??

 

[Stepmurr]

I'm now using a cool-top memory foam mattress topper in the Taco as my bed. Might work in yer rtt. No air needed & compresses quite well.

 

[TWILLY]

Perhaps something on Amazon like this. We use an Ikea mattress in our Campteq, but it's too thick for your purposes.

 

[LongDuck]

Dude. Cardboard. Hundreds of thousands of homeless people can't be wrong on this.

I cut heavy, corrogated cardboard into sections to fit and then duct-taped them into place to keep them from sagging and moving when the RTT was folded. This kept condensation down, provided a fair amount of insulation, and was much lihter than Dynamat over the entire surface, which was my next best idea. Dynamat is heavy and permanent - cardboard is not!

Even used this with my Exped Megamat Core2 Duo for years and nnever had a problem with pinching or holes, if you protect the hinge points with closed cell foam. Think of it as a poor man's arctic package...

 

[Dissent]

I've ordered a 1.5" gel memory foam queen size mattress topper that I'll trim to fit and put under the OEM mattress. That should do it I hope.

I love the cardboard/duct tape idea. I'll pursue that if I ever get the moolah for an Exped MegaMat!

(why doesn't the mud site have a money/cash/dollar sign emoji?)

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

I've ordered a 1.5" gel memory foam queen size mattress topper that I'll trim to fit and put under the OEM mattress. That should do it I hope.

I love the cardboard/duct tape idea. I'll pursue that if I ever get the moolah for an Exped MegaMat!

(why doesn't the mud site have a money/cash/dollar sign emoji?)

$$$

 

[Stepmurr]

(why doesn't the mud site have a money/cash/dollar sign emoji?)

Try scrolling down in the "smilies" box - seems to have what ya need . . .

 

[Dissent]

$$$

LOL, but those aren't emojis.

 

[Dissent]

I went ahead with the Tepui Anti-condensation mat and am pretty happy with the result. After wrestling the mat into place, my initial lay down didn't feel the hinge bump anymore. Surprisinlgy, that mat isn't soft at all. It's actually very hard and is only 1/4-3/8" thick although the perimeter edge is 1/2". It was a mess wrestling that thing in place but it looks like a solid solution.