HOW TO: Add extra thermal insulation and foam padding around the twin beds

[John E Davies]

I have been experimenting with extra insulation for the last year, using a blue eggcrate foam sleeping pad. It worked great, but looked awful against my tan cushions and bed covers… Plus it was only 24 “ wide. I found new khaki Mil Surplus pads, 30” wide. I ordered three.

Why insulate? The foam:

Cushions all those the rock hard surfaces, no more banging elbows or toes. Ouch.

Keeps out the chill or heat of the hard wall. The bed is remarkably more comfortable for sleeping!

It BLOCKS the cold air dropping down from the windows. This is a big deal.

Removes or installs easily in a couple of minutes.

Helps keep the covers tucked in.

It  coordinates with my old tan blind frames. They don’t look so odd now. 

Provides cargo padding, see next post.

 

Use a sharp razor knife over a big sheet of cardboard and a long straight edge, I used a 48” aluminum carpenters level. . Cut in half lengthwise, one pad provided enough enough material for one bed, fully wrapped. My trailer has 10 inch thick mattresses, so if you have skinnier ones you may have to order more pads. They need to tuck into the gap between mattress and wall, and up under the window blinds and faux granite to hold them securely. Alternatively you could add a lot of velcro. My installation doesn’t need any.

Original blue compared to the new stuff, the blue is way way thick, the new is 1/4”.

More….

John Davies

Spokane WA

[John E Davies]

I mentioned that I was happy that these are 30” wide. That is the exact width of the mis-labeled “Twin” mattresses, which are really Bunk sized.

That third pad was *exactly* the right size, all you have to do is cut a curve to match the wall.

When traveling solo, I can put gear on top of that mattress without worrying about hurting the fabric, or scarring the gelcoat, or the hassle of removing completely and storing the mattress.  A zero gravity lounger works, or a full sized CLAM shelter, or a cased rifle, or plastic bins with paper products or linens. But there are no tie downs straps, I would NOT recommend putting a fridge or anything really heavy there. It would become a nasty missile in a collision. Wedging the item(s) against the front bulkhead will minimize that hazard.

I highly recommend this mod, once you sleep with the added thermal insulation you will thank me.

John Davies

Spokane WA