Turn the cushions over (they are flat on the back on purpose!) and turn the seat cushions so that knee-rolls are at the ends of the bed (so you end up with the knee-rolls under your head and feet). This is how I've always made our bed up in the caravan and it's more comfortable than our bed at home. BTW - we use sleeping bags rather than sheet and duvet, so maybe the little bit of padding from the sleeping bag helps too.
I had the same problem-my back hurt so much sleeping on the cushions that i rarely got a good nights sleep.We got a 7.5 cm deep memory foam topper from ebay and its been a godsend-i can now sleep without alcohol( well not much anyway!!)It cost 65.00.not too hot either.We dont put our bed away in the day so storage is not a problem-just as well cos its like a dead body to shift!!
------------- ...as long as it's dry.....
Lisa xx
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we have just purchased a memory mattress topper from ebay 40.00 only an inch thick, but could not believe the difference it makes, ours came with a bag, that you put it back into and we put ours under the lockers, but somebody else mentioned just leaving it in the bathroom till needed
I bought a Raskelf Topper a couple of years ago when we got a brand new van - the cushions were way to hard for me, I suffer with my back and have a memory foam mattress at home. Some nights it does the job, sometimes I'm in agony and toss and turn. (If I go without it, its even worse though). It came with two wide elastic loops that I keep it rolled up with and I keep it under my seat. Think its the 2" version.
i must be the only person that doesnt like memory foam.
but i would try turnning the cushions over and then i use an old sleeping bag as a under blanket to cover the base . lovely, but i still have pillow problems i take 3 for me and just 1 for OH.
We turn our cushions over and use a sleeping bag. I sometimes think I sleep better in the van than I do at home, but then, I do a heck of alot of walking when away. And the wine always helps too, ( I think)
------------- After living in my beloved van in Spain for a number of years, I
I'm always afraid that I'll wreck the cushions by turning them over. The knee rolls get squashed and the fabric looks a bit creased and squashed too. I'm trying to keep them as nice as possible for as long as I can (I think far more of my van than I do my house - resale value has a lot to do with it). Plus I think the underneaths are harder than the tops, they've had less arse-weight on them (if you know what I mean ).
We also invested in Raskelf memory foam toppers and loved them so much we put them on our bed at home and just roll them up and take them with us whenever we stay away from home - either in the caravan or at a hotel/friends' homes. Would not be without them as we have really bad backs and they are indispensable. I made two bags from a pattern made from the original plastic bags they came in and they stuff under the bunks, rolled up. Cannot praise them highly enough.
------------- There is no such thing as a bad whisky - it is just that some are better than others :)
Thanks for all your replies. Are the Raskelf toppers worth the extra money. Some of you seem just as happy with cheaper versions......or is it a case of you get what you pay for? I must say I love Famous Grouse and it gets me to sleep if I have enough of it !!!
Can't stand the foam toppers, we tried one at home and 1/2 way through the night I took it back off. Horrible things, no substitute for a good mattress.
When we bought the 'van, it had to be a fixed bed for us as sleeping on seating is NOT going to give you the right support. I find the Bailey mattress is great, even with my back I still get a brill nights sleep.
Not much help to you though!
What about replacing the inner filling of the cushions?
Well Flatcat, I went for the expensive Raskelf because I thought the same at the time "You get what you pay for", but honestly, I still suffer really badly with my back, but then I have the full memory foam mattress at home and still have pain as the day dawns. Down the van, I toss and turn longing for the day to arrive so I can get up, so if you don't so much suffer with a bad back, and you see a cheap one, I'd try it out.
I didn't buy a cover for mine and the zip that does the stockinette cover up drives me nuts, everytime I move, it scrapes up and down the wall of the van (and that's just the bottom corner, the rest of the zip is turned to the outside). I sleep in a sleeping bag on top of it. That said (and I apologise if I've said this before, I'm losing track), I couldn't be without it, that would be a complete nightmare.
I'm taking my annual leave in two separate weeks in the summer, purely because my back can only just stick a week, never mind 2 in a row!
Any tip or ideas on remedies, feel free to offer! Doc just gave me painkillers (I've had this for at least 10 years - I'm only 39 - so I'm not keen to take tablets on that regular a basis!)
have you tried a chiropracter or acupuncture alternative therapies are often poo poooed but they have worked for lots of people, hope you get better soon.
------------- wishing everyone,,,,what you would wish for yourselves x
My hubby was a bit sceptical,said it wouldn't work.He now wants to sleep in the van all the time.It really is amazing.I had a Raskelf in our old van and let my friend have it when we sold the van.Like you I was in two minds what to do when we bought it.But I went with the name,and recamendations.It was good and we loved it.When I wanted another hubby said I couldn't pay that much again because I gave the last one away.So got the cheaper one.I can say without a dout it's as good as!! Going to get one for home now.
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Topic: How can I get a comfy sleep?
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