If you want to bring the same sleeping comfort that you always have at home in the back of your truck, you have to devote a lot of your attention to your sleeping platform. Getting people who can help you set up your truck camper may be an onerous task. As a result, you should resort to doing everything by yourself, which makes everything easier.
Part of setting up your sleeping platform involves making your truck mattress DIY. It is a very cost-effective strategy and brings about self reliance as compared to say using truck foam mattresses. So how can you go about it? Before you get started, you should understand the basics concerning mattress construction.
Base Layer
All mattresses have a similar basic setup. The base layer is the first and consists of a polyfoam. This should serve as the foundation of the mattress. It keeps the mattress in shape even if you move it around. The polyfoam also allows you to put your mattress on any type of base.
Support Core
This is where the foam comes in. Although home mattresses can also use coils and inner springs, for a DIY truck bed mattress, the foam would do. The support layer will reinforce the mattress and protect it from sagging and indentation.
Comfort Layers
This is the layer that will cushion your body and relieve your pressure points. You can use soft foam to make your comfort layer.
Cover
This is the final part. You can buy a ready-made mattress cover and just slip in your mattress before you zip it. Besides keeping off dirt and bacteria, a mattress cover will also give your truck bed mattress a polished look and extend its lifespan.
Via Amazon.com
Start Building Your Mattress
Get Everything Ready
The first step is to get all the items that you will need ready. You will need a mattress topper or a foam mattress. You will also need a rope and a very sharp knife to cut the foam with. You can buy your foam from a local shop or just order it online. For the right level of comfort, a medium-density foam would be ideal.
Ensure the Foam Fits
You should take the measurements of your truck and cut the foam to size. In case you have a truck bed, the size of the mattress should fit your bed. When cutting, to avoid wastage, cut out little pieces at a time. You should then trim the foam on the edges so that it doesn’t get pushed out of place.
Put All the Pieces Together
The next step is to bring all the pieces together to make your mattress. Start with the base layer and then add the support core. You should then add the comfort layers on both sides. Use glue to stick the layers together. Once you are done, slide the mattress inside the cover that you had bought. You now have your truck bed mattress. You can start enjoying your sleep while camping.
What Makes a Perfect DIY Truck Bed Mattress?
Super Comfortable
Comfort is a huge factor when making your truck bed mattress. If you are planning to camp for a longer period, your comfort should be at the top of your priority list. Use a thick foam. The thickness should be at least 4 inches. Whether you are sleeping on your back, sides, or stomach, this should be enough to keep you comfortable.
We wouldn’t advise you to use a thicker foam since it might limit the amount of headroom you will have. Every inch of headroom counts in making your stay comfortable.
Tri-Folding Camping Mattress
With the minimal space that your truck camper will offer you, a folding truck bed mattress is a gem. You should make a mattress that you can fold up quickly. This will not only help to keep it clean but also gives youths space to do other things when you are not sleeping. You can easily transform your bedroom into a living room or even a playroom in case you have children.
Portable
Your mattress should be portable and easily removable. You may want to take the mattress out to dry it so that it can get some fresh air.
Perfect Size
When making your mattress and designing it so that it can be foldable, keep in mind that most of the time you will be folding it while it is inside your vehicle. Ensure that you make a mattress whose size fits your truck bed so that it will not inconvenience you whenever you want to fold it to create some space.
Easy to Clean
When truck camping, things can get dirty very quickly. Add children to the mix and the situation can get a bit overwhelming. So, having a mattress that you can easily clean is very important. That is the main reason why you must make a mattress with a cover. In the case of spills or any form of dirt, you will just have to remove the cover and clean it. To keep your mattress from getting dirty too often, consider using sheets.
Conclusion
We hope this truck bed mattress DIY will guide you in making your own truck bed camping mattress. Making your camper mattress is not as hard as you thought it was. You should make the mattress before you set out on your camping trip.
Only head for camping once you have ensured that everything you will need is set and ready. Making your bed helps you to save a lot of money since buying a truck bed mattress can be quite expensive. You can save some money and invest it on other items that will make your camping easier and comfortable.
If you don’t fancy making your camping mattress, then you can just buy one. There are several truck bed mattresses available in the market. You can choose one depending on the size of your truck and the size of the bed. Have an enjoyable camping trip.