Lazy Daze Owners' Group

Over the Cab Bed Question(s)...

April 26, 2018, 02:35:14 pm

This may seem like an odd series of questions, but here goes...

1.  I have a 1998 mid-bath, and I'm wondering if the over-the-cab mattress was missing when I purchased it.  The upper area is flush with the storage compartment.  This couldn't be the actual mattress as there is no place to tuck in sheets.  There "is" a memory foam mattress pad, but it doesn't fit the bed dimensions, and there's an "overhang" of a foot or so. 

2.  I actually don't mind sleeping in the over-the-cab bed, and leave the ladder at home.  I find it far easier to use the dinette seat and back to get in and out of bed.  I suppose I should move the bar that's in the middle of the ceiling over above the dinette seat for more "security."

3.  Any suggestions on where to buy a memory foam mattress pad that will fit the dimensions of the actual bed?  Sheet suggestions?  Does anyone have any photos of their bed?

Re: Over the Cab Bed Question(s)...

Reply #2 – April 26, 2018, 04:02:32 pm

I have 3" "Sensus" memory foam mattress toppers for both the overcab and one of the couches; both are from Sleep Warehouse:

Natural Latex Foam and Memory Foam Topper Products | Sleep Warehouse

The overcab topper I use is a twin size; there are no live space-takers up there with me. A larger topper can be cut to size to fit the overcab mattress. Sleep Warehouse cut the topper (no charge) for the couch to my specs; I bought a twin size, they cut it to fit the couch, and I use the cut-off pieces (I requested that these be sent with the topper) as "pillow forms" and dog bed stuffings. I made washable covers for both toppers, essentially squared-corner envelopes with Velcro closures.

Sleep Warehouse offers free shipping; good thing, since memory foam is heavy!

Re: Over the Cab Bed Question(s)...

Reply #4 – April 27, 2018, 01:07:35 pm

We've always slept in the overhead bed, and like that, but found the stock LD mattress not supportive enough after awhile. Hip bones would sink through the foam and hit the wood underneath etc.

I didn't want to add height to the bed by putting another mattress on top of what LD supplies because the headroom up there is already limited and I didn't want to make it worse.

We ended up replacing the LD mattress with one of these in the "double" size:

Exped MegaMat Duo 10 Sleeping Pad at REI

Pricey I know but that's not your average air mattress. Exped makes high quality and durable outdoor gear, not throw away stuff sold in big box stores.

I removed the LD mattress foam from its cloth enclosures and removed some staples and screws etc from that area to be sure there was nothing that could puncture the new mattress. But I left the LD cloth mattress upholstery (after removing any staples and the like) in place to provide a soft interface between the new mattress and the wood platform underneath the bed. And to allow a return to the LD type of mattress if desired.

The Exped mattress fits perfectly in our overhead, as if made for it.

What I like about an air mattress built around a foam core is that you have the insulation, and some support, of the foam but can adjust the firmness of the bed from quite soft to quite firm by adjusting the amount of air inside. We do have to adjust the amount of air in the mattress when changing altitudes. We find this bed very comfortable.

We used to fold up the bed when traveling but no longer do, as the air mattress won't fold easily. It's a bit less convenient getting into the cab seats from the coach but not enough to be a problem and we've adjusted easily.

If you decide to order one of these I suggest checking measurements carefully. Your overhead bunk could be different than ours, as could the current Exped mattress.