..mattress, that is.
We have gotten over the inflatable mattresses, having let us down too often at 2am. We need the bed style for mobility.
Solution; we hope, and about to be tested on our big trip.
I have made a plywood base for the mattress.
It locates onto the frame for security, and it folds in two length wise.
The central hinge is strong fabric like old
seat belt and stapled on.
The central join is overlapped ply, so that the join does not bear directly on the frame.
For travel, the base is stored vertically behind the front seats and with the
camp chair and table; makes a good cargo barrier in the wagon. The base had to be big enough to support the queen mattress but small enough to fit in the car, so some corners etc have been cut.
I won't show photos, partly because it is a bit messy. since it was designed on the go and I have had to reinforce it. The ply I used was too light.
If I have to build another, it will be two sheets of ply, different sizes to achieve the overlap. The 12 bearing points have hollowed out squares of ply and carpet to make it sit firmly on the frame.
Re easy packing up the queen self inflator, see my other
forum post.