VW California T7 extra mattress?

[Klump]

TL;DR Are extra mattresses worth It?

So me and my partner have rented a VW California T7 this summer.

We are looking forward to three weeks on the road in Scandinavia. First time campers. Big adventure!

Our learning curve will probably be steep and a bit tough, since we are totally rookies. However we both hope it will be part of the fun to find our way and shake off old habits for some time.

As a part of our prepping we went to the local VW dealership to check out the vehicle and all its fancy hacks.

One question stayed with us after the visit: Bed quality - the so-called comfort mattress downstairs felt quite harsh, while the space in the pop up cabin felt much nicer in comparison.

It seems like many California owners are using aftermarket mattress toppers or airbeds for better sleep comfort.

We are now ambivalent in terms of getting some kind of extra mattress? Could be either two single or a double airbed to fit in the pop up.

Please share your experiences with two clueless camper newbies. Are extra mattresses worth It?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Daffus]

Having just used our new Cali for the first time, got to say we had the same view. However, trying without and have slept on both beds just in sleeping bags although using a flat open spare sleeping bag as a base, neither of us had any suggestions to question a topper, which was on the top of our list initially. Came to the conclusion less is more leaving more space for things that we need and wont be missed.

 

[stoobthealien]

Totally agree - top mattress fine, bottom not - the "self inflating" camping mattresses are the best, you don't need a whole airbed arrangement. We found the decathlon top of the range model best

 

[Californication69]

A S2S comfort deluxe mattress is just what you need in the lower bed in a t7 California.
I just so happen to have a 2nd hand one for sale in the for sale section

 

[Klump]

Having just used our new Cali for the first time, got to say we had the same view. However, trying without and have slept on both beds just in sleeping bags although using a flat open spare sleeping bag as a base, neither of us had any suggestions to question a topper, which was on the top of our list initially. Came to the conclusion less is more leaving more space for things that we need and wont be missed.

Thanks a lot! The flat open sleeping bag on top of the mattress sounds like a nice solution we should definitely go for. Lying on the beds for some 10 minutes in a crowded showroom has left us slightly confused

 

[Klump]

Totally agree - top mattress fine, bottom not - the "self inflating" camping mattresses are the best, you don't need a whole airbed arrangement. We found the decathlon top of the range model best

Thanks for the advice! From just trying the beds in the show room we concluded that the upstairs chambers were the place to be Maybe you would elaborate a bit more on the self inflating mattresses? We are looking out to grab some basic ones, also to use outside if the weather is nice. But sizes are bit tricky, since the fit has to be quite narrow. I wonder if you using them for sleeping upstairs or below?

 

[Chriskend]

We found the lower bed too hard for a good nights sleep(and too long to fit the 335 in) I have completely removed the stock mattress and replaced it with a shorter version (180x108) and use a quest airlux 180x100x10 for the perfect fit, also removed the top mattress and stuck in a Vango rock n roll king 180x112x10, the Vango will fit downstairs but it’s a tight fit. All in all not only is it now comfy but there’s plenty of room between the end of the bed and the front seats and takes up less room. The 3x lower boards are 12mm ply joined with upholstery webbing and covered in dark grey felt carpet, looks like it was always there. I also made a removable step shelf for the front of the fridge so the thetford 335 sits on top. It seems there is now as much room as there was in the t6. win win

 

[Californication69]

We found the lower bed too hard for a good nights sleep(and too long to fit the 335 in) I have completely removed the stock mattress and replaced it with a shorter version (180x108) and use a quest airlux 180x100x10 for the perfect fit, also removed the top mattress and stuck in a Vango rock n roll king 180x112x10, the Vango will fit downstairs but it’s a tight fit. All in all not only is it now comfy but there’s plenty of room between the end of the bed and the front seats and takes up less room. The 3x lower boards are 12mm ply joined with upholstery webbing and covered in dark grey felt carpet, looks like it was always there. I also made a removable step shelf for the front of the fridge so the thetford 335 sits on top. It seems there is now as much room as there was in the t6. win win

Sounds like a perfect solution, I used to be an upholsterer so 3of 60 x 108 x 12 mm boards and webbing and grey felt carpet should be easy.
Brilliant idea !

 

[Chriskend]

Sounds like a perfect solution, I used to be an upholsterer so 3of 60 x 108 x 12 mm boards and webbing and grey felt carpet should be easy.
Brilliant idea !

Takes up a lot less room on the back shelf as well

 

[Rebus]

TL;DR Are extra mattresses worth It?

So me and my partner have rented a VW California T7 this summer.

We are looking forward to three weeks on the road in Scandinavia. First time campers. Big adventure!

Our learning curve will probably be steep and a bit tough, since we are totally rookies. However we both hope it will be part of the fun to find our way and shake off old habits for some time.

As a part of our prepping we went to the local VW dealership to check out the vehicle and all its fancy hacks.

One question stayed with us after the visit: Bed quality - the so-called comfort mattress downstairs felt quite harsh, while the space in the pop up cabin felt much nicer in comparison.

It seems like many California owners are using aftermarket mattress toppers or airbeds for better sleep comfort.

We are now ambivalent in terms of getting some kind of extra mattress? Could be either two single or a double airbed to fit in the pop up.

Please share your experiences with two clueless camper newbies. Are extra mattresses worth It?

Thanks in advance!View attachment 148604

 

[Rebus]

My wife has found the top mattress to be fine to sleep on. I must be the princess in this relationship as I HAD to get a 5cm Duvalay mattress topper. I’m happy to say no peas found now

 

[Rebus]

Ps Lower bed

 

[Aeromon]

TL;DR Are extra mattresses worth It?

So me and my partner have rented a VW California T7 this summer.

We are looking forward to three weeks on the road in Scandinavia. First time campers. Big adventure!

Our learning curve will probably be steep and a bit tough, since we are totally rookies. However we both hope it will be part of the fun to find our way and shake off old habits for some time.

As a part of our prepping we went to the local VW dealership to check out the vehicle and all its fancy hacks.

One question stayed with us after the visit: Bed quality - the so-called comfort mattress downstairs felt quite harsh, while the space in the pop up cabin felt much nicer in comparison.

It seems like many California owners are using aftermarket mattress toppers or airbeds for better sleep comfort.

We are now ambivalent in terms of getting some kind of extra mattress? Could be either two single or a double airbed to fit in the pop up.

Please share your experiences with two clueless camper newbies. Are extra mattresses worth It?

Thanks in advance!View attachment 148604

We bought this mattress for the pop up in our T6.1 https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/shop/p...-120cm-vw-california-marco-polo-roof-mattress.
Just spent 3 weeks sleeping comfortably on it. Easy to inflate with the usb mini air pump and can stay in the roof deflated with the roof closed.