Flattened bench seats -v- rock n roll bed for comfort

Post by **Jillygumbo** » Mon Aug 24, 2015 4:30 pm

I am considering my bongo conversion to be and need to have a bed that is comfortable to sleep on. My thoughts are that a rock n roll bed with a decent mattress covering would be more comfortable than bench seats that have been flattened and re-upholstered. I don’t want to have to add another mattress. Northstar Conversions will be doing the conversion and the flattened seats option with a swivel middle bench seat seems to be the popular version. What do people think please? Replies by PM if that is appropriate.

helen&tony · Post by **helen&tony** » Mon Aug 24, 2015 6:57 pm

Hi
My answer would be to go and try one in their workshop if they have such a set-up...I know it's a bit like trying a bed in a shop....(which never works for me), but at least it's a start!
Cheers
Helen

Benji · Post by **Benji** » Mon Aug 24, 2015 8:06 pm

I have a new rock n roll bed which is obviously nice and flat but the bed is hard as they are designed for travelling as well. I have to use a memory foam topper to make it more comfy but this slots nicely behind the bed when upright.

My friends Mercedes campervan rock n roll bed has a lovely deep softer mattress but my convertor wouldn't do that for safety reasons (they said).

Post by **Jillygumbo** » Mon Aug 24, 2015 9:30 pm

Benji wrote:I have a new rock n roll bed which is obviously nice and flat but the bed is hard as they are designed for travelling as well. I have to use a memory foam topper to make it more comfy but this slots nicely behind the bed when upright.

My friends Mercedes campervan rock n roll bed has a lovely deep softer mattress but my convertor wouldn't do that for safety reasons (they said).

Maybe that's why he doesn't want to fit seat belts to the rock n roll bed then. All I want is comfort without having to have another mattress!

Post by **Jillygumbo** » Mon Aug 24, 2015 9:31 pm

helen&tony wrote:Hi
My answer would be to go and try one in their workshop if they have such a set-up...I know it's a bit like trying a bed in a shop....(which never works for me), but at least it's a start!
Cheers
Helen

I would have done Helen but they didn't have a rock n roll available for me to try!

helen&tony · Post by **helen&tony** » Tue Aug 25, 2015 3:53 am

Hi
That's a shame!....maybe a self-inflating mattress over the flattened seats?
Cheers
Helen

Post by **Jillygumbo** » Tue Aug 25, 2015 7:39 am

helen&tony wrote:Hi
That's a shame!....maybe a self-inflating mattress over the flattened seats?
Cheers
Helen

That's precisely what I want to avoid if possible. Comfort is more important than being able to carry passengers in the back for me.

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Tue Aug 25, 2015 8:52 am

Jillygumbo wrote:flattened seats option with a swivel middle bench seat seems to be the popular version. What do people think please? Replies by PM if that is appropriate.

Why is that do you think. And is it quicker and more convenient (or not), or cheaper than a rock and roll bed? Maybe it's popularity is driven by people who like to feel their Bongos usefulness as a people carrier remains unchanged. With either option I'm guessing the seats are a lot less comfortable for passengers sat on them for any length of time. And you've said carrying passengers is not a priority for you. Out of interest, since you're not bothered about passenger carrying, what drives your dislike of carrying a 3-fold memory foam Bongo mattress on the back bench. We've found that this makes the standard seats v comfy. And it would be hugely cheaper.

Post by **Jillygumbo** » Tue Aug 25, 2015 12:48 pm

mikeonb4c wrote:
Jillygumbo wrote:flattened seats option with a swivel middle bench seat seems to be the popular version. What do people think please? Replies by PM if that is appropriate.
Why is that do you think. And is it quicker and more convenient (or not), or cheaper than a rock and roll bed? Maybe it's popularity is driven by people who like to feel their Bongos usefulness as a people carrier remains unchanged. With either option I'm guessing the seats are a lot less comfortable for passengers sat on them for any length of time. And you've said carrying passengers is not a priority for you. Out of interest, since you're not bothered about passenger carrying, what drives your dislike of carrying a 3-fold memory foam Bongo mattress on the back bench. We've found that this makes the standard seats v comfy. And it would be hugely cheaper.

Hi Mike, I don't know why the flattened seats are more popular. I would have thought that a rock n roll bed (standard made) would be easier for the upholsterer than flattening and shortening the existing seats?

With the side conversion I've got the option of either a rock n roll bed or flattened seats (with swivel). I believe it's the same price for either option. I would prefer not to have to store a topper mattress as well as everything else. As I plan to go off into the sunset the less I have to add to the bongo the better. How 2 people with children manage I shall never know! I know - I need to reduce what I take. Oh yes, so maybe not having to pack a mattress???

Post by **Simon Jones** » Tue Aug 25, 2015 1:19 pm

We've got flattened seats which are good, but use a thing which is part duvet / part memory foam mattress / part sleeping bag: http://www.duvalay.co.uk/Campervans/Cam ... eeping-Bag

There are 3 thicknesses of the memory foam parts: 2.5 / 4 / 5cm. We've got the 2.5cm version which is very comfy & still rolls up fairly small. The cover is 100% cotton & can be removed for washing. I think it's the best compromise in terms of comfort / size / weight & if you're only carrying one, it's not too bulky. I'll get a photo this evening showing it rolled & unrolled to give you an idea of size.

Post by **Jillygumbo** » Tue Aug 25, 2015 2:06 pm

Simon Jones wrote:We've got flattened seats which are good, but use a thing which is part duvet / part memory foam mattress / part sleeping bag: http://www.duvalay.co.uk/Campervans/Cam ... eeping-Bag

There are 3 thicknesses of the memory foam parts: 2.5 / 4 / 5cm. We've got the 2.5cm version which is very comfy & still rolls up fairly small. The cover is 100% cotton & can be removed for washing. I think it's the best compromise in terms of comfort / size / weight & if you're only carrying one, it's not too bulky. I'll get a photo this evening showing it rolled & unrolled to give you an idea of size.

Yes please

Post by **Simon Jones** » Tue Aug 25, 2015 11:42 pm

This is it unrolled - can't recall the length but it's long enough for me+pillow:

This is it rolled up quite tightly which makes it approx. 30cm diameter (see magazine for scale) by 65cm wide:

It then comes in a bag (possibly optional) which is much bigger that needed but means you can also fit your pillow & nightwear (if applicable!) in the same bag:

Flattened bench seats -v- rock n roll bed for comfort

Flattened bench seats -v- rock n roll bed for comfort

Re: Flattened bench seats -v- rock n roll bed for comfort

Re: Flattened bench seats -v- rock n roll bed for comfort

Re: Flattened bench seats -v- rock n roll bed for comfort

Re: Flattened bench seats -v- rock n roll bed for comfort

Re: Flattened bench seats -v- rock n roll bed for comfort

Re: Flattened bench seats -v- rock n roll bed for comfort

Re: Flattened bench seats -v- rock n roll bed for comfort

Re: Flattened bench seats -v- rock n roll bed for comfort

Re: Flattened bench seats -v- rock n roll bed for comfort

Re: Flattened bench seats -v- rock n roll bed for comfort

Re: Flattened bench seats -v- rock n roll bed for comfort