I just use 3 cushions from the garden furniture and slot them inside a spare sleeping bag, adds to the warmth/comfort and also very simple.

To cut foam, or fiber glass insulation, or other similar materials put a 2x4 along your cut line, step on it to compress the material, and then cut. It will come out much more clean.

I use about 4-inchs of foam on 4 pieces of 3/8 plywood. Staple a piece of material over the foam to the back side of the plywood. Make one of the sections short enough to use as a back rest during the day. It has work for 15 years now.

Next time you need to cut foam try one of those electric carving knives. I used to work in an old upholstery shop and the electric knifes were perfect for the job. Thanks for sharing your ideas!

I am impressed, you even use a sewing machine! Awesome. Next time cut only down to about an inch or two at the divisions, just enough to fold but they don't separate

A man that sews🤗

I would have bought two and stacked them; I like a nice soft bed.

Im glad you did this video! Ive had foam pads like that in the past and they are very comfortable. Ive seen a lot of videos lately where people are saying the self inflating mattresses are great but after watching your review i believe ill go with the foam and the idea of cutting in 3 and folding to save space never occured to me, duh! .. simple ideas are usually the best! Thank you!

I've slept on one for a few weeks, glad to hear others are using this cheap pad!

That’s a jackpot find if you ask me! Love how you used a inexpensive sheet to cover the pad as well.

I'm glad I watched this. I've been looking for an affordable foam to build my dinette cushions out of.

Great cheap idea! :) Glad to hear it worked out. I've always used one of those air mattresses but for a side sleeper they are not very comfortable and cold when the temp dips down. Like the trifold option for storage. I got two exercise mats at a garage sale for a few bucks, but have not tried them out yet.

I just found this video and I'm cracking up! I have like 4 of these foam pads. I found them up in Idaho when I was visiting my folks. Up there they sell them at Fred Meyer. They are great!! I slept on two of them stacked on top of each other for a couple years. Lately I use one on the bottom and a 3 inch latex bed topper for the top layer. It's so comfy that I feel guilty when I'm in a group of campers and they are all in agony while I am sleeping like a king! lol Love your channel!!

Good call. Thanks. My local HD has them for $25. I have covers that I can cut this up to fit. Very good price.

Score!! I’ve got a $50 gift card!!! I didn’t know what to get! I don’t like inflatables, seems the air kills my back in the morning. I didn’t even think of the elevation bit. Foam does get “harder and softer “ but once you get on it, your body heat makes it pliable. This foam pad looks like just the trick. Thanks!💜

I have the same version of the RAV4 and have been trying to figure out a good sleeping pad. This video inspired me to look at IKEA and I found the Sklat sectioned folding mattress that is a perfect fit in the Rav4 on the driver’s side. I can still keep the rear passenger seat up and when not sleeping I can fold the mattress so the driver’s seat can be slid back.

just what I was hoping to find and sooo reasonably priced!!

Wow! Thank you! Exactly what I was looking for. An inexpensive topper for camping.

When my daughter was born, i went to an industrial place and had foam cut for her crib mattress; had a waterproof mattress cover. Inexpensive and worked very well for many months until I could afford a more sturdier crib mattress to support her growing baby weight.

My friend, this is a yr old video. I'm wondering how this pad has held up - durability and comfort, over time? Thanks

I use a similar set-up and love it. I bought a double size pad, cut it in half, trimmed it out and put the pads in a cheap sleeping bag. For storage i roll it up and wrap a strap around it,, Also, cutting with scissors gives a cleaner cut(for me).

I’m glad this worked for you and I’ve also been thinking of a foam mattress pad for camping. I’ve never liked air mattresses, mostly because of the noise they make when turning at night

The camping section of the store where you bought sheets also sells sleep sacks which are about the same price as your sheet, but already sewn into a closed-one-end tube. (I sleep on foam on an inflatable mattress and the sleep sack works to contain my folded foam topper.)

This would work perfect for my Ford Explorer, I already have a thick sleeping bag so don’t need cover sheet - going camping with my dogs this wkend 😎😎

I did the same with a foam mattress my friend had from her RV. Would never go back to airbeds! Great video

If the three pieces shift, you could try using duck tape on one side to stabilize them. You could still fold into a Z shape for storage.

Beds are a big deal in vans or SUV's. I have a small Promaster City. I don't want a permanent bed, though most people use the space below for storage. I have a roll up foam pad, and I'm trying a Klymit inflatable. The Klymit folds to nothing, which is the basic goal. I'm trying it with a 12v heated mattress pad, then a 0 degree mummy bag. The pad seems to use 2-3 Amps, but cycling on and off, so 30 AH over a night's use. It's a nice warmth, since I don't want to run a heater overnight. As they get cold, the inflatable loses volume, so maybe the heated pad will keep it inflated. I have a 20 pound generator and 3 flex panels. Ebike batteries are very small, easy to charge, but have to convert to 12v and carry a charger. I like my swing compressor fridge, but a lot of people seem to get buy with ice. I'm doing wiring to do a direct connection to the alternator for secondary batteries. Once you have an energy budget from fridges and heating pads, you need reliable charging and reasonable batteries. Lithium is emerging. People just need ideas and things to try, sources. I think Amazon has a trifold foam bed thing. Appreciate your dedication and constant stream of ideas.

Great idea saved a lot of money I will be doing this for my bed in my Astro van thanks!

In the past, I have used an electric knife and it left a clean edge. Thank you for sharing your videos.

Thanks for sharing that cool find!

Nice. When I was building the bed for my 4runner, I was looking for something like this, but ended up just going with a 6-inch foam twin mattress from Amazon. I bought a memory foam topper, and the thing feels identical to my mattress at home. It may be overkill for camping, but hey, I want a comfortable bed.

In India, my air mattress collapsed, and the battery operated pump shorted out and became unusable. So I drove downtown in Kolkata and purchased some large foam pillows at a pillow store (they actually had them in varying hardnesses). Got some that would hold me and my shoulder up when I laid sideways and put them one after the next in my tent. But they would separate while sleeping. I wished I had had that large pillow (foam bed) case you made. You need to patent that. Great idea.

OK, you sew...subscribing now!!! Great video thank you for including info about space like the back is 44"..I needed to know that.,, which video has your suspension system in it? i really need to know how you bridge the sleeping gap...thanks

Thank you for sharing your knowledge and skills. I’m learning a lot from your videos. Truly appreciate it. Take care and stay safe.

You just gave me a really good idea. I even have a sewing machine. Thanks Tristan.

I bought a 4” memory foam twin mattress. $50 on Amazon. High density. I also bought a protector for $24. I cut the memory foam in half (part way through) so I can fold it and store in the back of my Outback. Just got it and planning on trying it out soon. Thanks.

Brilliant! Maybe you could use the folded up bed as a chair of sorts and a low folding TV tray for whatever 🤔

If you have an electric knife, they cut through foam really good, I keep one for just that reason! A good thrift store find!

These were most likely a one-time purchase by Home Depot and were priced to move. Nothing even remotely close to that price exists on their web site.

Sew Velcro onto one end, twice. Once for a tight fit, and the second for a loose fit that allows you to fold the mattress.

Thank u..I wld lik to go away on a 3days trip w/my little dog to a beach area..save money by sleeping in my SUV using ur idea on making your Z folded mattress u made as a twin bed..what a great idea..thank u🥰

I know this video is pretty old but I just wanted to say thanks for the tip about these cushions at Home Depot! They still have them and I will be grabbing one tomorrow to sleep on in my SUV.

Tx for the idea, the foam doesn't look like memory foam though which I think is not much more expensive.

In the old days we called them hardware stores.

Amazing and cheap.Very good idea.Thank you

Great idea. I’ll ck it out. Thanks. Like your idea of making a sheet-pillowcase.

Just what I was looking for, hope they still have some foam👍😁

Nice pickup!

OMG, Thanks for sharing. I hope mine has them.

Packing tape is a good go to for air mattress repair and it lasts

Thank you for this video. I am wonder why u cut the sponge ?

I can never use the mattresses that cut across like that. They end up destroying my back after a few days. But I love the idea and might grab it since storage is not an issue for my van.

Love it I think I.may go get this myself

I figured I’d try this idea out for my suv. The store only had one option of 3 inch “off white” foam that was located in the carpet/flooring section. It was wayyyy too firm for sleeping. I couldn’t return it fast enough.

We have those year round at Fred Meyer. Not sure if you have freed Meyer out there.

I had the same idea, but I think I'll cut the pad to fit around the wheel wells of my Xterra to give me a little more width at the shoulders.

edifying--thanks

Thanks for the tip buddy...

Great idea!

Thank you!!!

Props to you for being a fellow man that knows how to use a sewing machine.

They had this same display/sale a few years ago at Home Depot, with the same price... (so that’s cool)! I bought 2 of the light colored foams and 2 covers! It’s worth the money. Those covers are the best. When you said you’d just make your own cover.... AWH...are you kidding? It’s not worth the time, fabric, or frustrations involved in doing that... unless you’re talking about just a big pillow case cover. That canvas cover will protect your mattress for ever! Great investment especially since for whatever reason foam got REAL expensive since the 80’s. Stupidly expensive!!!

great idea

Mad sewing skill!

Pretty cool.

Good vid ..thanks

$20! WOW I paid $150 for a full 6” memory foam and I’m going have to trim it for my van. I could have just gotten 2 of these and not trimmed. I’m calling this a win for you.

Nice find- strange it was at home depot. Whatcha got in those canning jars there on the table? Jelly, Honey, Bone Broth?

Cool, this could be a new product for your store....on a different topic, Jackery has been sending out free portable power units to folks in the van life community for review. I recently bought a couple before I saw the reviews (Dave 2D Vlogs has a link for 20% off the 240 model)....maybe if you contact them they’ll send you one for free to review 🤔... Will Prowse did a very technical review and it passed his tests. I have the 160 and 200 which seem fine, although the Bolt 6000 mini charger didn’t work at all.

Thank you from KSA.

22" is more narrow than a sleeping bag and I prefer a wide sleeping bag. I think your right that gaps will form.

Sure wish I'd have viewed this BEFORE purchasing an inflatable off of Amazon for $32..-It collapsed the 1st night I used it INSIDE a house...I can Sooo appreciate the price on this foam..Guess a Home Depot trip is in the near future for me..Happy Trails,Tristan & Cassi..🏞️📸👍

People need to be aware of what kind of foam it is plus its density and compression. Learn what the 4 digit number means. For example, a 2735 rated foam is 2.7 pounds per cubic foot and requires 35 pounds of pressure to compress it 25 percent. You probably want a foam north of 50 pounds to sleep on.

so for storage r u able to fold it easily

Would stacking two be overkill and/or take up too much space for the additional comfort?

Very nice Tristan! Do you find the 3 inches of foam to be good enough for side sleeping? Would you recommend doubling to 6 inches?

That is cool. I hope to find that foam piece. The cover was great and love the foldability. I will give this a try. Thanks for sharing

Might consider this 3 piece cut. Or the roll up memory foam at Walmart.

It is open cell foam as opposed to typical camping mats which are closed cell foam (Thermarest Ridgerest, etc)

You could make a really big sock puppet.

Tristan, You were concerned about people being able to look in and see what is in your bins. How about spray paint the out side of the bins with white paint?

If I had known I could have told you that electronic carving knife works fabulous on cutting foam. I know this for a fact from working as a Drag show stage manager, all the Queens use electronic carving knives to cut and shape their padding.

a tri fold foam kids seat would work without having to cut it...great video

for ten dollars you can get a 6 ft foldable workout mat (kind of like your hack) that has that same type of foam and added insulation. then add the sheets to not feel the mat and added comfort ***

Home depot sells that foam pad?

This or a foldable foam sleeping pad?

I was hoping you finish the video on how the foam mattress lays in the car.

FYI an electric carving knife works really well cutting foam mattresses.

4" memory foam or medium density foam from Amazon and a sleeping bag liner. Better foam can be rolled tight and poofs right back to shape.

Try an electric bread slicer for trimming foam.

I’ve been looking for that kind of foam and never see it in Home Depot. Is it a regular item at the one where you bought yours?

Thanks for the video. This doesn’t seem firm enough for me. I’m gonna go with a 4 inch folding twin mattress

Just looked up foam mattresses vs camping pads online at HomeDepot; there is quite a price difference!

I got a Tri-fold 3" Memory Foam Mattress with a cover already on it at Walmart for $29. It folds neatly and has Velcro to hold it closed and handles to carry it with. It's very comfortable.

Electric knife is a very clean cut

Reg foam or memory???

It sounds like a great idea but looks like it is not available 100miles from me at Home Depot and they don't deliver either I live in Arvada near Denver :( Thanks for the tips I will search for similar cheap options

I just use the 1” thick weight foam matts n 1/2 soft foam yoga mats n putt flat mattress on it all then i jump in sleeping bag n thats enough for me even with a degenerative back disease.

That’s good price

Nice but I think even folding it takes up too much space. I am looking for something more flat and cool at night.