light weight mattress - to access storage underneath

[mapoos]

Hi, I have a 2015 E19. Under the current 79# queen mattress (a replacement from the previous owner) is some large storage area. Has anyone found a lighter weight mattress that will make accessing the storage area easier? I'm a side sleeper so don't wan't something too firm.

[Bobbie54]

You could try something like this: https://smile.amazon.com/Inofia-Matt...8-2-spons&th=1. A trifold mattress makes it easier to move to one side to access storage. I tried one but didn't really like it for sleeping.

[brroberts]

Most of us use a combination of the outside hatch and slide out tubs, drawers, milk crates or some variation. I have also added a small driver’s side hatch as have a few others. Their are several threads on this, but I am not where I can link any right now.

[hugh]

Instead of a lightweight mattress, what about installing a couple of gas struts to help lift the door?


Maybe something like these:


https://www.amazon.com/ARANA-inch-10.../dp/B09W9KZRS5



Hugh

[HABBERDABBER]

Gas struts might work, but it's a heck of a lot of weight to lift and hold. I use 2- 1" or so diameter aluminum tubes with notches cut in the ends to hold the under mattress "door" open on my E19. Works, but a chore to raise the mattress and get the tubes in place. I mounted a drawer on slides to use the space, with access from the panel doors, but for winterizing and maintenance the tubes allow full access.

[Donna D.]

Here's an archive thread you might find of value:

Bed lift struts for 19' Escape

[brroberts]

They make struts that will easily lift that if you anchor them appropriately.

[John in Santa Cruz]

On the 21 classic, you can take 3 large milk crates, and tie them together with tie wraps, then slide them in the end door, and they fit perfectly... Slide them out to access their contents.

[BobG]

This doesn't directly answer the OP question but I got around the mattress issue this way. It is another option similar to the milk crates. This is a little more work than the crates.

I built a couple boxes out of 8mm Baltic birch plywood and glued 2 strips of 1/8" x 1 1/2" HDPE runners to the bottom of each box so they would slide easily. I also removed a metal trim piece that was covering the vinyl joints under the bed in the area they slid.

To keep the boxes from moving forward when stopping, I added a strip of plywood across the door opening. This piece of plywood is trapped in a slot each side of the door opening to keep it in place while traveling. I remove this piece and store it along the edge of the mattress when accessing the boxes (I added it to the checklist so I don't forget to replace it when breaking camp). I think I screwed a piece of wood to the floor outside the boxes to keep them from sliding sideways.

This limited access to the back driver side storage area so I used plywood to form a storage box behind the hot water heater between the sliding storage box and the outside of the trailer. I added an exterior access hatch to access this area for storing the water hose, shore power and other misc. parts used when hooking up.

The drawers slide in and out easily and work well for me.

[Chasing Trials]

Originally Posted by mapoos

Hi, I have a 2015 E19. Under the current 79# queen mattress (a replacement from the previous owner) is some large storage area. Has anyone found a lighter weight mattress that will make accessing the storage area easier? I'm a side sleeper so don't wan't something too firm.

The mattress was too firm for me, Sideways sleeper too. Plus I was going down to a full sized. I put in a 6" foam one. They are lighter too.

[dstreight]

I had Reno Mattress make my 6" foam custom mattress in 1/3 & 2/3 sections for our full time bed in the 15A. Much easier to move out of the way if/when the side compartments need to be accessed. Has worked great for the past year. I'm a tosser/turner and mostly side sleeper and its very comfortable.

Any mattress maker should be able to easily accommodate...