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Any of you guys using an RV to tour about with your bike? We've been getting about and camping over night with the help of a VW Crafter. It's got lots of space in the back for bikes and all our baggage. Thing is, I've noticed the mattress has been getting moist and moldy since we've been using it more regularly over the summer months.
Is this a thing with RV mattresses or is it something to do with ventilation??
Ventilation, if you look at purpose built caravan / camper upholstery they are air gaps built in to the frame to maintain airflow.
also is your crafter converted or single skinned? You are generating a LOT of moisture when sleeping and it needs to go somewhere
is it something to do with ventilation?
Yes. (Either that, or incontinence...)
Is the mattress ventilated from below? (i.e. not just placed on a solid board?)
Even many factory builds come with a flat ply base for a bed which frankly is shocking given the cost.
Look at boat bed ventilation if you don't want to do the standard core holes in.
Thanks fellas. Yes, i think it is down to ventilation. or lack there of it. It's not incontinence Tillydog 🙂 Found a good guide on it over here: https://mattresscomfortguide.com/rv-mattress-moisture  It's basically saying you need to up your ventilation game to keep the mattress dry.
Might drill some holes in the bed frame. And there's something called an air flow pad that you can place below to create some gaps between the mattress and the bed frame. Fingers crossed this will do the trick. Don't fancy sleeping on a damp mattress any more!
If you don't want to drill holes in the base a cheap and quick solution is to put a layer of plastic egg trays under the mattress.
Ikea bed slats are a popular (& fairly cheap) option instead of a solid board if there's space below the mattress.
We've got a Froli system in ours as there is a solid platform below the mattress (an insulated panel forming the garage 'roof'). A bit spendy, but very comfy and no damp problems.
You can also get expanded plastic mesh pads that serve a similar pupose - as above, check out chandlers as well as caravan/motorhome suppliers.
https://www.svb24.com/en/mattress-underlay-white.html
Get the stuff for under boat mattresses. It worked really well.
I'll look into it. That and the egg crates... might be a cheap fix.