Ideal Mattress to fill the Cargo Area?

[Mister Swigart]

My wife and I look forward to getting away for a month or so during the summer to travel. I broke my back many years ago, playing ice-hockey. I was lucky the spinal-chord was not severed, but I sure have trouble sitting, too long. So, even if I don't overnight in the Prius, I need to crawl up in the back (while my wife drives) to recline frequently during travels. My wife and I would be travelling with two mid-size dogs. So, I would like to fill the space from hatch to driver seat. They can move about back there on throw covers. Does anything exist for the Prius, yet. I would like it to be full width at the doors, narrow down to 36 inches between the wheels and out wide again at the back. It needs to be durable enough for dogs to use this back area during drives, and to even take a fair amount of cargo.

Thanks. With your help and suggestions . . .

The Lone Ranger
Rides Again!

[TonyPSchaefer]

I"m sure you will find it. I have to point out that someone (at least one person) slept in their Prius at the '06 Hybridfest.

[F8L]

I think you could buy some memory foam or the eggcrate foam and just cut it to fit. I tried using a few blankets and a comforter and it's still a bit uncomfortable but I have spent many nights and between class snooze sessions in the hatch area.

[Bill Merchant]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(F8L @ Mar 12 2007, 10:04 PM) [snapback]404638[/snapback]</div>

... I have spent many nights and between class snooze sessions in the hatch area. [/b]

I curiosity question: do you sleep with your head forward or under the hatch? Why?

[Godiva]

I'd make a pattern with butcher paper.

Then take it to a local upholstery outlet. (We have UFO locally here). They can cut foam to the pattern you make. You can decide on the thickness and the density. They can also glue pieces together if it doesn't come wide enough. If it isn't thick enough, have them do it twice then glue the layers together to make it thicker.

It won't be cheap to do it this way but it will be custom and comfy.

If your wife is handy with a needle (or a sewing machine) she can make a custom cover to fit it.

[Mister Swigart]

Well, I think I have found the ideal solution. I've been on the Internet, trying to keep the price down, the product suitable, and the uses multiple. And, I sent off tonight for this mattress:

http://www.allchildrensfurniture.com/asp/s....asp?sku=EL2211

The first two of the four sections will lay flat and full size across the lowered back seats from door to door as far as where the wheel wells in the cargo area: approximately 54" wide and 36+" behind the front seats.

The last two of the four sections will be opened and cut to 36-38" to run out the last few inches to the hatch. Once the foam is cut down to size, I will sew or stitch the cover tightly back up. Everything stays attached and can still be folded. I am not going to cut out the left and right flaps that could fit into the zones just forward of the rear lights, though I could.

So, instead of looking like someone has a "mattress" in the back of their car, it will pretty much fill up the cargo area in a single rear surface. With a throw cover, my dogs will traipse over them. With a foot fitted sheet my wife and I will sleep occasionally when we need to. I can rest my broken back and be renewed for the driving and traveling I so enjoy.

One nice thing is that the first two of the four sections can be flipped back to allow the back seats to be raised, when needed. The black should look pretty good with the red carpet I have running the full length of the cargo area and the existing gray and black of the rest of the interior.



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[grasshopper]

We will be expecting pictures and a complete critique.

[Bohous]

Well, I see that you have found what I was going to suggest. My wife and I have a tiny cottage up in Maine with a back breaking pull out sofa bed so we actually use 2 of those fold up mattresses you found there and they are not bad. I prefer them to the Aerobed we used to use. Customizing it might be a challenge though.

Another option could be a closed cell camping mattress like the Ridge Rest. Certainly not as comfy but would take up far less space and could easily be cut down to fit your specs.

[Presto]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Bill Merchant @ Mar 12 2007, 10:53 PM) [snapback]404659[/snapback]</div>

I curiosity question: do you sleep with your head forward or under the hatch? Why?
[/b]

I like my head under the hatch since it makes a good skylight for those starry lit nights.