Backache cure?

[Froggy1]

Hi

Brand new to this caravanning experience. In fact, we are just back from collecting our first 'van and spending the weekend away getting used to it. It was great!

The only problem is, the Managing Director says that her back aches like mad after a night on the made up bed.

What's the secret for a comfortable night's sleep?

Cheers

 

[LMH]

Did you put the cushions the right way round for sleeping? (flat side upwards).

Lisa

 

[Froggy1]

Well, now that you mention it.....no! However, I can't see how that would make so much difference. We shall try it next weekend though, thanks for the tip.

Cheers

 

[LMH]

Hi John

It does make a difference, when we started out, we didn't realise that it's slightly more comfortable if you have the flat sides to sleep on.

I've never suffered from a bad back (apart from when I broke the base of my spine in a riding accident). However, back to the point - when we first started out, we put the cushions with the nice fabric side up and OMG, bad back alert.

Lisa x

 

[LMH]

You can also get memory foam but it's a bit expensive.

Lisa

 

[Parksy]

Hi John

As well as agreeing with Lisa regarding the flat side of the cushions we always took a spare duvet for the made up bed. We put the spare over the cushions with a sheet on top and slept on these with the other (main) duvet on top. This arrangement should ensure that your wifes back stays nice and warm and may alleviate some of the aches and pains.

 

[Froggy1]

Thanks Parksy & Lisa

Did the bit with a spare duvet........very toasty. Will try out the incredible reversed cushion trick next weekend.

Thanks

 

[GrahamSouthBrum]

If you have knee rolls on the edge of your seats, put the knee rolls against the walls. This will make the bed base flatter.

Tell your wife welcome to the BBC (bad back club).

 

[ValA.]

A radical cure, John, but we both had the same problem until we bought a fixed bed - proper mattress, and no 'cushion wrestling' or 'knee rolls' before a good night's sleep! It worked for us.

 

[scottiemad]

We were told by our dealer that if you reverse the cushions to sleep on them this could invalidate the warranty if they suffer wear and tear. Just a thought

 

[Happy-Lappy]

John,

Like Lisa, I fractured my coccyx in a cycling accident and suffer from backache. I reverse the cushions so the flat sides are facing upwards as previously said and get a better nights sleep in the van than on the bed at home.

Also like Graham says, if you have knee rolls these face against the walls, as there is less pressure on them in the position, so they will not deform overnight,

sweet dreams and best regards, Martin

 

[mistermac]

Hi John

We had the same experience, first time out. You do get used to it. The foam is a little tougher than your sprung divan/body-moulding-mattress at home, so you need to 'give in' a little.

The other option is a mattress topper - loads of places do them.

Ikea sell them - but I'm not sure if they're the correct dimensions for caravans. Something we're looking into ourselves.

As for turning your cushions over and affecting your warranty!!???? Wow....soon, opening the door will be affecting your warranty! Dealers should become more consistent methinks.

Mac

 

[Jeff-Pontypridd]

It's also worth making sure that the van is level. Any side to side imbalance will put some pressure on your back - assuming you sleep north-south.

 

[Ray R]

We were told by our dealer that if you reverse the cushions to sleep on them this could invalidate the warranty if they suffer wear and tear. Just a thought

What make of van have you, in my Elddis handbook it actually shows a photo of the cushion arrangement with the cushions overturned.

 

[Chrissylizzie]

Hi John

Yes caravan beds do take a bit of getting used to but those in our old van were so firm I never got used to them. Now in our new van which still has fairly firm foam, we turn the cushions over and I also use a memory foam topper from Raskelf. They are a tad expensive but if you love everything else about the caravan except not sleeping, then maybe worth thinking about.

I started with just the topper but then added the Duvalay and now feel lovely and snug and comfortable!