How to make the caravan bed without breaking your back?

[Lyns]

Hello all!
I’m a single mum of 3 kids and I’ve bought a caravan so we can make some much needed happy memories. I’ve overcome the fear of towing, figured out how to attach it to the car by myself (reversing back onto my driveway is still a big issue 😂😂) and have sussed out the whole setting up and packing away thing. I’ve even managed to put up a full sized awning by myself!
I just have one bone of contention, my back! I have a dodgy back anyway but making the bed from the sofa is killing me! I’m currently pulling out the slats, putting the cushions in place, fitted sheet then pillows and duvet but all of the leaning across and bending is doing my back in really badly. Am I missing any tricks? Any tips to make it easier?

 

[Jcloughie]

A very big welcome to the forum. Sorry, very little help from a fellow back sufferer. Perhaps train the kids to do it. 😁

John

 

[Lyns]

A very big welcome to the forum. Sorry, very little help from a fellow back sufferer. Perhaps train the kids to do it. 😁

John

😂😂 thank you! Oh if only! I’m still working on getting them not to pee like dogs 😂

 

[Christhecaravanner84]

I have a fixed corner bed. Tucking in the bottom sheet is always a PITA. I have to sort of crawl across the mattress whilst trying to lift it at the same time. Being fat never helps with such tasks....

 

[Beehpee]

I think the best thing you can do is to forget making up beds and buy sleeping bags instead, so much easier than any other bedding you can use.

BP

 

[Buckman]

Can't help as we have a fixed island bed which is easy to get around

 

[Beachball]

Hi Lyns welcome to the forum sorry i cannot help but i to suffer with a bad back we just did not make a beds up but use sleeping bags

 

[RogerL]

Hello all!
I’m a single mum of 3 kids and I’ve bought a caravan so we can make some much needed happy memories. I’ve overcome the fear of towing, figured out how to attach it to the car by myself (reversing back onto my driveway is still a big issue 😂😂) and have sussed out the whole setting up and packing away thing. I’ve even managed to put up a full sized awning by myself!
I just have one bone of contention, my back! I have a dodgy back anyway but making the bed from the sofa is killing me! I’m currently pulling out the slats, putting the cushions in place, fitted sheet then pillows and duvet but all of the leaning across and bending is doing my back in really badly. Am I missing any tricks? Any tips to make it easier?

We use sleeping bags - much less work than fitting sheets.

 

[Mel]

Welcome to the forum. Ditch the fitted sheet. As others have said use sleeping bags. However if you want something sheet like as a bottom layer get a double duvet, put a cover on it and throw that on the front double. We used the duvet under, duvet over method for a long time. Upgraded to a mattress topper but they are heavy and bulky to store.
Enjoy Caravanning and keep posting.
Mel

 

[otherclive]

We used a double mattress protector loosely spread over the made up bed then sleeping bags. The protector was because the dogs slept on the beds.

 

[Jcloughie]

Like Mel, before we had a fixed bed, we used two duvets. Easy, and without the constrictions of sleeping bags.

John

 

[Raywood]

Partly because of the problems you mention we moved to a fixed bed but before that with children that was not possible. It is a bind and I would go along with the others suggesting sleeping bags. Good luck and I hope you enjoy the holidays.
A bit off subject, but you will find meetings for solo caravanners if you google this which might help if you need company and help.

 

[Christhecaravanner84]

I’m not so keen on sleeping bags I like a proper made up bed with duvet.

 

[GaryB]

My daughter uses a sleeping bag with a built in memory foam mattress. Even though it’s only an inch thick she says it’s very comfortable

 

[Parksy]

Our caravan has a fixed bed now, but when we started out with a,2 berth we used to make the bed from the seating on pull out slats.
We became fed up with crawling on the bed trying to fit sheets, so we simply used an old duvet with a cover and mattress protector in place of a bottom sheet.
With the bed assembled I simply unrolled the duvet etc, and used another duvet on the top.
No more hassle, the bed was comfortable and warm enough and instead of washing sheets, we washed the duvet covers and mattress protector.

 

[Lyns]

Thank you all so much for this, I’m definitely going to go with another duvet as the base, sounds so much easier! Really appreciate all of your responses 🥰

 

[YorkieF]

Get a Duvalay - we've never regretted it

 

[Beachball]

Visco therapy caravan memory foam mattress topper this was on the base on bed and it was great for my bad back .

 

[Sam Vimes]

Similar to Parksy on this. Once the slats and cushions are in place we just unroll two Duvalay toppers, already with cover sheets fitted, then throw a duvet over the top.

 

[izzy]

We have just a smallish 2 berth van and make the bed up no problem, we use duvets and fleecy blankets which suit perfectly (hate fixed beds waste of good space and not for us)
My son however has got a TA with a fixed island bed, he also has 3 kids, 7,5 and 3. He makes up the lounge bed and then leaves it in place for the duration of the trip, he says it just works better that way as they spend most of the time in the awning