Improving the Mattress Quality in the Aliner
After several trips out, we realized that the cushions in the Aliner were not quite the quality we wanted them to be. We sought out a quick fix that did not require upholstery, a needle, or thread. The only tool I wanted to have to use was my credit card. After all, we got the A-Liner for easy camping. If I’m home sewing cushions, I’m not camping, am I?
First, my solution would not work for everyone. Our Classic Aliner has a queen size bed on one end that converts to a large table. We have not used the table at all and keep this down as a bed all the time. With two of us, we haven’t found it necessary to fold and put away the bed clothes if we aren’t going to be using the table.
With that said, we purchased a queen-sized memory foam mattress from Overstock.com. I selected this one based on the positive reviews and just hoped it fit. The item came and you had to let it air out (it stinks when you first get it, but the smell dissipates). Once aired, we folded it and fit it in the Aliner. It is a snug fit, but worked out great.
The memory foam feels a bit weird at first, but we slept soundly and in comfort. I used flannel sheets over it and they were hard to work with as they kind of stuck to the memory foam, so I ordered a cover for the mattress, also from Overstock.com. I haven’t received it, but will post my thoughts as soon as we try it.
The mattress cover did the trick and the bed is almost as good as sleeping in our home bed. So great to come “home” to after a long day hiking.
Get Out Camping & Hiking 
September 9, 2013 at 9:04 pm
We just bought a 2006 Expedition. We have had 3 nights in it so far and find the bed pretty hard. We are thinking of taking the table out and the existing bed, and putting in a modified futon with memory foam mattress instead. have you head of anyone doing this?
September 9, 2013 at 10:40 pm
Not specifically. However, after a recent outing we discussed something similar. We thought of taking the table out completely and replacing it with just particle board to eliminate the legs under it to use that space as storage.
Now that we added the pillow topper to the cushions, we love our bed and have not ever found ourselves complaining about it. At first yes, but the foam mattress topper with pillow top cover really helped tremendously. Let us know what you decide. Perhaps we can swap ideas for modifications.
Happy A-lining! Congrats on your purchase.
August 31, 2014 at 4:26 pm
Ranald,
Hello! It’s been awhile since your comment. I was just looking back and wondered if you ever made the modification to your Expedition. We actually just took things a step further and put in a spring mattress. We got a relatively in expensive one at Ikea. We haven’t taken it out yet, but plan to shortly. I’ll let you know how it goes.
September 15, 2013 at 1:53 pm
Here is a really great was to modify the camper. I have a 2006 expedition, with the sofa bed. My wife and I decided to upgrade by buying a Walmart bed in a box coil spring mattress. The bed is vacuum packed, and all you do is unfold it in place and cut the plastic wrap to allow the bed to expand back to its original shape. It work great and is a quick, easy, and inexpensive way to update your camper. Give it a try!
August 31, 2014 at 3:17 pm
Hi, Chris! Take a look at our latest post! We did just did the same thing with an Ikea mattress. We’ll let you know how it works out.
September 1, 2014 at 6:21 am
Update on Futon mattress in A-Liner: Hi folks. We did get the futon, with a good memory foam mattress and stuffed it into the Aliner….just the mattress that is, not the futon frame. that was last fall after the season. We used it twice this spring so far and have found it to be very comfortable. We will be taking it to Nicks Pond, Near Old Forge in the Adirondacks for Columbus Day weekend, but at present it is at a dealership trying to fix the leaks in the back half of the roof. It seems to leak around the back dome window, but we have been unable to fine the leak point ourselves. Has anyone else got any sage advice about Aliner leaks?
Happy camping,
Ranald
September 9, 2015 at 8:55 pm
Just wondering if you ever figured out your roof leaks…
September 10, 2015 at 5:26 am
Hi there 🙂 yes, I think we have fixed the leaks. We had the rear dome window re-sealed and did a few of the other seams ourselves. It seems that the main problem is when the camper is down and the rain very heavy. It never leaks when it is up. I have also taken to throwing the cover over it when it is parked at home ….. no leaks then. I recently heard about some white tape designed for the seams on the Chalet that is supposed to be fantastic at sealing and will give that a try as an added assurance. I have a blog site where there are some photos of our futon and the frame that we made. Check it out at: http://ouraliner.blogspot.com/
Blue skies,
Ranald
August 6, 2017 at 3:10 pm
We used a mattress in our 1997 Chalet because bed was always open. Now we added a 2011 Aliner Classic and use both the bed and sofa seating area. The cushions in the Aliner are lame compared to the regular cushions in the chalet. No place to store a mattress but definitely need better cushions.
December 30, 2017 at 7:40 pm
I agree. Cushions are not that great. We like it much better with the mattress in place for the bed.
December 17, 2020 at 2:09 pm
We found a 4″ firm memory foam trifold mattress in Walmart which seems like a good solution since it folds up into a bench shape easily or doubles over on itself easily too. We turned the bed 90 degrees because we are in our 70s and 80s and climbing over each other in the night to get out of bed, is not an option. We removed the bench pads that come supplied with the Aliner. With just the mattress on the plywood, our bones still felt the plywood and didn’t offer the long term comfort we were seeking, so we threw a fiber filled mattress pad topper on the mattress. This seems to cut down on potential cold transfer through the mattress as well as offering the comfort we were seeking. These two items together are still flexible enough to fold easily out of the way for using the two seats near the door and work counter as well as making the cupboards that are under the newly positioned bed accessible Turning the bed 90 degrees also gave us space beside the bed for the 2 small dog beds and some storage boxes for items we want beside the bed during the night. I have photos but can’t seem to post them here.
December 17, 2020 at 2:14 pm
I was going to ask if you had photos to share! The problem with the position of the bed is one that has gotten to us more as we get older. Would love to see the set up. Do you have an Aliner Classic?