My wife and I find the foam mattresses in our 542 a little 'hard' on, well various bits after a few nights even though I've tried toppers. So whilst I was the recent show @ the NEC I popped over to the Duvalay stand and asked what bespoke mattresses would cost. Well, they pointed at some sort of lightwieght recycled plastic bottle foam and I also looked at sprung type. I know that the sprung are about 10kg heavier but in the end they are so much more comfortable so I opted for the sprung, they do cost £400 inc a £100 show discount but well we're away for about 7 weeks in May/June so hopefully it'll be worth it. Had to submit detailed drawings of them for manufacture but expect delivery in 3 weeks.
Also had new higher backrests to front dinette made locally at a furniture upholsters, ummm, comfy.
Am I wus or wot, here's hoping.

Definitely not a wus. I would love taller backrests for our front dinette, as we will never make up the third bed. Our fixed bed already has the sprung setup, but I'd love to find a lovely thick topper with the curved corners at the back to match the mattress. We're also looking for fitted sheets with the curves at the back that fit securely over the mattress and topper. A surprisingly difficult challenge. We have a domestic 140cm sheet with the elasticated corners, but it keeps coming off at the back.

Did you manage to source the proper fabric to match the factory backrests, or was that not so important?

No we didn't bother to try and match the fabric but went down the slightly contrasting route. My wife chose the fabric, she didn't have faith in my choice. We both decided on the shape and height of the backrest as they needed to taper down at the front to compensate for the van curving inwards. I haven't put them in the van yet as it's in storage. I'll pop to it soon and get some pics which I'll post.

I'll pop to it soon and get some pics which I'll post.

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The photos show the backrests inserted, looking forward to using them when we go away in May/June. They will make reading much more comfortable. The covers on the seat bases are for the. We have enough material left so my wife is going to make some covers for the seat bases.

Colin

To eliminate the problem of the pinging sheet, i dont use one. I put a duvet down, then I use a wholecloth quilt that's cotton both outsides and cotton batting. It's fairly rigid so you just lay it down and it doesn't shift, is easy and quick to wash and dry. Then the quilt on top. We make up the bed every night so it has to be quick and easy. We'd go crazy trying to get it all tucked in.