When camping in the spring or fall, and fall asleep to wake to feel a little chill from below you? How about those summer days, when cooling off in bed isn’t feasible because it is just too hot below you?
Pop-up campers are a step up from tent camping and a level lower than a trailer camper. Still, pop-up campers can have their challenges like the others and one big challenge is insulation or lack of. In a previous post, I talked about how to insulate your pop-up camper for the warmer or cooler seasons but let’s dive in deeper into your bunks, more specific your mattress area. A lot of people tend to focus on the sides or top of the bunk ends and forget that the bunk end floors are just as important.
One big part of controlling the air temperature in the pop-up is insulating your bunk ends by adding an extra protective layer to the bunk end floors. See your mattress sitting on a thin piece of plywood. Any air outside can be brought up through that board making it difficult to regulate. Keep In Mind we want to regulate the air temperature in the cabin, we do this by preventing the air we have from exiting and blocking any excess air to get in. I have tried 2 methods to keep it better shielded from unwanted air. I will list them out and let you choose what works best for your lifestyle.
Number 1: Foam tiles
Foam tiles are a great way to trap the air from getting through to your mattress and camper. They can come in many different colors, sizes, and thicknesses. Foam tiles can be installed rather quickly and by only using a utility knife and long ruler. They are water-resistant and easy to clean up. Floor tiles are made from a very thick pressurized foam and can give you added comfort when laying down. Though they can get kind of expensive, do some research on what will work best for your budget. One thing I really enjoyed was the interlocking materials. They don’t separate when installing and stay where you put them. Vacuuming is a breeze when cleaning up. Pro Tip: You will need to cut the edges 1/2 in. bigger and stuff it into the railing. This will allow air to be trapped underneath and not allow it to seep through the sides.
Everyday Essentials 1/2 Inch Thick Flooring Puzzle Exercise Mat With High-Quality EVA Foam Interlocking Tiles, 36 Piece, 144 Sq Ft, Gray Size: 1/2″ Thick, 144 Square Feet
$98.00 Walmart (I used 2 boxes. I also used it for the sofa bed and dinette seating.)
Number 2: Moving Blanket Moving Blankets are a great way to trap the air from getting through to your mattress and camper as well as budget-friendly. Moving Blankets can come in many sizes and thicknesses. They are mainly water-resistant and can be washed like a regular blanket when dirty. Moving Blankets can be installed rather quickly making this the quickest way to install extra insulation, they are also very easy to maneuver and fold up. They usually feature a double-layered Polyester, rugged, zigzag sewing construction with a double-lock stitch. This thick quilt provides protection for your furniture and appliances as well. You will only need a utility knife or scissors to cut. I have even seen some who don’t cut it but just fold them in. Moving Blankets are made from a very thick Polyester fabric and can give you added comfort when laying down. One thing I really enjoyed was the price and how much you get for so little. They don’t slide when installing and stay where you put them. Pro Tip: I always add an extra inch to overlap the railing to ensure air isn’t coming in or escaping.
Hyper Tough
72″ x 80″ Moving Blanket
$7.86 Walmart
I used 2 blankets and had some extra for the sofa bed. Whether you use foam tiles or a thick moving blanking, both will ensure you can control the air temperature coming from your bund end floors. Depending on your budget you can’t go wrong with either one. Both are very easy to install and don’t need additional help.