keeping mattresses in place when opening/closing QS pop-ups?

[fishbiz]

[font face="comic sans ms" size="3"]Do any of you have helpful hints for rigging something that assists with keeping the mattresses in place during opening/closing?  I'm loving my new Quicksilver 8.0; that was the only glitch during my maiden solo voyage opening up the trailer.  Thanks for any tips!
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[sandyu]

You must be to gentle laying the beds down. Just let them flop over quickly and they usually have no problems. 

[fishbiz]

[font face="comic sans ms"]Thank you!  I was likely being super careful since it was my first time, I was doing it alone, and wanted to be sure I didn't break something right out of the gate.   [/font]

[rob]

I have read somewhere that some have used industrial velcro (sold with adhesive backing) to affix the mattress to the bed.  Personally, I am never concerned.  

[quicksilverbill]

We have a QS 6 and our solution was to make two nylon webbing straps (I think 2" width) with quick release buckles. We simply run them all the way around the outside of the bed platform and snap the buckles on the inside to hold the bedding in place. The webbing is so thin that does not interfere in any with closing up the camper. When the camper is open, we just tuck the loose ends of the straps out of the way under the edge of the mattress, ready to be deployed again when it's time to strap the mattress down again.

Bill

[tnvolquicksilver]

Wow!! I'm just amazed that you were able to set your 8.0 up alone!! We've only set ours up once in the driveway and it wasn't easy for two short women to do! Take down wasn't pleasant either. Hoping our maiden voyage will go smoother this weekend.

[stevesanders]

We have a 6.0 and we use a Slumber-Air mattress in it.  The mattress is heavy and requires something to tie the mattress to the bed base before closing.  What I did will be hard to describe without an essay, but I'll try.

I used 6 Closet-Maid shelf to wall attachment brackets, the style that has one screw above the shelf wire and one below it.  The bracket is about 1 inch long and has a "Carmel hump" in the middle.  I attached the brackets vertically to the inside of the vertical aluminum frame that surrounds the bed.  One in the center at head and foot of the bed and two evenly spaced on each side.  Then I took some curtain rod cord and threaded it through all of the brackets, working around the perimeter of the bed.  For now, leave the two ends of the cords loose, we will get to those later.  The cord going from the single brackets at the head and foot to the first side bracket secures the corners of the mattress, but the middle is unsescured.  Now, get a small "S hook" and grab the cord in the middle of both sides of the mattress, between the two side brackets, and use the S hook to hook those two cords together in the middle of the mattress.  The cord will now look like two squares forming an hour glass shape.  Now, tie the two ends of the cord together and trim away the excess.

When you are ready to use the bed, DO NOT UNTIE the cord.  Instead, pinch the cords together in the middle of the bed to remove the "S hook".  This will create enough slack to tuck the cord down around the edges of the bed.  When you are ready to pack up, pull the cords on top of the mattress and replace the "S hook".  If you want to get fancy, you can crimp one side of the "S hook to attach it to one side of the cord so it doesn't get lost.

I hope this is helpful!

[walt3]

Question why would you want it to stay in place? Slide it out of the way when taking it down and slide back in
place when setting up. Makes for a lighter set up and tear down.

[stevesanders]

The 6.0 doesn't have anywhere "out of the way" to put the mattress.  The mattress and the camper body are the same size.

[walt3]

Slide it to where it would be when folded up then fold the bedend on top of it.

[stevesanders]

When the 6.0 is folded up the tent and Bimini bars must go immediately on top of the couch / seat benches and the cabinet top. The mattress goes above the tent.  The mattress has to stay in place unless you want to roll it up and take up most of your storage space. ?he mattress that I have in my 6.0 will not roll up or go anywhere in the camper other than on the bed.