Expanda mattress 2013 or 2014.

[Ken Bennetts]

We have picked up our new 2014 14.4.4 Expanda.
Has all the new features including Euro windows, awning strip light, roof hatch, etc.
I am however not sure about the drop down bed. I thought that the bench section was to be the same height as the drop section and the Mattress would have the zip in the centre and the two halves would be of the same thickness.
My mattress is of varying thickness and the zip is two thirds across. Have we the 2014 bed end or the old 2013 model.
The dealer is not sure and I am to get some photos to them. Thought I ask the question here first in case I am on the wrong track. This option of the zip in the middle was part of the reason I elected the Expanda as I knew the old offset zip was problematic. If wonder what my chances of getting the problem, if it exists, fixed under warranty.
Attached are images of my current set up.

 

[S&P]

We have picked up our new 2014 14.4.4 Expanda.
Has all the new features including Euro windows, awning strip light, roof hatch, etc.
I am however not sure about the drop down bed. I thought that the bench section was to be the same height as the drop section and the Mattress would have the zip in the centre and the two halves would be of the same thickness.
My mattress is of varying thickness and the zip is two thirds across. Have we the 2014 bed end or the old 2013 model.
The dealer is not sure and I am to get some photos to them. Thought I ask the question here first in case I am on the wrong track. This option of the zip in the middle was part of the reason I elected the Expanda as I knew the old offset zip was problematic. If wonder what my chances of getting the problem, if it exists, fixed under warranty.
Attached are images of my current set up.

We picked up our 2014 16.49-3 on the w/e and have the same mattress. It is different to the 2013 model, it was a 3 piece!
Ours too seems the thicker part is actually lower when you sleep on it, I think it's to do with the basic construction of the mattress that has more room to give, so it does just that. Frustrating!!!
Let's know what your dealer says.

 

[17triton]

I thought they were making the storage ends higher and the beds joined in the middle as well? Be good to find a answer.

 

[Bushman]

I took a pic of this 2014 at Newcastle show, was also expecting the bed base to be level , but no, nor have they done anything with that stupid gap at the ends of the mattress where the curtains hang, always loose your pillow down there unless you stuff something in there Other brands don't have these issues e.g. Rapid ,Duet etc.

 

[Ken Bennetts]

That's certainly the gap difference I have on our van.
Seems the mattress with the zip in the middle did not eventuate as suggested.
Guess it means persevering with a foam topper.

 

[Brad]

The mod to raise the base to the same level isn't as hard as you think. Although if you thought it was being delivered as standard, then yes this would be quite a downer.....

 

[Wanda]

We have just got rid of our foam eggshell topper (always seemed a bit sweaty) and changed it for a mattress pillow topper. It's so much better and even though it seems quite thick the mattress still fold up just fine.

 

[Gadgets 21.63.1]

i prefer the 3pce mattress, as i take the small part of the mattress off, so that the blanket has somewhere to go. also the ends at the end of the mattress left open - i think is better than having them closed, as they normally get used for bags or jumpers. we store an extra doona there for when it gets colder.

 

[Ken Bennetts]

I see where I could raise the base to the same level but are mattresses with a central zip available.?
The pillow topper seems a cheaper and simpler solution. Thanks to every one for the excellent suggestions.

 

[Adam79]

@Ken Bennetts . I am going down this road at the moment with our 2013 model it has the 3 piece mattress. I have tried a pillow topper with it doesn't make much difference. Still very uncomfortable. I have now lifted the bed base level with the fold down section (very easy only took couple hours) and have ordered a new two piece mattress with a centre zipper from Slumberest. Cost freighted to brisbane $650. I shopped around for mattress prices here but all were around $1000 +

 

[Brad]

I see where I could raise the base to the same level but are mattresses with a central zip available.?
The pillow topper seems a cheaper and simpler solution. Thanks to every one for the excellent suggestions.

We got a mattress made up with a seam down the middle. Yes doing the raise the base mod and then having to purchase a new mattress definitely is not the cheaper option.

 

[Smash]

We have picked up our new 2014 14.4.4 Expanda.
Has all the new features including Euro windows, awning strip light, roof hatch, etc.
I am however not sure about the drop down bed. I thought that the bench section was to be the same height as the drop section and the Mattress would have the zip in the centre and the two halves would be of the same thickness.
My mattress is of varying thickness and the zip is two thirds across. Have we the 2014 bed end or the old 2013 model.
The dealer is not sure and I am to get some photos to them. Thought I ask the question here first in case I am on the wrong track. This option of the zip in the middle was part of the reason I elected the Expanda as I knew the old offset zip was problematic. If wonder what my chances of getting the problem, if it exists, fixed under warranty.
Attached are images of my current set up.

Hi I would say you have the new mattress as I have march 2013 model and it came as a three piece mattress.I complained to jayco and after 8 months they replaced it with the new two piece mattress.

 

[barney120]

Thinking I might go down the path of raising the base up to be one level, but, can you buy the matching panel for a van 2011 model van as I wouldn't want to have it not matching??

 

[rojoberry]

Hi Ken if you look at a Post I submitted on the 20th Feb in Mods I think this is the correct link. http://www.expandasdownunder.com/threads/expanda-mods.2887/page-4#post-66011 The 2 piece mattress is correct with the 2 x different sizes too accommodate the trunk being lower, I still cannot understand why Jayco has not figured this out there are numerous remedies on this site including the one I listed. As for the cost $200 dollars for a mattress which is 2 x 750 x 180 x standard length manufactured by the company that make Jayco’s it's eeven in the same colours as the original. The new ply ordered to size and supplied through Jayco $30 or $35 dollars and a few hours of playing Bob the builder in my man cave as the wife and kids call it. For that cost and comfort I will now be doing the other bed end and have even consider have mattress’s made for the bunks as we have the 16-49.4. If you have any questions or problems send a message or ask away happy to help.

 

[Ken Bennetts]

Hi Rojoberry
Like your work.
Do the two mattresses zip together or do you just use separate?
Would you have the contact details for the mattress supplier?
I believe that I would not need a new higher front ply as in the 14.4.4 most of the bed is hidden by the dinette. A simple spacer I think would suffice.

 

[rojoberry]

Hi Ken that price was with zipper and the email address for Slumberest is sales@slumberest.com.au I have found them extremely helpful.

 

[Wanda]

i prefer the 3pce mattress, as i take the small part of the mattress off, so that the blanket has somewhere to go. also the ends at the end of the mattress left open - i think is better than having them closed, as they normally get used for bags or jumpers. we store an extra doona there for when it gets colder.

Yep, we have done exactly the same, chucked the skinny foam piece of mattress. It is so much easier to make the bed and there's that bit of a gap now where the quilt can fit into.

 

[Arapiles Campers]

I agree, with Wanda, We took ours out, and found it easier to make the bed. testing it out again on the long weekend.
The mattress has certainly caused a lot of discussion, they are a pain,

I placed folded towels under the mattress during our recent 3 week holiday, and it did seem to help the unevenness quite a lot. Its a cheap alternative.
But every couple of days I needed to roll them and place them in position again. As I slept on the small bit for 3 weeks this time, so the towels helped a lot.

We have a Ball Fibre Mattress Topper by Everest overlay on our mattress, which I bought from spotlight, normal price was $60? ended up paying half price each during one of their sales. Nice and comfy.

 

[Petenlou]

We Found a problem on the Back end of our 2014 Expanda
The back end has a 1-2 ' step and the end mattress is very Soft so you can feel it like other people have said they should have raised the back end level.....

Jayco told us today the got rid of the 3 piece and replaced them with 2 piece

Pics
Front End a small step
Back end a 1-2' Step

 

[Petenlou]

We only have the issue on the rear bed. The two piece mattress the smaller section is a lot softer than the rest of the mattress so when laying down you can feel the raised lip. On the front bed you don't feel a thing and is very comfy. The smaller section on the front bed is a lot firmer then the rear. Just by sitting on them both you notice a big different. might go and unzip the front and give it a try on the back to see if it helps. Will be in touch with my findings