Mattress and Cushion Service

[kneal]

This is more of a question of if there is a market or not for custom airstream cushions and matresses. I am in talks with manufacturer about producing foam cushions of any size and shape pre-covered with upholstry of choice to market. Also what about customer matresses for airstreams? Again - any shape, size, many types of foam including memory foam with matress covers installed. I believe I can also have them make the Gaucho covers as well with a cushion order. Basically anything from a template can be made and covered. Do you think there is a market for this type of service?

An example would be a 32x75 6 Inch Medium Firm Matress with Fabric Cover of your choice for around $210.....

If there is a market I will move forward but wanted to get everyones thought before I invest.

[Zeppelinium]

Originally Posted by kneal

..An example would be a 32x75 6 Inch Medium Firm Matress with Fabric Cover of your choice for around $210.....

Foam has gotten expensive. That's about the foam price I would expect today, but without cover.

I need a 54 x 80 6" for a new bed in the Sovereign, but it's against the side in the back, so the end is curved.

Zep

[Zeppelinium]

And a 52 x 75 6" square mattress for a Safari.

Zep

[kneal]

Thanks for the response Zep. I am curious to see if there is a market for this and it looks like would say "yes"....

[Safari Tim]

I'm actually in the market for this very thing.

Would it be better to use a six inch foam mattress like you suggest or to have a custom spring bed type matress made?

[lovingtahoe]

We would love to replace with new fabric our cushions beds. Please let us know if you decide to go forward with your business idea.

[bevman]

The bigger they are, the harder($$) they are to ship. Gotta factor that in.

[kneal]

Understood... I have checked into that and I can ship a Twin Mattress East Cost for around $20 and West Coast around $30. Thanks Bevman.....

[cosmotini]

What timing. I just took the couch cushions to a local upholsterer today.

They are working up a quote for me for new cushions and different materials.

They also had said how much foam prices have increased since they're a petroleum based product.

[Bob Thompson]

About 3 years ago, I owned an RV mattress business in Quartzsite, Az. We ordered and stocked custom curved end twin mattresses for Airstreams. We had several people look at them, but no buyers. When I closed the business, I gave them away to some people living in the desert just to get rid of them. Just because you have it doesn't mean customers will buy it.

[lilmouse]

I am or will be in the market in the future to find a solution for the gauchos. Either buy new or used cushions.

I think rv mattress market may be a small percentage of the market imho. For me, my trailer is three years younger than I am. Po in the past have come and gone. Some trialers have heavy use like fulltiming. Others may be dragged out of storage for the annual family outing.
Maybe your target audience may only be people looking to restore or refurbish what the needs are.
In the beginning I bought a gaucho set from a fellow a/s in another state. We brought the cushions up into the argosy and basically had the same problem. Old, worn out. Sunbleached.
If my husband and I can get a good night's sleep, it's blessing.

I dunno. There may be some people who say they replace cushions, no matter how long they've been around. May be ok.
But when you and your love wake up in the morning (like jeff and I do) either he's crabby or hyper-happy.
Depends on the quility of sleep.
Maybe you way. Wel

[gparker]

I need a complete side bedroom gaucho with cover, and a new cover for the front gaucho. Let me know what happens.
Greg

[LI Pets]

Originally Posted by Zeppelinium

Foam has gotten expensive. That's about the foam price I would expect today, but without cover.

I need a 54 x 80 6" for a new bed in the Sovereign, but it's against the side in the back, so the end is curved.

Zep

I bought a 4" that same size with curve.
It's not really the thickness it's the firmness, we sleep like babies didn't need 6". My boat came with all 4"

Anyway I paid $130 cut to template, fit perfect.

[ZoominC6]

Based on my personal experience, I believe that there may be a 'Specialty Market' for replacement beds etc. We replaced ours with a Sleep Number mattress and we have a good Airstream buddy who has replaced their twins with foam as well. Good luck with your new venture and you may wish to think about keeping your "Day Job" while testing the waters.
HAPPY TRAILS

[Bob Thompson]

I should add from experience with my mattress business that RV'ers usually do not think of bedding for their RV in the same terms as for their home. They wouldn't give much thought to spending $1500 to $2500 for a home mattress but would have trouble spending more then $225 for one for their RV.

[ZoominC6]

Good morning Bob.
Funny you should mention that. Friends of ours enjoyed their foam mattresses in their Airstream so much that they duplicated it at home. As for us, we so enjoyed our Sleep Number at home, we duplicated it in our Airstream. Different strokes for different folks as we used to say in Texas! Have a great day!
HAPPY TRAILS

[Ohanastar]

I think this is a great idea! I know that we shopped around a lot before settling on one place for our cushion material and another for the foam and work. It is still costing Southern California prices ($1,200.00) EEEK! A user-friendly website would be a huge help! It would be so handy to search for a particular year and model of Airstream and get a quick quote! (When I think of all the loading and unloading of our stinky gaucho cushions into our vehicle so that we could take them around to upholstery shops!) I think you might be able to do a ton of business with gaucho slipcovers. What about other vintage trailers? Some of the beds I've sat on in those are really uncomfortable... GOOD LUCK!

[CanoeStream]

Brings this thread to mind: http://www.airforums.com/forum...ion-28985.html

Then there's the rather expensive Bearbed RV Air Mattress -- I recall some threads testifying to their comfort; search on Bearbed.

[kneal]

Thanks for all the feedback. My wife is actually planning on doing this in her spare time and I like the ideas of having a good website with airstream specific information. Thanks again for all the feedback