Which cushion configuration?

[knottyknitter]

I'm currently pricing up cushion foam as my Ansfold was totally empty when I got her. I am a bit at the price (almost more than I paid for the Ansfold herself!)

I am dithering over which sizes to go for. The original configuration of large cushions plus smaller ones looks a bit fiddly but is cheaper. Is it useful to have all those small cushions? My idea is to have 4 large long cushions to make 2 bench seats which convert to a really large double bed plus a single across the top.

What do you all have?

My other budget option is to use the inflatable mattresses that I already have as a temporary fix for the next few weeks - does anyone do this or is it terribly uncomfortable.

[Admin]

I have to say I've stuck to the original cushion configuration of two long mattress cushions and six 2' by 2' cushions. I find the 2' cushions are useful to have as the seat cushions because they can be lifted individually when you need access to particular lockers. If you only have the long mattress cushions it'll make it very awkward to get something from storage. Especially if you have people sitting in there with you.

Also, when folding down you'll have know where to put the extra mattress cushions if you have a sink or spare wheel like I do. You can stash one square cushion each into the side pods and the floor (if empty) will take 9 square cushions or 3 mattress cushions.

It all comes down to whether you want a sink/drainer unit across the back of the Portafold, and if so, this has to be stored somewhere at fold-down time. And, as mentioned above, the easier access to your lockers.

[knottyknitter]

Good point about accessing the storage areas - I hadn't thought of that. Perhaps the original combination would be good.

Also what depth of cushion - I was guessing 5" thick. Anyone know what the originals were?

Thanks

[Admin]

They should be 3" thick, if you went any thicker you won't be able to tuck them into the walls when you fold down. Mine are already quite a tight fit.

According to the brochures (on the site) they say "one extra cushion size 2' x 2' is required to sleep 3 adults and 2 children."

So you may want to add that into your shopping list...

[knottyknitter]

Brilliant! Thanks for that - 3" cushions reduces the cost considerably and makes it much more reasonable.

[txfsealord]

Hi Knotty, we mainly followed Matthew's advice & stayed with the original configuration of 2 large cushions for the bed-bases/ seatbacks, plus 4 smaller ones. Two are rectangular for sitting on, the others are wedge-shaped & go against the reverse-sloping seatbacks to give the required backrest angle. I went to our local scrapyard & bought 2 rear seat-bases from old-type Mini saloons. I then cut & shaped these for the small ones using our electric carving knife (with permission from my wife!) I covered all of 'em with a rather dear fabric from Boyriven, who make marine fabrics & coverings, &c. So I dunno that we saved much money in the end.

We used 4" foam for the biggies, & like Matt says, they're a bit thick for wedging into the sides. I've made swing-hooks to retain them, if you're at Wroughton next weekend I'll be able to show you......

Steve Lord

[Admin]

A quick update.

I recently got (very kindly) given some original cushions and when I removed the covers for cleaning (and to get rid of the 40 year old sponge) I found that they weren't actually to the sizes quotes in the brochures.

"Now there's a suprise!" I hear you all saying.

The long mattress cushions were 71" x 23.5" x 3"
and the 'square' seat cushions were 22" x 23.5" x 3"

Hope this helps with anyone retrimming their vans.

[Ian]

Hi Matt,

As someone who doesn't have any cushions to work from, I'm now wondering which sizes give the best fit - so, should I go for 24x24 & 72x24, or 71x23.5 & 23.5x22, or even some combination of the sizes

I suppose the foam did fill the covers and hadn't shrunk?

Nit-picker from the North Island

[bigbird]

Personally speaking, I thought that if I went for the deeper cushions, then I would get a good nights sleep, then I discovered that I couldn't shut Matilda, so I ended up cutting them all down! I eventually went for two long cushions each side (4) and two short each side (4). But, they're still too deep to fold down and I end up putting the long thicker ones down in the well and packing the two small thicker ones in our garage! I'd think we have a total length of 8ft in cushions each side on the seat area, that's a six foot and a two foot. (leaving about half a foot at the end by the locker with no cushion)...sorry Ian, I can't measure them at the moment I need OH to help me open her up! Have a look at my photos to see what I mean (I don't explain myself very well I'm afraid). With reflection, I wish I had put in thinner cheaper cushions for the backs and the seat, and taken an air bed to inflate when I needed to sleep!! ha ha...Then I would have had the footwell for storage when closed down.

[Admin]

I suppose the foam did fill the covers and hadn't shrunk?

Nope, the sponge hadn't shrunk and they filled the covers perfectly. Considering their age they were in very good condition really.

[Admin]

If anyone needs some professional help in making up their cushions, here's some companies that might be of use. These are in no way approved by Portafold.co.uk.


The Caravan Seat Cover Company: 0117 941 0222
Tappers Upholstery: 0121 458 6080
Tockfield: 01773 834968
Jonic: 01524 67074
Regal Furnishing: 0115 932 9988

[hattytheherald]

Hi all

We made new cushions for our van as the old ones made hubby sneeze (and we gave our old ones to Matthew as we didn't want history to go in the bin). We made a total of 8 small cushions and three large ones (we sleep 4 in the van). Although we spent hours measuring I'm trying to remember what measurements we ended up with. I think we ended up using the measurement from the brochure and they are a fairly tight fit. We used 3" foam and this works, although one side we store the board for the kitchen so its a tight squeeze. Also the third large cushion we made for the bunk bead but its too long for the space so we leave this one at home now.

I ended up enlisting the help of a friend who can sew as the quotes I had from various companies were in the £700-£800 mark. We also bought the foam off the internet as this was alot cheaper. They were hard to sew but not helped by the pattern in the material I used. All in all the curtains and cushions took us about 3 days.

This year I have to redo the curtains as these do not work but after all that sewing I'm not looking forward to it.

Oh and hubby has to repair the hole I put in the van as well!! and finish the Herald and finish repairing the 2500s from when I made the hole in the van and the car... and only another couple of months til the Spring!!

Vanessa

[bigbird]

Good tip for anyone wanting to replace cushions at the moment. LIDL's have fold up foam single guest beds at the mo for £20. It's probably a quarter of the price of just buying the foam at least!! I wish they had had these when I needed some.....

[Misty Meg]

That's great as I am looking about for foam at the mo and haven't got my "bottom" in gear - one problem though - Lidl in Weston caught fire Tuesday morning....

[bigbird]

Oh no, isn't that typical, they're lovely colours as well!! They'd go great with your patchwork cushions!!

[Timthetrader]

Hi all, i'm abit confused! In our porta we have x2 6 ft and x6 2ft by 2ft. But we use the original sink board as a top bunk and we found x3 blow up ready bed's which are a brilliant fit. So the sleeping is top bunk plus a double below but when in the original brochure it shows the sink being put under the front window and being hidden by more cusions so does anyone know how maqny cusions in total i need?

[Ian]

Some peopler have all the luck - mine came with neither cushions or sink unit , although many seem to regard the latter as a mixed blessing.

I'm sure that those who are afflicted with both cushions and sink unit will confirm that it was intended that the sink unit be used(propped at an angle) as a back-rest, a bed base and even as a kitchen unit.

Uncomfortable northerner.

[Timthetrader]

Mine didn't come with the sink unit, i had to buy another Portafold and took the bits i wanted! Anyway if anyone wants to trade a good board with my sink!