“Best sleeping foam mattress for living in a truck”?

[Mehazeleyes]

Hey everyone,

I am a lady and I’m planning to temporarily live out of my Ford Lightning lariat while I save up for a place, and I’m looking for advice on the best sleeping setup—specifically foam mattresses.

I’ll be sleeping inside the cab, not the bed. During the day while I’m at work (8 hours), I plan to move the mattress into the truck bed and leave it on top of my tonneau cover to air out. I can crack the windows while I’m at work, and I also have a cover for the truck.

For context:

- I live in Burnaby, BC (so moisture is definitely a concern)
- I’ll be eating at work and showering at the gym
- I’ll have access to charging at work

I know foam mattresses can trap moisture and develop mold, so I’m trying to figure out the best way to prevent that while still being comfortable enough for daily sleep.

For those who’ve done this or something similar:

- What type of foam mattress works best (memory foam, tri-fold, thickness, etc.)?
- Is my plan of moving it to the bed during the day enough to prevent moisture buildup?
- Any tips for dealing with condensation inside the cab?

I work full-time, so I need something that’s actually comfortable long-term—not just for occasional camping.

Appreciate any advice or real-world setups—thanks.

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[RLXXI]

Hey everyone,

I am a lady and I’m planning to temporarily live out of my Ford Lightning lariat while I save up for a place, and I’m looking for advice on the best sleeping setup—specifically foam mattresses.

I’ll be sleeping inside the cab, not the bed. During the day while I’m at work (8 hours), I plan to move the mattress into the truck bed and leave it on top of my tonneau cover to air out. I can crack the windows while I’m at work, and I also have a cover for the truck.

For context:

- I live in Burnaby, BC (so moisture is definitely a concern)
- I’ll be eating at work and showering at the gym
- I’ll have access to charging at work

I know foam mattresses can trap moisture and develop mold, so I’m trying to figure out the best way to prevent that while still being comfortable enough for daily sleep.

For those who’ve done this or something similar:

- What type of foam mattress works best (memory foam, tri-fold, thickness, etc.)?
- Is my plan of moving it to the bed during the day enough to prevent moisture buildup?
- Any tips for dealing with condensation inside the cab?

I work full-time, so I need something that’s actually comfortable long-term—not just for occasional camping.

Appreciate any advice or real-world setups—thanks.

Have you any aversion to inflatable made for the back seat? Could always toss a foam topper on it I suppose. This looks like it might be a good fit. https://www.amazon.com/Backseat-Bed-Truck-Mattress-Storage/dp/B08W9LG1Z1/?th=1

 

[fhteagle]

Open cell polyurethane foam breathes the best in my opinion. Used 4" version of that for my "Voltebago" setup back in the day and it was just fine, though I also live in a far drier climate than coastal BC. I think the key is also sheets / bedding that can absorb the worst of the body humidity before it gets into the foam.

To control humidity in the cab air overnight, you could leave the truck on, HVAC on, either with heat selected or even in just fan mode. I burned between 5 and 8kWh each night in 30ish F temps using heat set to 60F. Still probably less than living in a house, but adds cost, especially if you're getting that energy from DCFC. There are also small dehumidifiers (which should result in a small amount of heating in the cab too). Those are all AC electricity powered AFAIK, which again means truck on all night, or a power bank strong enough to run it that long.

Battery and/or solar powered over a window fan is another idea.

Lowest tech but most human discipline needed is a deliquescent substance that you heat up to dry it out ("regenerate it") each day. Lithium chloride (I think this is the stuff in the commercial product called DampRid, but don't quote me on that), mag chlor, 13X molecular sieve, etc

If you are going to lock the truck overnight while you are in it, don't forget to turn the motion sensor based alarm off!

 

[tearitupsports]

We bought this one for our daughter and are extremely satisfied with it. We have the queen but the twin could fit the truck with the seats up I think.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DKTCWC8X?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1

 

[fhteagle]

This one exactly fills the back seat area from side to side. Fold the smaller part down to support to the floor, or fold it back under partially inflated to make the rear seat "deck" flatter.

https://a.co/d/0jcvCo1r

I got exactly the same thing from Temu for maybe one third the cost.

Though honestly if you are going to be living in it I would take the front passenger seat out and make a good sleeping platform front to back instead.

 

[FloridaMan655321]

I take it you've already slept in the back seat, how it is? I'm too tall to do this, but I'm curious if you have, and how comfortable it is?
Whatever you go with, I doubt you'll need to air it out being as you'll be inside the cab and assuming you'll have the AC on (or heat in the winter) while sleeping.

 

[hajalie24]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D4M6XC9X

I have this and it fits well on top of the backseats and on top totes in the legroom area. Even better if you take out the rear cupholders

 

[vvgogh]

Fold up the rear seat and this 62" x3" foam pad fits on the floor.

 

[woodsman]

Yes, If you lock your truck while you are inside, don't touch the door handles it will set off alarm and really annoy your camping neighbors... I know.

 

[CD4TNF]

Here's my setup that I tested out.

https://www.f150lightningforum.com/forum/threads/living-in-a-lightning.29726/post-569976
There's some other products folks suggested on that thread.

Just barely enough room for me at 5' 7". Feet were uncomfortable resting on the window controls.

I've tried sleeping on the floor and the rear seat. Width of the Lightning is just a tad short. Feet pressing up against the door kind of fit.


Some other tips:

• PAAK is dangerous. It will allow someone to open up the door with the handle unlock. For safety I turn my Bluetooth off and swipe out of Android Auto while sleeping inside.
  • Android Auto has a tendency to reconnect, so make sure it swipes out and Bluetooth is off.
• For emergency toilet supplies. Sheewee products work well.
  • https://www.shewee.com/
• The truck can be left on while charging. That can be a technique to dehumidify while you're charging at work. It's about 1.5-2kW of drain to keep the truck and climate on. I leave mine on Auto climate control.
• WeatherTech window covers work well for sleeping. There's a silver side and blacked out side.

Pretty excited to hear your use case for the Lightning.

 

[HelloToast]

Hey everyone,

I am a lady and I’m planning to temporarily live out of my Ford Lightning lariat while I save up for a place, and I’m looking for advice on the best sleeping setup—specifically foam mattresses.

I’ll be sleeping inside the cab, not the bed. During the day while I’m at work (8 hours), I plan to move the mattress into the truck bed and leave it on top of my tonneau cover to air out. I can crack the windows while I’m at work, and I also have a cover for the truck.

For context:

- I live in Burnaby, BC (so moisture is definitely a concern)
- I’ll be eating at work and showering at the gym
- I’ll have access to charging at work

I know foam mattresses can trap moisture and develop mold, so I’m trying to figure out the best way to prevent that while still being comfortable enough for daily sleep.

For those who’ve done this or something similar:

- What type of foam mattress works best (memory foam, tri-fold, thickness, etc.)?
- Is my plan of moving it to the bed during the day enough to prevent moisture buildup?
- Any tips for dealing with condensation inside the cab?

I work full-time, so I need something that’s actually comfortable long-term—not just for occasional camping.

Appreciate any advice or real-world setups—thanks.

I'm in a 2023 Lightning & a Hiatus (hard sided) pop-up. I've been sleeping on a HEST Dually foam mattress. I just recently added a Hypervent anti-condensation map under the foam.

It's been an exceedingly comfortable mattress (I sleep really well on it), but I have been traveling from the desert SW (Arizona etc) to the Pacific Northwest so condensation is an occasional problem. The Hest comes with a washable cover (I've washed it several times without problem) Hest says it is "weather resistant", but the mattress is also expensive. I didn't want to risk having the foam mattress absorb too much water so I recently added the Hypervent moisture barrier to help keep condensation from collecting under the mattress.

Prior to adding the mat, I was using a desiccant to absorb excess condensation. Desiccants are cheap and available in bulk. I use organza bags, fill them with the desiccant and occasionally swap the contents with previously unused desiccant. You can also "refresh" the desiccant (basically just removing the moisture absorbed by the desiccant) so that stuff lasts virtually forever. I would suggest using the desiccant bags first to see if they're able to sufficiently collect the under-bed condensation AND the rest of the condensation in the camper.

Hope that helps

Jeff

 

[CD4TNF]

I'm in a 2023 Lightning & a Hiatus (hard sided) pop-up. I've been sleeping on a HEST Dually foam mattress. I just recently added a Hypervent anti-condensation map under the foam.

Glad to meet another Hiatus owner.

Thanks for the Hypervent product recommendation. That looks quite interesting.

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