This is the only thing in our trailer that we can't delay in redoing or replacing. I've opted to cover it, for now, with a plastic zipped mattress cover from Wal-Mart. Total cost: $10. A more permanent solution will be to get a futon pad and use that in it's place.
The current 'pad' is one piece that has been sewn (quilted) segmented; first in half and then one half is segmented into 2 square sections that can fold up to make a firm low couch back. The bottom half, unhinged construction, is designed to serve as a couch seat. The pad pulls flat to make a firm full-sized mattress, probably 8" thick. It's stuffed with cotton batting and is covered with a woven poly/satin type fabic. In true "I Love Lucy" style, it's lightly tufted with small buttons that are set a few inches apart. You can see it on the blog photos!
It took me a while to agree with my husband that we really want/need a futon mattress in it's place. I see his reasoning now. The futon mattress is not a step down; what came with the trailer in 1961 predates the more modern option and is no longer used for good cause. I don't know how we'd ever replace the materials (being near the old batting gave us both an asthma attack, simultaneously no less) or how we could even afford the cost of recreating it. If you find one of those kid's foam chairs, the kind that unroll to make a chaise lounge for the t.v. room, then you've essentially got what we have now. In all honesty, that might be another option...if I can find one in 'love seat' size.
For the time being, I'm treating the old one like a haz-mat situation. It's being contained in the (zip-loc-freezer-bag inspired) plastic zippered mattress cover, which will be covered with fitted bed-sheets or a zipped fabric duvet (depending on what I find) and then THAT will be covered with sleeping bags. I hate this thing....can you tell?!?
In our camper, this will always be left in the 'bed' position. One last note: The extended bed is supported by square 1" dowels that have been cut to the right length and installed horizontally, to create a ledge. (The futon base is hinged plywood.) The two supports, one on each side, are the only support for the front half of the convertible/gaucho couch. For one person this is probably sufficient...we are are not small and have two german shepherds. I plan to find something that can be employed as a removable support for the center. Whatever we use will have to be wide enough, vertically, not to put a puncture mark through either the floor or the underside of the couch. A wood cube might be just what we need....
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