Thoughts on Tesmat camping mattress for Model 3

[CharleyBC]

I got zero hits on "tesmat", so I thought I'd start a thread.

Tesmat makes a fold-up, compressible camping mattress for the Model 3. It stuffs into its own bag and fits in the sub-trunk, leaving the main trunk available for other stuff.

My son-in-law came across it on Reddit a while back and sent us the info.

We're thinking of adopting a nomadic lifestyle in our 3 for a while, so something like this could be very interesting. At $239, it ain't cheap, but after a few saved motel nights it would begin to pay for itself.

Thoughts? Any good alternatives you've found? I'm shy of anything inflatable because of the risk of leaks. And I don't want something so bulky that there's little room left for other stuff.

Here's the link: TESMAT

 

[jmaddr]

That thing looks awesome! I like how it "puffs" out of the case when opened. It also looks mighty comfortable. I do see one issue though. If you are going to lead a nomadic lifestyle, you are going to have a lot of "stuff" in the trunk and back. This thing consumes that storage area. Where are you going to put all that stuff when you sleep?

 

[jroydog]

I've heard that the smaller size Exped Megamat Duo fits but have been waiting for an REI sale to pull the trigger.

 

[brkaus]

Not shipping yet, so not much info out there.
I’d also like to know where to put the junk. I guess stack in the front seat.

 

[CharleyBC]

That thing looks awesome! I like how it "puffs" out of the case when opened. It also looks mighty comfortable. I do see one issue though. If you are going to lead a nomadic lifestyle, you are going to have a lot of "stuff" in the trunk and back. This thing consumes that storage area. Where are you going to put all that stuff when you sleep?

That's a valid question regardless of which mattress product one buys.

When the mattress is deployed, some other stuff can go into the sub-trunk. There's a little space along the sides in back (where the wheel wells aren't). And of course the front seats. The obvious hassle is moving stuff around between daytime travel mode and nighttime camping mode. Yes, we're still having conversations about the practicality of this fantasy. And if we decide to equip the car for carrying bikes, then there is even more stuff inside (helmets, panniers, spare parts).

 

[Dr. J]

Not shipping yet, so not much info out there.
I’d also like to know where to put the junk. I guess stack in the front seat.

There are about 6 vertical inches of rear seat footwell space available to store stuff. I found some 6" high containers at the Container Store that work well. Can hold food (cans and dry stuff), 3-cup coffee maker, etc., and you can stow your shoes down there. The middle portion of the footwell (between the headrests) is taller. Front floorboard and seats are available for storage as well, but I found I needed to keep clear access to the screen for adjusting temp, etc. when the phone is out of cell range.

 

[Dr. J]

I bought this mattress pad: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07D11B2K2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apip_aLI7WHFmkFCeE?&tag=tmc064-20. It's reasonably comfortable (say, 5 on a scale of 1-10: yoga mat to 5 star hotel mattress). Storage is an issue. Rolled up, it barely fits, if you push pretty hard, between the wells just behind the back seat under the "shelf." It's kinda a pain to roll up as well.

That shelf, by the way, has some gnarly bolts and sharp metal edges (at least in my August 2018 build). Cut a pool noodle to fit over those edges to avoid painful gashes when rolling over in the night.

 

[vletnguyen]

I used an air bed I already had at home( queen) when my wife and I went camping during a family reunion. It was tighter than the model s for sure, but doable. Maybe you can try a "big" full size if you need side space.

PS. the rear shelf/deck is pretty sharp so be careful when tossing/turning or getting in/out.

 

[djgeorgevas]

Hey guys, I’m new to posting on the forums (usually just lurk) but I’m the creator of Tesmat. If you guys have any questions, let me know. Would love to answer them.

FYI we’re running a little ahead of schedule on the production and hoping to begin shipping before the end of the month!

 

[ggies07]

Hey guys, I’m new to posting on the forums (usually just lurk) but I’m the creator of Tesmat. If you guys have any questions, let me know. Would love to answer them.

FYI we’re running a little ahead of schedule on the production and hoping to begin shipping before the end of the month!

Cool cool. Neat product. Since it can be so easily squished down, how much cushion is really there? Since there are no reviews, it's hard to tell.....

 

[Rex Kramer]

Do the individual mats connect together when assembled into a mattress, or do they remain separate?

 

[CharleyBC]

If you guys have any questions, let me know. Would love to answer them.

I started this thread, and I'll bite!

In your speedy video, it appears the mattress is several separate sections that one lays down beside each other. Are they attached to each other in any way, like Velcro straps on the bottom side or something? My concern is them slipping apart during the night, creating uncomfortable gaps.

What do you feel are Tesmat's relative strengths as compared to some of the other products folks have mentioned in this thread?

Any Black Friday specials on the horizon?

Thanks!

 

[CharleyBC]

Do the individual mats connect together when assembled into a mattress, or do they remain separate?

Jinx.

 

[RhysL]

I started this thread, and I'll bite!

In your speedy video, it appears the mattress is several separate sections that one lays down beside each other. Are they attached to each other in any way, like Velcro straps on the bottom side or something? My concern is them slipping apart during the night, creating uncomfortable gaps.

What do you feel are Tesmat's relative strengths as compared to some of the other products folks have mentioned in this thread?

Any Black Friday specials on the horizon?

Thanks!

I saw this on the website:
"The mattress is comprised of 6 individual 2'' thick memory foam mats that fold in half. The ultra-soft and zippered mattress covers are removable for machine washing."

Since there are 12 cushions, It seems that they are paired and pre attached in twos. I'm with you though, I hope that there are velcro straps that hold them in place but it doesnt look like there are. Im guessing this will come to the "Gen 2" version.

I'll wait for that.

 

[MTSN]

I've heard that the smaller size Exped Megamat Duo fits but have been waiting for an REI sale to pull the trigger.

I have the Exped Megamat I used in my Land Cruiser to sleep on a platform in the back, and I slept better that way than at home most nights. Well worth the money but 20% REI coupon is even better.

 

[djgeorgevas]

Hi everyone. When I originally started designing this product, my intuition, just as yours, was that I'd need some method to connect the 6 individual mats together. I originally thought of magnets... then thought velcro would be more practical. After some initial testing of the pieces and sleeping on the prototypes, I noticed the mats did not move at all ---even with heavy motion on top of them. Some of the reasons for this are:

1)The fabric that the mat covers are made out of, gently clings to the carpet behind the rear seats.
2)The mats are perfectly sized so that they are pressed against each wall of the trunk. When lying down on the memory foam, the separate memory foam mats compress into each other, rather than away from each other, creating one cohesive piece.
3)The fitted bedsheets wrapped taut around the sub-trunk cover and rear seat headrests help keep everything neat down in place.

Additionally, the separate mats make for quicker packing of the mattress as they are easier to handle. The separate pieces can also be used individually as extra comfort mats for camping chairs.

 

[TrooperCA]

This is a cheaper alternative. It works and fits perfectly.

If you purchase a carrying case it brings you to about $150 then you can also purchase some amazon basic sheets for $15.

When folded up this fits in the trunk.

Milliard Tri Folding Mattress with Washable Cover, Twin (75 inches x 38 inches x 4 inches) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DJ8HWBU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_m7NXDbZM2BR0X

 

[djgeorgevas]

This is a cheaper alternative. It works and fits perfectly.

If you purchase a carrying case it brings you to about $150 then you can also purchase some amazon basic sheets for $15.

When folded up this fits in the trunk.

Milliard Tri Folding Mattress with Washable Cover, Twin (75 inches x 38 inches x 4 inches) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DJ8HWBU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_m7NXDbZM2BR0X

Funny you brought that mattress up. I actually bought that exact mattress when I first got my Model 3 and it was a decent solution. Since it doesn't have any support for the part that hangs over the rear seat headrests though, I coupled it with two of these:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0753ZB3W6

They are meant to be inflatable footrests for airplanes, but happen to fill up the foot space of the rear seats pretty nicely.

This exact setup, however, is what led me to develop Tesmat.
1)I got tired of blowing those inflatables up and deflating them, every time I wanted to set the mattress up. (Tesmat has built in extension planks which support the mattress overhang.
2)The Trifold amazon mattress, being 4 inches thick does not leave you with much trunk clearance to roll over/lay on your side.
3)That mattress also takes up half of your trunk when folded, rather than fitting in the sub-trunk.

Fitting in the sub-trunk was one of my most important design constraints as that feature allows you to just always have a mattress in your car. (bedsheets and a large pillow also fit beside the case in the sub-trunk). You can be a lot more spontaneous this way without having to plan bringing the mattress in advance. I've used it quite a few times for quick naps at superchargers.

 

[israndy]

I recently got the tri-fold at Costco for less than $40, I haven't tried it yet. Still using the rolled-up mattress pad from my RV.

I actually find that the sub-trunk is best for holding my travel suitcase. I keep my clean clothes in there, I also bring a backpack kept behind my seat, that I keep my PJs and toiletries in. This lets me change for bed at a rest stop, brush my teeth, etc. I use the frunk for dirty clothes (keep the stink out of the car). With the roll-up bed, I actually flip up the seats during the day, stuffing the rollup and the pillows and such in the trunk.

I have a several gallon thermos that I fill with ice and water that goes behind the passenger seat to refill my Yeti. I have one of those heated cup holders for keeping food and drink warm plugged into the cigarette lighter. This leaves the front passenger seat for anything else. This is my arrangement for Supercharger Hunting and travels to other events I might like to attend w/o the wife.

Very nice for finding free chargers and charging overnight. One night in Nevada it was 99° outside, but a cool 68° inside driven by the free power provided by the casino there.

One thing you might not have thought about doing, spin around and put your head in the trunk. This gives you privacy, your feet under the blanket don't attract attention, and you can be watching a video on your phone w/o people checking out your activity. Haven't tried it since we got movie theater mode, although I have used it while supercharging.

 

[RayK]

I noticed the mats did not move at all ---even with heavy motion on top of them.

Define "heavy motion".