J.A.'s Toyota 4Runner Sport Edition
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Lost Horizon Car Camping Mattresses for the Toyota 4Runner
Concept:
Welcome to my review of Lost Horizon Car Camping Mattresses, where I will share my experiences with their products.
Lost Horizon has made a name for itself by offering high-quality camping mattresses that rival more expensive
brands, providing great value without compromising on comfort or durability.
In this review, I will explore the benefits of their AirSoft 4.5 mattress.
This is a hybrid construction type mattress combining the two main types of mattresses currently out on the market...Foam and Air.
First I tried their AirSoft 4.5 Cot sized and Twin sized mattresses and really liked them. Then I realized that their
Tacoma Truck Bed Mattress would probably fit into the Toyota 4Runner since this is a sister vehicle sharing most of the
frame and associated mechanical components. Lastly I gave their mattress air pump a try as well.
I tested all these in my 4th Generation 2007 Toyota 4Runner.
Car Camping:
Car camping provides a blend of convenience and adventure.
While it has long been a part of overlanding adventures and very popular in the Toyota SUV and Truck
enthusiast community, more recently the popularity has been rising due to social media influencers sharing epic experiences
and adventures.
Additionally, during the Pandemic and in the Post-Pandemic world many people are opting for safer, socially distanced
travel options. Car camping allows for self-contained trips with minimal interaction with others.
When it comes to car camping, having the right gear can make all the difference between a restless night and a comfortable,
rejuvenating sleep.
Car camping offers numerous benefits, making it an increasingly popular activity among outdoor enthusiasts:
Convenience:
Car camping allows you to carry more gear and supplies without the burden of hiking with heavy backpacks.
Comfort:
With the ability to bring larger and more comfortable mattresses and pillows, you can enjoy a better night's sleep compared to traditional camping.
Safety:
Your vehicle provides shelter from adverse weather conditions, dangerous animals (and people), keeping you dry, warm and safe. Your vehicle also provides a secure place to store your belongings, reducing the risk of theft or damage.
Accessibility:
Car camping allows you to explore remote and scenic areas that might be difficult or time-consuming to reach on foot.
Flexibility:
Car camping provides the flexibility to change locations easily and quickly, to adjust plans according to weather and other factors.
Cost-Effective:
It’s much cheaper than staying in hotels. With the rising costs of travel and accommodation, car camping offers an affordable alternative that doesn't compromise on the adventure and enjoyment of travel.
Hybrid Foam and Air Type Mattresses:
The core of Lost Horizons mattresses are made from solid foam, which sacrifice weight for a comfort that rivals sleeping at home.
The unique combination of foam and air makes it fully adjustable for personalized firmness and support,
so you can easily adjust the comfort to your liking, allowing for the best in-vehicle sleeping experience.
They offer exceptional support and warmth, making it suitable for winter use as well.
Hybrid Mattress Benefits:
Construction:
Air and Foam structure provides adjustable firmness.
Health:
Supports shoulders, back, hips for pressure relief, maintaining proper spinal alignment, reducing the risk of back pain and discomfort.
Insulation:
An R-Value 13 ensures thermal protection in the cold and temperature regulation in the heat.
Resilience:
Multiple foam layers help the mattress maintain its shape and support over time, even with repeated inflation/deflation.
Versatility:
With skin friendly fabric and a waterproof underside it can be used on various surfaces for maximum comfort.
Quietness:
The foam layer in hybrid mattresses helps dampen sound, leading to a quieter and more restful sleep.
These benefits make hybrid foam and air type car camping mattresses provide a superior sleeping experience by combining
the benefits of foam and air technologies, making them an excellent choice for those seeking comfort, durability,
and adaptability in their car camping adventures.
Toyota 4Runer Cargo Area:
Before we get into the actual mattresses themselves, I think it is better to first understand the 4Runner cargo area and its
dimensions to see what will fit into each of the most popular model years and configurations out on the market today.
I have found a mattress that will fit in all 21 years of 4Runners spanning the 4th and 5th Generations, and it is not even
marketed as such, though that soon may change.
Sure, you can go with a larger brands custom cut mattress for your specific year and option package,
but you are going to pay significantly more than getting something more generic like I have found.
The 4th Generation Toyota 4Runner (2003-2009) and the 5th Generation Toyota 4Runner (2010-2024)
both have very similar cargo area dimensions. See the pic below for exact measurements of my
2007 4Runner Sport Edition V8 4WD and compare them to yours. You will find that the is about 2 inches wider in width
as each progressive generation grows in size.
As you can see by the pictures below, not all configurations have a completly flat cargo area, such as my 2007, which does
not have the optional double decker shelf nor the optional third row seating.
A few of the configurations will require the building of a leveling platform. Most notably the third row configurations and
even the base 5th Gen without the pull out tray. Many folks build this leveling platform out of simple plywood and 2x4 construction.
2007 Toyota 4Runner Cargo Area Dimensions
4th Gen Cargo Area
4th Gen Cargo Area
4th Gen with Double Decker
4th Gen with Double Decker
4th Gen with Double Decker
4th Gen with third row
5th Gen Cargo Area
5th Gen with sliding cargo tray
5th Gen with sliding cargo tray
5th Gen with third row
Removal of second row seat bottoms:
You should highly consider removing the flip up second row seat bottoms when camping in the vehicle.
Without doing so, limits you to a maximum of 69" (5'9") of sleeping length.
I am 74" (6'2") and even with the understanding that you will not be sleeping in a fully straight position, the additional length is
not only more comfortable but allows you to consider more standard size mattresses such as a Cot mattress sized at 75"L x 25"W or
a Twin mattress sized at 75"L x 38"W.
Removal of the second row seat bottoms is easy requiring you to remove only four 14mm bolts.
This will free up an additional 7" of headroom space.
The total length I have after removal is 76" from the hatch door to the center console.
Lost Horizon is an outdoor brand that designs and manufactures high-quality outdoor gear with the highest safety standard.
Their outdoor gear equips urban adventurers for a seamless connection with nature, liberating them from the stresses of everyday life.
Unboxing Tacoma and Cot Mattress
Unboxing Twin Mattress
Inflate Deflate Valve Instructions
Duffle Bags Tacoma and Cot Mattress
Duffle Bag Twin Mattress
Manual Inflation Port Tacoma and Cot Mattress
Manual Inflation Port Twin Mattress
Mattress Strap / Carry Handle Tacoma and Cot Mattress
The Lost Horizon Air Pump is specifically designed to complement the AirSoft 4.5 mattresses, ensuring a quick and effortless
inflation process. In just a few minutes, you can have your mattress fully inflated, saving you time and effort compared to
manually pumping using the storage bag. For me, this alone is reason enough to get it as the last thing I want is an
arduous setup process after a long day of driving, adventure, exploring, or hiking.
Additional features worthy for consideration when contemplating purchasing this include the built in night light, which can be dimmed.
This makes for a convienent lighting solution in the cabin without draining your vehicles battery down, especially if you do not
have interior leds in your 4Runner. The unit also doubles as a portable battery bank. I use this to charge my phone up
overnight, again eliminating worries of waking up with a battery that will not start the vehicle while in a remote location.
Charging this air pump up is easy using the included USB charging cable and doesnt take long to do so while traveling to your
next destination. The battery will last an estimated 45 minutes which is enough for eight inflations or deflations -or-
1-2 cell phone charges.
The air pump features a compact design and weighs just 10.4 ounces. So it is incredibly portable and easy to store out of the way.
It fits easily into your backpack for those who choose to use it when tent camping making it an ideal choice for both shorter
weekend trips and extended outdoor adventures.
The air pump is intuitive and easy to use, with simple controls that allow for seamless operation. The pump
is designed specifically for Lost Horizons line of AirSoft mattresses and as such ensures a perfect fit. There are two nozzle
adapters which are interchangeable, eliminating the hassle encountered when displacing one and not being able to
either inflate or deflate.
Durability should be good with IPX4 weather resistance. You have to double click each button to operate either the pump or the
light, this way it does not inadvertently turn on while in storage.
That said, if it doesnt work quickly and efficiently it would all be a moot point.
But in my experience this pump has more than enough power to pressurize and fully deflate the larger sized Tacoma Truck
Bed mattress fully and quickly. For me the main benefit is when deflating this larger mattress which due to its odd shape and
larger size, would be quite time consuming and require some decent effort to get it back into the storage bag.
To summarize, this multi-function pump, with its compact design, user-friendly operation, durability and efficient performance,
make it a worth while investment. You will enhance your camping experience, avoiding the associated hassle of these types of
mattresses.
Mattress Bag Material: Weatherproof 150D Oxford Cloth
R-Value: 13 (All Season)
Weight Transfer: Motion Isolating
Maximum Supported Weight: 220 lbs
Warranty: 2 years
This Cot sized mattress is just what I was searching for in a car camping setup. It is perfectly sized at 75" in length,
which in the 4Runner with second row seat bottoms removed, perfectly fits just touching the center console at the head end and
also just touching the rear hatch door at the foot end. I really like the fact that you can bring tons of supplies and gear with
you on extended excursions, even a suitcase if you so choose, since the 25" width leaves 17" to the wheel well and another
10-12" past that at the head and foot areas. You have enough area to sleep on and enough left over so that you dont have to
pack this mattress up while moving between destinations.
The Hybrid combination of foam and air is the best solution out on the market for comfort, quietness, warmth (but not overly hot)
and durability fits my needs perfectly. It is thick enough to not feel anything under it such as the lip of my protective cargo
liner. It provides the necessary support for discomfort free sleep. I wish they made a similar foam/air pillow to go with this.
As you can see in the video, it is able to self-inflate very quickly due to its shape and size, requiring only two manual
pumps using the included duffle bag to get more than adequate pressure. Deflation is just as simple.
Time to deflate using the optional pump including packing it up into the duffle bag took only 2'30".
The simple rectangular shape as well as the 25" width, make it easy to deflate manually as well.
My Application:
I will use this mattress most often when solo camping. It is the maximum length that will fit in my 4Runner, providing
just enough space, at 25" wide, for a comfortable night's sleep. This size strikes the perfect balance between comfort and
cargo carrying capacity, making it ideal for longer excursions when I need to bring the most camping gear.
Mattress Bag Material: Weatherproof 150D Oxford Cloth
R-Value: 13 (All Season)
Weight Transfer: Motion Isolating
Maximum Supported Weight: 440 lbs
Warranty: 2 years
The Lost Horizon Twin Size Mattress is another option I highly recommend to my fellow 4Runner enthusiasts.
My Application:
On medium length excursions, when I want more room for one person than the Cot size offers, while still retaining some cargo
space in the back, I will use this mattress. It has the added ability to fit a second person when needed, making it the perfect
one-size-fits all mattress. It is sensibly priced between the Cot and the Tacoma Truck Bed mattresses, and offers great value.
It nearly fills the space between the wheel wells with its 38" width, leaving 15" of room at the top and bottom of each side
for additional carrying capacity. These four spaces without mattress coverage allow you to carry items such as a daypack,
cooler, water, and other essential camping gear without needing to store them on top of the mattress or move them to the front
seat area.
Mattress Bag Material: Weatherproof 150D Oxford Cloth
R-Value: 13 (All Season)
Weight Transfer: Motion Isolating
Maximum Supported Weight: 440 lbs
Warranty: 2 years
You will clearly see "Option3" written on this mattress cover when entering the vehicle via the driver side rear door.
Option 3 emerged as the superior choice for campers frustrated with traditional sleeping options.
The first option, air only mattresses, often deflated and lacked support, while the second option, memory foam only mats,
were bulky and still did not offer enough support. "Option3" combines air and foam to provide robust support, compact storage,
and unmatched sleeping comfort. It merges the best of both worlds, making no compromises on sleep quality.
With "Option3," you will experience home-like sleep, anywhere.
The 'Hybrid' combination of this mattress, as with all Lost Horizon Mattresses, is exactly what I was looking for in a camping setup, the benefits of which
I describe in detail in the section at the beginning of this article.
If you are looking for a mattress that will cover every square inch of space in your 4Runners cargo area, this is the one for you.
It will easily accomodate two people and provide a very comfortable nights sleep.
After I prepared the video review that you can watch below, I continued to sleep on this mattress inside my home on a hardwood
floor for a full week in order to prepare this webpage and accurately describe it and ensure that i can give it my recommendation.
It passed without any concerns. I woke up each day with continous uninterupted sleep and felt no different than sleeping in my
normal home mattress. As with the Cot mattress, it is thick enough to not feel anything under it and provided the necessary
support for discomfort free sleep. The insulation properties of being partially foam will come in handy on those colder nights,
especially in a gas powered vehicle whereas you cannot leave the heat on constantly like with electric.
As you can see in the video, it inflates quickly with the optional air pump and deflates fully including packing it up into the
included duffle bag in only 5'30". The convenience of this mattress when combined with the air pump is unmatched and a
very welcome attribute of this particular product. While the Cot sized mattress self-inflates quickly and additional pressure
is easy to add using the storage bag, this much larger mattress would be more time consuming to self-inflate and
more cumbersome to manually top off pressure and to fully deflate. But all that becomes effortless using the Lost Horizon
air pump. Taking into account the size of this mattress, the ability to head out to a destination with it in the storage bag,
and head home in the same manner, means you have virtually the entire cargo area to use to bring gear which then can be stored
in either the front seat area or in the rear passenger footwells while camping.
My Application:
I will use this mattress most when traveling with a second camper. It completely covers all available areas in the 4Runner,
providing a custom fit and maximum sleeping space. A moderate amount of cargo can be stored in the void created after
removing the second-row seats, as well as the in front seat footwells. This makes it great for shorter trips. On longer trips
with a second person, you may want to deflate the mattress when moving between camp sites to carry supplies and gear without
them sitting on your sleeping area. The multiple inflation and deflation cycles, along with the larger size of this mattress,
make having the Lost Horizon air pump especially handy.
AUGOLA Car Window Shades for Rear/Back/Side Car Windows
Benefits of using window screens when car camping:
Ventilation and Airflow: Enjoy fresh air while keeping insects out. These screens allow you to roll down your windows without worrying about bugs or debris entering your vehicle.
Privacy: Maintain your privacy while camping in urban or crowded areas. The screens offer a shield from prying eyes without obstructing your view of the outdoors. A safer privacy space can be created because of these car shades, making it hard to see the inside from the outside, great for some situations like working, baby sleeping, long-way traveling, baby-feeding for moms, or just when parked.
Temperature Regulation: Enhance airflow during hot summer nights or keep warmth inside during chilly evenings. The screens help in maintaining a comfortable interior temperature.
Easy Installation and Removal: Designed to be hassle-free, these screens can be quickly installed and removed as needed. They fit most vehicle windows effortlessly, making them perfect for spontaneous trips.
Versatility: Window Still Roll Down. These window shades are designed to cover the whole exterior window frame without the need for any adhesive, ensuring free window rolling up/down. Plus with the breathable mesh, you can enjoy the cool and fresh air inside your car without enduring the sun heat while keeping bugs out.
Durable and High-Quality Materials: Constructed from durable mesh fabric these screens are built to last through many adventures.
Blocks UV rays and direct sunlight: Double nylon mesh car window shades, thicker for blocking sun glare and heat, protect back seat baby, family, or passenger from getting sunburned, reducing car temperature.
Easy Installation: Highly stretchable nylon mesh is tear and snag resistant. You can easily pull open the car window screen and install them in just seconds. They are also very light, foldable, and storable in a pouch or your car as a backup when not in use.
We have been getting excellent sleep on the Lost Horizon mattresses.
They feel remarkably similar to my regular mattress at home. The hybrid air and foam combination
strikes a perfect balance between all-air and all-foam mattresses.
The ability to adjust the pressure to your liking is another great benefit as well.
Compared to air-only mattresses, which can be stiff, uncomfortable, noisy when rolling over, cold, and prone to punctures,
the Lost Horizon mattresses offer superior comfort. They also outperform memory foam mattresses, which can be too soft,
hot, and give a sinking feeling.
The Lost Horizon car camping mattresses truly stand out in the realm of car camping gear.
Their blend of comfort, durability, and ease of use make them an excellent choice for any outdoor enthusiast.
I was particularly impressed by the high-quality materials and the design that fits the Toyota 4Runner cargo area perfectly.
With a 4.5" thickness, the comfort level is exceptional, providing ample cushioning and support.
The durable construction ensures longevity, making it a worthy investment for frequent campers.
The cot-sized single mattress is perfect for solo travelers, leaving plenty of room on the side for supplies and gear.
The 75" length is the maximum size that fits into my cargo area with the second-row seat bottoms removed.
The twin-sized mattress is going to be great when camping alone and wanting a larger sleeping space while also
leaving just enough room for essential gear such as on shorter trips. You will also have the option to bring along a
second person comfortably.
The Tacoma truck bed mattress fits the 4Runner perfectly, as if it was custom cut just for it, and
provides additional room to roll around or accommodate two people when needed.
The ease of setup, especially with the optional pump that doubles as a battery bank and night light,
adds to the overall convenience. The pump works quickly and efficiently for both inflation and deflation,
a much better choice than the manual method, which can still be used as a backup.
These mattresses pack down to a compact size, and the duffle bag storage solution is excellent.
Deflation of the larger mattress takes only five minutes, including packing it up into the duffle bag.
They are an essential addition to your camping gear.
Overall, I highly recommend the Lost Horizon car camping mattresses for anyone looking to enhance their camping experience.
They combine practicality with luxury, ensuring you don’t have to compromise on comfort while enjoying the great outdoors.
15:43 Tacoma Truck Bed Mattress - Self-Inflation
17:25 Tacoma Truck Bed Mattress - Air Pump
17:52 Tacoma Truck Bed Mattress - Fit and Initial Reactions
