South African Mattress Factory Launches Bakkie Mattress Range, Cut to the Owner Measurements Instead of a Fitment List

BLOEMFONTEIN, South Africa: South African mattress manufacturer Mr Mattress has launched a made to order bakkie mattress range, cut to the customer's own bin measurements rather than a fixed model list.

"Most bakkie mattress sellers work off a fitment list, and if your model or year is not on it, you are stuck," says founder Andries Taljaard. "We build the other way around. Send us your bin length, the width between the arches and your available canopy height, and that becomes the fitment list. It works for a brand new Ranger Raptor or a fifteen year old Hilux."

The density difference

According to the company, the difference between a genuine bakkie mattress and a relabelled camping pad comes down to one number: foam density. Generic camping foam typically runs 20 to 30 kg per cubic metre and flattens against a steel bin floor within a season. Mr Mattress cuts its bakkie mattresses from 45 to 50 kg per cubic metre foam, the same grade used in its consumer mattress range.

"A mattress that gets slept on for years on end should behave like a real mattress, not a pool float," says Taljaard. "We publish the density on our beds and we are applying the same standard here."

Quote based, not price listed

The company is not publishing a fixed price list for the range, saying that a Toyota Hilux double cab under a canopy and a Nissan NP200 open bin are different manufacturing jobs. Customers send measurements and vehicle details over WhatsApp and receive a firm quotation, usually within one business day.

About Mr Mattress

Mr Mattress is a South African mattress manufacturer founded by Andries Taljaard, producing high density foam, memory foam and hybrid spring mattresses at facilities in Gauteng, Cape Town, East London, Bloemfontein and Durban. All products use SABS approved materials and sell factory direct with a 365 night home trial and free delivery nationwide, with a small fee applying only in extreme rural areas.