>I got a piece of remnant carpet, cut to size and put it on top of
>the mattress.  This way the mattress is protected when we go on
>trips and pack our stuff into the luggage area.  When using the
>mattress for its intended purpose the carpet simply goes under the
>mattress.  If I have lots of stuff to haul around, but don't need
>the bed, I remove the mattress and the carpet protects the paint....

>I was thinking of putting in some wooden rods, width-ways across the
>boot/trunk area, at the height of the top of the rear seat.
>This would stop me from putting bags etc on top of the matress. Would keep
>my luggage hidden from view. It would also be v. easy to remove the 3(?)
>rods to allow the matress to drop down for sleeping.

I cut a piece of eighth-inch plywood to fit over the mattress.  Gives
a good hard surface for hauling things around.  Also cut a piece to
fit against the cupboard to protect it from scratches.  Did one for
the floor and surrounding cabinets as well.  AND.... did one big
piece to fit over the bed when it is folded down to carry up to 12
foot lengths of lumber.  I use whichever ones I need at the time.
Ususlly leave the floor and back of seat piece in place whenever I'm
not camping or carrying nice folks around.

For those who care, I also built a rack that someone on the list
suggested, to carry 4x8 sheets of plywood and panel around.  It is a
frame built on triangle stands that slides in on top of the folded
bed.  Sheets of material slide in at an angle.  I can carry about 4-5
inches of sheets at a time.  It is not pretty but it works very well.

Jim w/ '85 Westy in Atlanta.