I have a Crate and Barrel Bayside sleeper sofa made by Lee industries. It's at least 10-15 years old and has seen very light use as we were overseas and had it in storage for at least 1/2 that time. It's an incredibly comfortable sofa and in near new condition with wonderfully supportive cushions. The sleeper sofa part however is horrific and pretty much alway has been. If there's 2 people sleeping, you alway roll to the center and even though the sleeper wasn't used often, the original mattress is puny and uncomfortable. I would be ashamed to have guests sleep on it and we're getting too old to be sleeping in a sling.

We now live in a smaller place and having a comfortable sleeper sofa in our office/guest room has become a necessity. My parents splurged on an American Leather sleeper which we found to be fabulous, but very pricey.

I'm wondering if it would be less expensive to try to "upgrade" my sofa instead with a new mattress and perhaps a sturdier mechanism/frame.

Options for a new mattress include: CBs replacement integrated coil mattress with air topper (although I've read about some issues with "air failures" with these mattresses), foam mattress options from places like PlushBeds.com, replacement-mattress.com and Legget and Platt (the makers of some sofa bed mechanisms).

I see that I can also buy complete sofa bed mechanisms and wonder if a sturdier, more supportive frame exists that would turn this pigs ear into a silk purse or if I should bail on this couch and invest in the American Leather.

We're pretty handy and could probably pull off replacing the mechanism, but I'd be looking for a home run as far as better support. Has anyone tried any of these upgraded mattress options or has experience with sleeper mechanism quality and support? If I did both, it would be under $1000 compared to the expense of a new America Leather sofa. Plus my sofa is just so darned comfortable!

Any advice?