I'd rent the home depot truck for couple of hours. I see a lot of bedding on the side of the road. One good scuff mark takes the fun out of a weekend.

 

The rental truck is the best option. Second best will be rental of a utility cart from U-HAUL. If you must use Touareg, you can transport mattress on the roof, but do not use ratchet straps, - use a decent nylon rope instead to create a custom-carrier net with multiple points of attachment to the rails and in a fashion that does not deform mattress while not allowing it to slide. I’ve done it once, but my transporting distance was within city limits and definitely not at the highway speeds. An effort not worth savings though…

 

Hmm the rental utility cart seems like a good idea... I am a total noob at towing though(never towed anything). My T3 already has the factory trailer hitch + electrical outlet. I am guessing all I need is a ball joint thingy that connects to the trailer hitch?

 

I am not sure what kind of connectors U-HAUL carts use. You will need to use connectors converter if it isn’t standard round 7-pin. Get a hitch ball mount of an adequate size to match receiver with a ball of an adequate size for the U-HAUL cart coupler. Simple ball mounts are under $20. I am guessing that the local U-HAUL will be able to fit your vehicle with appropriate equipment so you won’t need to buy anything. If you have never done towing, the only thing that requires some learning is how to move backwards, otherwise a bit of extra-precaution is all you need.

 

I'm sure you'll find other how-tos on reversing.

 

Thx for the advice all.

 

I transported a Queen matress set on the roof and just used rope and bungees. It wasn't 70 miles on the freeway, but it was all safe.

 

I did the same, but the rope color was green!

 

I ended up renting a 5' x 8' trailer from U-HAUL. It costed ~$20 and worked great, though apparently I got lucky since because of burning man, the trailer I rented was the only one left.

 

I was gonna ask what burning man was but then I read this:

Re: http://www.burningman.com/whatisburningman/

Trying to explain what Burning Man is to someone who has never been to the event is a bit like trying to explain what a particular color looks like to someone who is blind.

 

Transporting a queen-size mattress can be tricky, especially for a 70-mile trip mostly on the highway. I’ve had to do this myself, and I found a few tips that might help you out. With the stock roof rails on your T3 and some good-quality ratchet straps, you can definitely make it work, but you’ll need to take some precautions.
First, make sure your mattress is securely wrapped in a mattress bag or plastic sheeting to protect it from dirt and weather. Then, place the mattress flat on the roof rails. Using at least four ratchet straps, secure the mattress tightly. Make sure to strap it down at multiple points: two straps across the width and two along the length. This will prevent the mattress from moving or catching the wind, which can be dangerous at high speeds.
When I transported my mattress, I made sure to check the straps periodically during the trip to ensure they stayed tight. Also, drive a bit slower than usual and avoid sudden maneuvers. It's definitely doable if you take your time and secure everything properly.
I found the blog on Sleep Advisory really helpful for more detailed tips on transporting mattresses. It provides a step-by-step guide that might give you more confidence in using your T3 for the move.
Using a pickup truck is the safer and more straightforward option, but with careful preparation, you should be able to transport your mattress safely on your T3. Good luck!