OzSTOC

Farkles, Gear & Accessories => Farkles and Gear General Section => Topic started by: Down Under on January 17, 2012, 07:41:19 AM

Title: Camping Beds
Post by: Down Under on January 17, 2012, 07:41:19 AM

In the lead up to possibly purchasing a bike trailer I've been looking around to upgrade my camping gear.  Done a fair bit of car camping in the past and I figure I'm not going to be able to fit my luxurious stretcher beds and foam mattresses into the trailer.  :( 

So here's the question.....what do you find to be the most comfortable camp bed?  I've narrowed it down to a Thermarest style inflatable mattress or a Colemans type blow up air bed.  I'm a side sleeper so would like something with some support so I'm not feeling my shoulder and hip bones all night.  What do you reckon?

Thanks,

Tony
Title: Re: Camping Beds
Post by: Tipsy on January 17, 2012, 08:02:25 AM
 :wht11 py

Airbeds are very good with plenty of support.
I am around the 120kg mark and have no problems at all, my new one will be a self inflatable one.
regards
Tipsy
Title: Re: Camping Beds
Post by: Sicman on January 17, 2012, 09:23:29 AM
Gday Tony- I use a thermarest self inflatable for the underneath when on the ground. Otherwise I have used a foldup aluminium stretcher bed which are really comfortable and fold up into a small storage bag. There is no reason you cannot fit them into ur trailer
 :slvr13
Title: Re: Camping Beds
Post by: alans1100 on January 17, 2012, 12:29:32 PM
Hi,

We use air beds on the ground (in the tent) and have a 12 volt pump (runs off bike) to inflate and deflate. Take a queens size or a single depending on if it's two up or solo.

 :bl11
Alan
Title: Re: Camping Beds
Post by: Diesel on January 17, 2012, 01:03:54 PM
Just bought this one, and have found it to be durable and comfy so far. Bit exxy tho.......

http://www.anaconda.com.au/Product/Camp-and-Hike/Sleep/MegaDeluxeMat (http://www.anaconda.com.au/Product/Camp-and-Hike/Sleep/MegaDeluxeMat)
Title: Re: Camping Beds
Post by: terrydj on January 17, 2012, 01:38:20 PM
Done the mattress thing for a whole one trip and went back to the air mattress. Got me a single and a double both with pillows. Also have me one of those little air inflator thingies you get from Kmart for around $15.00 or so that plugs into me cigarette lighter. When I stop the airbeds getting inflated as I put up the tent.
The best thing is you can lown them to ahhhhh people when they go for a swim :thumbsup
                                                                                  (http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b268/terryjohns/image_530301111522313609988.jpg)
Title: Re: Camping Beds
Post by: Whizz on January 17, 2012, 02:42:38 PM
Now those are what I would call PILLOWS!!! >:()
Title: Re: Camping Beds
Post by: Down Under on January 17, 2012, 04:49:00 PM

Hey Terry, geeez that looks like a very comfortable mattress mate.  I wouldn't waste it for sleeping on!!!!!!  :crackup  :crackup  :crackup

Thanks for all the replys.  I might go for the cheapest.......Colemans king single air mattress and work my way up from there.
Title: Re: Camping Beds
Post by: Dan on January 17, 2012, 06:09:10 PM
Hi,

We use air beds on the ground (in the tent) and have a 12 volt pump (runs off bike) to inflate and deflate. Take a queens size or a single depending on if it's two up or solo.

 :bl11
Alan

Same here, I used a single air bed and a 12v pump.
Title: Re: Camping Beds
Post by: Down Under on January 17, 2012, 06:49:35 PM

I've read on few forums that some say air mattresses get too cold for camping outside the warmer months and tend to deflate during the night.  What are your experiences in this area?  I tend to do the bulk of my touring in the cooler months from Autumn to Spring so could this be an issue?
Title: Re: Camping Beds
Post by: terrydj on January 17, 2012, 07:44:11 PM
Yeah Ive heard the same  stories on the Yank forums but never had it happen to me here. Have to be pretty dam cold ground for that to happen me thinks
Title: Re: Camping Beds
Post by: saaz on January 17, 2012, 07:48:01 PM
I use a thermarest at the moment, more for space saving. Air mattress is fine, more comfortable.  If you camp out at the alpine rally in the snow the air mattress may be colder, but if you have a decent sleeping bag can't see any difference.
Title: Re: Camping Beds
Post by: Down Under on January 17, 2012, 08:29:23 PM

Thanks gents!!!  :thumb

I'll be heading off to BCF to give one of these a go:

http://www.bcf.com.au/online-store/products/Coleman-Flocked-Inflatable-Quickbed-Air-Bed-Twin.aspx?pid=300194#Description
Title: Re: Camping Beds
Post by: terrydj on January 17, 2012, 08:41:36 PM
Mate had the exact Coleman for years and its a really good bit of gear. No idea why I never brought another
Title: Re: Camping Beds
Post by: Biggles on March 28, 2012, 08:59:28 PM
I think the reason air mattresses are supposed to be cold is they offer no insulation between you and the ambient atmosphere- it's not so much the cold ground that's getting to you- it's your body heat loss to the air.  If you had a blanket under you like on top, or were in a sleeping bag, it shouldn't be an issue.
Title: Re: Camping Beds
Post by: Couch on March 28, 2012, 09:15:36 PM
I've never owned one myself.............but I've seen a few blow up dolls that might just fit the bill >:()
:rofl :rofl
Title: Re: Camping Beds
Post by: Biggles on March 28, 2012, 09:17:13 PM
I've never owned one myself.............but I've seen a few blow up dolls that might just fit the bill >:()
:rofl :rofl

I haven't, but then I've led a protected existence, not like some here, apparently!    :eek
Title: Re: Camping Beds
Post by: StinkyPete on April 21, 2012, 08:46:36 AM
I originally bought a Thermarest, but after using it for just one night decided that I might just as well sleep on concrete.  I've since discovered that you have to inflate them, :rofl  It was too thin and hard for my bones and I now use a "Roman Super Deluxe Moon Mat"  self inflating mattress.    It's a comfy 5-8 cm thick when inflated and I've used it on many camping trips.  Price and images are on the following link.
http://www.bcf.com.au/online-store/products/Roman-Super-Deluxe-Moon-Mat.aspx?pid=114084#Description (http://www.bcf.com.au/online-store/products/Roman-Super-Deluxe-Moon-Mat.aspx?pid=114084#Description)
Title: Re: Camping Beds
Post by: JuST Peter on April 21, 2012, 09:59:25 AM
I think the reason air mattresses are supposed to be cold is they offer no insulation between you and the ambient atmosphere- it's not so much the cold ground that's getting to you- it's your body heat loss to the air.  If you had a blanket under you like on top, or were in a sleeping bag, it shouldn't be an issue.
Yep, you definitely need something between you and the air mattress. Sleeping bags are ideal, as they keep your body heat inside.
Title: Re: Camping Beds
Post by: StinkyPete on April 21, 2012, 12:54:21 PM
Another advantage of the self inflators is that the low density foam inside acts as insulation, keeping the cold from the ground where it belongs.
Title: Re: Camping Beds
Post by: Mitch on April 22, 2012, 10:34:37 PM
 Downunder
                  I've had trouble getting a good nights sleep on camping mattresses,  :||||  air beds too cold, self inflating not thick enough. After cruising a lot of bushwalking and hiking forums, they have the same basic needs as motorcycle campers, low weight, minimum bulk and max comfort I decided on an Exped downmat. these mats are expensive but in my opinion well worth the outlay.   :thumb
                 They come in 2 thicknesses, Downmat 7 (70mm thick) and Downmat 9 (90mm thick) , they also come in a couple
 of different sizes, I got a downmat 9WL ( wide and long ). The latest models also have a builtin pump which works very well, for more  information and videos Google Exped downmat.   :grin
                    :blk13
Title: Re: Camping Beds
Post by: saaz on April 23, 2012, 11:32:09 AM
The expeds seem to be the next step up over the thermarests. Have heard very good things about them, although they are a step up in price.
Title: Re: Camping Beds
Post by: terrydj on April 23, 2012, 05:47:01 PM
Downunder
                  I've had trouble getting a good nights sleep on camping mattresses,  :||||  air beds too cold, self inflating not thick enough. After cruising a lot of bushwalking and hiking forums, they have the same basic needs as motorcycle campers, low weight, minimum bulk and max comfort I decided on an Exped downmat. these mats are expensive but in my opinion well worth the outlay.   :thumb
                 They come in 2 thicknesses, Downmat 7 (70mm thick) and Downmat 9 (90mm thick) , they also come in a couple
 of different sizes, I got a downmat 9WL ( wide and long ). The latest models also have a builtin pump which works very well, for more  information and videos Google Exped downmat.   :grin
                    :blk13

The so called built in pump sucks. Heres a U-Tube Link on the Bag:  Exped Downmat 9 Review by Trail Testers (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FiGH4z10EsM#)
Title: Re: Camping Beds
Post by: Shaun on April 23, 2012, 06:08:53 PM
Oh I don't know, it seems a pretty neat idea to me. Looks good.
Title: Re: Camping Beds
Post by: alans1100 on April 23, 2012, 07:16:58 PM
We use an air bed which is comfortable (30cm inflated) enough for us and use a 12volt pump via the bikes 12 volt power supply to inflate/deflate.  I think it cost us about $60 from Kmart a year or so ago.

Title: Re: Camping Beds
Post by: Down Under on April 24, 2012, 08:02:56 AM

Thanks for all the great suggestions!  I ended up going with the Coleman's inflatable air mattress, it seems pretty comfy but I haven't field tested it yet.  Also bought a small electric air pump which runs on 4 "D" cells, pumps it up and deflates the bed in minutes.

Cheers,

Tony