camping beds

Submitted: Tuesday, Oct 14, 2003 at 19:42
ThreadID: 7819 Views:18011 Replies:12 FollowUps:3
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Just a query on the different camping beds people have used or made themselves.
air beds have not been too successful with us.
Thankyou.
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Reply By: Richard - Tuesday, Oct 14, 2003 at 19:57

Tuesday, Oct 14, 2003 at 19:57
Been through most alternatives. Won a swag in a raffle and didn't use it for ages. When I did use it I haven used anything else since as its so versatile. Whether under the stars or in the tent the two layers of foam keep your hip off the ground. With the sleeping bag in the swag in the cold or used as a doona or just a matress it covers most situations. Haven't used it in the open when raining but hardier souls can comment on that.
AnswerID: 33789

Reply By: Willie - Tuesday, Oct 14, 2003 at 20:38

Tuesday, Oct 14, 2003 at 20:38
The fold up type beds are pretty good if you are that way inclined. If you are camping out under the stars on a cold night you can always put some coals from the fire under your bed and sleep warm!!!!

We have had air beds, camp stretchers, a double swag and fold up beds. Now I have built a bed into the 4by and sleep comfortably on a foam mattress.

Cheers

Willie

Never a dull moment
AnswerID: 33794

Reply By: mrdesmo - Tuesday, Oct 14, 2003 at 20:39

Tuesday, Oct 14, 2003 at 20:39
Hi Kylie and Tony,
Have to agree with above, go the swag. I've slept in mine (queen size for 2 adults) in light rain, frost, wind and just plain gorgeous wether. Even had ice on the flap over our heads camped at the Finke Desert Race in the middle of winter. Of course a few cordials before bed helps as well!!
Instant bed, rolled up with bedding, just throw it into the tent and bingo...its made. Usually warm as well as it heats up during the day.
If you get one, make sure you get one with mozzie proof netting for sleeping under the stars, my missus regularly woke me up in the wee hours to set the tent up because of the mozzies...not much fun half tanked!
Ours has about 3 inch high density foam for the mattress and 13 oz canvas which has been Scotchgaurded. Only problem is it takes up a lot of space, but then again I wouldn't leave home without it. You can get smaller ones...and don't get a cheapy...you'll get what you pay for.
Cheers
AnswerID: 33795

Follow Up By: basecamp15 - Tuesday, Oct 14, 2003 at 21:00

Tuesday, Oct 14, 2003 at 21:00
Mine was similar except we had about 1 inch high density as the original and bought a 3 inch medium density double mattress to boot. Absolutely awsome. On top of this we also use a mozzie dome (this one folds out in one second). the perfect setup.
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FollowupID: 24276

Reply By: Phil P - Tuesday, Oct 14, 2003 at 21:06

Tuesday, Oct 14, 2003 at 21:06
We also found that air beds didn't suit us, so we went for self inflating mattresses.
2 Katmandu for the kids & 2 Roman Moon Mats for the wife & I.

We recently returned from a 21 day trip and found that these have been the best purchase we have made.

The pro's
Very warm & comfortable
Easy to set up
Relatively easy to set up

The con's
Expensive (It cost us around $500 for the 4 Vs $80 for Air Beds)
Takes up a fair bit of space in the car (we ended up having to buy a roof rack for this trip)

Phil P
AnswerID: 33799

Reply By: Luke - Tuesday, Oct 14, 2003 at 21:59

Tuesday, Oct 14, 2003 at 21:59
We prefer a fold up stretcher with a thin foam mat on it. Bring the pillow from the bed at home - then hey presto - very very cumfy, and a great nights sleep!

Whilst nobody says you can't have a few cordials before bed :-) it's nice to know you don't have to have them to get a good nights sleep :-D

Only takes a minute to make the bed, and when folded takes up less room than a swag.

Probably only good for in the tent sleeping though. I'm sure a swag would be the better option for under the stars.
AnswerID: 33813

Follow Up By: mrdesmo - Wednesday, Oct 15, 2003 at 07:36

Wednesday, Oct 15, 2003 at 07:36
LOL...I've slept in it sober plenty of times too....but you just can't beat a good port and a campfire...or a few ales depending on the weather :-P
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FollowupID: 24322

Reply By: Member - Bob - Wednesday, Oct 15, 2003 at 08:13

Wednesday, Oct 15, 2003 at 08:13
I love the swag with a sleeping bag in it - best night's sleep I ever get. But on rough (rocks or prickly grasses) or uneven ground, or in centipede infested areas I'll put it on a folding stretcher. It only takes moments to set up or pack away, isn't too heavy or bulky, and is always comfortable. I also use an old carpet square beside the bed and a folding camp chair to hang the clothes on. It means getting changed without getting bindies, sand etc in the sleeping bag, and something to sit on while doing up the boots.Bob
AnswerID: 33844

Reply By: stevesub - Wednesday, Oct 15, 2003 at 08:35

Wednesday, Oct 15, 2003 at 08:35
When camping, we use an airbed if room in the vehicle is tight for storage - comfy but cold. If there is room in the vehicle, we have the foam from a settee that we have. 2 foam blocks each approx 2m x .75m x .3m and covered with fabric. Comfy as but takes up a lot of room when travelling

Otherwise when we are in the Troopy (pop-top camper), the foam matteresses are too thin so we have a 30mm thick self infalting as well that makes it OK.
AnswerID: 33847

Reply By: Member - Melissa - Wednesday, Oct 15, 2003 at 11:26

Wednesday, Oct 15, 2003 at 11:26
Before we went to a campertrailer, we used Thermosrest self inflating mattresses which we found excellent. Minimal effort to set-up and take up minimal room. Mostly used now placed on top of camp stretchers for extra visitors at home. This thermorest/stretcher combo is very, very comfortable.

:o) MelissaPetrol 4.5L GU Patrol &
Camprite TL8 offroad camper
AnswerID: 33860

Reply By: Chris (W.A.) - Wednesday, Oct 15, 2003 at 12:45

Wednesday, Oct 15, 2003 at 12:45
Missus and myself use a double size self-inflating mattress 4 inches thick. Very comfortable and when two people roll it up it is quite compact.
I have to be honest though, I've put on some weight over the last few years and each time we've used it i touch the ground more and more. Since stopped so many beers around the campfire it's slowly getting better.
One thing I'd watch is there isn't a hell of alot of room on the double so consider two singles unless you're small people. You can adjust softness as well depending on how much air you let in - took us about two or three goes to get it right.
One downfall is they're somewhere between $150-$200 but it's still cheaper than a swag.
RegardsNice southerly coastal fishing trip someday.
Chris
AnswerID: 33879

Reply By: Member - Colin (ACT region) - Wednesday, Oct 15, 2003 at 17:07

Wednesday, Oct 15, 2003 at 17:07
I bought a 'The Great Outdoors' double bed size self inflating mattress (about 10cm thick) a couple of years ago. Would have to be the best piece of camping gear I have bought.

It takes up quite a bit of space in the car, but for a good nights sleep its worth it.

Over the years I have tried most types of 'bed' - airbeds, very cold - stretchers, I prefer to sleep with my partner ! - swag, not bad, but not much room for the table !Subaru Forester
size isn't everything !
AnswerID: 33911

Follow Up By: Slammin - Wednesday, Oct 15, 2003 at 22:44

Wednesday, Oct 15, 2003 at 22:44
Pretty sure it's avail in a queen size too!
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FollowupID: 24451

Reply By: Slammin - Wednesday, Oct 15, 2003 at 22:48

Wednesday, Oct 15, 2003 at 22:48
Started with a sleeping bag on the ground (really rough)then a backpacker roll up 1cm foamy (rough). thought I'd go a stretcher when I bought a car (less rough) but found it bent etc with rough handling. Got a self inflating queen size mattress (luxury), got sick of making and folding up, but couldn't even feel rocks etc underneath. Got swags (luxury and easy) and now only use the self inflator for when visitors fail to leave.
AnswerID: 33971

Reply By: Member - Oskar(Bris) - Thursday, Oct 16, 2003 at 21:04

Thursday, Oct 16, 2003 at 21:04
Kylie and Tony
Forget the airbeds - I agree. The fold-up ones tend to sag and they are fairly heavy.
What we do is a bit different to the others in this thread and it may seem a bit "over the top" to some but we sleep really well and enjoy our time in bed (yeah yeah yeah .... I can hear the guffaws).
Here's the deal for when we set up camp for a week or so (not touring).
Basically our roof-rack is our bed.
When we set up camp I take the roof rack off the car (the basket only) and leave the carry bars on the car.
Our rack "basket" is custom made to fit a double bed mattress.
I have a set of "legs" (the ones with castors from an ensemble type bed) that I screw into nuts welded onto the rack.
There is also a folding front extension on the "basket" that folds up to become a head-board for our bed. (Lets us sit up in bed for reading and coffee and holds the 12V electric bed-lamp).
We put all the empty tent bags and shoes etc under the bed out of the way.
We can lie on the bed during the day and gaze out the window at the surf or the bush.
If any water ever gets into the tent we are high and dry.
Getting out of bed is easier than getting up off the floor.
We don't have to carry a separate bed assembly.
For a mattress we use a custom made 3 fold double bed, foam mattress that fits the rack.
We just use the foam mattress on the floor when touring and the bed stays "made-up" and just folds out with sheets and blankets . Bed "made up" in 10 seconds.
I know it's a bit different, but after 28 years of camping we wouldn't do it any other way. That's our experience. We like to camp in comfort.
Cheers
Oskar
AnswerID: 34092

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