do self inflating mattresses attract condensation?
Submitted: Sunday, Apr 17, 2011 at 21:51
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Outbackogre
Hi everyone, I'm looking to upgrade
camp bedding for my 11 yo daughter. She's been sleeping on a thin foam mattress, but it always gets wet underneath from condensation (the mattress lies directly on our Cub hard floor). I'm thinking about a 8-10cm self inflating mattress. With the pvc bottom that many of these have, do they still suffer from condensation and where does the moisture end up? Thanks.
Reply By: Member - John and Val - Monday, Apr 18, 2011 at 08:24
Monday, Apr 18, 2011 at 08:24
Hi Outback,
You get condensation when warm damp air (in this case from our bodies) hits a cold impervious surface such as the platform of your camper. The amount of condensation will depend on how much moisture and how cold etc, but it will form wherever that impervious layer is, as the damp air cant escape. In some cases a bed may appear to be warm when you wake in the morning but by nightime if the moisture cant escape it will still be damp and hard to get warm again.
We sleep on foam matresses and tackle the condensation problem by drilling some holes in the bed platform and turning the mattresses over regularly.
Sorry I don't have any experience of using self inflating mattresses, but, at the risk of inviting the wrath of the "dont advise people to do a search" brigade I would suggest that you just type "mattress" into the search text box (top LHS of
forum page) and you will find a heap of info on how others get around the issue of condensation. There are more possibly useful threads there than it would be sensible to link.
Cheers,
Val
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Follow Up By: Outbackogre - Monday, Apr 18, 2011 at 08:39
Monday, Apr 18, 2011 at 08:39
Thanks Val, I have done a search and have noted many suggestions about techniques and products that are claimed to reduce or eliminate condensation. I've tried a couple of these ideas (most recently a high density foam matt to insulate the mattress from the floor), but without success. I've not yet tried the expensive mesh membrane that allows air to circulate under the mattress. I guess another possibility is a stretcher. Cheers.
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Member - John and Val - Monday, Apr 18, 2011 at 08:51
Monday, Apr 18, 2011 at 08:51
Agree that to get rid of the problem a stretcher would be the best solution. Two or three layers of shadecloth should allow some air circulation under a mattress but its slippery so maybe the mattresses would slide off it. Newspaper is a good insulator and does soak up moisture but a heap of damp newpapers is not too practical either.
Good luck finding a solution,
Val
| J and V
"Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted."
- Albert Einstein
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Reply By: happytravelers - Monday, Apr 18, 2011 at 08:50
Monday, Apr 18, 2011 at 08:50
My boys sleep on self inflating mattresses on the camper floor. We place those windscreen sun shades that you use in the car between the mattress and the floor. They offer a degree of insulation and stop any mattress condensation. A good cheap solution.
Jon
AnswerID:
451621
Follow Up By: Outbackogre - Monday, Apr 18, 2011 at 09:02
Monday, Apr 18, 2011 at 09:02
Thanks Jon, may I ask what brand of mattress you use?
FollowupID:
724243
Follow Up By: happytravelers - Monday, Apr 18, 2011 at 13:10
Monday, Apr 18, 2011 at 13:10
The 3" thick Oztrail ones, had them for a couple of years and find them very comfortable.
Jon
FollowupID:
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Reply By: Inflataduck - Monday, Apr 18, 2011 at 10:12
Monday, Apr 18, 2011 at 10:12
If you get some solar hot water tubing/mats & put some holes in it & throw this down first this helps a lot, as the mattress (foam or self inflating) can breath thru the holes & tubes I have used this for years in our camper.
As far as condensation & self inflating mattresses I know on one of our trips years ago the double in 2 week's sucked about 250mls of into it & also found that the self inflating mattresses a lot colder to sleep on in cold areas than a foam mattress (we use all foam but it is laminated with different grades of stiffness)
good luck
Vince
AnswerID:
451632
Reply By: ross - Monday, Apr 18, 2011 at 10:32
Monday, Apr 18, 2011 at 10:32
Ive had this problem over the years from sleeping on air mattresses,sometimes it happens ,sometimes it doesnt.
Maybe you could try some scrap carpet that could be aired if it feels damp.
AnswerID:
451634
Reply By: muffin man - Monday, Apr 18, 2011 at 13:17
Monday, Apr 18, 2011 at 13:17
Have been using these for around 10 years. Have never had a condensation problem, but have always put a picnic rug down first. This has obviously sorted out a problem that we knew nothing about.
MM
AnswerID:
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Reply By: Outbackogre - Tuesday, Apr 19, 2011 at 09:40
Tuesday, Apr 19, 2011 at 09:40
Hi everyone and many thanks for your helpful replies. Cheers. Rob.
AnswerID:
451769
Reply By: MEMBER Bushbum - Wednesday, Apr 20, 2011 at 07:46
Wednesday, Apr 20, 2011 at 07:46
We have a piece of indoor/outdoor carpet cut to the size of whichever mattress we are using and have done so for many years in all sorts of conditions in various tents and camper trailers. It is easy to store and has little weight.
AnswerID:
451853