Transporting bulky bedding to the playa

[FutureBang]

Hi folks! First-time poster here! Though 2016 will be my first Burning Man, I've attended about a dozen regional burns here on the east coast since 2012. But that leaves me with tons of questions about specifically traveling to/living on the playa. Here's the one topic that I haven't answered with copious googling and browsing:

Has anyone vacuum-sealed bedding/clothing to transport to Burning Man? Do people/theme camps bring vacuums to the playa to reseal vacuum bags before sending them home? Do people have recommendations for big, heavy duty vacuum bags or vacuum cubes? What about just using heavy duty compression/luggage straps, possibly in conjunction with a vacuum bag?

I sleep on a heavy duty, queen size foam sleeping mat at regional burns. It's the comfiest, doesn't leak, doesn't make horrible noises when you toss and turn, has a waterproof cover, etc, etc. Better for me than any air mattress. I really don't want to leave it home for the big burn. Problem is, it doesn't compress easily. The foam is stiff and doesn't like to fold. It takes up a lot of space. This isn't a problem if I'm hauling it to a regional with my van, but it's a very big deal if I'm paying for space on a shipping container and it has to fit certain dimensions. I can get it down to about 5-6 cubic feet with a bungee cord. But when I bought it, It was shipped vacuum sealed and it took up about 2 cubic feet, which would be a lot more manageable.

Thanks in advance for any tips/advice!

[FutureBang]

I'm also seeing hand-powered deflation pumps. Has anybody had experience using these with vacuum bags? Is there one with a vacuum hose attachment?

[Chowski]

This is an eternal dilemma - how can I bring ALL the things. I think you'll simply have to weigh out in your mind what is more important, what you are willing to sacrifice in terms of carrying capacity to bring a big mattress. I come from Sacramento, only 4 1/2 hours to playa with no traffic, but I leave my big cozy mattress at home and make do with an air mattress because I would rather have another box of clothes or another case of champagne than a slightly comfortable bed.

Of course, you COULD vacuum pack with a battery-operated air compressor, but that won't likely be strong enough to get it as small as you need. You could also bring a generator and gasoline and a heavy-duty air compressor, but packing and transporting that is going to use more space than you'll save.

I'd say your options are: join a village that has an air compressor and generator, or bring an air mattress. they're not THAT bad, and if you're tired enough, you will sleep no matter what. Of course, you could always vacuum seal it for the ride there, and tie it down real good for the way home knowing it will be larger, but that you will gain space by drinking your water and beer and stuff. Of course, you never gain as much space as you think.....

Good luck.

[Ratty]

futurebang, It's a week! Don't be absolutely set on bringing it. My camp installs foam and fur bike seats so I know about compressing foam. You will never get that mattress as small as it was when you bought it. Here's how I pack our foam. It's a 2 man job.

Lay out the nylon straps on the ground.
Place a sturdy piece of plywood down.
Put your folded mattress on the plywood.
Put a piece of plywood on top and climb on. (The more weight the better).
Have the second person cinch the straps. These should have buckles of some kind that you can pull on the loose end to tighten.
Then...have the second person climb on too and tighten further.

You would never get this kind of compression from a vacuum. When the event is over you will be tired. It may be dark and windy. Your belongings will barely fit into the vehicle no matter how big it is.

[mudpuppy000]

How much was it? May be cheaper to just buy a new one in reno.

FWIW I have a foam mattress I use on a cot. It has a built in dowel on one side that makes it easy to roll up/compress. Check out Teton mattresses/cots if you're interested.

Even with that it's really freaking bulky. I just throw it on my roof rack and ratchet the shit out of it with ratchet straps to get it to compress. Hmmmmm, maybe you can try wrapping it with ratchets and cranking it down.

[Savannah]

I use a Coleman inflatable mattress, and yeah--it has to be topped off with the pump at least every other day, but I'm pretty happy with it. No waking up on the ground, so far. But yeah, just as bulky as anything else.

If I were paying for space in a shipping container, I admit I would probably go back to using my REI camping cot & slim mattress.

[Sham]

I've used Space Bags and put my entire sleeping bag, pillow, extra blanket and extra sheets in a bag. When the air is removed, it shrinks down to about the size of an office waste basket. It's amazing how small it gets when all the excess air is removed.
I guess I will figure out how to get it shrunk and back home when the time comes. I know I will figure something out.

[BBadger]

Maybe you could buy some cheap (small; 2.5gal) shop vac and stuff the deflated mattress (using a technique such as this) into the shop vac and ship both together?

Honestly though, I think you need to consider not being such a princess and just use a camping mattress. If they're too loud for you to sleep, you're probably not tired enough to begin with, and should go explore the playa a bit more before bedding down. You can also use some ear plugs (my favorite brand), which will help with ambient noises on the playa anyway.

Some people use two camping mattresses, one on top of another, which distributes the weight a bit more, and nearly eliminates the already minute chance that you'll find yourself on the ground. Put a blanket between them to prevent rubbing sounds.

[Ratty]

After I read mudpuppys post I realized that I ratchet them down.

[Captain Goddammit]

Re the earlier mention of joining a camp with an air compressor: I do bring generators and an air compressor to the playa. An air compressor won't vacuum pack anything. It will inflate things, but it won't supply vacuum.

[tamarakay]

Hey there! We have mutual friends. Tell CFM to get her ass back over here ok?

I just don't see this happening dude. The only way to get it back is find another friend who can throw it in their rv or something. If you could haul it out to the hotel and use the maids vacuum maybe, but that doesn't really help you get it squished for the container does it?

[Popeye]

This might work, with or without the bucket! Just find a friend with a generator.
AND you could make one hell of a dust cloud
Vacuum Powerhead

[FutureBang]

So, umm, I guess radical self-reliance. I'll figure it out for myself.

[ygmir]

So, umm, I guess radical self-reliance. I'll figure it out for myself.

that.
yeah, for your particular issue, it's probably best to experiment on your own. seems there is plenty of time to try various methods.