air mattresses

EB · Post by EB » Mon Jul 27, 2009 6:14 pm

amuk wrote:After doing the air mattress thing a few years (blowing more air into it every day or two) and then one year having it go completely flat with a hole that didn't want to stay patched I finally got a couple Therm-a-Rest self inflating air mattresses and these things f*#&-ing rock! They are now a festy/camping/Burning Man requirement for us. They roll up so small, are ultra-tough and that inch or so provides so much more comfort and thermal protection than 6" of plain old air mattress. They aren't ultra-cheap, but I've found them worth every penny.

Seconded. Therm-a-rests have provided not only the best nights of sleep for me on the playa but they roll up in a nice tight, small package.

Catwoman69y2k · Post by **Catwoman69y2k** » Mon Jul 27, 2009 10:09 pm

I agree with the dont have sex on the standard thin airmatresses or you will be on the ground. Hahahah! Its so true. I think it didnt help that ours kept deflating with the pressure changes in the heat and extreme cold at night.

Incidentally, Im looking for a new bed this year. I need something raised off the ground a bit more than this one. It might help since Im 190lbs.
http://www.coleman.com/coleman/colemanc ... 080&brand=

I dont know if the extra height will help in keeping the matress inflated but I have a personal greivane with the built in pump models. Most are built with the assumption that you hve some form of electricity. Like 2007, I may end up having my car parked in the camp next to my tent. Then again, I may not and then Ill be SOL for powering the pump inside. Besides, what if the inner pump breaks some day. I would have to buy a new bed if it doesnt have an alternative place to hook in a pump.

Are there any foam beds that can fold up when being packed into the car? Are there good air mattresses out there of decent height off the ground that I can use a battery operated air pump on?

ygmir · Post by **ygmir** » Mon Jul 27, 2009 10:14 pm

try this one:
http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/q ... x?a=475666

looks like you can use an external pump if you don't have AC.

Catwoman69y2k · Post by **Catwoman69y2k** » Mon Jul 27, 2009 10:27 pm

[quote="ygmir"]try this one:
[url]http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/q ... x?a=475666[/url]

looks like you can use an external pump if you don't have AC.[/quote]

That is the closest to flexible between AC power and battery that I have seen. Now, I wonder if I can buy this locally or if I will have to buy online. Thanks so much. Im keeping this bookmarked.

*hugs*

Dork · Post by **Dork** » Tue Jul 28, 2009 2:21 am

Air mattresses are great for overnight guests you don't want to stay too long. They suck on the playa. Last year I slept on this foam thing that folded into 3 sections from Costco and it was wonderful! No refilling before going to bed, no waking up on the hard ground. One year I slept in the back of my truck on a futon mattress and that was the best I ever slept out there. If you have a van or truck just put the mattress down, then pack all your crap on top of it. Unload the crap when you arrive and you're done setting up!

You can even bring your standard mattress from home. Stop by a bed store and ask for one of the plastic bags from a new one so you don't get playa dust all over it.

Catwoman69y2k · Post by **Catwoman69y2k** » Tue Jul 28, 2009 7:50 am

[quote]Air mattresses are great for overnight guests you don't want to stay too long. They suck on the playa. Last year I slept on this foam thing that folded into 3 sections from Costco and it was wonderful! No refilling before going to bed, no waking up on the hard ground. One year I slept in the back of my truck on a futon mattress and that was the best I ever slept out there. If you have a van or truck just put the mattress down, then pack all your crap on top of it. Unload the crap when you arrive and you're done setting up!

You can even bring your standard mattress from home. Stop by a bed store and ask for one of the plastic bags from a new one so you don't get playa dust all over it.[/quote]
Yeah. Im not married to the idea of using an air matress specifically but I do need something that can fold very well. I only have a Toyota stationwagon to carry my stuff and the tent is already becoming a very long item that will have to be stuffed in strategically. I do not even have a roofrack. So what makes them suck on the playa for you, Dork? Did they deflate often no matter how well sealed they were?

Dork · Post by **Dork** » Tue Jul 28, 2009 8:23 am

One year I didn't notice a piece of rebar under the mattress so it was riddled with holes the next morning. The other years it deflated a bit each day and night. That, and after a long day I just wanted to smash down on a mattress and not have to worry about lying down gently or having to maintain it. I always felt afraid to sit up or kneel on top of the inflatable.

If you truly don't have room for anything else air mattresses will do. If you have any foam-based option I'd go with that. If you aren't worried about maintaining a perfect paint job on your car you can strap a futon mattress or the like directly onto the roof with a couple of ratcheting tie-downs.

Navi_Keef · Post by **Navi_Keef** » Mon May 11, 2015 7:57 am

i know that im digging this up from the grave, but thought someone might have some input on comfort and i rather not start a new thread. is it more comfortable having the double chamber air beds or is it more comfortable to have a single airbed on a cot? I know the cot would be great for being able to store stuff under it but i believe that i have enough room in my tent to not have to worry about storing stuff under my airbed.

air mattresses

Re: air mattresses