Double high airbeds -- why don't more ppl have them?

RoyalFlyness · Post by **RoyalFlyness** » Wed Aug 19, 2009 7:17 am

This year I'm considering going with a double-high queen airbed b/c my tent will have a very high ceiling and I won't feel cramped. These beds seem quite luxurious for BM and I'm surprised I haven't seen more of them -- thus I'm thinking there might be some logistical reason that more folks don't use them (besides the fact that they cost more). Your thoughts?

Post by **AntiM** » Wed Aug 19, 2009 7:37 am

I don't like airbeds as I get strange night sweats when using them?

ygmir · Post by **ygmir** » Wed Aug 19, 2009 7:40 am

well, they are quite comfy..........

DoctorIknow · Post by **DoctorIknow** » Wed Aug 19, 2009 8:31 am

Any airbed without significant padding UNDER you makes for horrible sleeping as your body is trying to heat the air in the bed.

On top of that, there is nothing like a slow leak ovenight that places you flat on the ground in the morning.

Airbeds can be much cheaper than TermaRest's, so bring a backup, a battery powered pump to use every night, and a patch kit.

I've had far more problems on the playa with airbeds leaking than flat tires on the bike.

Token · Post by **Token** » Wed Aug 19, 2009 9:48 am

Doc summed it up.

I'll add that they suck for sex and are usually good for only one round, after that you are sleeping on the floor.

Boijoy · Post by **Boijoy** » Wed Aug 19, 2009 9:49 am

How many beds have you seen on the Playa Royal???

Da Mule · Post by **Da Mule** » Wed Aug 19, 2009 9:53 am

I think doctor mentioned this....but the higher up you sleep, the colder you'll be...

Bob · Post by **Bob** » Wed Aug 19, 2009 9:56 am

I prefer a cot w/ a camping pad.

peachandpapa · Post by **peachandpapa** » Wed Aug 19, 2009 10:28 am

We have used an Aero queen sized bed the last three years and they are great! Our tent is a 10x12 wall tent with a sturdy vinyl floor so we have no fear of a rip or tear, but be sure to use a thick mattress pad and good comforter. It is quite cold when you first get in, but warms quickly. We use a camp generator to fill it and once during the week to keep it firm. Highly recommend!

Lord Of Ruin · Post by **Lord Of Ruin** » Wed Aug 19, 2009 11:36 am

[quote="RoyalFlyness"]This year I'm considering going with a double-high queen airbed b/c my tent will have a very high ceiling and I won't feel cramped. These beds seem quite luxurious for BM and I'm surprised I haven't seen more of them -- thus I'm thinking there might be some logistical reason that more folks don't use them (besides the fact that they cost more). Your thoughts?[/quote]

Nope...I've used mine....I love the f-ing thing. My campmates were floored when they caught a glimpse inside my tent first year with it. I had a nice little crate as a bedside table...high bed with real sheets/blankets.

My tent is like 8 feet high in the center so it turns it into a nice little playa 'partment...

Just be sure to bring a patch kit and some contingency plan if it somehow gets damaged.

Oh and not the best for sexytime with two peeps either...so plan accordingly.

oleg8888 · Post by **oleg8888** » Wed Aug 19, 2009 12:20 pm

Memory foam mattress/pad is the best thing ever.
Years ago got a queen size, 2" thick pad. I just fold it in half and throw it on the floor.
You can roll it away for day time
The thicker the better

5x5 · Post by **5x5** » Wed Aug 19, 2009 2:26 pm

haven't had one out at burning man. had one for regional burns and camping, and i loved it camping solo. however:

- cold nights - the air i the bed below you is cold, you need insulation between you and it.

- cold nights - temp drop means less air pressure, the bigger the mattress the bigger the difference. not so bad for one person, for two people you end up in a taco by morning

- sex. finally broke ours

but usually just meant re-filling it often. and well, trying to maneuver in bed was difficult.

for burning man, i was using a friend's single height airmattress in a van when I camped solo. for the two of us, (last year and this) I got a futon mattress off craigslist and it worked sooooo much better. it lives with my friend in Reno.

because i don't have the room in a vehicle to transport or store that kind of thing at home, (and if it got wet it'd be a real bitch to deal with) - when i replaced the double height air mattress i went with a regular height one this time. and we're gonna try to remember to have sex on the floor.

my opinion bottom line - solo, they are great, just bring some extra layers for UNDERNEATH you. if you plan on having company, i suggest rethinking it.

justfred · Post by **justfred** » Wed Aug 19, 2009 2:56 pm

Hate inflatable beds, because they're like sleeping on a balloon. Two-person, even worse, because they feel every move you make. If you're near sound they become a giant bass resonator - which could be fine if you're into that and not into sleeping.

I got 6" thick camping/yoga mats from somewhere, they're fine, though they do take up a little more space when packed.

peachandpapa · Post by **peachandpapa** » Wed Aug 19, 2009 3:38 pm

If you fork out the bucks for an Aero bed, we have had no problem with sex or the "taco effect" every morning. I do have to admit that we did have to give it some more air late in the week.

RoyalFlyness · Post by **RoyalFlyness** » Thu Aug 20, 2009 7:28 am

thanks to all for the advice. i'll be solo for half the week, then partnered for the last 3 nights. i'm going to bring a normal height queen aerobed as a backup and i think i'm going to vacuum pack my fake featherbed for insulation.

C.f.M. · Post by **C.f.M.** » Thu Aug 20, 2009 9:00 am

I have a queen with the inflator pump built in, which I love. I had actually gotten a single version, just to keep handy in the truck, but I liked it so much I got the bigger one, for burns. No pumps, nozzles, etc., just one button.

I put it on this:

Which keeps me off the cold, wet ground and allows for underneath storage of empty packing boxes/containers, stuff I won't use daily, etc.

I actually got one of the double high airbeds to experiment with, but lost the caps to keep the air in...and I think all that air would get cold, and it would be more of a pain to keep inflated well, be more susceptible to puncture (due to more surface space), etc.

Sadly, I am unable to curl up anywhere, or make do with a nice, easy to pack sleep pad.

RedHeaven · Post by **RedHeaven** » Thu Aug 20, 2009 4:34 pm

Cant fuck on an air mattress ;)

evil chris · Post by **evil chris** » Sun Aug 23, 2009 10:55 am

i finally broke down and spent top dollar on a queen aerobed. they can take lots of punishment, and are not only comfortable with lots of blankets but usually i don't even have to pump them up more than once. it's worth it to get a good one, because a lame air bed is a colossal waste of money and is not as comfortable. and yes, you can fuck on an aerobed vigorously without killing it, as long as you don't have any spikes on.

Double high airbeds -- why don't more ppl have them?

Double high airbeds -- why don't more ppl have them?

Re: Double high airbeds -- why don't more ppl have them?