Cots in Tents, floor protection, etc

[MacGlenver]

Several people have mentioned using cots in tents instead of air mattresses. Good for storage underneath, easier to get out of, etc. I'm interested in making the jump to a cot, but want to be sure I don't damage the floor of my tent.

Would a piece of cardboard taped under each foot be good enough to protect my tent's floor?

Thinking of getting this one, as I'm pretty big (6'3", 230lbs) and may even try to fit myself and my gf on the single cot, but would love any suggestions for models.

http://www.amazon.com/TETON-Sports-Outf ... pg__header

[Noboundaries]

Mac, seems like you and me are having a conversation this morning.



Above is the link to the cots we used. I'm 270 lbs and this thing is built solid, rated to 350. I checked out the one you are looking at at a local Sportsman's Warehouse and was not impressed. As soon as my wife and I sat on and laid down on the Slumberjack we bought two, and this was after checking out at least five or six heavy duty cots. There was VERY little sway at all any time we were using the Slumberjacks. I reviewed it on Amazon too.

In the past we used little wooden 6"x6" blocks with rounded edges to protect the tent floor, but it was merely a cautionary move. For this year's burn I brought 6"x6" rubber pads cut from an old exercise mat. We ended up not using anything. The footpads on the Slumberjack were wide enough that they did not dig into the playa nor did they do any kind of damage to the floor of our Kelty 6 person tent. The floor of the Kelty is thin but tough. If the floor or your tent is tarplike, you might want to use something. You could easily use folded cardboard if you felt you needed padding.

We covered the cot with a 3" foam pad that cost $20 that perfectly fit the cot. We picked up the foam pads at hardware warehouse last Spring. Wow. Talk about decadent camping comfort. Slept like a log!

[Noboundaries]

Oh, and two people on one cot? Give it a try but better yet just throw the pads on the tent floor and have at it!

[FIGJAM]

TENNIS BALLS!!!!!

On the feet.

[MacGlenver]

Mac, seems like you and me are having a conversation this morning.

Yeah, I guess everyone else is still recovering from the burn . Thanks for the great advice! Will be using these on my upcoming local burn in Georgia (Alchemy). I have a 6 person REI Camp Dome, which seems nearly identical to your Kelty. Hopefully I can bring these things in my checked luggage for the next Bman, but even if I can't, at least my local burns will be even nicer.

FIG: Will consider tennis balls too, but I need those for the rebar more than anything .

Thanks guys!

[n1bblerz]

Hi,
I'm new...rubber gym flooring makes a great floor in tent...

G

[MacGlenver]

fo

Hi,
I'm new...rubber gym flooring makes a great floor in tent...

G

Thx for the suggestion. Would be hard to check as airplane baggage but would work well I bet.

[Phreatic]

Those foam puzzle pieces for kids play areas are cushy goodness. I use the big carpet protectors for the cot too.