Alternative for Air Bed while car camping?

[John Harper]

So, after having to re-inflate my leaky airbed every three hours for the last four days, I realize there must be something more effective. I like to sleep on my side(s) and it's nice to have something thick for car camping uses in a tent. Not looking at a cot, just some nice pad, futon, etc. Maybe a bit narrower than single airbed 39" x 75" I think would be perfect. Not too terribly expensive would be nice.

I already have a thermarest for backpacking, adequate for the purpose, sucks for side sleepers.

Any ideas?

John

[1mocast]

John,
Do what Bob does, 2 pads!

Those blue closed cell ones are about $20 ea. Or do what I do, I just double up the full length closed cell pad so only my hips up to my shoulder are on the pad.

[ldr]

I have a Thermarest DreamTime. Kind of spendy, but it's comfy right on the ground. I sleep on my side too.

[87TT]

Get one of the Exped pads. My wife sleeps cold so I got her a Downmat 9. I have a Synmat UL7. I'm a side sleeper too. The trick is not over fill them. Mine rolls up the size of a 1 liter nalgene bottle and weighs 16oz. Just under 3" thick inflated. Retire the thermarest

[fshflys]

[quote="1mocast"]John,
Do what Bob does, 2 pads!

Me too, closed cell & a thermarest, then if it's around freezing, I throw an old mex blanket over the 2 pads, get inside my synthetic bag & throw a opened up down bag over the top - toasty.

[flybob]

John, had this problem for years.

In my younger days, a lightweight REI foam pad was all I needed, then came the Thermarest.
I found that my maturing body needed MORE padding, I was looking at a THICKER Thermarest, but the weight is ridiculous.
Fortunately, I never threw away the old foam pads, I use them for sleeping in the back of my truck.
Hey why not just add the foam to the thermarest, since I have an external frame pack, there was no issue with bulk.
I have been a happy camper ever since, and saved myself some bucks too!
Oh yeah, one other benefit, I no longer slide off the thermarest, I put the foam on top of it, and both the bag and the thermarest stick!

Also see Jon's first post in the new GEAR section, he talks of his new sleeping pad there.

[DrCreek]

Still loving my REI 3.5" (when fully inflated) full-length self-inflating pad. It stows wonderfully. Comes with a parachute nylon storage bag (I don't ever use it), and stays tight with a thin, velcro strap at each end. I think I paid 100 clams for the thing. I've been using it for five seasons now. That, coupled with my totally thick Cabelas Mountain Trapper sleeping bag (warm flannel interior, canvas exterior) and I feel as comfortable as I do when I'm in my bed at home. Like you, I side-sleep. Good luck in the search, my friend !

PS... you're welcome to borrow mine for a test drive.

[briansII]

When weight isn't an issue, I spare no expense for sleeping comfort. This worked well in the bed of my truck for a few years.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Camping/ ... t104484780

Plenty of padding with a sleeping bag on top. Also comes in a single size.

But then I started to have more issues/aches and pains. Now I've added a "memory foam" pad on top of the sleeping pad. I did not spend big $$ for a name brand memory foam pad. Just went to Target.....or maybe it was Kmart? Anyway, I bought a queen size, 2" thick pad and folded it in 1/2. I think it's more comfortable than 85% of the motel beds I sleep on. And yes, it's plenty comfortable for side sleeping. It might be possible to skip the Cabelas camp pad and just go with a thick, memory foam pad. By thick, I'd recommend nothing under 3", and 4" would be better.

briansII

[Rob909]

Take a look at the Big Agnes system with the insulated air core pad.

The pad is inserted into a sleeve in the bootom of the bag. No rolling off and the pad works well for me. I'm a side sleeper at times too.


Rob

[WanderingBlues]

The memory foam option is definitely worth looking at. I have done the same as briansII and gotten restful sleep that way.

[rkfiske]

I've heard good things about cots, though I have not used them personally.

[fly addict]

Well I like an air bed and use one at home (Select Comfort). When I go camping with the wife, we use a queen size double height air bed with a cheap sleeping bag under us and a down comforter on top. It is just about as nice as the bed at home. If I’m by myself then I have a couple of choices, a cot with a Dreamtime pad by Thermarest and a bag, or a Coleman 4 in one air mattress with the same pad and bag. I don’t like dragging my butt off the ground to get up in the middle of the night to take care of business. A cot or double height air bag makes it much easier for me in my old age. For car camping you can’t beat the Thermarest pad, it is self-inflating and has memory foam also. I think it is almost 3 inches thick and has an R value of 9 so you will never get cold from the ground or in a cot or airbed.

Mark

[fshflys]

I just read the description in Cabelas for the comfort bed that BriansII recommended - "Its insulation qualities also make it a portable cooler. Frozen game or fish rolled inside will not thaw out for many long hours" Don't know about you, but sleeping on something that just had fish rolled up in it doesn't sound like a pleasant nights sleep.

[briansII]

I just read the description in Cabelas for the comfort bed that BriansII recommended - "Its insulation qualities also make it a portable cooler. Frozen game or fish rolled inside will not thaw out for many long hours" Don't know about you, but sleeping on something that just had fish rolled up in it doesn't sound like a pleasant nights sleep.

My experience with finding something suitable for side sleeping....or comfortable sleeping in general(I move a lot during the night), is you have enough padding to compensate for the inevitable high pressure spots on your body.....I'm sure at some point, there is diminishing returns on padding. Having old injuries in both of my shoulders, makes me more sensitive to that problem. Having the right softness and height pillow makes a huge difference in how my neck feels too. With ALL of my aches and pain, I've gone with lots of padding for car camping, and carry two different pillows depending on my aches. The bed of my truck is usually a LOT more comfortable than motel/hotel rooms that I stay in.

briansII

[Bernard]

John,
Do what Bob does, 2 pads!

Those blue closed cell ones are about $20 ea. Or do what I do, I just double up the full length closed cell pad so only my hips up to my shoulder are on the pad.

I did this recently and loved it.
Good call.
B.