taking ds on a 1 nighter tomorrow. started packing the car earlier (its a 2 seater soft top, so limited space). now i saw that the foam mats took up more space than if we had 2 sims each. sooooo will 2 sims be insulating enough against cold ground?
You will be fine, we find that a 5cm SIM provides ample insulation from the ground.
Enjoy the trip!
------------- May 2015 - Arrow Bank 4 nights
July 2015 - Manorafon 4 nights
August 2015 - Piccadilly Caravan park 3 nights
August 2015 - Wheal Rodney 11 nights
As explained elsewhere...I like a bit of insulation under the SIM(But that's just me) Some folk I know climbers etc can't afford the luxury of carrying extra insulation and seen quite happy lying on a SIM directly on the G/sheet of the tent....Each to their own I would think...
My insulation consists of a small waterproof tarp various bits of plastic sheeting topped off with one(Sometimes two) of those cheap roll up picnic blankets with the waterproof backing that can be found anywhere from Asda to BM stores...
Everything rolls up tight inside each other held together with two large leccy bands and fits in the bottom of my backpack...
Remember that wee bit of material on the bottom of a tent though generally advertised as waterproof is rather thin...And even on the warmest night cold can leech out of the ground up into the SIM (and you)
Better safe than sorry I would say...If the insulation is packed and you decide not to use it...fair enough....But should you find you need it and its not with you....What then????
Jelboy.
------------- Campers of the storm,Into this world are born
I used to do a lot of mountaineering in my younger days and have camped in temps of -10 degrees with only a thin foam mat between me and the ground, admittedly I had plenty of layers on and a 4 season sleeping bag but I was fine! Everyone is different and you need to try out various combinations to find what is right for you. A good sleeping bag and SIM combination should be fine for most though. My wife really feels the cold and a 5cm SIM and sleeping bag from Halfords is fine even for her!
------------- May 2015 - Arrow Bank 4 nights
July 2015 - Manorafon 4 nights
August 2015 - Piccadilly Caravan park 3 nights
August 2015 - Wheal Rodney 11 nights
Quote: Originally posted by CW52 on 06/6/2015
Sit on foam mats in the car then you can take them as extra insulation. We sit on mats, or blankets ,spread out, etc so we can take everything we need
I second this! We unroll sleeping bags and quilts/blankets along the back seat for the children to sit on. The children look about 6 feet tall to drivers passing us on our journey!
cracking idea with the blankets etc on seats - adopted by us this year :)
------------- June 2015: seaview international 2 nights
July 2015: little winnick 2 nights
August 2015: lower polladras 5 nights
august 2015: tollgate farm 5 nights
august 2015: oakdown 3 nights
September 2015: tregarton park
family of 6 with young children