Yes it works, but the layers are better on top than below.
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all last year I had straw beach mats under the airbeds and fleece blankets on top of them, and was warm , no problem with condensation either.
this year, I just put plastic backed picnic rugs (the silver backed ones from aldi ) on top of the beds, nothing underneath and it worked a treat. This was in our late april and early may camps.
many have recommended using the roll mats on top of airbeds held in place with a fitted sheet.
i used straw beach mats on my camping trip last year and they were useless.
i'm getting an aluminum (silver) backed picnic rug and a thermal fleece mattress topper from Dunelm Mill for on top this year, have also got some survival blankets from poundland for under the airbed if the other items aren't quite enough.
I have tried many things over the years but now usually opt for cardboard under the airbed. Infact it is one of my camping essentials these days. Free and easy from a local supermarket and also really handy in the doorway in very wet weather.
I also lie on an old thin cotton duvet ontop of the airbed and then in my sleeping bag.
The best thing we have found is putting a single continental quilt between the mattress and us - keeps you snug as a bug. We use a feather one - not sure if a man made one would work as well. But honestly, works a treat!
I have a picnic rug under and a self inflating 5 cm. on top. I then have an un ziped (except for the feet) bag with an unfolded bag or quilt on top of that. I camp at least three seasons, warm as toast.
------------- Canvas tent, paraffin light, petrol stove. Heaven
I'd rather be kayaking.
Spent up, not pent up, just had my new tent up.
Quote: Originally posted by raf48 on 10/6/2009
I have a picnic rug under and a self inflating 5 cm. on top. I then have an un ziped (except for the feet) bag with an unfolded bag or quilt on top of that. I camp at least three seasons, warm as toast.
Sounds snug - think I'd need a much bigger car though...
We use a rollup camping mat (£2 from Tescos) between the sleeping bag and the airbed and never been cold... have switched to Fat Airics and used nothing else and was warm - but the airbed was more comfy, so might go back to that. Guessing Fat Airic on top of airbed would be ideal, but no room in the car for both...
I now put all the bedding in those vacuum bags. I have a flat worktop that I put on top of the bag and then sit on it. It gives a nice flat package, much smaller than I would be able to fold it to. Actually not much bigger than if I had used suction.
------------- Canvas tent, paraffin light, petrol stove. Heaven
I'd rather be kayaking.
Spent up, not pent up, just had my new tent up.
Looks like I am going to give that a go then, Argos have them at half price, just been on to reserve and none in stock
The vacuum bags, Can you suck the air out with 12V pump when on site?
We put SI mats under our airbed and then a fleecy blanket, old duvet and a sheet on top. Snug as bugs and no condensation either. Aldi have SI mats on sale tomorrow!
I've tried my 12 volt pump and also one of those big plastic pumps, the 12 volt one did almost nothing, and the hand pump tube collapsed so it stopped sucking.
As I posted before, if you have a flat surface on top and underneath and sit on it, most of the air comes out.
------------- Canvas tent, paraffin light, petrol stove. Heaven
I'd rather be kayaking.
Spent up, not pent up, just had my new tent up.