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Topic: Air beds or self inflating mats

TimW1978

10/9/2010 at 5:14pm
Location: Dorstone HR3
Outfit: Raclet Quickstop + Elddis Typhoon XL

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A few months ago whilst equipping my Raclet Quickstop trailer tent I bought two Regatta Single Air beds from Argos (£9.99 each), for my two children to use in underbed tents.

I have never used them, and have since read a lot of reviews recommending self inflating mats instead of air beds.

Whilst they are still new do you think it is worth returning them to argos for a refund so I can get some SIM's, or are they still quite good for children to sleep on (6 and 5 year olds).

I am new to camping so could really do with some advice.

Many thanks in advance.

Tim.

James Watt

10/9/2010 at 7:47pm
Location: Costa Del West Sussex
Outfit: Tesco 4 Man Dome. Outwell Virginia 5

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Hello Tim.
Some of us find Air Mattresses suitable, others find the Self Inflating ones suitable.

My wife and I did have a Double Air Mattress, but had too much interaction when one of us moved.

We now use two singles, but madam still hogs the duvet.

As to what suits you? Unless you try, you'll not know.

Perhaps this doesn't help you, but what suits us, suits us.

Kind regards James

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In the beginning there was darkness.
Then I bought a tent.
I'm not destitute, I'm just poor.

clairehope

11/9/2010 at 9:38am
Location: cheshire
Outfit: Abbey Alliance 1998

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I think the big issue if you are using them for children in the underbed tents,is to make sure you put a lot of insulation under them - the ground sucks all the warm out of airbeds. I have never used a SIM, but there are other threads about the choice on here if you do a search, so you can get some idea of the pros and cons!

dadsbeaniemad

11/9/2010 at 11:24am
Location: Cumbria (Upper Eden Valley)
Outfit: Cabanons SunValley Michigan Khyam ABI

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SIM's by a mile
They are much warmer, much more comfortable
Pack size can be more (but not much) but worth it if you have the space.
Price can also be a down side too.

Air beds are full of air which is cold so the coldness comes up trough the beds when you are sleeping on them. Insulating below and above helps but adds to things you ned to take with you.
SIM's aren't full of air and don't need the extra insulating layers.
There's no sea-sickness feeling that some people experience when sleeping on air beds.
Not as far to 'fall off'

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Keely :-))

vwalan

11/9/2010 at 12:53pm
Location: roche cornwall
Outfit: lynton 5th wheel

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hi ,good old fashioned camp beds are the best i think . airbeds always seem to get cold in the night. old army ones work fine.and roll up quite small. cheers alan.

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vwalan

DOZY

11/9/2010 at 1:06pm
Location: Middlesex (yes it still exists)
Outfit: Izmir:TT: Holkham:Adventure

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Hi Tim,

We went away in the trailer tent last month for the first time. In the underbed beds the kids had airbeds.

They were warm and comfy, but I would recommend using SIM's definately. This is because of the size of the underbed tents. The mattresses seemed to take up 1/4 of the height clearance which left the kids with not much space. I think with a 'lower' bed they would seem a lot less 'coffin like'.

I have the costco sim's which are 7.5cms. These are warmer to sleep on than the airbeds and also very comfortable.

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DOZY

Life should not be measured by the amount of breaths we take but the moments that take your breath away.

alisonme

11/9/2010 at 1:19pm
Location: Manchester
Outfit: Pennine Countryman

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I'm with Dozy. My daughter had an airbed which she loved, but when we moved her from a bedroom annex to an underbed tent it was really too deep. We bought her an Alpkit Dozer, which is great. When we pack up the trailer tent we can open the valves and leave it in the underbed tent as well, although that might vary with the design of the tt.

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All the best,
Alison

ybyatt

11/9/2010 at 3:29pm
Location: Tean Staffs
Outfit: karsten 300

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sim everytime. have human comfort sim. heaven

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TTFN
Vonnie
______________________________
KARSTEN CAMPERS DO IT WITH INFLATABLES (OO ER!)

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