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Subject Topic: What to sleep on? Post Reply Post New Topic
14/6/2014 at 8:42pm
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We are just starting out camping after having a caravan.

I don't want to buy twice so I was wondering what do you all recommend to sleep on?

We have bought the Corado 8 and there are 5 of us. Are air beds the way to go?? With sleeping bags?


14/6/2014 at 9:27pm
 Location: suffolk
 Outfit: Vango Illusion
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We all have airbeds - a double one but with two separate chambers so if one of us gets up, the other doesn't sink to the floor and two single airbeds. I think our double is a Coleman and I'd recommend it happily. The single beds really weren't expensive, I know we got one from Go outdoors, for £10-15. We have used thermorests or other self inflating mats, but we don't find them as comfortable for a fortnight's summer holiday as the proper airbeds. We have a pump that attaches to the car engine so they are easy to inflate. This might say more about our mattress at home, but I find the air bed more comfortable! Both children have a sleeping bag but we take a sheet and our duvet for true comfort. We've looked at the double sleeping bags, but they're pricey for the 3 or 4 weeks a year we'd use it and also they don't look as though they'd take up much less room.
Good luck and hope you enjoy your first camping trip in a tent.

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ktjc
Cherry Tree Farm, 2016
Porthclais Farm Campsite 2015
Cherry Tree Farm, Croyde 2014
Seefelden, Lake Constance, 2013
The Secret Campsite, 2013
Cliff House, 2013
Southwold 2012
Masons, Appletreewick, 2012
Le Petit Rocher, 2011
Cliff House, Dunwich, 2011
Bolberry House Farm, 2010


14/6/2014 at 10:01pm
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View carson's Profile View Profile   Reply to carson Reply   Quote carson Quote  
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Thank you!!

I think air beds are they way to go having looked at them online just. We are away for 16 nights in August so need to have a good nights sleep. :-)


14/6/2014 at 10:14pm
 Location: Suffolk
 Outfit: Eriba Famila 320
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We've also got the same double airbed and would recommend them. Its worth putting one of those foil blaankets on the ground under the air bed and a blanket on top.

Our kids are 14 & 11 and use either a roll mat, single air bed, camp bed or self inflatting mat depending on how long we're going for. They're used to roll mats when they go away with the scouts.

Have fun!


14/6/2014 at 10:23pm
 Location: Glasgow
 Outfit: Vango Mira 500. Higear Aura 300.
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I've used air beds before and don't mind them but they always deflate. We moved to campbeds but I found them too firm and woke in the morning with sore pressure points on my body. This year after advice on here we added a 5cm SIM and it was pretty comfortable, we are converts now.


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14/6/2014 at 10:47pm
 Location: Jersey
 Outfit: Filey 6; Frinton 5
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SIM on campbed without a doubt. Tried air beds and they deflate and are low to the ground plus you often disturb your partner if you need to get up when he / she is still asleep.

I have the Exped Megamat on Kampa Dream XL camp bed.

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May '13 Rozel, Jersey
July '13 Cognac, France
August '13 Domaine Les Gonies, France
September '14 Domaine Les Gonies, France
August 15 Gonies, France
August 17, Gonies , France


14/6/2014 at 10:57pm
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Definitely a campbed with a SIM on top as a mattress. You may well find airbeds are cold unless very well insulated underneath and on top. They will also deflate during the night due to the drop in temperature and the only airbed I ever bought that didn't spring a leak after just a few trips was an old 'Lilo' which I had for years until it finally started leaking. Modern airbeds are rubbish in my opinion.


14/6/2014 at 11:34pm
 Location: Nottingham
 Outfit: Vango Aspen 700DLX Outwell Virginia 5
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Another vote for camp bed topped with a sim. I've tried various combinations of beds over the past few years and always woke with an aching bod and / or a bed that had deflated overnight. We've now got a reasonable camp bed with an aldi sim on top and it gives me a really good night sleep.

As a word of warning, it's worth doing some research and buying right first time. I didn't do this and therefore have a cupboard full of various beds that I've tried over the years (and an empty bank account)!


14/6/2014 at 11:39pm
 Location: Colwyn Bay
 Outfit: Kampa Croyde 6 Air
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After weeks of what; which; etc
we got 2 intex single raised air beds with built in pump.
We have spent 12 nights on them in the tent,so far. And found them very comfortable.Every other night a quick 2second blast of air and they are fine.

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To many mountains not enough time.


15/6/2014 at 12:40am
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We have the Intex Queen double height with built in pump. Just as comfy as our bed at home.
For the benefit of the OP I would advise putting insulation below and on top of any air mattress.

We use the foam type stuff that comes in a roll and is used below laminate flooring and a mattress topper on top...toasty.

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It is a wise man who has something to say.
It is a fool who has to say something.


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15/6/2014 at 1:28am
 Location: South Wales
 Outfit: Vango and Cabanon
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I have a double height kingsize airbed. I have 2 actually.

Both made by intex.

One is 2 airbeds that zip together - one on top of the other. I use an electric pump and it takes seconds to inflate. I would say I top up with either the electric of foot pump (I always take a foot pump just incase late into the evening I have forgotten to pump up)and have to top up one chamber every other night - just a few pumps. I prefer this bed because it has the added insurance that if one gets a puncture then I still have one to sleep on.

The other bed is a kingsize double height airbed that is just one bed. Its just as good comfort wise and again needs topping up every other day.

I used roll mats or cardboard as insulation under the bed. Then I use am old thinnish duvet ontop with a fitted sheet and my winterweight duvet from home (I am a wimp and feel the cold).

The only thing to watch with the double height beds is to allow for the size with the sides of your tent/bedroom, if the sides slope in.


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I used to be emvid then a Little Lemon but now I am Emvid again!


15/6/2014 at 9:05am
 Location: Derby.
 Outfit: Karsten 350+Awnings
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Couldn't recommend anything other than a SIM on a camp bed. Prices and quality vary a lot, but in all honesty, we got a less varied result... Always excellent nights sleep, with no achy bones in the morning, and no waking up cold.
We now have the 10cm Exped comfort SIM's, on a run of the mill GO camp bed.
The added advantage of the camp bed, is that you have the underneath space for storage, which in turn, offers added insulation between bed and cold floor.
And of course, easier for getting dressed/getting socks on etc, as you are sitting at a comfortable height. No rolling around trying to get up off your knees/a*5e of a morning!! Not elegant at all!

There are disadvantages though, of course... you may need a new car to carry them all!!

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2024: 38 nights thus far...
2023: 47 nights
2022: 40 nights
2021: 30 nights
2020: Just 24 nights
2019: A personal best 50 nights
2018: Just the 30 nights
2017: 34 nights
2016: 32 nights
2015: 38 nights
2014: 34 nights
2013: 36 nights
From July 2012: 23 nights


15/6/2014 at 10:15am
 Location: Cumbernauld Scotland
 Outfit: Monty 6Icarus 500 Halo 300
View jelboy53's Profile View Profile   Reply to jelboy53 Reply   Quote jelboy53 Quote  
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When backpacking I'm on a SIM on the floor with insulation under it...

On my main holidays...Or when I can afford to hire a van 1st thing I pack is my Carp fishermans campbed... Big and bulky to pack...But with the van that's not a problem for me...Six adjustable legs that mean whatever the state of my pitch (Sloping etc) I can have a good level nights sleep which ever way I have to put the bed...I can't see past them personally....But do know some who have used them...And say they don't provide enough support(Something I have never found) And have switched to the campbed SIM combo...

Camp bed Sim combo would probably be my ideal second choice......

Jelboy.

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Campers of the storm,Into this world are born

Some days are Diamonds...Some days are stone...


15/6/2014 at 10:17am
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For our fortnight campings we use two ThermaRest DreamTime XL's that fasten together with there embedded straps to make a large double bed, they are of course a SiM at 3.5" (9cm) thickness.

The DreamTime has now been replaced by the a NeoAir a Dream, same thing but now even better if that was ever possible.

Not cheep to buy, but we got ours back in 2008 and they are still in perfect condition.

And they definitely do, what it says on the tin!

Post last edited on 15/06/2014 10:29:05


15/6/2014 at 5:22pm
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View carson's Profile View Profile   Reply to carson Reply   Quote carson Quote  
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Does anyone have a picture of there camp bed and sim set up?

Also can you get a double one?


15/6/2014 at 10:20pm
 Location: Aberdeenshire
 Outfit: Several tents and a hammock
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Sarah



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