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 Topic: Air bed alternative?
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28/6/2017 at 10:12am
Location: Yorkshire
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Quote: Originally posted by GoDutch on 17/6/2017
After many many years under canvas and possibly every sleeping combination tried we recently went over to two of these bed frames clipped together with a Vango SIM on the top. The slats in the frame give which means the SIM is far more comfortable than if on a solid floor. They are very stable and I'm 18st, they make the bed warmer as your off the ground and you dont have a frame digging in your side plus they only take 2 minutes to inflate. Cant recommend them highly enough, brilliant.
So, you're saying the slats flex? Do you inflate yours with a hand pump or with an electic one?
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28/6/2017 at 10:51am
Location: County Kildare Irel
Outfit: Tents
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Quote: Originally posted by lidds0 on 28/6/2017
Quote: Originally posted by jessd on 16/6/2017
I have an Alpkit Dozer and can honestly say it's the best £70 spent on camping equipment. I don't know why you'd want to put a decent SIM on anything, other than for ease of access. We've also got a thermarest quilt which is a feather down for more warmth and it straps two beds together. With a sheet over it's as good as home (with an extra blanket and cheap mats in the mix in the cold)
I'm with you on this. I guess people put a decent SIM onto a campbed (or the Quechua bed base) to raise them off the ground a bit and so make it easier for getting up and down? Other than that, I can't see how it can make a good SIM more comfy. I'm not knocking them, I just can't see how raising a SIM off a solid floor and putting it onto a canvas bed or slats (which could potentially break) results in a more comfortable sleeping experience.
Our SIMs (Thermarest Dreamtime XL) are actually more comfy than our bed at home (which is a bit too soft, and due for renewal)!
Well, people put very expensive mattresses on bed bases with wooden slats in their house. Maybe they should just chuck the mattress on the floor.
The composite slats on the Quechua bed bases flex, just like a composite tent pole. I have never come across reports of them breaking but if they do the guarantee will sort it out and I doubt if every slat will go at once.
I pump mine up with a double action manual pump. Some use electric pumps.
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Hypercamp Alaska - Dutch Pyramid
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28/6/2017 at 4:05pm
Location: Yorkshire
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Right, well, I'm prepared to be converted: I've ordered a couple!
I'm still concerned about the impact on packing-space (which is limited) but will give them a go.
Can you buy replacement slats, to carry as spares?
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28/6/2017 at 5:23pm
Location: County Kildare Irel
Outfit: Tents
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Don't know about spares but space wise they take up the same space as a 3cm sim.
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Durston Xmid-2 solid
Durston Xmid-1 solid
Hypercamp Alaska - Dutch Pyramid
Vango F10 Helium UL1
Coleman cobra 2
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29/6/2017 at 5:13pm
Location: Yorkshire
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Super-fast delivery from DHL. The recommended pump is as big as a packed bed.
It took 34 pumps to inflate one bed to the required 6 PSI (0.4 bar). It was then rock-solid.
Then came the crunch: our Thermarest Dreamtime XL SIMs measure 196 x 76cm and the stated size of the bed base is 190 x 70cm, so I was anticipating a 3cm overhang all round (which I thought would be okay). The reality is, our SIM must be considerably bigger, because the overhang was considerable. I still managed to secure it with the four elasticated corner straps, but think it might be problem trying to create a double bed (by securing 2 bases together) with these SIMS.
I've had a lay on it, my OH has had a lay on it and my son's had a lay on it. The overwhelming opinion is that it a) gives more of a 'real bed' sense, and b) is easier to get on and off. Was it more comfortable? For the above reasons, yes, for sleeping, probably not.
At first, I just let the SIM do its thing, but found I could feel the slats through it when I sat on the bed. I put a few puffs of air into the SIM (which we do when using it, anyway, as we like a firm mattress) and then it was fine.
Deflation was easy and super-fast (with a real 'whoosh' of air!).
Now I'm left wondering if I need to buy new SIMs, which fit a bit better. See what you've started, Ewen!
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29/6/2017 at 8:50pm
Location: Yorkshire
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Just realised that our Decathlon pump is faulty (prob why it took 34 pumps to inflate the bed!). Just had another go and the gauge is all over the place. Will have to see about exchanging it or finding a more reliable alternative. Any ideas?
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29/6/2017 at 10:49pm
Location: County Kildare Irel
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I use a double action hammer pump I got from aldi...no guage though.
-------------
Durston Xmid-2 solid
Durston Xmid-1 solid
Hypercamp Alaska - Dutch Pyramid
Vango F10 Helium UL1
Coleman cobra 2
Eureka solitaire
Naturehike Star River 2
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