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Topic: Campbed or airbed

foisty

via mobile 27/6/2022 at 5:30am
Location: Durham
Outfit: Dethleffs

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Hi all. We have returned to tent camping after many many years and are absolutely confused as to what to buy to sleep on. Hubby has reluctantly come back to camping after hating it many years ago due to the lack of sleep on airbeds that failed after 1 or 2 uses. I really want to continue tent camping but I am at a loss what is best to use. Any advise around best campbed (probs with self inflating mat on top) or really decent airbed would be appreciated. We have a combined weight of around 27 stone (jeez that seems a lot!! Need to lose some weight!) Thanks in advance x

urbster

27/6/2022 at 8:08am
Location: None Entered
Outfit: None Entered

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I use an Exped Synmat 7 LW ( long and Wide ) packs up really small too.
Expeds are not cheap but are brilliant, I think the line has recently been overhauled
https://www.exped.com/en/products/sleeping-mats
However several of my mates use what you have suggested a camping cot ( bed ) and a sleeping mat on top as a mattress.
I actually use my sleeping bag ( large rectangular) undone as a duvet and I know my mates do the same.
Also if using an Exped they can be quite noisy and squeaky when moving around on them, this is solved by popping them inside a sleeping bag liner and voila all solved.

taafe75

27/6/2022 at 9:00am
Location: Manchester
Outfit: Vango Rivendale 800XL

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We have a Zempire Twin Speedy double with a 10 Kampa Sim on top, really comfy but it is heavy and will take one of your fingers if you aren't careful putting it up

dk168

27/6/2022 at 10:24am
Location: Devizes Wiltshire
Outfit: MWB VW Crafter PVC

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If I were to buy a campbed now, I could opt for Outwell's Posada or equivalent in design for ease of setting up, as my Outwell's Laguna Hill XL in its original design was a bugger to set up (the last end bar to be secured in place was particularly difficult for me when I was tired).

The main concern of using a campbed in a tent is its height, especially if 2 are to be used side by side (Outwell makes a double version with a bar in the middle).

Tents with sloping sides could touch the bed and could result in water ingress due to wicking effect - this needs to be taken into consideration.

I was using a single Laguna Hill XL in my 4-berth Dutch pyramid tents width-way across the sleeping area. I do not know if I could fit another in side by side.

DK

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Paul and Nikki

via mobile 27/6/2022 at 3:27pm
Location: Stoke on Trent
Outfit: Bailey Pegasus Modena 2016

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We went to France for two weeks every year for 7 years, sleeping equipment was never comfortable, we tried various types of air bed - always used to fail.
SIMs (outwell and kampa) both of those failed
Outwell Posadas camp bed - very uncomfortable for two people due to the bar in the middle.
Outwell posadas and 7.5cm SIM - OK but still have the bar in the middle.

We never perfected it but if I were to try now, I would probably try (for a double) two Quechua inflatable air bed bases (£70 each from decathlon) and a double 10cm self inflating mat, this is what we were going to try but ended up getting a caravan instead

taafe75

27/6/2022 at 3:42pm
Location: Manchester
Outfit: Vango Rivendale 800XL

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A few friends have bought the Decathlon air bed bases and swear by them but they are too low to the ground for me, I'm too tall for them. The bar in the center of the camp bed doesn't bother me that much tbh especially with the 10 cm Sim I got last year

Tidburyboy

27/6/2022 at 7:18pm
Location: Tidbury Green
Outfit: Swift Fairway SE 442

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We used an Outwell Flock Excellent for years. Still have it. Provided you insulate between yourself and the bed (and not between the bed and the ground) the bed stayed warm. We used a rechargeable pump to top it up every day or so.

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daveyjp

28/6/2022 at 2:07pm
Location:
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Just as you shouldn't use your first trip as the first time you pitch a new tent, you shouldn't wait until camping before using your sleeping kit.

Test at home first and not just for one night.

lidds0

via mobile 29/6/2022 at 3:29am
Location: Yorkshire
Outfit: None Entered

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2 X Exped Megamat 10LXW SIMs on the floor of the tent, quilted mattress protector on top, fitted sheet, duvet and pillows - perfect!

foisty

01/7/2022 at 5:54pm
Location: Durham
Outfit: Dethleffs

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Thank you all for your info. Going to spend some time researching your advice before our trip and see what we end up with x

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