 | Home > Camping, Caravanning and Holidays > What should we sleep on? |
 
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| theorangebandit Member Since: 03 Jun 2013 Location: Stowmarket Posts: 862  |
Popular among fishers I believe is an umberella style bed and im a big fan of them too swift deployed and de-Deployed (i like making up words)
http://www.charliesdirect.co.uk/outwell-po...e-camp-bed That site also stocks other beds but that on in link folds out then back down again |
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5th Nov 2013 9:49pm |
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| Charliefox Member Since: 03 Oct 2013 Location: County Durham Posts: 56  
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I've used US Army cot beds for years. They were £20 each for genuine surplus items that were new. Compact, fast to set up, cheap to buy, incredibly sturdy. Plenty of space underneath for storage, unlike a "sleep on the floor system".
I use a thermarest on top of the cot for padding and thermal insulation. Air beds are easily punctured and usually at 3am, sleeping on the floor puts you in a draught and is rarely comfortable. I've used cots in most environments and found them to be the best solution for my needs. Chris |
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5th Nov 2013 10:08pm |
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| JWL Member Since: 26 Oct 2011 Location: Hereford Posts: 3443  
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Have a look at the folding campbeds such as found in Go-Outdoors and the like, personally I'd steer clear of the aluminium ones, they soon become wobbly and feel unstable. I have some for me and the boys when we camp and the wriggling of teenagers have tested a number of different types. The best "value for money" one I have come across is a Hi-Gear one(from Go-outdoors of all places) and what makes this one stand out is that all the folding joints are metal whereas a couple of others have plastic joints such as found on folding camp chairs, one of which gave way on a 10 day camping trip this summer. I know the metal ones are heavier but fold up into their bags and take up a little less space than most of the more comfy camp chairs. I don't think I've paid more than £25 for any of the ones I've bought, sometimes worth keeping an eye on fleabay and pick some up from someone who has been informed by their other half that they are never going under a nylon sheet on holiday ever again.........hotel or divorce, bargains to be had
Here's the one I would say is worth looking at, gone up in price since I bought one but that was 4 years ago 
http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/folding-campbe...tAodFwoAeg |
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5th Nov 2013 10:18pm |
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| Leenorthants Member Since: 08 Sep 2013 Location: Silverstone(ish) Posts: 856
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We use self inflating beds in our oztent, even when my missus was pregnant and had a great nights sleep!
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5th Nov 2013 10:34pm |
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| leeds Member Since: 28 Dec 2009 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 8580
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If you are looking at camp beds then have a look at the Oztent range.
Yes they are more expensive then some of the others mentioned, however they are rated at 150kg which is larger then the others. They also weigh in at 10-12 kg which is about twice as much as some of the lightweight ones. Thermarest are a good self inflating ones, but can be a bit awkward if your knees are not in the best of condition. The Coleman double height air bed are comfortable but take some blowing up. Just remember the old saying, one blanket underneath is worth two on top. Brendan |
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5th Nov 2013 10:46pm |
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| couplands Member Since: 31 Aug 2011 Location: Peak District & Cornwall Posts: 1826 
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When I asked the same question I went for folding camp beds. However, they were uncomfortable as you tend to roll onto the side rails which are very hard.
We picked up a couple of self inflating air beds (around 30mm thick) and they are very comfortable indeed. Came from Aldi for £9.99 each I think. Try and borrow your chosen system and see how it works for you. Cheers Simon |
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5th Nov 2013 11:03pm |
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| leeds Member Since: 28 Dec 2009 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 8580
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Simon makes sense about borrowing some gear and trying them.
Since you are in Huddersfield, if you want to try out some Oztent stretchers get yourself across to Halifax. Brendan |
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5th Nov 2013 11:09pm |
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| party monkey Member Since: 31 Dec 2010 Location: Oxon. Posts: 1311 
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We've experimented with self inflating mats ranging from a thin Vango trek jobbie (may as well lay on tin foil), to a 5-6cm Costco special (that my son uses and puts the vango underneath) up to my 10cm'ish Outwell .... well... the old man needs his comfort right ??
Quick to set up and pack away, although, the thicker they are, naturally, the more of a pig they are to roll up tightly and indeed take up more room Was going to take a look at the Quechua bed in a box idea, next time I'm near Decathlon in Reading but it looks a bit too much of a faff...... A good suggestion to try different stuff out, particularly if Brendan's inviting you for a sleepover  Jon - 110 td5 [sold]. Currently Defenderless. |
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5th Nov 2013 11:35pm |
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| Tiger Member Since: 06 Jul 2012 Location: Wales Posts: 2265 
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How quick?
I love camping but a decent bed is the only thing that can spoil it. After much experimentation I reckon I made the ultimate bed for our last year camping holiday. We user a INTEX double height air bed but one that was 2 clipped together. I added thick Velcro to stop the airbeds sliding on top of rack other I then made a headboard out of 12mm ply and covered it. This is attached via a webbing strap. I hate pillows falling off the top of a bed. For the top layer I add a memory foam topper and then normal sheets. Result - a proper height, as comfy as home bed. Takes about 15mins to put up though |
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5th Nov 2013 11:56pm |
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| VeeTee Member Since: 06 Mar 2011 Location: Somewhere Posts: 1512 
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We started with very expensive (200 € each) self inflating mats, but after a couple of times use sold them and bought a pair of good folding beds. Used these for some years but now changed to an decent height Intex electrical inflating airbed. This is really comfortable. I added matting underneath to protect both the airbed and the Oz-ten floor from punctures, also helps with insulation from the cold ground. Does not take longer to setup than unpacking and setting up the folding beds.
This is how things change as one gets older, I think ...  Cheers, Vincent
1959 Polynorm 1/4 Ton Trailer, Olive Drab Green (sold) 1970 M416 Military Trailer (Camping Trailer Conversion), Epsom Green (sold) 1975 Series III 88 V6, Light Green (sadly sold) 1996 Defender 110 CSW 300 Tdi, Epsom Green (sold) 2000 Freelander 1 TD4 3-drs, Silver (sold) 2006 Freelander 1 TD4 5-drs Facelift Automatic, Tonga Green (sold) MySite |
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6th Nov 2013 7:17am |
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| yobbie Member Since: 15 Nov 2010 Location: Isle of Wight Posts: 712 
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What oz tent do you have? We found a couple on holiday had an oz tent & oz beds, but the beds were too long to fit in so they had to use sides and front panel so they could use them!
Any news on my jet tent yet Brendan?? |
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6th Nov 2013 7:45am |
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| VeeTee Member Since: 06 Mar 2011 Location: Somewhere Posts: 1512
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We have a Oz RV4.
 Click image to enlarge Cheers, Vincent 1959 Polynorm 1/4 Ton Trailer, Olive Drab Green (sold) 1970 M416 Military Trailer (Camping Trailer Conversion), Epsom Green (sold) 1975 Series III 88 V6, Light Green (sadly sold) 1996 Defender 110 CSW 300 Tdi, Epsom Green (sold) 2000 Freelander 1 TD4 3-drs, Silver (sold) 2006 Freelander 1 TD4 5-drs Facelift Automatic, Tonga Green (sold) MySite |
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6th Nov 2013 7:51am |
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| strang Member Since: 16 May 2012 Location: Happy Valley Posts: 1380 
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Have you had any thoughts about running an event like you did up at Trek Overland again Brendan? to give folks an idea of what is available out there? Euro-Leafing to infinity and beyond.....
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6th Nov 2013 12:42pm |
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| Jimb1978 Member Since: 05 Sep 2012 Location: Huddersfield Posts: 808 
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thanks for all the suggestions. I have one military cot bed in the garage loft somewhere. How do they compare with the oztent ones? I noticed when i tried to set it up that it was quite difficult to stretch the ends into position. It is brand new however and i guess the fabric will stretch slightly over time.
The one concern i have with the cot beds is damage to the tent floor. I will be paying you a visit very soon Brendan to discuss my Oztent requirements  |
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6th Nov 2013 12:54pm |
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