Camping beds/mattresses

[krbrooking]

Ok so the wife has informed me that she will not come camping with me unless I get a better bed than the one we have now, which by the time you wake up is pretty much flat as there must be a small hole somewhere and it is a Kmart special. So I am looking for some advice on what to by.
Criteria:
Cheap
Compact
Easy to set/blow up
Preferably off the ground (for the wife)
Comfy (for the wife)
Fits two ppl
Did I mention the budget (cheap)

I suggested that she sleep on top of my swag and I will sleep on my stretcher but she was not a fan of the idea.

Thanks in advance.

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[DX grunt]

Could I suggest.....a water bed. lol

Now people, no waterbed stories, our bro needs serious help!!!

[Bloodyaussie]

I have the same issue..... air mattresses and I have a hate hate relationship.

[Winnie]

I got a double size self inflating mattress from Rays outdoors. I can't remember how much it was but it is great for the two of us

[Cuppa]

Self inflating or foam. If foam get high density & 2 singles laid side by side work ok & are easier to pack. Self inflating pack smaller. Get her to try each & work around storage based on her preference.......you know it makes sense! LOL.

[krbrooking]

I do like the water bed suggestion only if I can use all your water first.

If I go the self inflating will be sure to check out the high density ones.

Has anyone had any experience with the stretcher type ones with air mattress on top. As this is what we have now and the mattress is s"&it, but then it is a Kmart special like I said before.

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[Patrol-Guy]

I got a queen size self inflatable from Costco, $80 if I recall correctly. Just as good as the home bed. She's happy and so am I.

[lucus30]

Get a double stretcher. The ms loves ours

[Clunk]

Self-inflating mattresses mate, comfy as................... I've got 2 of these http://www.anaconda.com.au/Product/Camp-and-Hike/Sleep/Mats/Single-4WD-Mat , so when the missus is with me we butt them up close and obviously only take the one when its just me. Just wait until they have a special on, I picked mine up for $74 each

[HuskyInAuz]

x 3 on self inflating, we each have a 3" NRS (http://www.nrs.com/category/2914/camping/sleeping-pads) that we put together in a duenna cover. Wife is happy...

[MudRunnerTD]

Self-inflating mattresses mate, comfy as................... I've got 2 of these http://www.anaconda.com.au/Product/Camp-and-Hike/Sleep/Mats/Single-4WD-Mat , so when the missus is with me we butt them up close and obviously only take the one when its just me. Just wait until they have a special on, I picked mine up for $74 each

This is exactly what I have and rate it well. 80mm thick or so when rolled out. I have the King Single. My wife has not been for years but if we planned a touring trip I would grab a second one and lay them together. The beauty of two of these v 1 double is the Doubles are Huge and full width when rolled and basically need to go on the roof. 2 king singles still fit in the car no worries.

Great value and ai also got it on special for around $70. At the time I couldn't find anything under $200 with this thickness and was Stoked when I stumbled on these. Would not hesitate.

[4bye4]

We have a fold up bed takes about 30 seconds to put up. Queen mattress on that and all ready for bed. Bonus is you have storage underneath it.
51963
and agree with others take a spare pump.

[katwoman]

We have double swag and stretcher.. Stretcher is sh!t. Daughter has single one and only just made it across the simpson and back. They are both Oztrail.
But if your woman wont be going all the time, I suggest you stick to singles. Once you start going dble and queen the initial outlay can be expensive. But definititly something off the ground.

[krbrooking]

Yeh the boss does not come all the time so might be worth going the two singles.

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[jay see]

I had the same issues. A almost flat mattress by the time morning came around and getting the cold coming up from the ground. We do more winter camping.
We got one of the Coleman high air bed, sits about 500mm tall comfortable and can't feel the cold. Takes a few minutes to blows up and packs away pretty good. Not the cheapest, but there will be Xmas sales on soon. From memory $80.

[krbrooking]

We have a fold up bed takes about 30 seconds to put up. Queen mattress on that and all ready for bed. Bonus is you have storage underneath it. <img src="http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=51963"/> and agree with others take a spare pump.

That looks a bit like my tent from the inside. I got mine off fleabay and it takes a while to put up but is roomy once up.

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[4bye4]

That looks a bit like my tent from the inside. I got mine off fleabay and it takes a while to put up but is roomy once up.

Yea we get quicker every time. Got ours off Gumtree. Same thing really I guess.

[BigRAWesty]

Not sure if you guys over east saw the TV adds a while back aboutvthe air mattress that you can set on the side and it doesn't collapse, and moving doesn't disturb the bed.
My parents bought one and when the told me about it my thoughts were meh. Conned by the TV.

Until I tried it.
Mate. Best air bed ever.
It feels like an inner spring. Sitting on the edge to get out is easy and I'm 120kg, that alone makes getting in and out easier.

I'll try and get a bit more info for you but if space is a premium then this is a serious contender

[Maxhead]

Self-inflating mattresses mate, comfy as................... I've got 2 of these http://www.anaconda.com.au/Product/Camp-and-Hike/Sleep/Mats/Single-4WD-Mat , so when the missus is with me we butt them up close and obviously only take the one when its just me. Just wait until they have a special on, I picked mine up for $74 each


This is exactly what I have and rate it well. 80mm thick or so when rolled out. I have the King Single. My wife has not been for years but if we planned a touring trip I would grab a second one and lay them together. The beauty of two of these v 1 double is the Doubles are Huge and full width when rolled and basically need to go on the roof. 2 king singles still fit in the car no worries.

Great value and ai also got it on special for around $70. At the time I couldn't find anything under $200 with this thickness and was Stoked when I stumbled on these. Would not hesitate.


I've bought a queen size one of these for the Simmo trip, never used in on the trip but I'm using it most weekends in our shack. It's amazing how well it holds air and how comfy it is for it's thickness . I'd recommend it to anyone.
Same as Dazz, I bought mine on 40%off special for around $120 or so. They're on special ATM

[Bloodyaussie]

I've bought a queen size one of these for the Simmo trip, never used in on the trip but I'm using it most weekends in our shack. It's amazing how well it holds air and how comfy it is for it's thickness . I'd recommend it to anyone.
Same as Dazz, I bought mine on 40%off special for around $120 or so. They're on special ATM

I have botha single and a double one of those and when it is placed on the floor I dont find it that comfortable, both my shoulders are stuffed and I get bad pain from sleeping if it is too hard.

I wonder if it was on a stretcher set up would that help?

Should see what Rossco sleeps on.... my dogs bed is thicker !!!!

[Winnie]

I have botha single and a double one of those and when it is placed on the floor I dont find it that comfortable, both my shoulders are stuffed and I get bad pain from sleeping if it is too hard.

I wonder if it was on a stretcher set up would that help?

Should see what Rossco sleeps on.... my dogs bed is thicker !!!!

Yeah but he weighs less than your dogs too so his bed doesn't need to be thick.

[Maxhead]

I have botha single and a double one of those and when it is placed on the floor I dont find it that comfortable, both my shoulders are stuffed and I get bad pain from sleeping if it is too hard.

I wonder if it was on a stretcher set up would that help?

Should see what Rossco sleeps on.... my dogs bed is thicker !!!!

Haha, yeah but you winge about everything princess. :)

10cm high density cell foam should be nice to sleep on.

[rusty_nail]

we got a nice 150mm foam mattress from clark rubber, it keeps the missus really happy. only problem is youll need a custom camper trailer to lug it around =P

[threedogs]

Where and how are you using this mattress you can get custom sizes
made to suit your needs, other than that a good self inflating is the go if not bulky.
Don't use an air bed they suck the cold out of the ground very quickly

[threedogs]

Yeh the boss does not come all the time so might be worth going the two singles.

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two singles every time IMO once you get to king single and double storage is apitb.
I brought a king single swag it does not even fit in the back of the Patrol

[Sir Roofy]

2 singles the only way to go small compact got your own space
and dont wake the other to get out if needed

[krbrooking]

Thanks everyone for all the replies. By the sounds of it the majority suggest to go for the self inflating foam (two singles). They sound way more durable and practical and like Threedogs said an air bed sucks the cold straight into it, that is the reason I was thinking of the ones with a stretcher. I have used our air bed both one the stretcher and on the floor and it is that much warmer and comfortable ( before it started to distort in shape and go flat over night ).

@Bloodyaussie:
I have also slept in the swag both on the floor and on a stretcher and it is way better on the stretcher, I wouldn't use it any other way now.

@Bigwesty:
I am still interested to find out more about these, are they called the euro bed, if so I have heard you need to plug them into 240v for them to pump up.

By all means keep the suggestions coming if there are any others.

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[krbrooking]

@Threedogs:
They will mainly be used in a tent, prob on a stretcher (for extra comfort) and mostly no more than two or maybe three nights in a row.

@Dx grunt:
You haven't said if I can use all your water first as this would be the comfiest way and most fun to.

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[threedogs]

two of these side by side maybe
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/OZTRAIL-EASY-FOLD-STRETCHER-TENT-CAMP-COT-SWAG-MOZZIE-DOME-INSTANT-BED-/331132493329?pt=AU_Sleeping_Gear&hash=item4d1908de11

If you do use stretchers go for the 800mm wide jobs not the 640mm wide numbers

Going through the same thing ATM as down sizing so I dont need to tow.
I puchased an 800mm stretcher and used my original swag {not domed} its just basicall two flaps of canvas.
On the stretcher is my swag and a king single self inflating mattress, , then my SELK sleeping bag.
plus a few blankets depending what time of year. I'll try and find a link to the Selk bags
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Selkbag-Classic-Wearable-Sleeping-Bag-Yellow-Large-NEW-/331388615997?pt=AU_Sleeping_Gear&hash=item4d284cfd3d
Awesome bit of kit

[threedogs]

When I was at TJM recently I noticed they had single stretchers
that are 900mm wide , now that would make a comfy sleep.

[Throbbinhood]

I had the same issues. A almost flat mattress by the time morning came around and getting the cold coming up from the ground. We do more winter camping.
We got one of the Coleman high air bed, sits about 500mm tall comfortable and can't feel the cold. Takes a few minutes to blows up and packs away pretty good. Not the cheapest, but there will be Xmas sales on soon. From memory $80.

Hey mate, have you got any more info on these?

We normally use an air mattress with electric blanket on top. Works great. Don't have the room for anything bigger. Love foam mattresses, but just don't have the room.

[jay see]

Hey mate, have you got any more info on these?


We normally use an air mattress with electric blanket on top. Works great. Don't have the room for anything bigger. Love foam mattresses, but just don't have the room.

Have used it a couple of times and have no problems with it.

We used to put down a decent blanket under the old mattress along with thermals and a winter rated sleeping bag and it was alright until it started going flat during the night.

Won't go back to a thin one ever again.

[Ronin]

For camping, this is one of the best self inflating mattress

http://www.raysoutdoors.com.au/online-store/products/Wild-Country-Velour-4WD-Mattress-Single.aspx?pid=262548&menuFrom=1021941#Recommendations