Bedding/ Mattresses etc

[stevo68]

G'day All,

Ok, technically my Oztent is meant to sleep 5...I have 3 single blow up mattresses and would be a tight squeeze for the 4th. No mattresses and just lying straight on the ground...no probs ( ie me and 3 kids 12-5)...though obviously uncomfortable. Have seen some of those self inflate mats that are 5..maybe 10 cm thick. So any suggestions/ feedback/alternatives to blow up mattresses...thanks,

Regards

Stevo

[The ho har's]

We have had little camping style self inflating ones but......... we have found the (advertised 4WD ) the best nice thick foam and added blow up.....but they are very big when rolled up.............which I don't think you would have a problem with:p.............blowing up:p


Mrs ho har:angel:

[Blknight.aus]

most tents are sized up using wuss mats as the bedding, a wuss mat is a camp roll 50-60 cms wide by about 150cms long and usually between 6 and 20mm thick.

[stevo68]

We have had little camping style self inflating ones but......... we have found the (advertised 4WD ) the best nice thick foam and added blow up.....but they are very big when rolled up.............which I don't think you would have a problem with:p.............blowing up:p


Mrs ho har:angel:Still trying to work out if that is useful advice or not :p...anymore specific information:),

Regards

Stevo

[Bushie]

The self inflating mattresses are great.

I am pretty sure that you can get smaller ie shorter, ones that would be suitable for the kids (at least the younger ones 12-5) We used a foam cot mattress when our kids were small, for the youngest one.

Also if you can get an air mattress with a separate compartment for the pillow you can fold it under and not inflate saving a bit of space.


Martyn

[Blknight.aus]

ok..

how wides your bedding, I bet that if your using blow up camping mattresses that they will be something like 80-90 cms wide and in the order of 180-210 long.

thats about 1/3 again over the size of the mat that they use for working out the sleep spaces..

they also dont allow for baggage room inside the tent and some tents have even gone to the cheeky step of listing the requirement of a bunk bed to make the full sleeping capacity.


I just realised... you werent talking to me.....


you can get self inflating mats that are the same basic dimensions as a wuss mat great for setting up but take a while to deflate again, although I do know of more than one person whose made an adaption line for the vacuum that drives the brake booster to deflate them with.

[stevo68]

ok..

how wides your bedding, I bet that if your using blow up camping mattresses that they will be something like 80-90 cms wide and in the order of 180-210 long.

thats about 1/3 again over the size of the mat that they use for working out the sleep spaces..

they also dont allow for baggage room inside the tent and some tents have even gone to the cheeky step of listing the requirement of a bunk bed to make the full sleeping capacity.


I just realised... you werent talking to me.....GOLD :D


you can get self inflating mats that are the same basic dimensions as a wuss mat great for setting up but take a while to deflate again, although I do know of more than one person whose made an adaption line for the vacuum that drives the brake booster to deflate them with. Nah mate, was referring to Mrs HH, your information is very useful and ditto to Bushie. Yes we have blow up mattresses...myself a queen and 3 singles. As we are going away over Oz long weekend and seeing how much space just 3 blow ups take and taking a squizz at some of the either self inflating or "thin" mattresses that I guess roll up...was interested in how they are for sleeping on..ie comfy. Would be good to lessen the space taken up as my 5 yr old is....well 5 and not a lot of room and is on a blow up...then my 10 and 12 yr old...bigger but still mattress is pretty long. Will measure tomorrow.

Also any good brands??? Thanks so far for advice etc,

Regards

Stevo

[Yorkie]

what about bunks?, they look the goods and put two bods into the space of one.
about $90 from most campingshops and pack up flat:)
i am certainly looking for a set before our next trip.
cheers
yorkie

[stevo68]

what about bunks?, they look the goods and put two bods into the space of one.
about $90 from most campingshops and pack up flat:)
i am certainly looking for a set before our next trip.
cheers
yorkie Hmmm, might have a look on the weekend. The oztent is tall enough to accomodate a bunk . Put the two lads in it and daughts and I can have mattresses, anyone use bunks before for the kiddies?

Regards

Stevo

[Blknight.aus]

IVe got quite a range of wuss mats and a thermorests you can borrow short term as well as a couple of kiddy sized throw down matresses.

[stevo68]

IVe got quite a range of wuss mats and a thermorests you can borrow short term as well as a couple of kiddy sized throw down matresses.Thanks Dave...will let you know,

Regards

Stevo

[Tank]

G'day All,

Ok, technically my Oztent is meant to sleep 5...I have 3 single blow up mattresses and would be a tight squeeze for the 4th. No mattresses and just lying straight on the ground...no probs ( ie me and 3 kids 12-5)...though obviously uncomfortable. Have seen some of those self inflate mats that are 5..maybe 10 cm thick. So any suggestions/ feedback/alternatives to blow up mattresses...thanks,

Regards

Stevo
Stevo, a tip if you are going to have matresses on the floor of your tent, I use the lock together hard sponge mats used for floors in tents to lay under inflatable mattresses to act as a cushion and to stop the cold seeping up from the ground, 3 are usually all you need for each bed, Regards Frank

[Tote]

We've been using a set of Oztrail self inflating matresses, double for us and a couple of singles for the kids but we're looking at stretchers or similar as we're not finding them comfortable anymore. Admittedly we do store them rolled up but they still take a lot of room up when we're travelling as well.
Regards,
Tote

[Xavie]

at the risk of sounding stupid and I'm sure it will.... I was told the oztents were made to sleep a certain amount at the foot end of the other beds..... so not all beds in one line..... does that make sense? good!

[awabbit6]

... anyone use bunks before for the kiddies?



We have a set of these (http://cgi.ebay.com.au/OZTRAIL-CAMPING-DOUBLE-BUNK-PORTABLE-BED-MATTRESS-*NEW*_W0QQitemZ260345135639QQcmdZViewItemQQimsxZ20 090111?IMSfp=TL090111126001r10634) for our two eldest (8 and 6yo).

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2009/01/807.jpg

They take a bit of time to set up and are quite heavy, but once up, they are great.


Paul

[stevo68]

We have a set of these (http://cgi.ebay.com.au/OZTRAIL-CAMPING-DOUBLE-BUNK-PORTABLE-BED-MATTRESS-*NEW*_W0QQitemZ260345135639QQcmdZViewItemQQimsxZ20 090111?IMSfp=TL090111126001r10634) for our two eldest (8 and 6yo).

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2009/01/807.jpg

They take a bit of time to set up and are quite heavy, but once up, they are great.


Paul Hey Paul, thanks for that...when you say time...in what way...ie how long and why. Reason I ask is I once got a pair of camp beds that were impossible to put up ( it could have also been a case of a very long trek to campsite and the heat) but ended up taking to them with a steak knife :twisted:......with the kids saying " Ah Dad, its ok we can just sleep on the floor"...hence the blow up mattresses. WIll see if there is some in a local camp store over weekend,

Regards

Stevo

[The ho har's]

OK I will explain a little better:D....we have Big green self inflating mattress's for our Oz tent they are 100ml thick foam but then out let the air in and they get thicker very comfy to sleep on.......size 200 x 80cm the only downside is they are quite big when rolled up. They are called 4WD Mats and we bought them from Anaconda......does this help now:D


mrs ho har:angel:

[stevo68]

OK I will explain a little better:D....we have Big green self inflating mattress's for our Oz tent they are 100ml thick foam but then out let the air in and they get thicker very comfy to sleep on.......size 200 x 80cm the only downside is they are quite big when rolled up. They are called 4WD Mats and we bought them from Anaconda......does this help now:D


mrs ho har:angel:Ahhhh...now I understand :D,

Regards

Stevo

[LandyAndy]

Steve
I have a much better solution.
Keep that tent as mum and dads palace,buy the kids a small tent each.
Our 14yo has a coleman single person,quite a good tent easy for him to erect very waterproof,gives them their privacy and mum and dad theirs.
Takes up less room than a sleeping bag.
Andrew

[stevo68]

Steve
I have a much better solution.
Keep that tent as mum and dads palace,buy the kids a small tent each.
Our 14yo has a coleman single person,quite a good tent easy for him to erect very waterproof,gives them their privacy and mum and dad theirs.
Takes up less room than a sleeping bag.
Andrew Hey Andrew, oh yeah for sure if SWMBO is along then the 3 get booted :D...and will look to getting a seperate tent for them. This is for when it is just me and the older 3, as Mum and bub wont always come along,

Regards

Stevo

[Tote]

OK I will explain a little better:D....we have Big green self inflating mattress's for our Oz tent they are 100ml thick foam but then out let the air in and they get thicker very comfy to sleep on.......size 200 x 80cm the only downside is they are quite big when rolled up. They are called 4WD Mats and we bought them from Anaconda......does this help now:D


mrs ho har:angel:

We've got the blue ones which aren't as big when rolled but as I said above, not as comfy either.
Regards,
Tote

[Spenboyd]

We've gone through a couple of different types of self-inflaters, currently living the luxo life on Thermorest Dreamtime XL while the progeny make do with el cheapo self inflaters.
As a general rule it is worth spending the money to get better quality as they are not only more comfortable but last longer....and always store them inflated.
all 5 mattresses fit nicely into the rear footwell of a D2.

[catch-22]

Hi Stevo,

Been reading your posts and I am in the same boat as you. Camping with my son and wife so bought a tent etc etc....

I bought the Diamontina 4WD mat. Will use it for the first time this weekend. I got the queen size as we all sleep in the same bed. Seems comfortable enough when rolled out on the lounge room floor, but is very big when rolled up. It also has the advantage of having an in-built inflatable pillow so you save pillow storage space.

Good luck with the camping.....looking forward to reading a report on it all :)

Cheers
Caine

[stevo68]

Hi Stevo,

Been reading your posts and I am in the same boat as you. Camping with my son and wife so bought a tent etc etc....

I bought the Diamontina 4WD mat. Will use it for the first time this weekend. I got the queen size as we all sleep in the same bed. Seems comfortable enough when rolled out on the lounge room floor, but is very big when rolled up. It also has the advantage of having an in-built inflatable pillow so you save pillow storage space.

Good luck with the camping.....looking forward to reading a report on it all :)

Cheers
Caine Hey Caine...sounds that way. We havent been camping for over 12 mths...last year was crap for us....no camping at all...in part because not being set up properly and our current tent...whilst great when up...is such a huge effort. Now we are streamlined and can pack up and go....just looking at some new alternatives.....look forward to your reports as well :D,

regards

Stevo

[FenianEel]

Stevo,

We've 3 large airbeds, and a few singles, Coleman and some other make, you know the type, velour on one side..ooooh. The ones with the valves that seal. We have a 12 volt airpump you plug into the ciggy lighter.
This looks after the big people.

Our wee ones (6,8 &10) use 'readybeds" which are good if they are a bit younger like your mob too. They're a self contained mattress,pillowhead and doona type cover. Small, come in a carry bag, washable, they can lie in them like a sleeping bag, or on them. They also have many funky designs (ie crap like Spiderman, High School Musical, Bratz,etcetc)
The other advantage is, they have their own bed, like it, and like getting into it!!! (So Dad can go back to his Whiskey around the fire! haha)
http://cn1.kaboodle.com/hi/img/2/0/0/e6/a/AAAAArPGEtcAAAAAAOahXw.jpg?v=1206881401000

The bunks are a good idea and like someone said, fold flat so good for storage and carriage. Ours will be graduating to them later.
Give me a hoi if ya want to borrow or test any of these out.

We have a largeish dome tent with 3 sections, Ma & Da in one, and the 3 wee ones in another. Middle bit is really for storage. They're too young to go in their own tent, and I don't like the idea of that just yet. The older ones and their mates have their own tent. (thank God!:D)

Cheers ;)

[mcrover]

Hey Paul, thanks for that...when you say time...in what way...ie how long and why. Reason I ask is I once got a pair of camp beds that were impossible to put up ( it could have also been a case of a very long trek to campsite and the heat) but ended up taking to them with a steak knife :twisted:......with the kids saying " Ah Dad, its ok we can just sleep on the floor"...hence the blow up mattresses. WIll see if there is some in a local camp store over weekend,

Regards

Stevo

I thought it was just me who set up camp like that :eek:

Back when I worked for a Camel farm a long long time ago we used to give the customers a couple of sheep skins each which were great with a sleeping bag, much more comfy than any camp bed Ive tried.

Ive thought several times of going back to that style of camping.

They were just thrown over the top of everything else in the back of the S3 Landy and put in a pile when we stopped to set up camp.

Ive tried the self inflating mattresses and being.......of the larger type build (read Fat) I find that they are way to thin and just feels like your sleeping with no mat at all.

The Aldi fold up double bed I had to pump up in the middle of the night which made all the other camper extremely happy and the HD foam matts are just to thin and incomfortable for my liking.

At xmas we took a full queen size futon mattress away with us.

That and the swag and other bedding on the roof rack and all the other stuff in the car and it was the best camping bed Ive had for years, just really bulky.

Go the sheep skins stevo, they dont take up bugger all room, and you can just spread out a heap of them on the floor and sleep where ever you want.

Will probably cost about the same as all the fancy bedding :D

[Yorkie]

just picked-up a set of oztrail bunks from bcf, will see how the kids go on them this weekend and report back. only downside is they weigh a fair bit so have to fit suitable location to transport them.
cheers
yorkie :)

[stevo68]

Thanks Matt.....Ive got the velour blow up mattresses already....3 singles one queen. For this trip...wont all fit.....So most likely will look at bunks as that narrow down the space then only need the 2 single blow ups. Thanks for the offer. Main thing is reducing space as the kids dont need a full sized single yet.

Hey Damian...yeah bit of a fatty boombah meself...though working in losing it...will have a look at that option....and yorkie..how much at BCF? Thanks,

Regards

Stevo

[Yorkie]

$90 at bcf, next cheapest i saw were $140 at Rays.
cheers
yorkie