What do you sleep on?

[mamhaf]

We gave up on airbeds, always seemed to deflate and took ages to inflate. Now use self-inflating mats, but thinking of getting campbeds - because they're off the ground, hopefully avoiding that damp cold that creeps in in the early hours if you're on the floor. What do you seasoned campers recommend?

[LucyCampCat]

you need mb, she uses campbeds so will be the fount of knowledge!

[peachyClair]

we were looking at a camp bed but worried they might collapse if you- ahem- in them!

[SOULGIRL]

We use the beds where you open a valve and they self inflate. They are quite thin but probably about as comfortable as you can get whilst camping. You shouldnt get damp if you have a groundsheet & the beds are plastic so damp cannot come through.

I dont know about campbeds I would imagine that it would be COLDER to sleep on one as you have cold air below you whereas once you warm up on the ground you stay warm. We have a tiny car so we just wouldnt have room for campbeds!!

[FillyjonktheSnibbet]

coleman airbeds plus a coleman 12v battery pump works for us.

[bresha]

We use an airbed, always been fine for us (though we do use a battery pump and we take duvets)

[Laura032004]

We have a triple decker airbed. It's fab, but really needs two bedroom compartments (we have an 8 man / 4 bedroom tent, but you can tie up the divider between two of the bedrooms to join it up). If you had a smaller tent, the bed would come too far up the wall of the tent, touch the wall, and cause rain to come in (because the sleeping compartment 'wall' isn't meant to touch the main tent canvas). It does need a mains powered pump to inflate it, but we've got something that goes from the car cigarette lighter and converts to 240v.

Before we had that, we had another airbed which was inflated by an electric, chargeable pump. This worked really well too because you could really over inflate it (you never seem to get the same level of inflation with a foot pump).

[FillyjonktheSnibbet]

sorry, not the battery pump, the one you use from the car. Mind you, to put that in context I have used it for a total of 1 night.

[zippitippitoes]

just the spongey mat..air beds are cold and horrid

[mamhaf]

Thanks everyone useful stuff about various bed options - my next questions how does anyone manage to ahem on a camping holiday with kids? Even (or especially) after a box of wine the sounds carry some distance!

[Blandmum]

We use the ones that you can buy from halfords for £20....the best price I could find. They are made of alumimium and light but sturdy...they are very firm, which I like but isn't to everyone's taste. You will need a crash mat or other insulation under you , or you will be too cold.

[peachyClair]

It is possible to be quiet you know, with practice!


I'm not going on holiday with no ahem-ing, much rather do the quiet thang.

[cupcakes]

if you're not quiet enough and are in a crowded festival site you may even get a round of applause from your camping neighbours.

[peachyClair]

PMSL at cupcakes

[Janbo25]

I to am going to go camping shortly and am not sure what to sleep on because i don't like airbeds so any other recommendations would be greatly appreciated

[pesme]

can't you just wait and ahem at home? if not remember to turn off any lights inside the tent or it will become an audio visual display for the neighbours.

[Janbo25]

I suppose it depends how long you go for and how much you've had to drink!

[Janbo25]

thats very technical sallystrawberry!! can you recommend any good sites please anyone ??