Help make our primitive set up more comfortable

[WillyWinka]

To start, we‘re pretty skint atm. And it’s not going to improve the next 2 years at least (DH is studying and a lot of money is going on fees etc etc).

This summer we camped a few times. DC (8 and 5) absolutely LOVED it. For us oldies it could have been a bit more comfortable.

Our current set up:

• 3 man tent
• Bed is 3 yoga mats, open sleeping bag and blankets to lie on, and more blankets and another open sleeping bag to cover us.
• car parked next to us to store anything we need.
• gas stove to cook
• camping chairs
• picnic blanket, torch, solar fairy lights etc
• that‘s about it 😳

Our funds cannot stretch to a bigger tent. We can however buy 2 more sleeping bags so we have one each. And a proper mattress would be good too.

Has anyone got a mattress recommendation? Something that wouldn’t take up too much room, as we have a small car.

And are there cotton sleeping bags? Are they any good? I absolutely hate the shiny, sweaty material ones.

A 3 man tent is going to be cramped for 4 people. Try and buy a bigger tent second hand. Blow up double air mattresses.electric blankets

I took the cushions off our old sofa and put them under my sleeping bag. Comfiest sleep ever. You might be able to get some of Facebook marketplace or your local recycling centre

I took the cushions off our old sofa and put them under my sleeping bag. Comfiest sleep ever. You might be able to get some of Facebook marketplace or your local recycling centre

We use proper duvets as much more comfy. Lie on a sleeping bag and under a duvet and look out for decent SIM

look at Face book marketplace for a bargain price bigger tent, there are several on near me as people sell up after not having enjoyed camping

I’d concentrate on a better mattress, inflatable ones are fairly cheap. I prefer having a sleeping bag open over me, or I even take my duvet to put over me rather than being cooped up in a sleeping bag, and proper pillows if you have room in the car. Plus a sheet to go over the mattress.
Could you get a tarpaulin type thing, some groundsheet and some tent poles and rig up a porch? It’s useful for leaving shoes/coats and cooking stuff in.
I wouldn’t bother with fairy lights.
I’ve just sold some camping stuff really cheaply on a local facebook sales site - worth keeping an eye out there.

A slightly too small tent, will keep you warm
I remember camping with the kids when I was also broke, and being all cozied in was helpful, it was a scout camp and everyone else was in big massive tents and they were all freezing.

We’ve got some self inflating mats which are really warm and comfortable. At the end of season all the sales are on as well as people selling their stuff second hand.
Chairs, cooker, cool box with some ice blocks in. All set!

Decathlon have sleeping bags that also open out to zip together to make a double/duvet. They do cotton ones but they’re a bit more expensive- my DH had their Comfort one this summer which is polyester but isn’t shiny inside- he found it very cosy.
Air beds can be quite cheap but not very warm. Self inflating mats are warmer and I think more comfortable to sleep on but are more expensive.
I’d have a look at local FB selling pages or similar for people selling kit they’ve used once and decided never again- there may be some bargains!

Insulated mugs that fit properly in camping chair cup holders. Taylors coffee bags. and if you can, bikes, so you can zoom to the toilet block instead of trudging .

Our tent does have a porch, but we prefer keeping most of our stuff in the car because of damp/ants etc.

We do actually like being snuggled up together, but as the kids get older it would be good to have more space. Will keep an eye out for second hand tents.

Unfortunately not much room in car for pillows and duvet. Would be a lovely home comfort though!

Any particular mattress recommendations? Self inflating would be great! I’m lazy 😂

If you have room in your car, take a duvet or two! We use duvets and put fleece mattress topper on top of the airbed.
If you have any offcuts off cuts of carpet at home, they make excellent ground insulation.
Have a look on eBay or Facebook marketplace for second hand tents. As your dc get bigger, you’re definitely going to need more space.

Duvets /pillows in vacuum bags... Use the foot pump on reverse to vacuum again for the way home.
Fairy lights round the doorway. . A must imo.
Solar garden light currently £1.50 in B&M keeps a light in the tent all night for free.. Remember to put back outside first thing to recharge!

https://www.outdoorworlddirect.co.uk/vango-comfort-double-self-inflating-mat.html?gad_source=5&gad_campaignid=19317444659&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIpLiV0JGfjwMVxoODBx30fwSOEAQYASABEgKllPD_BwE

we have this which isn’t the most expensive by any means but is also not cheap. It is also my favourite piece of camping equipment and I wouldn’t be without it.
However going by the ages of your children you’re likely to be a bit younger than me so might not need extra support for middle aged joints!

Pile all the duvets and pillows around the children in the car- you can get quite a lot packed in while they’re small <glares ruefully at giant teenagers>

Haha, I can remember as a child all the sleeping bags and pillows being laid out on the back seat of the car and my brother and me sitting with our heads touching the car roof. And the footwells being full of stuff so having to sit with your knees up
to your ears.

Whereabouts are you @WillyWinka ,I have camping stuff I need to pass on .

That’s very kind. However we’re in Germany so
probably a bit far!

I got a giant bag type thing that straps on the top if my tiny car, without any bars or anything. Absolute game changer for getting everything there.

Oh what a shame!!
My top tips - when sleeping , have as much under you as on top.
Don't let yourself get cold as it's then harder to warm up.
Hot water bottles are nice and funny take up.much room.
So changed into sleeping clothes earlier on evening and put layers on top.
Though your concerns might be different , it might be too hot.
Don't economise on good lanterns.

Yes! A roof bag holds much more than a roof box for a fraction of the price.

If you're close to the car then I really strongly recommend those heavy, canvas inflatable lilos. You can buy them single or double (flat rather than with in-built pillow is best, I find). Slightly under-inflated, they're as comfortable as your own bed.

We had a tent like this one which was fantastic

https://www.therange.co.uk/p/outsunny-6-9-man-large-camping-tent-with-3-bedroom-living-area-and-porch/m6145147#6145147

OK I'm no expert but we camp every year for a festival and have done for around 15 years or so, so I've learnt a few things comfort wise. We've just gone from a very large tent to a 4 man one but with a stand up height living area - its a blackout one too which really helps in the heat. It was only £99 from Lidl, I think it was a brand called Crivit? I'll see if I can find a picture- really impressed with it.
Other things - self inflating camping mat (got ours from Amazon for £50), mini lanterns you can hang on the tent, spray pump bottle like you use for the garden as a shower (cannot emphasise how important this was recently on a very hot few days camping). Windbreak & fold up chairs. Parasol if it's going to be sunny. Fleece blankets for cosy layers.

great post@hellsworthy.
I'm a huge fan of decathalon tents ,though they seem to have a lot of pop up or inflatable ones now which I don't go in for .

In terms of keeping warm my DD (who is a guide leader) insists on bobble hats - she doesnt wear them at any other time! Christmas (fleecy) pj's are also on her kit list and a pair of crocs for midnight loo trips.

I'd look at an electric hook up. It increases your site fees but means things like a plugged in cool box are possible. And yes inflatable mats are much better than yoga ones!