Tent camping and sleeping?

[Farmer17]

Went kayaking for the first time this weekend on the Illinois River near Tahlequa, OK and and forgot how beautiful parts of OK can be. We had a wonderful time, other than loosing my $70 sunglasses in the river, the kayaking part was perfect, and other than sleeping, camping in the tent was perfect. We put down an open sleeping bag and several blakets for padding but that ground sure felt hard! I think the older I get, the harder the ground gets, and neither of us got a decent nights sleep. I've tried air matresses and air beds and never found them too comfortable, and they get holes in them at the worst possible time. I want some kind of padding that doesn't depend on air, can get wet, and will last, and I want something double wide(cause she likes to snuggle). We always camp near my truck so size or weight isn't much of a problem, and something like a sofa hide-a-bed matress would be great if it was waterproof(it usually rains when I decide to stay in a tent). I've searched the net and there are several pads that are single wide but hardly none that are double wide. Any suggestions?

 

[wuluf]

I quit camping about when i hit 40 for the same reasons..

i hear they have all kinds of cool and expensive camping stuff now. I sleep in motels or we take day trips!

 

[bmhiii]

I use a Therm-a-rest when camping. Foam and air type get-up. I searched and found a double Therm-a-rest type made by Outwells, but it looks like that's across the big pond. But I did find some stuff to connect 2 Therm-a-rests together. Might be your best go...

A link to what I found is here.

Another type product is here.

 

[Smithhound]

I, too, gave up sleeping on the ground in my early 40's. Used to love it, now love something soft under my back. I'm trying to convince the wife we 'need' a camper, so far no luck.
RD

 

[jkc]

I spent last nite sleeping in a tent, without a cot, on a Thermarest "Basecamp" mattress, and slept like the proverbial baby. As bmhiii said, they make "couplers" of various sorts to hold two pads together. I've been using these pads for years, and while there are some johnny-come-lately imitators, I wouldn't give another brand a second look. A few years ago my backpacking size Thermarest, much punctured and patched after decades of use, seemed to be expiring of old age, with leaks I couldn't find, with a long obsolete inflation valve the suspected problem. I called the factory to see about a replacement valve, and as I suspected, none still available. So, I remarked, "Well, it's given me great service for many years, so I guess I can discard it and get a newer version." "Don't you dare discard it," the customer service rep scolded. "It's guaranteed for life, so send it back." I did, and a few days later a brand new pad was delivered, shipping paid, no questions asked. Sorta like the Buck knife experiences discussed in a recent thread, warranty service just can't possibly get any better than this!

 

[Joe Kent]

The current fall issue of Cabela's big catalog has all kinds of therma rest type matts in all widths. At 60 I can sleep quite well on them.

 

[Badger Matt]

+1 for the Cabela's sleeping pad system. I'm on the road so I can't provide the product name, but we bought a pad with a canvas-like cover and it works great for us.

 

[tyusclan]

Another Therm-A-Rest fan here. We've used them backpacking. I'm a big guy, and the first time I used it I was amazed at how comfortable it was. They roll up very small, and are extremely lightweight.

We've tent camped for nearly 30 years and backpacked a little, but I'm nearly 50 and like some of the other guys here, the ground seems to get harder every year. We still tent camp at one spot we like a couple of times a year, but we did break down and buy a travel trailer late last year. We use it mostly now.

 

[reddogge]

I'm 65 and prefer a cot (just an old boy scout cot) in conjunction with two 1" foam pads, two closed cell pads and a shorty Thermarest. I'm very comfortable. I've slept on the ground with this arrangement and still comfortable. You may want to look into a double cot arrangement at Bass Pro or Cabelas.

 

[gunsmith11]

wife and I do not camp. she thinks roughing it is SLOW ROOM SERVICE

 

[DelavanKs]

memory foam

I too use a closed cell pad and enjoy it
Chuck

 

[Stinger4me]

We have a Coleman double-bed size inflatable air mattress. It comes with a battery operated pump. The mattress works well for us, you will not feel the ground. The pump is reversible and can be used to deflate the mattress when you are ready to leave. I bought it after talking to a friend who has the same one. We are well past fifty and the mattress works for us. If I choose to sleep in my truck I use a self-inflating backpacking pad and a 1/4" army surplus closed cell foam pad. That works okay for me.

 

[dave b]

A good air matress works for me. Usually as the temp drops you have to re air in the middle of the night. Now days, the getting up, and down from the ground is the biggest problem. I' getting a cot next trip.

 

[snakeman32]

I still sleep on the ground sometimes if I have to. I got myself one of the aluminum frame Arny cots. I used them while I was active duty and I use them In the Guard now. They work well for me.


snakeman

 

[pberry]

Holiday inn Express still works for me. No bugs, snakes, rats, skunks, racoons, stray dogs, and bears.
Phil

 

[crofoot629]

Thermarest.

I'm 48 and the ground is very hard, and Thermarests still work great.

Bought cheapy off brand at Wally's for the kids, one has a leak already after minimal use, Thermarests on the other hand have proven very durable for me.

I spent many years as a river guide as well as 4 months bicycle touring in New Zealand and have spent many nights on the ground.

Emory

 

[Farmer17]

I don't want anything that depends on air to work. I have used the foam pool floats before and they worked out perfectly, I was just wanting something big enough for two people. I guess I could duct tape 2 of them together but then if you roll on the seam it might not be too comfortable. I thought surely someone would make some closed cell foam about the size of a full bed matress for camping. I have slept on the foam pool floats and they are about as comfortable as any bed I've ever slept in since I like a firm-support bed.

 

[greyhawk178]

I just bought a very large cot from Cabelas and my bride is getting a smaller one. Pushing 70, the ground is just too darned hard.....let alone trying to stand up from all the way down there.......

 

[gizamo]

Oilcloth wrapped over and around a Hudson Bay 4 Point Blanket. I take a forged iron stake and drive it into the ground around the area I'm sleeping on. Wiggle it around and soften the soil over the whole area. Grab some softwood branches and make a thick mattress and set my bedding up on that. Really quite warm and comfortable.

Tent is a diamond shelter or a Bell style wedge...

giz

 

[glypnir]

Here's what I would recommend.

http://www.maravia.com/frames/main.cfm?page=cascamp

It does rely on air, but that air is contained in river runner raft quality fabric, sealed in by a raft type valve, and made by a liferaft company.

I've got a couple of the mattresses, but I don't have the bed kit. I want to try it now.

Here's a picture of the mattresses.:

And they're actually made in the USA.