Matresses

[CruisingDog]

I'm thinking of getting a new camping matress for my bike trips and would like to know what everyone recommends. I currently have one of those roll-up self-inflating ones and to be honest, I don't rate it that much.

I was thinking about a cot or something similar. Are these pretty light or are they a bit cumbersome for a motorcycle (1 up riding). Yeah, I'm getting fussy in my old age but saying that, why not travel in comfort.

Also wondering if cots are painful if you sleep on your side due to the metal bars - or do they become pretty darn flat ?

TIA.

[Mellow]

The only problem I see with a cot is that air is circulating underneath so if it gets cold, you probably won't keep as warm as you would on a mattress you've heated with your body heat.

I used to use the 8 inch thick air mattress from wal-mart - it was very comfortable however, when the temps dropped, there was just too much air volume to warm with my body do it would be almost as cold as sleeping on the ground - but the thickness made it a very comfortable mattress in mild to hot weather.

I tried a thermarest but it was just too thin, packed too small and too expensive.

Right now, I have a ozark trail mattress which is about 4 inches thick and if you let a little air out of it, it's very cushy. There's a pic here (http://www.motocampers.com/forums/showpost.php?p=413&postcount=6)

I also picked up an ozark trail fleece sleeping bag that I put the mattress in, just makes it more quiet and a little warmer. There's a review here (http://www.motocampers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=96)

Both of these are around $20 combined... and combined, pack smaller than the thermarest.

It's a cheap and comfortable solution, in fact the mattress is only $10 so you can bring two with you in case one gets a hole - but, it's very tough.

I recently got a rechargable pump too, review here (http://www.motocampers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=364) which works very well.

Sorry, I don't know much about the cots but if you do a search you'll see a few have them.

[CruisingDog]

Thanks Joe. I'll check those out. I'm really after something that squishes well but doesn't collapse. I have a large Queen inflatable materess at home for guests and the like and it has the quilted squares in it. It's really comfortable and is stable when you lie on it. I was hoping for something like that.

The issue I have with the ozark one you gave me a link on is that you end up rolling into the grooves. Maybe that's not the case with the one you show but I have vague memories of that being an issue.

[Mellow]

The ridges in it aren't that bad, it's just not that stiff of a form. With the fleece bag over it, it's even less of an issue.

[STeveGray]

I use a cot.

http://www.campingcot.com/

It's definitely not cheap but I've been VERY happy with it. When I slept on the ground on a mattress (Thermarest) I had a problem staying on the mattress and would wake up on the ground, which was both uncomfortable and cold. For me, the cot is significantly more comfortable than the Thermarest was. It packs up pretty small and seems very sturdy and well-made.

In answer to your question about sleeping on your side, that's how I usually sleep and it hasn't been a problem for me on this cot.

When it gets really cold (in the 30's) at night I add an insulated air mattress on top of the cot for additional insulation.

I really value a good night's sleep! :tent4:

[Mellow]

Steve, what about the metal legs against the tent floor? Any chance they will tear or put undue pressure on the floor?

[STeveGray]

Steve, what about the metal legs against the tent floor? Any chance they will tear or put undue pressure on the floor?

It hasn't been a problem for me at all. The ends of each leg fit into the metal cot rail so all that touches the tent floor is the round metal rod. I haven't seen any stretching of the tent floor or evidence of abuse when I break it down in the morning.

[Alan]

Big Agnes with the insulation option worked great at 29 degrees in Silverton Co last June. Much more comfortable than the Thermarest and packs a whole lot smaller than the Thermarest.

[Trekker]

I agree with Steve. A cot is very comfortable and I sleep on my side all the time. I also use a Thermarest pad to add a little plushness and insulation value. Regarding cold air flowing under you, it's not as bad as having the heat sucked out of you from the ground, or an air mattress in contact with the ground. An advantage of the cot is it gives me a place to put my shoes, flashlight, tissue box, etc... under the cot to keep the stuff sprawl down. And in case of a deluge and water encroachment... I'm up off the floor!

[CruisingDog]

Excellent info. Thanks. Out of interest, how wide is the cot ? I'm just thinking how I would load up my bike with one of these.

Anyone looked at these ?

Linky-here (http://www.campersstore.com/collapsible-steel-camp-p-230.html)

Different-Linky-here (http://www.outlawcamping.com/store-products-Camp-Furniture-Cots-G-84-Stansport-Redwood-Space-Saver-Cot_18228419.html)

[Trekker]

Hey Dog,
That's the dilemma isn't it? What do we pack & how do we pack it? I use a cot similar to the 2nd link, and strapping it on the bike means it goes across the back seat and sticks out father than I would like. I imagine that packing an air mattress doesn't fold into a small space either.

Regarding packing these long items... I plan to experiment with making a load support system that will allow me to strap long items (cot, tent, tarp, etc.) inline with the bike... back seat & extending out over a rack... instead of perpendicular to the wheels. Maybe that wil help keep everything tucked in and allow the use of my mirrors.

[Blues Traveler]

I'll go along with alan on this one. I've got one of the Big Anes Park Series bags with one of there insulated aircore mattresses. Only 2 1/2" thick and does a fantastic job even with my big guy weight. My butt doesn't even touch ground when Im sitting up right on it.

Was a little pricy but to me well worth it. The standard BA mattress is 20" wide while the Park series mattress is 25" wide. With there bag it slips inside a pocket on the bottom side of the bag.

It also rolls up nice and small and stashes away in the included bag.

[STeveGray]

Excellent info. Thanks. Out of interest, how wide is the cot ? I'm just thinking how I would load up my bike with one of these.


To answer your question, Dog, it's 26" wide. It folds up into thirds so it's just a little over 2' long when it's broken down. The legs are thin solid metal rods so they don't take up much room and the side rails are maybe 1" in diameter (WAG) so when you roll the whole thing up it's not too bulky. I carry the tent, cot and camping chair in a Helen Two Wheels bag that I mount behind the seat bag I use.

[sandman]

I used one of the same cheap metal cots in 30deg temps last week at the Blue Ridge Gathering and placed my Wal-Mart self-inflating mattress on top. I had no issues with cold from underneath but I did find out that my North Face Cat's Meow mummy bag rated for 30 deg failed it's rating with my body in the sac.

I carry a Wal-Mart fleece sleeping bag in case it's too hot for the North Face and with this on top of the NF it achieved it's 30 deg rating.

Cruising Dog your first link is the cot I bought.

Gordon

[CruisingDog]

I used one of the same cheap metal cots in 30deg temps last week at the Blue Ridge Gathering and placed my Wal-Mart self-inflating mattress on top. I had no issues with cold from underneath but I did find out that my North Face Cat's Meow mummy bag rated for 30 deg failed it's rating with my body in the sac.

I carry a Wal-Mart fleece sleeping bag in case it's too hot for the North Face and with this on top of the NF it achieved it's 30 deg rating.

Cruising Dog your first link is the cot I bought.

Gordon

Gordon, great info. Do you have a piccie of the cot sitting on your back seat ? I'm just curious on how far it sticks out. Also did you find it to be comfortable. I'm debating on buying one online (which is always risky) but the prices are good right now since we're out of camping season.

[sandman]

Hey Dog!

Here's a pic of the bike loaded at the Blue Ridge Gathering last week.

The front Helen Two Wheels bag holds my sleeping bags, self-inflating mattress and pillow.

The Rear Bag holds my tent and ground cover.

The Rear Top Bag is the bag holding my cot and Kermit chair.

The BackPack all the way on top holds my toilet kit, cookstove, towel, t-paper, etc.

I load the left saddlebag with my clothes for the trip and the right saddlebag holds, riding gear liners, gloves, rain gear,first aid kit, etc.

It looks overloaded but it's pretty well balanced, feels like I'm carrying a passenger and handles accordingly.

Gordon

[ChipSTer]

Can you still see out of the rear-view mirrors with it loaded like that???
:cool:

[sandman]

There's the primary problem with the mirrors mounted as they are you have to lean over to see directly behind you.

Gordon

[STeveGray]

There's the primary problem with the mirrors mounted as they are you have to lean over to see directly behind you.

Gordon

I've got the same problem. Most of my stuff goes in a seat bag but the tent, cot and camp chair go in a Helen Two Wheels bag on the back and that sticks out enough that I can't see directly behind me without moving around. That's mostly to do with the very low placement of the ST's mirrors, I think. I'd like to find a good solution, though.

[ChipSTer]

Isn't there a mirror that sort-of clips to the edge of the wind screen??? Quick-'something'... Can't remember, dang it!!!! Getting old is really a PITA!!!! Help me out, guys!!! :confused:
:cool:

[sandman]

http://www.saeng.com/scanners.htm

I think these are what your looking for.

I'm looking into creating a luggage rack that covers the passenger seat and extends a few inches past the stock rack. This setup would allow gear to be attached inline with the bike instead of across the seat. Should improve balance too.

Now all I need is a welder and some stainless rod.

Gordon

[kevinc33]

The Thermarest matteress is a great product BUT.. PAY for the good one.
Buy the 3.5" thick x 30" wide by longest length.... these cost about $90 at REI.
I am 6'4", 58 years old, lots of arthritis, this gear works great!!
I just returned from a camping trip in Texas big bend country. The nights got down to 32 degrees.
I slept outside ( no tent) on the thermarest, a 32 degree rated square bag and used a space blanket as a top cover to keep frost off. Inside I wore long underwear tops and bottoms, other wise the nylon is clammy.

This gear packs to about 9" x 30" ... not small, but manageable.

[bobncj]

I'm 6'4" about 300#. Here's the way I pack my camp gear on my Wing. After a few trips with stuff stickin up or out I really wanted to tuck it in a little better. When I'm camping I'm alone. I take the poles out of the tent bag which lets me use a stuff sack to make the tent a lot smaller and it goes in a saddlebag. I use a 7'x7' Coleman dome. The sleeping bag is in its own stuff sack that brings it down to a little larger than a football, same saddle bag. The air mattress and the tent poles get rolled together in a bag salvaged from a folding chair. That bag stands on the passenger footpeg with a bunji cord to the passenger grab handle. Thats the only thing on the outside of the bike, unless I put a cooler on the passenger seat. I did the Four Corners tour a few years ago and this set up worked pretty well for me. Hope that helps.

[Big Bandit]

Bar end mirrors will allow you to see around a wide load on the back of the bike.

[jtvtx]

Hi,

I use an expanding cot from walmart, has a built in air mat. & the top end adj. up & I use that as a pillow for sleeping on my side. Quite comfy & great not to have to get up off the deck. I carry it longitudinully, with the other stuff strapped to it it makes a backrest. The legs have protection for the tent floor, so far (11 trips) so good.

Steve

[Fireball18]

I'm a member of several different motorcycling boards and one of the subjects I like to read about is camping and camping equipment. I've read about cheap stuff and expensive stuff. I've spent a good deal of my life camping, and hunting, etc., and I've come to the conclusion that it just doesn't pay to get cheap stuff. Once in awhile something cheap comes along that works, but generally, I've been unhappy with inexpensive stuff. I don't say that to crow about how much I've paid for something, but generally speaking, the stuff you pay more for performs better and is more satisfying. In other words, you get what you pay for, as the saying goes. That's why I don't buy cheap footgear and why I will spend a bit more for my motorcycling needs. No, I don't ride a BMW, either, I just feel that more spendy (up to a point, that is) stuff just lasts longer, is more reliable, and works better than some of the cheaper items. I guess I have to say buy the best you can reasonably afford, but not necessarily the best money can buy. If you can do that, great, but not everybody fits into that category.

That was a long way of saying that the one fellow is happy with his more expensive cot because it works well, and he paid for good performance. I got some cheap Wal-Mart air mattresses, and, to be fair, I wish I had gotten something better. Now that we have the Bunkhouse and don't tent camp anymore, it's not an issue.

[Mellow]

I partially agree... I think the :tent2: and :sb1: are the two most important items you can get and spare no expense when it comes to those.

After that, it's all about what makes you comfortable, the wal-mart cheapo air mattersses are okay however I've had the twin-sized ones leak on me and I'd wake up on the ground - so, for those the cost wasn't worth the loss of comfort I experienced. The nice thing is there's usually another wal-mart around the corner - okay, not that nice for some business owners but we won't get into that.

The smaller air mattress I got in the pic below is actually very tough given it's $10 price tag. The bottom is very durable.

http://mellow.smugmug.com/photos/58327426-M.jpg

I've obviously been bitten by the 'you bought cheap stuff and now you're paying for it' syndrome but at the same time there are some great deals out there on items that will last a long time. Trailace had the same brand mattress I had and it's lasted him for years. I had two that leaked and one I brutally stabbed to death after finding myself sleeping on the ground - good thing it was the last camping day of the tirp.:takepics1:

[motomac]

I tried one of those twin mattresses from Wal-mart on the Stagecoach run, and it was verrrrrry comfortable, but it took up a lot of space in my two man tent and touched three of four walls. I figured if it rained I would be in big trouble, so I downsized to the one Joe has for future trips. I don't have any experience with these nylon tents in the rain, but I know that canvas tents are very water proof, IF you don't touch the walls. My kids had to prove it to themselves to make sure Dad knew what he was talking about and each of them put his finger on the tent wall when it was wet and low and behold in comes the water where each of their little fingers touched!!! And you can't stop it once that barrier is broken.

[Mellow]

I tried one of those twin mattresses from Wal-mart on the Stagecoach run, and it was verrrrrry comfortable, but it took up a lot of space in my two man tent and touched three of four walls. I figured if it rained I would be in big trouble, so I downsized to the one Joe has for future trips. I don't have any experience with these nylon tents in the rain, but I know that canvas tents are very water proof, IF you don't touch the walls. My kids had to prove it to themselves to make sure Dad knew what he was talking about and each of them put his finger on the tent wall when it was wet and low and behold in comes the water where each of their little fingers touched!!! And you can't stop it once that barrier is broken.

Mac, you're pretty tall, is the smaller mattress going to be long enough? I know Rick opted for a more durable version of this one, but longer. I can't find the link/pic he posted but might be worth a look-see.

[motomac]

Not to worry my Friend, I am only 6' and I tested it in my kitchen when I got home with it. Works fine and I usually sleep curled a little on my left side so it is plenty long and wide enough.

[Mellow]

Cool... I've actually used that one over 20 times last year and it's held up very well. I bought two at the time thinking they'd be as cheap as the twin-sized and I'd only get a few trips out of it.

Best $10 I've spend in a while.:fire3:

[Trailace]

I spent a little more money on my air mattress and it might be a good compromise for some. The inflating holes are a little small but overall it work well and has a built in pillow. I think I gave $28 for mine and shipping was free. So look around. This is a heavy all rubber mattress with a canvas type surface. It is not light so if your concerned about the weight go elsewhere.


Sevylor Air Mattress (http://www.sitincomfort.com/seairmaairbe.html)
http://us.st11.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/comfortstore_1931_19685743

[motomac]

That's similar to the twin mattress that I have the concerns of touching three of the four walls in my tent. It is a lot sturdier than the little one like Joe's and a lot heavier.

[Trailace]

That's similar to the twin mattress that I have the concerns of touching three of the four walls in my tent. It is a lot sturdier than the little one like Joe's and a lot heavier.
This is not a twin but it is longer than most single ones.

[msscull]

I have the same mattress as Mellow. I have not used it a lot, but it is light & seems durable. If it tanks on me, it is cheap to replace.

Wal-Mart is not a bad place to look for some camping supplies. They have good prices on some quality products, just be choosy.

:tent4:

[motomac]

I have the same mattress as Mellow. I have not used it a lot, but it is light & seems durable. If it tanks on me, it is cheap to replace.

Wal-Mart is not a bad place to look for some camping supplies. They have good prices on some quality products, just be choosy.

:tent4:


You can find some off-the-wall stuff at K-Mart also.. I went in there the other day and got a two liter water backpack thingy like a Platypus for $20. They had another for $25 that had a bigger carrying capacity. I am looking back on maybe I should have sprung for the extra $5 and got the big one. They are made by Coleman and have a bite valve with shutoff capability.

[Mellow]

I spent a little more money on my air mattress and it might be a good compromise for some. The inflating holes are a little small but overall it work well and has a built in pillow. I think I gave $28 for mine and shipping was free. So look around. This is a heavy all rubber mattress with a canvas type surface. It is not light so if your concerned about the weight go elsewhere.


Sevylor Air Mattress (http://www.sitincomfort.com/seairmaairbe.html)
http://us.st11.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/comfortstore_1931_19685743
Rick, not sure what you paid but I saw this at Cabelas for $29.99.

http://cabelas.com/cabelas/en/content/Item/51/37/23/i513723sq01.jpg
Click for Link (http://cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?id=0013104513723a&navCount=1&podId=0013104&parentId=cat601643&masterpathid=&navAction=jump&cmCat=MainCatcat20075-cat601644-cat601643&catalogCode=IH&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat601643&hasJS=true)

[Trailace]

Rick, not sure what you paid but I saw this at Cabelas for $29.99.

http://cabelas.com/cabelas/en/content/Item/51/37/23/i513723sq01.jpg
Click for Link (http://cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?id=0013104513723a&navCount=1&podId=0013104&parentId=cat601643&masterpathid=&navAction=jump&cmCat=MainCatcat20075-cat601644-cat601643&catalogCode=IH&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat601643&hasJS=true)
I like mine and I gave $28.00 for it last year.