Air mattress

[number9]

Well, I picked up one of these at Dick's for $15. Figured I'd try it out for that much. Anyone else have one of this style or do you use the coil type twin mattress?

http://www.coleman.com/coleman/colemancom/detail.asp?product_id=5998C200&categoryid=10070

[Trailace]

That one look good. I need to a new mattress, cat got the old one.:mad:

[Mellow]

That looks similar to the one I got at Walmart - Ozark Trail I think. Packs nice and small.

[mongo]

That's what my son uses, I have an old thermo rest don't remember the model. Self inflates 90% of the way, good insulation from the ground, just isn't wide enough for the hugh shoulders.

[number9]

I got to thinking about it more today and the one I listed above was only 20" wide. I took it back to Dick's and picked up the model that is a true twin size at 39" wide and also has a velour top to help the sleeping bag stay in place and *hopefully* help insulate a little against cold air in the mattress. We'll see how this works though.

http://www.coleman.com/coleman/colemancom/detail.asp?product_id=5998M300&categoryid=10080

Also picked up the battery operated pump at Walmart for about $12. Don't like that it runs on 4 heavy D cells, but I figure I can get them anywhere and the fact that the pump runs on batteries will allow me to carry the air bed into the tent and pump it up on the clean tent floor.

http://www.coleman.com/coleman/colemancom/detail.asp?product_id=5999D300&categoryid=10060

I started to get an MVP brand pump at Walmart (found in the tire gauge/patch section) for around $5. It was cigar plug powered, which would not require me to carry batteries, but I would have to pump the mattress up outside on the ground unless I could pull the bike close enough to the tent to strech the cord inside. I can't find a link to the MVP pump, but it is just like this one only black.

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/xq/asp/base_no.98422/dept_id./est./qx/product.htm


Oh yeah, I also picked up a little LED keychain light at Walmart for $.97. Then when I got to Dick's I picked up a Princeton Tec Aurora LED headlamp / LED keychain combo for $24. I have read many good reviews on this headlamp from guys over on the advrider forum.

[Mellow]

The one I got from walmart - here:

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

is like 25 inches wide so it's a good size.

I have the MVP pump as well and it's a good one - I cut the cigarette plug off and added a bmw plug so I could just plug it in to the fairing on the bike. It's never been a big problem airing the matress where the bike is parked.

[Chief]

Too Short!:mad:

[Trailace]

Also picked up the battery operated pump at Walmart for about $12. Don't like that it runs on 4 heavy D cells, but I figure I can get them anywhere and the fact that the pump runs on batteries will allow me to carry the air bed into the tent and pump it up on the clean tent floor.

I started to get an MVP brand pump at Walmart (found in the tire gauge/patch section) for around $5. It was cigar plug powered, which would not require me to carry batteries, but I would have to pump the mattress up outside on the ground unless I could pull the bike close enough to the tent to strech the cord inside. I can't find a link to the MVP pump, but it is just like this one only black.


I have a battery operated pump but it weights a ton and battery only last for a few inflation. I dumped it for the 12 vote (cigarette plug powered) pump and never looked back. When I can?t get the bike near the tent I just air it up on the bike and put it in the tent.

[Mellow]

Too Short!:mad:

I think it's 72 inches long so 6 feet, sorry...... :D

[Rich Johnston]

Hey y'all - I used to go through a walmart/coleman airmattress about twice a year. I spend 4 to 5 weeks a year out camping and can be hard on my gear. It gets pretty agrivating waking up at night and having to blow up your mattress to get the bones off the ground. The boss (wife) and I had a double sized cotton/canvas mattress made by sevylor that lasted forever. We got 4 or 5 years out of it and it was at least 10 years old when my Pop gave it to us. Tough as nails and they come in single and twin sizes. They're on the heavy side, but do pack down to a reasonable size. They're also on the pricey side, but I won't go through 1 or 2 a year. Should pay off in the long run.

http://www.domsoutdoor.com/product.asp?pn=1-015555&6hcd2=1137935013

[number9]

Rick, that was the model I had planned to buy in the first place as I heard several good reviews of it over on the ADVrider board. Just figured I'd try the one at Walmart first to see if I'd even like the air mattress on trips because it was cheaper and wouldnt be as big of loss if I didn't like it.

[Trailace]

Hey y'all - I used to go through a walmart/coleman airmattress about twice a year. I spend 4 to 5 weeks a year out camping and can be hard on my gear. It gets pretty agrivating waking up at night and having to blow up your mattress to get the bones off the ground. The boss (wife) and I had a double sized cotton/canvas mattress made by sevylor that lasted forever. We got 4 or 5 years out of it and it was at least 10 years old when my Pop gave it to us. Tough as nails and they come in single and twin sizes. They're on the heavy side, but do pack down to a reasonable size. They're also on the pricey side, but I won't go through 1 or 2 a year. Should pay off in the long run.

http://www.domsoutdoor.com/product.asp?pn=1-015555&6hcd2=1137935013

I got one of these air mattress for my camping ride to Boston and I liked it a lot. The pillow at the top was fantastic. Thanks Rich for the link.
Rick

[Mac]

Anyone else use the thermarest self inflating sleeping pads? I forget the exact model I have but its about 77 inches long, 24 wide and 2 maybe 2.5 thick. It sleeps pretty good and I never worry about needing a pump. Its only disadvantages are that it packs about the same size as a good sleeping bag and its not cheap.

[Mellow]

Anyone else use the thermarest self inflating sleeping pads? I forget the exact model I have but its about 77 inches long, 24 wide and 2 maybe 2.5 thick. It sleeps pretty good and I never worry about needing a pump. Its only disadvantages are that it packs about the same size as a good sleeping bag and its not cheap.
I think I have the same one, and my main complaint is that it packs too big and I'd like it if it were just a little thicker... and one end had a built up section to act as a pillow...

[mongo]

I use an old thermorest, and I still love it, don't remember the model. The air matresses my wife has bought for family camping trips are just to bulky for the bike. Besides the thermorest in the right place packed makes a good backrest.

[funny-biz]

I've got a Coleman air mattress for two-up camping, and a Eddie Bauer self-inflating for solo use. I wish I had spent the extra for a Thermarest or Big Bertha now, but the Bauer does an ok job.