Sleeping Mattress for Landcruiser

[The Dude]

We got what I think is the best solution for a mattress that I have ever used. I have used in the past the closed foam, thermarests, "insulate" air mattress and the traditional air mattress. The first two will always keep you the warmest but their comfort levels are poor at best. The air mattresses are comfortable...but you'll freeze and they way too bulkly. I also don't like the fact that when I sit down on them my wife flies off her side.

Our solution (actual my brothers who is an avid mountain/ice climber) are the Exped Down Air Mattress. It absolutely rocks!!! We use two of them in the back of the cruiser with a fitted sheet over them.

What I like:

WARM, we have had them in near freezing and they did great. We'll see how they do in -30 this winter
COMFORT, way nicer then foam or my thickest thermarest
NON-SLIP surface, you won't slip around on these with a nylon sleeping bag
HEAVY DUTY, in both construction and materials
DESIGN, the head of the mattress and the sides have slightly larger ribs. this keeps you centered on the mat, a great idea. I also like that the storage bag is the pump and can be used for a pillow.
SIZE and WEIGHT, these things back small

What I don't like:

the inflation mechanism, it's a small thing but it takes about 10-12 "pumps" with the bag to inflate. In a small tent with two people it's a bit of a gong show to accomplish this.

 

[alvarorb]

What I've done lately is place Thermarests over the air mattress. That way you get the confort of the air mattress and the warmth of the Thermarest.
It's pretty toasty. I've no need to get into the sleeping bag. In fact most of the time (even when close to freezing outside). All I do is place my feet inside the bag and use the rest as a blanket.

Regards

Alvaro

 

[spressomon]

This is what's going in the trailer:

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Productgroup.aspx?Prodid=11134241&whse=BC&Ne=4000000&N=4001714&Mo=31&No=14&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&cat=1924&Ns=P_Price|1||P_SignDesc1&Sp=C&topnav=

 

[Mike S]

Stephen

Grouse season is coming... you need a tent! I have some ideas about how to get comfortable while traveling and hunting, just PM me...

Mike

 

[GXO]

I know thermarests compress...what about those foam toppers?

 

[92LC_good2go]

Hi.

I do a lot of camping, much of it in medieval clothing and with medieval accouterments (living history). The longest camping trip is an annual event where approx. 12,000 of us get together for 15 days. (up to 21 days, if you are staff for the event that year, as I was this year)

The temperature inversion creates 90 degree F daytime highs and 45 degree F nighttime lows.

It is quite true that an air mattress will make/keep you colder. (just like a waterbed that's lost it's electric heat source)
It's also true that there are ways to compensate for that, and even make it warmer than some of the other "standard" methods.

Obviously, keeping your mattress at least 12 inches off the ground helps. Sleeping inside your Land Cruiser will deal with that easily enough.

So does capturing body heat. Make your bed with well-chosen, well-placed bedding. Right next to the air mattress, use a cotton thermal blanket FIRST (underneath a fitted sheet). Next, layer a woolen blanket over that (unless you're allergic to wool). If you are allergic, use a polar fleece blanket, instead. Then put a fitted sheet over that all. Next, your topsheet (if you bother to use one). And, finally, use down comforter or sleeping bag as your topmost blanket.

The thermal and wool layers between you and your air mattress, and the down blanket layered over you, keep you toasty.

 

[92LC_good2go]

Okay. What's with "camping" and "Land Cruiser/s" becoming hotlinks? I didn't do that. ?????

 

[Dirty White Boy]

Hi.

I do a lot of camping, much of it in medieval clothing and with medieval accouterments (living history). The longest camping trip is an annual event where approx. 12,000 of us get together for 15 days. (up to 21 days, if you are staff for the event that year, as I was this year)

Hmmm, my friend Chris is into that stuff too. I thought he was a nut, but I guess there are other people that are into that. That's cool, kinda like Civil War reinactments, 'cept different.

 

[spressomon]

Hmmm, my friend Chris is into that stuff too. I thought he was a nut, but I guess there are other people that are into that. That's cool, kinda like Civil War reinactments, 'cept different.

I don't think they had thermarests back then...let alone air mattresses! Just how accurate are your reinactments anyway Sleeping on the ground yet?

 

[NorCalDoug]

Okay. What's with "camping" and "Land Cruiser/s" becoming hotlinks? I didn't do that. ?????

a "feature" for new members...

if it's any consolation, I don't see any hotlinks.

 

[92LC_good2go]

I don't think they had thermarests back then...let alone air mattresses! Just how accurate are your reinactments anyway Sleeping on the ground yet?

Yeah. When you two are 45 years old or over... you too will no longer be sleeping on cold hard ground, at least, not whenever you can help it.
Laugh it up coz one day, you guys, too, will get old.

Seriously, I most assuredly DID NOT say "reenactment"; I said "living history". There is a big difference. as to how seriously accurate we are --- it depends upon a lot of things. Many of us are very accurate; others, not so accurate. Also, while I may now (at my age) sleep on a queen-size bed, my clothing, accessories, etc, are all very accurate. And my camping gear is getting better (more accurate) each year.

I'm in the process of restoring my own (real) 17th century rope bed's side rails. That design hasn't changed for many centuries, and is as good as what they DID make/use, throughout the middle ages. I use an air mattress because I must, for the sake of my health. I am very allergic to molds, and pretty much all hay has mold allergens in it. This year, the mold allergen count was VERY DANGEROUSLY HIGH.

Yes, we attempt to recreate the middle ages, but not at the expense of bodily health. For example - I carry two epi-pens with me at all times, since, while it might be "period" to drop dead from anaphalactic shock dut to beesting, I think I'll pass on that particular "period" experience. Already done that, been there, and have the "Has Been Clinically Dead" t-shirt.

 

[spressomon]

Yeah. When you two are 45 years old or over... you too will no longer be sleeping on cold hard ground, at least, not whenever you can help it.
Laugh it up coz one day, you guys, too, will get old.

Already there and past . Started out sleeping on 3/8" Ensolite for backpacking in the early seventies gradually upgrading, as I have gotten older, to thicker and more plush sleeping pads...just have to give you a ribbing that's all

Seriously, I most assuredly DID NOT say "reenactment"; I said "living history". There is a big difference. as to how seriously accurate we are --- it depends upon a lot of things. Many of us are very accurate; others, not so accurate. Also, while I may now (at my age) sleep on a queen-size bed, my clothing, accessories, etc, are all very accurate. And my camping gear is getting better (more accurate) each year.

I'm in the process of restoring my own (real) 17th century rope bed's side rails. That design hasn't changed for many centuries, and is as good as what they DID make/use, throughout the middle ages. I use an air mattress because I must, for the sake of my health. I am very allergic to molds, and pretty much all hay has mold allergens in it. This year, the mold allergen count was VERY DANGEROUSLY HIGH.

Yes, we attempt to recreate the middle ages, but not at the expense of bodily health. For example - I carry two epi-pens with me at all times, since, while it might be "period" to drop dead from anaphalactic shock dut to beesting, I think I'll pass on that particular "period" experience. Already done that, been there, and have the "Has Been Clinically Dead" t-shirt.

 

[92LC_good2go]

a "feature" for new members...

if it's any consolation, I don't see any hotlinks.

Really? ...

So it's kinda like the idiot lights on dashboards for those of us who don't know how to check and maintain our vehicles? Or drive them well/safely?
Oh... Okay.

Just in case I don't know how to find my own stuff regarding "camping" or "Land Cruiser", eh?


I suppose the consolation for me is this: If you can't see hotlinks, that means that someday *I* too won't see them any more.




Spressomon, I now it; I can take teasing.
When I'm not so new any longer, you'll see just how much I dish out (and take). I'm just still in "Miss Manners behavior mode".


You know, seriously -- I never thought to actually SLEEP in my Land Cruiser. Just to use it as a pack animal for camping and for hunting. I wonder...

 

[GXO]

I am gonna build a platform next week...queen size is more than worth the effort.

 

[Land Speeder]

I am gonna build a platform next week...queen size is more than worth the effort.

Dan,
did you see my shelf at Tellico? the center seats fold down level with it.
I use an aerobed premier fullsize with memory foam. FITS PERFECT.
I also sell these beds. Anyone PM me for more info.

 

[GXO]

I didn't, but I am gonna look at it next chance I can

I will build the shelf, thanks for the info on the bed. I have an aero queen, wish it would fit...

 

[alvarorb]

I have an aero queen, wish it would fit...

Dan,

Why won't it fit?
I use a queen size air mattress (not aero) all the time in the back of my rig.


Regards

Alvaro

 

[Grouseman]

Aero Queen will fit. I have one.

SS

 

[Land Speeder]

Aero Queen will fit. I have one.

SS

What model aerobed queen?
In my 80 series here is my experience:
I have the old skool green aerosport (with rechargable and detachable pump and raised head rest) queen size that will fit if you don't blow it up all the way...
I also have the aerobed premier pillowtop queen (light blue) that fits the same way, if you don't blow it up all the way.
Both queens are impossible to close the tailgate all full inflation, so pumping from the front seats with the lift/tail gate closed is the way to go in this scenario
The full sized aerobed premier with memory foam will fit width wise but at full inflation even it is hard to close the tailgate.

I also have a twin aerosport but we all know that will fit. I use this one when by myself becasue it gives room for flashlights and shoes on the side.

Can you tell I'm and aerobed fan?

 

[alvarorb]

Eric,

Are you moving the front seats all the way forward with their backs straight?

Regards

Alvaro