Quote: Originally posted by Anne Marie500 on 18/2/2015
Thanks for all those tips. I will tame the beast! I am sure when I practice it will be easier. Anyone tried only opening one valve and using one of those little pumps set to deflate?!?
Nope, haven't tried that. Mostly because the valve wouldn't fit into the end of the pump.
I'd advise against pumping out the air as that can overly compress the foam. So, for that matter, can over-vigorously expelling every last bit of air by kneading the mat with your knees.
If you want to maintain the self-inflating performance, don't store SIMs tightly rolled into a bag. Either store them loosely rolled and partially inflated or, better, store them fulled rolled out (either vertical or flat - stood behind a wardrobe or laid under a bed for instance) with the valve(s) open. That way the foam can recover its full loft rather than staying compressed for weeks on end.
As it says on the Therm-a-Rest FAQ page: Store self-inflating mattresses dry, unrolled and with valves open.
Concurred with Sceptical Camper with regard to the correct way to store a Therm-a-rest is to leave it unrolled with valves opened.
However, I do not do that, hands up, as I worry about forgetting to pack it!
If I were to sleep on it without a camp bed, then I would probably care more about the foam's recovery and would store it as recommended.
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
Luckily, we have the room to store ours at home fully laid out and inflated with valves open. The only time they are rolled up is from the night before we set off, until an hour or so after we get home.
Which reminds me... we still need to try sleeping on them on the floor, without the camp beds, for when we overnight in France, in September... might chuck them on the living room floor tomorrow night!!
Can always escape to the real bed, if it's not as comfy as they claim!
Our two singles just arrived this afternoon, on the instructions (which men are not known to read lol) it says to open them out, open the valve and let them sit for 15 mins then blow them up but not using any form of pump and let them sit for 24hrs. Couldn't let them just sit there without testing them, absolutely lovely if slightly narrow.
I want to get a sim that can fit into a travel cot, the mat that comes with it is rather hard to be sleeping on and wanted to make it a bit more comfier, any suggestions? not to expensive either please as toddlers are known to like jumping and wonder if this would stand upto that
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Self inflating mattress
