Hi I've just received my self inflating mattress, opened the valves about 10 mins ago....waited....waited....still bloody waiting....how long do these things take to inflate??? It's a vango double 5cm??? I can see me and camping aint gonna be friends!!
Arent you supposed to give it a little help the first few times by infalting it yourself? I dont have any but whilst researching them am sure I came across this info. Someone will be around soon who knows lol!
I'm expecting it to inflate to 5cm before bank holiday but think this could be optimistic!!! Ok so I may be an impatient woman but I think I've waiting long enough and it's about 3 cm!!
Tizzy - dont get in a Tizzy with them, sometimes if they have been rolled up for a while it takes time for them to get back thier true shape. Leave them unrolled with valves open until the morning then check them again.
We have a double inflating mat (which can be folded and used as a thick single) with a valve on each half. You need to open the valves and give a good few puffs through them to get them going (to be honest I usually just keep blowing until its full - patience is a virtue but not when setting up) and then quickly close the valves tight.
Yes you'll needto give the mat a few puffs. Once they've been unravelled they apparently should be stored unrolled and it is supposed to be better the next time. But I roll mine up anyway!
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Windy jo
Best keep off the baked beans
Ive used mine for a couple of years now and it inflates quickly each time.
For the first time, I was advised to give it a few lung fulls to get it going. Over time the valves can get a bit clogged with dirt so a quick clean of an older one can get it back workng well. They do work better if stored flat (under the bed or on top of the wardrobe) and do take a bit longer if they have been left rolled and well deflated.
To get them back rolled up, I have always followed the tips the nice man in the shop gave me and never had a problem. Roll it all the way squishing as you go. Fasten the valve and unroll again, then open and quickly give it another roll/ squish and it gets nicely flat!
Each to there own of course, and different brands may differ but I love mine. Sometimes wake up in the tent a bit sore and stiff but never if Ive used my mat!
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Easter b/h, Oulton park - done!
April 24th, delamere forest - done!
May b/h, snowdonia - done!
Other may b/h, Mallory Park - let down but trying to rebook!
June, Cornwall - booked.
Aug bank hol, Windermere - booked.
Sept, Leichestershire - booked.
Sept, France - getting sorted!
We noticed that when we store our Robens mats unrolled with the valves open, that they fully inflate and become very firm (even with the valves open!). Now when we get to camp, we unroll them straight away and leave 'em, half an hour later they are perfect, no hassle at all!
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: CAMPING MAT VIRGIN ;-)
I can see me and camping aint gonna be friends!!
and turn the valve a bit more. When it's fully inflated close the valve again or the air may start to come back out!
