Oh how I wish that Alpkit included instructions with their new SIM mats.
The learning curve as a novice lady camper can be quite interesting at times. No laughing please, but I thought inflating a SIM operated on similar principles as pitching a pop-up tent - undo it from the bag, open the two valves and voila it instantly inflates. Wrong!! This thin mat did nothing for half an hour when I unrolled it. Eventually I found the instructions on the Alpkit site and have now inflated the mat for the recommended 24 hours before using it.
Next dilemma - once I manage to deflate the Dozer and get it back in the bag (thankfully I have read all your very helpful posts) what should I expect to happen when I pitch my tent tomorrow??! Will I have to take a few deep breaths to start the Dozer inflating or will my wishes come true and it will do it all by itself?
All suggestions gratefully accepted to save my sanity.
Hi, I don't have a dozer but I do have another Alpkit mat that I use when we go cycle camping. I find mine doesn't inflate all by itself, it needs quite a few breaths to get it up to full size. What I do when we arrive at the campsite is get it out of its bag, open up the valve and lay it on the ground so it starts inflating itself - I find it'll get to about half 'full' on its own. Then when we've got the tent up it I go back to it and finish it off with a few breaths - actualy, quite a few breaths! But I tend not to mind because I like it nice and fully inflated. Now - deflating the darned thing and getting it back in its bag is another matter.....! I usually get the OH to do it because I can't seem to squeeze enough air out of it before it self-inflates again....... I wouldn't change it though because it's a great sleep mat.
I've recently got a Dozer, it's currently on the living room floor exercising it's lungs before we go away tomorrow.
I read the instructions as opening the valves, leaving for about 15 minutes, blow up til solid (this takes a lot of breaths the first time) then leave valves done up for 24 hours. I have done this over the course of a few days, (let down, roll up and then re inflate) and now it pumps itself up beautifully and will take next to no time. I blew 3 times into mine last night and that's perfect for me.
Then you are supposed to store them with the valves undone and out flat to give it the bes chance.
------------- 16th-18th July Llwyn Celyn Bach, Llanberis
12th-15th August Fisherground Campsite, Lake District
23rd-30th August Manor Farm, Norfolk
17th-19th Sep - Sherwood Forest somewhere?
April 2011 - Callow Top, Ashbourne
July - Swiss Farm, Henley
August - Greenacres, Somerset
Hello again, and thank you both for your help. Just got home and deflated the Dozer - much easier than trying to fold a tent so that it fits back into its bag. When I re-opened the valves I heard a fantastic hissing sound and it started to inflate nicely and only needed about 5 breaths to reach full height. So will leave it inflated until tomorrow morning and hopefully all will be well!!
Another tip for deflating if you're having trouble getting it back into the bag, is after rolling out the air a couple of times, fold it in half langthways and roll again. Obviously, I'm a big strong bloke. Is it only ladies that have a problem rolling them up? Serious question, not having a pop at lady campers.
------------- Canvas tent, paraffin light, petrol stove. Heaven
I'd rather be kayaking.
Spent up, not pent up, just had my new tent up.
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Topic: Help with new Alpkit Dozer SIM!!
I wouldn't change it though because it's a great sleep mat.
