We have just bought our first tent, and are now starting the daunting task of getting everything else we need! I know that there have been loads of threads on what you sleep on, and I know that lots of people recommend various alternatives to air beds. However, OH is determined that we are having an air bed, and it has taken so much persuasion to get him to go camping in the first place, I am just going to go with the flow!
So the question is, which air bed? Is a double airbed wide enough for two people? Also, I am veering towards the double height ones, so if anyone has any comments or recommendations, I would love to hear them. Also, please can you let me know what you use to make sure you are well insulated - I am thinking a rug underneath the bed, then a fleece blanket on top, then sleeping bags, but again, any advice would be gratefully received!!
IMHO, a double airbed is big enough for 2 people, however, each to their own. If one is used to having a king size bed for two people at home, then why get a double for camping? My advise would be to get one the same size as the one at home, so that you do not have to fork out extras for bedding.
I would recommend getting a good quality one, such as Campingaz and Coleman, both have double height ones, as there have been reports of cheap ones lasting only one trip if one is lucky.
You have not mentioned whether you are going to EHU or not. IMHO, manual foot pump works, surely but slowly, and hard work, whereas an electric pump is a lot faster.
Can't comment on sleeping bag as I use a double duvet all to myself.
As for extra insulation between the ground and airbed, I use a foam mat. However, I have read via the forums that a picnic blanket, or even cardboard, under the airbed would increase the insulation and prevent heat loss.
Hope this helps and enjoy your trip!
DK {:)}
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Thanks DK, we only have a double bed at home, I just wasn't sure if the airbeds were the same size. I have been looking at the Campingaz double height one, and also the Vango double height one. We are going EHU, so electric pump is a definite I think! Am thinking we may just take the duvet on our first trip and see how we get on.
I would advise taking extra fleece blankets in case you do not have a heater and need a bit extra warmth in cold nights.
I have a cheapo all-season duck down/feather duvet from Ikea for camping, made up of a 4.5 Tog and a 7.5 Tog duvets. I used only the 7.5 Tog one with 2 fleece blankets on top, over the BH weekends.
Some nights I needed to put the heater on, as it was late in the night and I was too tired to fetch the 4.5 Tog duvet from the roof box.
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!
Also put something between the floor and the bed, we use a picnic blanket but have just bought the cheap Royal Tucson Carpets from outdoor leisure world. It will help to stop the cold creeping up in the bed. We have a double height aerobed and it fairs like a real bed
If you can have a look at the Outwell Deluxe Double Air Bed with Pillow and Pump HERE. It has to be seem to be believed - I don;t think the picture does it justice... it's knee high or higher. Of all the beds this is one of the most comfortable (also comes in King if you want mroe room but I think this is unnecessary). It's high, sturdy and quick to inflate/deflate. A second place star would be the Gelert 3 layer deluxe HERE (not as good in my mind but more expensive)
I can imagine being bounced all over the place on a double airbed if you have a restless partner. I would suggest two singles would be more comfortable or I believe some double airbeds have split compartments to help prevent disturbance from the other half.
I would certainly recommend a double height airbed. I have one and find it much more comfortable than the thinner ones and more convenient getting on and off without having to go on hands and knees. You do need to check that a double height one will fit the bedroom pod without pushing up against the sloping walls of the inner tent.
The more insulation the better in my opinion. Airbeds can get cold at night and not just from the ground. I have a picnic rug/carpet in my bedroom pod and place a foam mat on top of that then the airbed on top of that. This helps to insulate the airbed from the ground. I then have two blankets on top of the airbed which helps to insulate the airbed from me. Then I use a good quality sleeping bag. It can still get chilly at times hence I now have EHU and use a heater if necessary.
I did once try self inflating mats which many recommend, but I couldn't afford the really thick ones and the thin cheapo one was very uncomfortable.
We've just bought the Coleman raised queen, although we haven't spent a night on it yet, we did blow it up to test and its very comfy with little disturbance to each other from getting on and of it - just make sure it fits your tent because its pretty big
After several 'cheap' inflatable beds we followed our friend's recommendation and bought a Coleman Comfort. So far it's been brill. Very comfortable and because each half inflates separately you don't get bounced around if your partner turns over. We couldn't get a raised one because of limited headroom in our pod.
The best airbed we have used and we have used a few is the Intex Queensize deluxe with built in pump. Briliant bit of kit. We are on our third year now with this bed without a problem, highly recommended.
Hi,
We have the AEROBED LASTING COMFORT, see the link tas67 has included above, it is better than our own bed !
We have tested it out a couple of nights in our lounge as we only got it last week. It doesn't move if your partner gets out in the night which the OH does 2-3 times a night.
It even has a built in headboard so you don't lose the pillow down the back of the bed in the night! And it's kingsize!!!!
Can't wait till we go away next week to try it out for real.
As far as under floor insulation we just put a couple of flattened out cardboard boxes under the bed to protect and insulate and it works a treat, we also put a double sleeping bag under us covered by a fitted bottom sheet then we have a duvet on top of us, really toasty so end up in just a t shirt by morning . Or even less if my lucks in!!
Anyway, I would deffo recommend this model of Aerobed and we got ours for £99 if you shop around on google.
Hi - I know you can pay a lot of money for airbeds, and if you are going for a double you probably need to pay that bit more to get one that doesn't catapult you across the tent when OH sits down.
I just use ASDA's cheapy ones - we have 3 singles, they've lasted 4 years, nothing flash but comfy and do the job! They're for me, OH and DS. DD, being the smallest, gets a 35-year -old red/blue rubberised one that I slept on when I was her age! If it ain't broke, don't fix it....
Weve tried the basic models, don't do for one of the navy flocked top ones, puncture in no time.
We've just used a double hight one (can remember the make) but have to say best one for us was the red and blue rubberised cotton box airbeds they used to do in Argos. The newer non box sided are on offer for £14.99 at the min
Quote: Originally posted by nicola1972 on 22/5/2011
Weve tried the basic models, don't do for one of the navy flocked top ones, puncture in no time.
We've just used a double hight one (can remember the make) but have to say best one for us was the red and blue rubberised cotton box airbeds they used to do in Argos. The newer non box sided are on offer for £14.99 at the min
Completly agree we sleep really well on these and they never go down either! We got them 7 years ago and they are still going strong!
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Topic: Air Beds
