Does anyone know of any air beds that DON'T deflate during the night? We've tried a couple of different ones but they all seem to do it. Failing that does anyone have any recommendations for a better solution?
I changed from an airbed to self-inflating mattresses as in SIM, after my trusted double airbed developed a leak mid trip over Christmas in 2011.
Luckily I was only 6 miles from home, so I went back to get the single airbed out to continue with the trip.
After that, I bought a good SIM 7.5cm thick and use it in conjunction with a camp bed, secured in place using a flannel fitted sheet.
It was a game changer, as this sleeping system was so much more comfortable!
I have used the SIM on its own directly on the floor too, and it was very comfortable.
An airbed is a single point of failure, in that if it leaks, one has to repair the leak in order to use it.
Whereas with a SIM, if it leaks, it may not stay as firm, however, it still provides some form of insulation as well as comfort.
DK
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Double SIMs seem really expensive compared to single ones! I was thinking of maybe using a double duvet to pad it instead of a SIM - that would work wouldn't it?
Quote: Originally posted by slingo on 03/2/2021
Double SIMs seem really expensive compared to single ones! I was thinking of maybe using a double duvet to pad it instead of a SIM - that would work wouldn't it?
Sorry, I do not understand what you meant.
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$$ on it and walk away!
Quote: Originally posted by slingo on 05/2/2021
I meant put a double duvet on the bed to lie on as padding, instead of using SIMs
If you weigh next-to-nothing you might get away with it, but you can't beat a good SIM.
Unless you've a problem with getting up off the floor, you can reduce on equipment bulk by not bothering with the camp beds if you take a decent thickness SIM (10cm ish).
Quote: Originally posted by slingo on 05/2/2021
I meant put a double duvet on the bed to lie on as padding, instead of using SIMs
You can use a cheap and thin foam mat instead of a SIM on top of a camp bed to provide some insulation and comfort, or a thinner SIM.
A double duvet is bulky and would not work as well IMHO, as the fibres can compacted due to the weight on top, making them less efficient in providing insulation.
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
Don't forget, camp beds have frames. tubular steel. Comes keen when bumping elbows/knees!
Choose a well fitting SIM within that frame, and all is well. For similar reasons, particularly for taller folk, ignore camp beds that have a frame/steel bar across the top and bottom ends.
We had this set up... single beds and single SIMS, butted up side by side (with a fitted faux sheepskin under blanket in the winter), then double sleeping bag on top.
There was the merest hint of a slight dip in the middle, due to the curved structure of the SIMs edges, but that was negated by the under blanket. Quite by coincidence, the SIM fit perfectly in the frame, and didn't move at all through the night, despite little miss fidget's best efforts!
Not once have we ever felt the frame, as we slept.
Bog standard Hi Gear single bed, and 10cm Exped Comfort SIM, x 2...
Just a point about airbeds...I went from airbeds to a camp bed with a sim on top after finding that airbeds deflate during the night. More recently I changed back to airbeds again because as above, I got fed up with banging knees and elbows on the steel frame of the camp bed (not being in a position to buy super duper expensive Sims).
I came to the conclusion that only two things cause airbeds to lose pressure...one is the colder air at night that causes the air inside to contract, and the other is the valves which only keep the air in by the pressure inside and if that pressure drops then the valves can leak.
I bought a cheap high rise Tesco airbed with an integral pump. The pump itself is the valve and therefore more secure than the ordinary valves. I place the airbed on a carpet in the bedroom pod and cover it with a couple of blankets which aids insulation. There was only very slight softening at night but nothing of any significance.
With the pump cable permanently attached to the power (on EHU of course) it is easy to pump in or pump out air as required (takes seconds). Following advice given on these boards, during hot weather I always pump out some air during the day as it can get excessively hot in a tent and expand the air causing stress to seams.
I found I had no further problems with deflating airbeds and they are by far more comfortable than trying to balance on a narrow camp bed, as I am a bit of a miss fidget at night too
Since that photo was taken... and purely to make more room in the car... we have now taken to plonking those SIM's on the floor.
Just as comfy as when they were on the camp beds. Literally no more comfortable, but no less comfortable!
We've learned not to overinflate them... they can be too firm, if you're not careful!
We never have to adjust the air pressure, even when camping for a fortnight, be that in the south of France temps, or UK winter temps.
Just the usual tent carpet below, and nothing but the sleeping bag(s) on top. (We have a double bag for better weather, and 5 season fisherman's bags for winter. The latter are extra wide singles, that attach to make a double, so they do overhang the sides of the SIMs a fair bit).
Whilst we can cope with getting up and down to floor level, we'll continue with this approach. The beds will no doubt be used again, once our knees seize up!
The only thing we currently miss, is the storage space under the camp beds.
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Topic: Camping mattress
via mobile 03/2/2021 at 8:59am
