Aerobed Pakmat

[SA Bill]

About a year ago I bought a twin air mattress and used it on several camping trips. Just for base camping out of the car, of course. It was really nice to have a comfortable mattress under the sleeping bag instead of just a thin camping pad. A plus was the ability to have the mattress firmer or softer as needed. Two weeks ago one of our kids moved into a new apartment and I donated the air mattress to him until a real bed can be obtained. I don't expect to get the mattress back any time soon and when I do, no telling what shape it will be in.

I noticed that Aerobed has a new (to me at least) Pakmat air bed on the Aerobed web site.
http://www.aerobed.com/Pakmat-P1927C22.aspx

A little on the pricey side but looks like it would be a good air bed for car camping. The previous twin mattress took up a lot of space in the tent. The Pakmat is 26" wide vs 39" for the previous mattress. The Pakmat is 5" thick which should be okay. I also like that it inflates by using the storage container as an air pump. The previous mattress needed AC to power a blower. 

Walmart had the Pakmat for $50.00 but they're out of them. Looks like most online prices are between $75.00 and $100.00

Anyway...in my hunt for a good sleep system (still looking for a sleeping bag), I'm considering a Pakmat. Does anyone have any experience with them?
  Curious,
    Bill

[Al]

That looks pretty neat. Cabelas has it on sale!

http://www.cabelas.com/airbeds-aerobed-pakmat-3.shtml

Al

[SA Bill]

That looks pretty neat. Cabelas has it on sale!

http://www.cabelas.com/airbeds-aerobed-pakmat-3.shtml

Al

Thanks Al!

The Aerobed web site has a 20% off coupon + free shipping so it would be cheaper to buy from the source. I will look around for other bargains before I buy one...if I do indeed buy one. If Walmart had had them in stock, I probably would have bought one just to try it. Oh well.
  Thanks!
    Bill

[Al]

Bill, sounds like the way to go but if you haven't been to Cabelas, you should.  I was looking at gravity chairs at Sam's when Jimbob pointed out Cabelas had them on sale for $30 cheaper.  Made the trip, picked up the chair.  Went into the Bargain Cave and picked up an Outdoor Research hat for about 40% off of retail.

Al

[kevint]

You may want to check out the instruction manual here.


http://www.aerobed.com/Assets/manuals/8111-PakMat%202yr%20Warranty.pdf


I notice the following warning:



INFLATION
NOTE: BED MUST BE AT ROOM TEMPERATURE PRIOR TO INFLATING OR IT MAY CAUSE AIR LEAKS


It also says storing it below 50 deg F or above 100 deg F voids the warranty.  Not sure if all air mattresses have these restrictions but it doesn't sound very good for a camping mattress.

[SA Bill]

Well...I scored a Pakmat for a good price on the Bay last night. I should have it in a week so I'll give it a try and post results here. Too many crazy things about the Pakmat...noisy...don't store too hot or cold...warm up before inflating. Hopefully most of those things are just CYA from the manufacturer. We'll see.
  Bill

[Al]

Bill, just fill it directly upon removal from the heated/cooled vehicle upon arrival.  Bring backup and please let us know how well it works.  If it does it should be like sleeping on a cloud in the desert!

Al

[Casa Grande]

Yes, I'd like to know how it works out too.  I've got a large aerobed and it didn't work out too well on its maiden voyage, so I took it back and exchanged it.  Haven't tried the new one yet.   This sounds like a great idea.

[SA Bill]

Short report: The Pakmat works okay! The storgae tube converts easily to a pump and it only takes a minute to inflate the mattress. As some reviews point out, it is a little noisy because of the plastic material. Didn't bother me as I slept on it Sunday night. It did bother my wife sleeping nearby but not much. She just commented on the noise. I pumped the mattress up fairly hard and had a comfortable nights sleep. The thickness is about 5" which seems fine to me. I'll use my usual Ridgrest pad under the Pakmat for a little insulation from the ground and to protect the Pakmat from any sharp things.

Compared to the twin size regular Aerobed I have been using, the Pakmat is less wide and should take up less space in the tent. My Taj3 floor was full using the regular twin Aerobed. The Pakmat will leave some needed maneuvering room in the tent.

I'll post another update after I sleep on the Pakmat for 4-5 nights in the Basin.
   Bill