Car Camping Sleeping Pad?

[quicksilver]

Well, your present discussion could not have come at a better time! Not having done any "car camping" since the '70's when my boys were young, most of this is new info. However at the Nature Conservancy event at Mt. Livermore last month friend Boaz and I decided that it was nearing the time for "day hikes" and "car camping", with some "tailgate cooking" for good measure. It looks like the backpacking treks will henceforth be reserved for "big events" in cool weather. Thanks to you all we already have an instruction book!

Quicksilver

[Terlingua50337]

Looking more closely at your photo I do see there is method to the madness and not just articles thrown in willy nilly. For example, after a long 10 hour drive (we all know BiBe is 10 hours from anywhere) the first thing you'd want is to sit down on the chair, drink some water and rest before unloading LOL!

[sandersmr]

I just got back from 9 nights in Colorado - with no set-up lasting more than 3 days.  I had a cheapo Ozark Trail that I got at Wal-Mart and I would bottom out on about day 3.  Several people had Aerobeds that had no problems.

I was ok with my el cheapo since we moved so often that I was breaking camp about the time it needed refilled anyway.

I have been looking at the BA insulated because my el-cheapo did get cold in the mountains without a blanket or something between me and the mattress.  I'm wondering if it's worth the bucks.

[Terlingua50337]

A real quick equipment review: Read up on the Big Agnes in this string, went to REI, blew one up put it on the floor and tried it, deflated it and put it back in the bag, paid for it and took it home.  After 4 days on it in West Texas........... 

[BigBendAg88]

I know this is an old thread, but after reading all these posts about car camping sleeping pads, I had to put in a recommendation for the Thermarest Dreamtime.  I bought one for my wife about 2 years ago , and she Loves it!  When my son and I go camping (without her), we fight over who gets to use it because we both love it.  I am a huge fan.

The pad is pretty expensive, but has been well worth the money, even for someone as cheap as me.

[Reece]

Yall just gave me a dang good idea for these old bones. Since I sometimes sleep the first and last night of a backpacking trip at the trailhead with the truck nearby, I could get a cheapo, fatty twin inflatable mattress and sleep well for at least 2 nights. In the middle, I could still do my penance, suffering on the rocky ground with my 3/4 length, 1-1/2" Big Agnes inflatable - of course, all the while keeping the flask nearby for emergency sleep aid. This is starting to sound like a plan.

[homerboy2u]

Yall just gave me a dang good idea for these old bones. Since I sometimes sleep the first and last night of a backpacking trip at the trailhead with the truck nearby, I could get a cheapo, fatty twin inflatable mattress and sleep well for at least 2 nights. In the middle, I could still do my penance, suffering on the rocky ground with my 3/4 length, 1-1/2" Big Agnes inflatable - of course, all the while keeping the flask nearby for emergency sleep aid. This is starting to sound like a plan.

 Oh trust me when i tell you that you can really dream, if you get for yourself a good quality inflatable mattress. I like Coleman's mattresses.

 I took this mattress and slipped it in this tent on a camping trip hike.....



  You should have seen the newbies (my friends since kindergarden)) laughing at me because i was filling it with pure lung power, man! they were getting their laughs just watching my red apple cheeks forcing that air in. I could not carry a blower (the weight issue), anyhow i am sure i was the one who got the best sleep in camp and very early in the morning (5-6 am) after my 8 hours of continued sleep, i went over and roughled their tents and unanimously their were yapping at me for their lack of sleep......hehehe ...who got the last laugh? 

[stingrey]

I am looking forward to trying out a recently acquired Big Agnes Hinman 50x78x2.5 self inflating pad in conjunction with my eBay find of the quarter Dream Island 15. This is going to be my new car camping setup depending on temps. While it won?t be hot weather friendly, it will be a cool weather/car camping dream for me!

[bdann]

I'm using my Big Agnes pad for car camping and backpacking now.  I honestly find it more comfortable than an inflatable Coleman mattress and it is much warmer in the winter.  I've had it for four years now, I think, and it has been very durable. 

[homerboy2u]

I'm using my Big Agnes pad for car camping and backpacking now.  I honestly find it more comfortable than an inflatable Coleman mattress and it is much warmer in the winter.  I've had it for four years now, I think, and it has been very durable.

 Which model are you using?...(pictures).

[steelfrog]

The sleeping pad is not nearly as important, IMO, as the PILLOW.  Get yourselves, for $22, a Thermarest compressible pillow.   ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

[stingrey]

Good call! I have that pillow and agree... It is an essential car camping luxury item if you don't already just bring a full size pillow!

[bdann]

I'm using my Big Agnes pad for car camping and backpacking now.  I honestly find it more comfortable than an inflatable Coleman mattress and it is much warmer in the winter.  I've had it for four years now, I think, and it has been very durable.

 Which model are you using?...(pictures).

http://www.rei.com/product/763953

[SA Bill]

Glad to see that there is some discussion on this because I was going to post something anyway!

I just returned from W TX and slept 5 nights on the $40.00 Aerobed I got at Wally World. I have nothing but good things to report. I slept much better than I ususally sleep on my conventional sleeping pads. The only thing I would change is I would buy the one that has the pump that works off of AC or 12V power. Mine, bought kinda on the spur of the moment, only has the AC powered pump. I got around that by using a 12V to 120V AC inverter in the camp grounds where AC was inconvenient to use...as in the National Park where the only AC outlet was in the rest room. Possible scenario: "Hi! How's it going? Mind if I use the plug there to blow up this honkin' big air mattress?" I would actually do that because the mattress is soooo comfortable to sleep on. It only takes about 45 seconds to inflate it. The problem is it's kinda awkward to carry the inflated mattress around once it's inflated...and mine is only a twin.

Anyway, the air mattress really absorbs those little irregularities of the ground that you never notice until after you've completely pitched the tent and are trying to go to sleep. One spot with mine, there was a fairly large hump due to a rock mostly buried in the ground an I didn't even know it was there until I deflated the mattress and then noticed the problem. The mattress "gave" enough that I didn't even feel a thing.

Another thing, at least with the Aerobed, it inflates to be really firm if you want it that way. Almost like a real mattress and I like a firm mattress.
   Bill

[Quatro]

The problem is it's kinda awkward to carry the inflated mattress around once it's inflated...and mine is only a twin.   Bill

That's one problem with the el-cheapo mattresses I've seen - the size.  At least inside a tent, a twin is just waaayy too big.