Sleeping options?

[graybeard2]

I'm probably gonna head down to BP in the next week to get a tent, I've pretty much got my mind made up on a Eureka Timberline, but I'll also need something to sleep on. I've got a bag, but that's it. I kinda planned on getting a cot, but after some study I'm also thinking about just a good pad. Do they work fairly well for sleeping on the ground? I'll just be doing a night or two at a time, but I'm 56 years old, and ain't as tough and limber as I used to be, either.

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

I broke down and bought a cot last year. Why did I wait so long? REI sells some good self inflating pads that I have used for a few years. Now I put my pad on the cot and it's great!

[Spearing Machine]

I wanted to just throw out my to you as well. I have been since I could walk while the rest of the family was in the travel trailer. I have been through the boy scouting ranks and done multiple Boundary Waters canoe trips, and winter camping. I have to say I have been extremely happy with my self inflating Thermarest mattress. Its light, has enough cushion in in and then the 1/2-3/4in of air makes in quite comfortable to sleep on. My first few years I used the wooden frame military cot. It was very comfortable but let me tell you when it got to freezing or below at night I got cold even with a very good sleeping bag. The cold air is all the way around you and thus gives you less insulation than if you were close to the ground like with a Thermarest or similar mattress. If you don't plan on being out when its cool or cold you will be fine I just figured I would give you the knowledge that I have gained over my camping years.

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

My pad combined with the cot is warm too. If you go with a pad don't just get an air mattress because there is no insulation. Get a thermorest type pad.

[Stick in Mud]

Thermarest makes good stuff in a variety of R-values. There are also some pads made by Cabela's, Gander, etc. that are more or less the same thing. I have a Big Agnes airpad and it packs up the size of a Nalgene. It's NOT self-inflating, though, but that's fine with me.

[itchmesir]

i have a swissgear self inflating mat that doesnt self inflate the greatest.. but a minutes worth of lung power goes a long way.. i've had it for about 8 years now and not a single hole in it

[TooTallTom]

Have you looked into hammocks at all? Lots of them now are basically suspended tents as far as keeping you out of the elements, and you can get insulation that hangs underneath the hammock (called an underquilt) to keep the air right beneath you still, which keeps you warm. That might be another option, and is in the same general price range.

Does anyone know how cots do as far as the floor of a tent is concerned? I really don't have any experience with cots, and I'm starting to get curious...

[Jackpine Rob]

Dang boy, you've got a book's worth of questions in one little post!

A Eureka Timberline is "the standard by which" for most camping applications. It is a proven design, and pretty well bomb-proof, once you figure out the pole system. I have spent many nights in them.

Just make sure you up-size. A 2 man is fine for 2 small guys on pads with no gear, assuming they are good friends. Think of a 4 man for 2 guys, and you're cooking with gas.

As for the cot/pad idea, you have to tell us where you intend to use this gear, and at what time of year. I have oodles of stuff in my arsenal, and have tried out more systems/gear than you can shake a stick at. Give us a better handle, and we can surely offer some suggestions. Chief among the questions I have is WHERE are you going to be camping? If you're carrying stuff in your needs are different than if you're backing the car into the campsite and off-loading from the trunk.

[h8go4s]

As a geezer myself, I'd advise a cot. Much more comfortable than sleeping on a pad on the ground, and you can sit on it to get dressed. You will still need a pad between the cot and your sleeping bag. When you compress the insulation in your bag, it no longer insulates you from the cot, and you will feel the cold coming through the cot. My pad is a Exped Down Mat, which is inflatable and filled with down. REI sells them. There are plenty of other options; it just depends on how much money you spend and how small and light you want to travel. I think Cabela's has the Trekker cot on sale now, it's 75" x 25", which should fit in a 4-man tent. As Jackpine Rob says, I'd definitely buy a 4-man or larger tent. The Timberline is a good tent, but I like dome tents better because they feel more roomy. Personal preference, yours may differ. Check out online reviews on tents before you buy.

Ron.

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

I agree with you Ron on everything you said in your post.

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

I love my Eureka Sunrise tents. They make good tents for the money.

My cot is a twist cot, easy to setup. Got it at fleet last year.

[Jackpine Rob]

Good points H8'er.

The Timberline is an A-frame design, so putting a cot in there means you'll need to get away from the walls, cutting down the space even more.

[graybeard2]

Okay, I'm definitely getting the 4 man tent, I'll probably be alone much of the time, but at least I'll have room if someone wants to come along. I don't plan on carrying it far, I'll just be at campgrounds in county parks, or more often probably along a river. I like to fish a small river for cats, and plan on hauling my gear up to a sandbar in my boat to set up camp. Probably looking at from mid spring to mid to later fall. I'm thinking cot and a pad both, and maybe not use the cot on the riverbank. I've spent quite a few nites just sleeping in my bag on a tarp on the sand bar, but no matter how warm it gets during the day, it always gets mighty damp and cool along the river before morning. I was thinking dome tent, but after talking to a friend who was a scoutmaster for years, and still uses his Timberline, I decided to go that route. I just want a warm dry place to sleep in, and it sounds like that will do the trick. Thanks for all the replies.

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

Have fun! That's what it's all about.

[sunniewally]

how do you think one of the larger pop up fish houses would work? easy to set up, light and small enough, put a tarp on the ground and and your good to go.

[h8go4s]

Seriously?

1. How do you keep the bugs out of a pop-up fish house?

2.How do you vent it on a hot night?

Get a tent.

[itchmesir]

Have you looked into hammocks at all? Lots of them now are basically suspended tents as far as keeping you out of the elements, and you can get insulation that hangs underneath the hammock (called an underquilt) to keep the air right beneath you still, which keeps you warm. That might be another option, and is in the same general price range.

Does anyone know how cots do as far as the floor of a tent is concerned? I really don't have any experience with cots, and I'm starting to get curious...

I absolutely LOVE my hammock.. and have camped in it numerous times.. not great for cold weather as you are surrounded by cold air.. ENO makes an amazing hammock with plenty of accessories to turn it into a bug-less suspending tent.. and their hammock packs down to the size of a small cantaloupe

[Duffman]

I used cots in the tent for the first time last fall, to protect the floor of the tent I used some cardboard beer coasters, they seemed to help but will probably not last long. So I've been keeping my eye out for some of those leather beer coasters at surplus and discount stores.

I don't think a pop-up fishhouse could withstand an overnight thunderstorm without the occupants getting soaked. The material may be somewhat waterproof, but those unsealed seams will let the water in.

[Comit 2]

I'm 54 and hammocks have me camping again.

If you go with the cot you should also get blue pad at waltons place. Like a hammock you will be smashing the insilation under you and the air beneath you will make you cold.

[itchmesir]

I need to find one of these for my hammock...

[Comit 2]

It looks like a DIY pea pod.

[itchmesir]

after some searching they are made by a company "Jacks R Better".. way more than im willing to pay for such an item($300+).. i'll just stick to a normal sleeping bag in my hammock

[Comit 2]

Oh no! Know I'm thinking of woopie slings and Marlin spike hitches. How about Amsteel blue 7/64" and 1600 lb test. Now that's a suspension.

[itchmesir]

my ENO came with quick straps.. no need for fancy knots takes me about 1-2min to set up my hammock.. bout 5 to set up a whole site by myself

[Comit 2]

Yea that 800 down stuff is best for back packing gram weenies. Not something you need if your not on the A T.