Hi all,
Looking to get a car camping set up and not sure which way to go for sleep system.
Initially it will be for me and my 7yo.
I'm not sure whether to go for:
This will be our first setup so don't want to spend too much but also not cheaping out. I will still need to buy tent and other gear.
thanks
tent
Power source: 220 - 240V
Built-in 220-240V~ AlwayzAire system with dual pump technology
do you have access to 240v when camping?
I was thinking I would plug it into my solar battery, don't think it would drain much overnight?
Air mattress is not comfy with 2 people on. Get a sleeping mat. An insulated one if you are out in the cold. Have a look at sea to summit, but is a pay once cry once type of thing.
If you have other means to help with the cold, then get a form mat like this.
would they need to go on a stretcher or straight on the floor?
They can go straight on the ground. Best to get one with dual cells as this helps insulates the cold from the ground.
I've got a couple sleeping mats. S2S is nice but expensive and is coffin shaped. I got a cheap one from aliexpress but it's a double so easier to roll around.
If you want the maximum insulation you are better off with a stretcher.
Comfort wise, it depends on the surface you are sleeping on but really a stretcher would be nice to have.
For me, I just find a better surface and put a form mat straight on the floor.
nice, I'll probably use some yoga mats that I already have underneath to start with then.
If you can afford to get an Exped Megamat then I'd recommend doing so. Genuinely just as comfortable as a real bed. Ideally on a stretcher for even more comfort, but also works fine directly on the ground.
Those dune 4wd mats rock
Yes, this, no deflation overnight.
Pop up tent and '4wd' self inflating mattress. Pop up because they are so quick to setup/pack up, and they pack flat. 4wd mat because they are also easy, a little bulky, but pretty comfortable. Had a dune one in the past that I liked.
Car camping so size and weight isn't so important vs say hiking.
is it just Anaconda/Dune that calls it a '4wd' mattress?
Would these be the same as the self inflating mattresses like these? https://www.amazon.com.au/Naturehike-Ultralight-Inflatable-I…
edit: I see the '4wd' ones are foam filled, where these ones are thinner but air filled.
Yeah you got it.
Nature hike make great gear if you end up wanting smaller/lighter stuff though
would you still recommend stretcher for the non-foam ones?
@impoze: Nope, quite comfy straight on the ground. Just check the mattress thickness though, some of the other ones recommended here are very thin, and they won't be very comfy. 10cm+ would be my preference.
This will be one of those personal preference areas though. If it was me I'd buy a tent and mattress, take it for a single night shake down, see what you don't like,consider adding a stretcher or whatever.
@heineken016: thanks, once I get the tent and mattress, I'll be doing some dry runs in the backyard.
Any recommendations for the tent? I've had a look at the naturehike tents - quite a few options there.
@impoze: something like this, not necessarily this one specifically:
https://www.anacondastores.com/camping-hiking/tents/pop-up-t…
pop up and 3-4 person. cheap ish brand, local store for returns if it sucks. dark tents will get hotter in the daytime but block out more sunlight at dawn. there are specific sun block tents out there now but I haven't tried them. not as big a deal but bright coloured tents will get a bit of a colour cast in them during the day (ie bright orange fabric = orange light in the tent)
I bought one like 10+ years ago when they first were coming out, took it on a road trip. honestly I would look forward to setting up the tent everynight, it was so satisfying throwing a hoop in teh air and it landing as a set up tent that just needed to be pegged down. It's definitely not an expensive one and I've probably used it for 40ish nights and it's still going great.
@heineken016: I went for the night cat pop up tent - $88.39 after watching this video in torrential rain. Safe purchase with easy returns to Amazon if any issues with it.
@impoze: nice one. worth a go for that price.
looks like it might be a single wall tent (ie.. just one layer, not an outer an inner). you might run into a little condensation on cooler nights. but I wouldn't worry about that at the moment, just remember it if it does occur.
@heineken016: Ah right, so should be fine for these warmer months. May end up upgrading sooner than later but can always use this for an extra shelter.
@impoze: Taking a 3x3 gazebo is well worth the effort. Gives you somewhere a bit out of the weather that isnt in your tent.
That's hell-a-expensive. With some things, I say buy-good-buy-once. Given that some camping items can be had for cheap, I'd almost say get a cheap sleeping system. If you really enjoy camping, then invest in a more expensive one.
That being said, there are so many things that can contribute to a good/bad experience for camping. Eg. Expensive sleeping system, but cheap sleeping bad could result in an uncomfortable sleep, the inverse also applies.
With my below linked mattresses, they're just about comparable to my $350 thermarest matress, but the difference is they don't pack as small plus may have different durability in the long run.
We use these and they can be connected together. https://www.kmart.com.au/product/single-self-inflating-mattr… They're also self inflating and reasonably comfortable. They're also quite cheap and will give an idea if you like camping.
Plus, they roll back up and pack nicely - much of our camping is also about space saving as it's 4 of us so every bit counts.
what kind of temps did you use them in and did you put them straight on the floor?
I'll pick one up and try it since it's easy enough to return to kmart
Recreation or neccessity?
ie Camping holiday or can't get a rental property?
recreation 😅
Good to hear. Wasn't sure when I saw you were from Sydney. I was concerned for your 7yo for a minute there.
I've had tents, camper trailers and a Kombi when camping with little kids.
If it was just me and a 7yro I would be sorely tempted by a double swag.
Might as well get the cheap ones as you aren't heading out into a blizzard or tropical rain with a 7yro.
Something like this:
https://au.adventurekings.com/1m-height-big-70mm-mattress-40…
I've also looked at the swags, and seen a few on fb marketplace real cheap.
I will probably bring my other 2.5yo son after a few goes when he turns older
If it was just me and a 7yro I would be sorely tempted by a double swag.
Beat me to it.
Started looking at sleeping bags and there's so many options.
Any particular brands and budget I should be looking at?
Smaller packdown for storage will be useful
Havent bought one for a long time, but have a look at the features of the sleeping bags. Last purchasw was Aldi ones and theyre pretty good. . Decide which youd prefer for the conditions youll be camping in.
If its 'regular aussie nights' you dont need to spend a fortune. If you are planning on winter, or high country camping, youll need to spend a bit more.
Seems like youre over thinking it a bit. Just get 2 $10 (prob $15 by now) basic air mattresses from kmart and an inflator.
OP join some facebook groups for camping in Australia and do some searches in there for keywords, you'll probably get better information than you will on OzB. Not saying people here have no experience, but rather there will be more people in the FB groups to give you ideas you wouldn't have thought of previously.
Thanks, I've joined a few but will check out some others.
For mattresses these are a good option.
https://www.tentworld.com.au/buy-sale/oztrail-3d-self-inflat…
I have 3 of these for my wife and kids who come camping occasionally. For me I have an exped mega mat which is a more expensive option, but honestly there isn’t much difference. Air mattresses are awful. They keep cold and are uncomfortable in my opinion compared to self inflating mats like the one above.
For tents get a Coleman instant up 4 person. Silver if budget is an issue or gold if you can afford it
https://www.tentworld.com.au/buy-sale/coleman-instant-up-4p-…
https://www.tentworld.com.au/buy-sale/coleman-instant-up-4p-…
These go on sale from time to time so shop around. Don’t buy the version from anaconda, it’s a stripped down version of the above with inferior materials
These tents are great. Easy to set up and fit 2 ppl easily. For 3 ppl get the 6 person size. It’s a big advantage that you can stand up inside them. Perfect to get changed etc. I also have a small folding stool that I keep inside the tent when using it that makes it a lot easier to put on shoes etc.
If you like the idea of sleeping in a coffin get a swag 😎
For sleeping bags think about what you like. I hate coffin type so I have wide sleeping bags.
Buy a bag rated to 10 degrees lower than the expected temperature of when and where you are camping.
Think about the bag inner material too. Some are a heavy flannel style, I don’t love that but I do have one bag that is rated to super cold temps that I do take with me just in case (as a spare). I like the normal satin on one side, light cotton/flannel on the inside. For hot weather I sleep with it fully unzipped and with the satin side against me.
Hope that helps.
Oh and you asked about stretchers too. The last couple of years I have used one of these:
https://www.tentworld.com.au/buy-sale/oztrail-easy-fold-stre…
Because I am getting older and grouchier and want some extra comfort of not having to sleep at ground level.
I don’t consider it to be that important but I’m glad I have it.
Thanks,
I noticed the Anaconda versions were cheaper but didn't realise they were stripped down
The Coleman Gold is definitely on my radar, most likely at that stage I'll go for a larger tent.
Great points on the sleeping bags
No problem
Once you go above the 6p Coleman the setup and pack up effort increases a fair bit.
Even the 4p darkroom Coleman has a whole extra section for the front vestibule that pretty much doubles the setup/packdown time.
@pasey25: Do you think the northstar versions are worth the extra cost?
I always see them compared to the oztrail fast frames which are similarly priced.
I'll wait for a deal, figured Winter is more off peak for camping stores?
@impoze: The north star 10p and 8p is big. Too big for 2-3 people. Lots off effort to setup and pack down.
I have a tent the size of the 10p north star that we used to use when the kids were very young, and they could be setup in a crib and with almost all our stuff inside the tent. It was huge pita to setup and pack away compared to the instant up 4/6p. I haven’t used it in probably 7-8 years.
So now I have a 4p gold and a 6p silver.
The 4p gold I use when camping with mates and sleeping by myself
Then when we camp as a family we have the 4p gold for the kids and the wife and I share the 6p silver.
Best decision ever.
Setting up the 4/6p is a real breeze compared to the bigger tent. Setting up these two takes a small fraction of the time of a single bigger tent.
For storing stuff now use the car and I have a Oztrail gazebo with walls for a table chairs esky cooking gear etc
Even with setting up these two tents and the gazebo it is till easier overall than the bigger tent.
If you want a little room go for the 6p instant up. You won’t be sorry. The bag is a bit longer than the 4p so make sure it fits in your car
@pasey25: The north star darkroom is good but has extra components (the big vestibule) on the 4p and 6p the significantly increase setup time.
For light control in my non darkroom 4p gold I use an eye mask.
One of my mates has the 4p darkroom north star and it takes more than twice as long to setup than my 4p gold
@pasey25: The larger tents just seem tempting due to the smaller increments in cost, but they definitely do look more work to setup and packdown.
I just need to wait for a deal on the 4/6PM.
Gazebo is also on the cards once second kid comes along.
What do you put underneath the tents? I've seen the various mats sold.
Extra $50 to go from 4P to 6P.
Probably worth the jump if it doesn't add much time and then will better fit 2 kids and 1 adult.
https://www.greatescapecamping.com.au/coleman-instant-up-6p-…
Extra 5% off with "FIVEOFF"
@impoze: I don’t put anything underneath the tents. The gold’s floor material is a big step up to the silver floor material.
Definitely don’t use a tarp, especially if you have the silver. Any water that gets between the tarp and the floor will wick through eventually
The mesh floors only benefit is helping to keep the floor of the tent a bit cleaner for packing away. I have considered it but haven’t pulled the trigger on it.
Will you be sleeping in the car or tent?