View Full Version : Car Camping Q-> Inflatable Mattress
I know this is not related to backpacking, but I'm looking to purchase an inflatable full/double mattress for my GF and I on a week long trip down to the Ozarks. In the car I have your typical cigarette adapter tire air pump. I'd love to use my tire pump to inflate the mattress (buy an adapter?) but I don't know how to make it work. Here is the mattress I am considering:
http://www.summitcampinggear.com/codoflqu.html
And the Pump they recommend I purchase:
http://us.st12.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/yhst-91181333552265_2004_1267152 (http://us.st12.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/)
Anyone else used an inflatable mattress w/out purchasing a separate pump? I'd be open to other brands of inflatable mattresses w/ different air pump attachments if it worked out for the better. thx.
Bryce
We have a Coleman air bed and we bought the battery powered coleman pump to go with it. The pump cost about 10 bucks at Wally-World and runs on 4 D-batteries. It is very small (for car camping) and works great.
Frolicking Dinosaurs
06-19-2008, 12:10
I suggest a 12V high-volume air pump (http://www.target.com/Airhead-12V-High-Output-Air-Pump/dp/B000FE5PBA/sr=1-1/qid=1213891584/ref=sr_1_1/601-1089240-4960118?ie=UTF8&index=target&rh=k%3Ainflater&page=1) so you don't get bored stiff waiting forever for the tire pump to fill your air mattress.
BTW, I own the queen size model of the mattress you ar buying - it is comfy.
brotheral
06-19-2008, 21:58
I use a Northwest Territory "Super Air Pump" from K-Mart. It's a high volume hand pump. I lay out our Coleman Twin size mattresses in the tent, connect the hose and pump them up while sitting in my camp chair. It pumps air on the up and down strokes. It doesn't take long and is quite easy. No electricity / batteries... Very Simple :sun
Grumpy Ol' Pops
06-19-2008, 22:09
Anyone else used an inflatable mattress w/out purchasing a separate pump? I'd be open to other brands of inflatable mattresses w/ different air pump attachments if it worked out for the better. thx.
Bryce
I second the Coleman! I've owned the same one for some years and it has served me well both at home for visitors and while campground camping. My only complaint is that if two people are on the double sized mattress and one gets off, the other person displaces the air into the unoccupied side and suddenly winds up lying on the ground with the air mattress "crushed" under him/her. The battery powered pump does take a few minutes to pump it up, but you don't have to watch it the entire time. It "locks" into place.
brotheral
06-19-2008, 22:26
I second the Coleman! I've owned the same one for some years and it has served me well both at home for visitors and while campground camping. My only complaint is that if two people are on the double sized mattress and one gets off, the other person displaces the air into the unoccupied side and suddenly winds up lying on the ground with the air mattress "crushed" under him/her. The battery powered pump does take a few minutes to pump it up, but you don't have to watch it the entire time. It "locks" into place.
That's why I use 2 twin sized mattresses !! :banana
On trips close to home, I use the battery style pump. On longer car trips I take a Black and Decker air pump. I can use it for my mattress, the innertube for the river, and my tire if that need arises. I take patch kits for my tires in my vehicle. I'm always willing to help a stranded motorist, as I would for any hiker out there needing some help. My patch kit for the hikers tires is duct tape.