RE: Coleman Bunk (Bad Back) Solved

[CampChief]

 
Although I had a Sunvalley(00) and recently upgraded to a Mesa(03) I still was trying to increase the comfort level of the King bunk to at least bearable and not waking up to a bad back. In the Sunvalley I used the eggcrate foam over the mattress.This was better than nothing but I wanted more. I checked out Tims site and figured I d try inflatable air mattresses. After sending away to Cablea s for some the first ones I tried were to thin 1 3/4"  and not that comfortable. Back to Cabela s they went and I re-ordered a 3 1/2"  mattress. This proved to be to hard , not comfortable and a real pain to roll up and stow. Both these were Cabela s brand mattress s. Then I was in Sams Club a few weeks back and saw they carried a self inflating air mattress. It s a Everest Elite by Slumberjack. They measure 76" x25" x3" . They are kind of quilted and soft to the touch. I bought three to completley cover the King bunk(although I just used two under the mattress bunk when I m solo with my DS). So now I have a good eggcrate pad and mattress pad and sheet on top all the time(PU will close) and when I set up I put the self inflating matress s under the bunk mattress. They deflate easily with a " boston valve"  thats one way when rolling them up at the end of the trip. They cost about 28$ a piece but I think they are worth it. I m sorry I rambled on but I had to share my first good comfortable sleep in the Mesa. BTW I m a big guy 6 3"  and 250lb and this set up supported me just fine.

[tlhdoc]

 CampChief
DS has one of those air mattresses for tent camping.

[Gone-Camping]

 CampChief
I was looking at those at Sams Club the other day, and was hoping to find one in queen size.... Hmmm, I did like the feel of them. I currenlty use a 3.5 inch inflatable but they are really too thick and I don t care for the inflation part, those at Sams Club are self inflating, not to mention soft yet firm.... Hmmm...

[TheWallRocks]

 CampChief
We use a Coleman queen size air mattress that I am going to guess is 5-6"  thick.  We use a coleman rechargable inflator so when setting up the PU I just hook it up to the valve, turn it on, and walk away to do other setup while it s inflating.  At the end of the trip I unscrew the valve and the deflation takes care of itself.  I just close the PU on top of it.
 
 After back problems, back surgery, and on-going pain, this setup is more comfortable than the hi-dollar mattress I have at home.
 
 On a similar note, the Coleman rechargable inflator was one of our better purchases.  We camp 99% of the time near a beach and it works great for inflating/deflating beach toys.