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campism Samba Member
Joined: September 07, 2007 Posts: 4492 Location: Richmond VA
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Posted: Mon Oct 04, 2010 9:38 am Post subject: Inflatable bed for van or tent |
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We had company over the weekend and not enough bed space so a neighbor loaned us his Aerobed and I thought it worth mentioning here in case anyone is interested in something like this for use in van or tent. It comes with its own inflator that plugs into 110V and fills the bed in about a minute. Handy if you have shore power or an inverter. Once inflated it’s as thick as a standard mattress, which might eat up some space in a van (especially a Westy) but if comfy enough might be worth the sacrifice. Get details, pricing and dealer locator at www.aerobed.com. Coincidentally, our new Campmor catalog arrived the same day and it features a Coleman Quickbed that looks like the same thing for less money. I think the cheapest Aerobed brand bed begins at about $99.
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thummmper Samba Member
Joined: November 25, 2009 Posts: 2015 Location: Meadow Valley, California Republic
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Posted: Mon Oct 04, 2010 10:07 am Post subject: |
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thats what I do too |
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kshbaja Samba Member
Joined: June 15, 2008 Posts: 476 Location: Portland, OR
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Posted: Mon Oct 04, 2010 12:14 pm Post subject: |
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The walmart version, without pump, is less than $20. _________________ 1986 Westfalia |
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MichaelRpdx Samba Member
Joined: September 21, 2010 Posts: 146 Location: Portland, OR
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Posted: Mon Oct 04, 2010 12:20 pm Post subject: Re: Inflatable bed for van or tent |
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campism wrote: |
We had company over the weekend and not enough bed space so a neighbor loaned us his Aerobed and I thought it worth mentioning here in case anyone is interested in something like this for use in van or tent. |
We had guests that brought their own for the teenage daughter.
It also uses the electric pump to deflate so it can really be repacked in its backpack or whatever.
The twin sized one is 39"x74"x8" _________________ Michael in PDX
Sauntering around with Frances, a red 89 Westy |
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CQ Samba Member
Joined: April 11, 2009 Posts: 546 Location: San Diego, CA
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Posted: Mon Oct 04, 2010 2:01 pm Post subject: |
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Off topic but is that the original Westy cabinet door on the side or did you make that. I like the idea of the slider doors there in the rear cabinet...hmmmm. _________________ 82 Westy 'Betsy'
72 Bus 'Bertha' -Sold
Learning about 2.0L AFC Everyday. |
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campism Samba Member
Joined: September 07, 2007 Posts: 4492 Location: Richmond VA
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Posted: Mon Oct 04, 2010 2:08 pm Post subject: |
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I copied Frank Condelli's mod on the closet. I'll find a link for photos.
*EDIT*
Here you go:
http://www.frankcondelli.com/closet.htm
Last edited by campism on Mon Oct 04, 2010 6:32 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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speedygeorge Samba Member
Joined: November 28, 2009 Posts: 235 Location: Victoria, BC
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Posted: Mon Oct 04, 2010 2:16 pm Post subject: Re: Inflatable bed for van or tent |
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Silly question but why do you have a bed on a bed? |
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bjrogers86auto Samba Member
Joined: March 26, 2009 Posts: 1375 Location: Halifax, N.S.
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Posted: Mon Oct 04, 2010 3:51 pm Post subject: airbed |
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Not to knock comfort...I'm all about it...BUT...the downside to an airbed, especially in colder temps, is that you freeze.
The air in the bed is the same temp as the air in the van. We used one many camping trips ago and quickly converted to Thermarest type pads.
In our van I use a 1 1/2" foam topper for added plush.
The other issue I had is if you move...so does your partner.
Ok...I'm done moaning now...
Brian. _________________ 86 Vanagon GL Westfalia 2.1
18 Nissan Frontier Pro 4X
19 Honda Civic Hatchback
A little rudeness and disrespect can elevate a meaningless interaction to a battle of wills and add drama to an otherwise dull day. Calvin and Hobbes. |
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Timwhy Samba Member
Joined: January 01, 2009 Posts: 4002 Location: Maine
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JPrato Samba Member
Joined: December 15, 2006 Posts: 791 Location: Livonia, NY
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Posted: Mon Oct 04, 2010 4:05 pm Post subject: |
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2X on the memory foam. Yup, the Westy functions as a guest house at our place too! _________________ Joe
87 Syncro Tin Top project
84 Westy, 2.5L Subaru power
06 Subaru 2.5 turbo in waiting
46 Cessna 140 |
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campism Samba Member
Joined: September 07, 2007 Posts: 4492 Location: Richmond VA
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Posted: Mon Oct 04, 2010 4:21 pm Post subject: |
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"Silly question but why do you have a bed on a bed?"
Not a silly question at all. The bed is on the bed for purposes of illustration, to show anyone who might be interested the relative dimensions of the Aerobed in a Westy. Personally, we use memory foam and have a 2" thick pad for the downstairs and one for the upstairs and we unroll these when necessary.
However, there are plenty of folks for whom the stock Westy bed is not comfortable enough who do NOT use memory foam or who may want a multipurpose (read tent in addition to van) alternative and I snapped some pix of the air bed in the van to show what is possible. It's just in case you haven't seen one and might find the prospect interesting, that's all. |
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peterkrogh Samba Member
Joined: September 01, 2010 Posts: 30 Location: Washington DC Area
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Posted: Mon Oct 04, 2010 7:45 pm Post subject: |
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Anyone have a source for the foam?
Peter |
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idahoskier Samba Member
Joined: March 30, 2009 Posts: 161 Location: Donnelly, ID
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Posted: Mon Oct 04, 2010 8:49 pm Post subject: |
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I use a double-wide (72x52) thermarest style pad. It fits in the upper bed perfectly and could be wedged into the lower bunk easily. It could also be used in a tent. Not the cushiest self inflating pad on its own, but on top of the stock beds it adds a lot. Mine is made by outbound but most other mfgs make one.. got it on STP for about $30. _________________ 85 Westy w/ 2.2L Subaru
91 Westy w/ 2.5L Subaru - sold |
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IdahoDoug Samba Member
Joined: June 12, 2010 Posts: 10250 Location: N. Idaho
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Posted: Mon Oct 04, 2010 9:01 pm Post subject: |
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Also interested in a source for the foam, and hoping for a place to get it at lower cost than what's commonly available. In other words, I'd love to find a commercial source selling it by the linear foot as opposed to paying 10X the amount because someone radiused the corners and put it in a fancy branded box with a cutout so you can feel it. Those brands have to be laughing all the way to the bank - $150 for a 2" slab of foam?! Hah!
DougM _________________ 1987 2WD Wolfsburg Vanagon Weekender "Mango", two fully locked 80 Series LandCruisers. 2017 Subaru Outback boxer. 1990 Audi 90 Quattro 20V with rear locking differential, 1990 burgundy parts Vanagon. 1984 Porsche 944, 1988 Toyota Supra 5 speed targa, 2002 BMW 325iX, 1982 Toyota Sunrader |
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CREGAN Samba Member
Joined: April 26, 2008 Posts: 230 Location: Leduc, Alberta - CANADA
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Posted: Mon Oct 04, 2010 9:42 pm Post subject: |
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I use a memory foam matress that I bought from Canadian Tire ($40). It was a double size but I trimmed about 4 inches off the side and made a little cutout for the electrical outlet. It was super easy to cut with the electric carving knofe - screw carving turkey! It sits about 3 inches up and is the perfect size to put a fitted sheet on and then any comforters or sleeping bags on. It is almost more comfy than my real bed! Only downside is rolling it up to access the under seat or trying to get into the back cabinet. But definately worth it. I hate air matresses for the fact that they always seem to lose air and when I move or my wife it shakes like crazy. it reminds me of a waterbed - sleeping on the hump. Go with the foam!
Craig |
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Timwhy Samba Member
Joined: January 01, 2009 Posts: 4002 Location: Maine
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1621 Samba Member
Joined: May 15, 2006 Posts: 2174
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Posted: Tue Oct 05, 2010 5:26 am Post subject: |
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Climberjohn mentioned he picked up a memory foam matress topper from Overstock.com. Apparently the price is the same whether you're buying a twin size or king. If you purchase the king size you can cut it up and have enough for the upper bunk as well.
My only question for those with a memory foam topper is where do you store it, and how much space does it consume? _________________ '85 Westy |
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campism Samba Member
Joined: September 07, 2007 Posts: 4492 Location: Richmond VA
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Posted: Tue Oct 05, 2010 10:13 am Post subject: |
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1621 wrote: |
Climberjohn mentioned he picked up a memory foam matress topper from Overstock.com. Apparently the price is the same whether you're buying a twin size or king. If you purchase the king size you can cut it up and have enough for the upper bunk as well.
My only question for those with a memory foam topper is where do you store it, and how much space does it consume? |
That's what we did, sliced a King in two. They roll up nicely and store behind the rear seat. Here they are ready to travel. My bride sewed up nice slipcovers for them and we remove those for washing, keeping the pads themselves looking newish.
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msinabottle Samba Member
Joined: September 20, 2005 Posts: 3492 Location: Denver Area, Colorado
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DAIZEE Samba Member
Joined: January 26, 2010 Posts: 7552 Location: Greater Toronto Area Ontario West Side
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Posted: Tue Oct 05, 2010 2:12 pm Post subject: |
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another source if you can't find a foam factory, look for small mattress companies. Can buy foam there without any work done. Where I got my new back seat & back and mattress. I went 4" same as was in it but I should have only gotten 2.5 to 3". _________________ '09 2.5L Jetta 5 cylinder, 5 spd, super turbo, see thread in H2O Cooled Jetta, etc...
83.5 Vanagon L Riviera Model with 98 1.9L TD AAZ 4 speed Daily Driver 3 out of 4 seasons (sold)
84 Vanagon GL Wolfsburg Westy WBX 4 speed (sold) |
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