Affordable cot

[JimB]

In the market for an affordable, compact cot. Something way south of the Aerostitch compact one. Oh, I'm also 6'2"" and 240 lbs. So it has to be sturdy too.

I've looked in the usual places; Cabelas, Campmor, REI, SG etc.

I've seen some that claim to be compact. Anyone have any real world experience with one. Something that fits on the back of the bike without weighing a ton or resembling a bundle of 2x4's?

I may just opt for an inflatable pad that inflates to 3" or so.

[Jeff Kushner]

Jim,

I do a lot of camping with my children and I use an air mattress. I just hook it to my compressor and it's up full and tight in a minute or two. The best part is that it compacts down to a reasonable size for travel. I'd have to check on the manufacture but I think that it was one of the better ones that Walmart sold. It was around 8 or 10 bucks and has lasted 3 or 4 years now.

jeff

[iron_llama]

Have you considered a hammock?


Add a mosquito bar and a tarp, and you're all set.

[shelbyclay]

I'll second the air matress from wally world. I have three on them (one leaks)
and I use my Wee's exaust to fill it. It is actually faster than the battery powered coleman air pump but it wont deflate it like the pump will. It has never been hot enough to bother anything as I usually have it parked for a while before I use it as an air pump. These new air matresses (to me) are comfortable and the grand kids use them when they come over to visit. Mine is also high enough to keep me out of the direct line of snakes and most small varmits as I also dont like to use a tent unless it is raining.
I have had a coon wake me by licking my toes one night. No damage to me, He may have had a sore nose when I inadvertently kicked him.

[badtux]

Just go for the inflatable pad. If you ride you're going to be tired at the end of the day and have no trouble sleeping. I have the regular 2" thick Thermarest and it sleeps just fine despite all the patches (my cat got into the closet and decided to use it as a scratching post, okay?) and straps to the top of my topbag just fine. Just a bit of a pain to inflate it, huff puff huff puff, and deflating it in the morning is a PITA too, but it sleeps just fine once I have it nice and plump...