The camp cot thread; what's good, what's bad ...

[ckkone]

I know swags are popular down under, anyone here in the US use one kinda like a tent cot on the ground? I could only find one online retailer selling them:

http://www.summitcampinggear.com/wallaby.html



Looks like a really nice way to go, just unroll and sleep:

 

[Zatara]

I know swags are popular down under, anyone here in the US use one kinda like a tent cot on the ground? I could only find one online retailer selling them:

http://www.summitcampinggear.com/wallaby.html

View attachment 80427

Looks like a really nice way to go, just unroll and sleep:

Now THAT I like !!

 

[MaloCS]

I'm on the verge of getting the KampRite, Oversized Tent Cot. Do any of you guys have real world usage details you might want to share?

Additionally, I'm interested in building a solid insulation barrier between my back and the cold, ambient air below the cot. So far, I thought about adding a Therm-A-Rest RidgeRest along with a Therm-A-Rest Luxury Map mat. From my research it seems this combo would not only afford me a comfy night's sleep but keep my back side warm in colder temps.

My question is had anyone here used a comparable setup? If so, what are your thoughts? Which products are you using? Are there comparable products to what I have listed that I can find for less money? Etc...

The products don't have to be the same but I would appreciate any insight into your cold (32* F - 50* F) weather cot camping escapades. Thanks a bunch.

 

[PNWINFERNOPRO]

I am 6'5", 280 lbs; have used a Thermarest only for a season in my Cabela's Deluxe Tent Cot. The first trip out was on a 6000' ridge that dropped to lower 40s overnight. I was comfortable and warm, with just a regular sleeping bag and sweatshirt.

 

[Chili]

I've been using a fairly generic "army style" cot for a couple of years now. The 30+" XL width suits me fine especially with my XL REI 3.5" self inflating pad. OH so comfy! I like the height vs a roll a cot style which is usually closer to the ground.

This style cot has a couple of problems though. 1st they are hard on tent floors. I carry 6 little carpet squares to put under the legs. The other problem mine suffered last trip. The center aluminum leg bent from sitting on it! I'm going to fix it instead of replace the cot. The leg portion is Pop-riveted into the x brace so I will just use square aluminum tubing to fix it. BUT I'm going to add an upright brace to triangulate the center legs on both sides. This way there will be a vertical leg of sorts for strength when sitting on the cot. Some super HD cots have this on all legs.

I use a military style cot I purchased from Academy Sports and I love it. They are a good height to sit on, your gear stores well underneath saving floorspace, nice and durable. I used them in the Army 15 years ago and still prefer them over any I have found. The legs on the tent floors are the only issue I have encountered..

 

[Ed B]

You can use motorcycle side stand supports under each of the legs to protect the floor. Thin, easy to pack, and pretty inexpensive.

 

[Revco]

I've been eyeballing the Kamp Rite Double Tent Cot myself.

 

[PNWINFERNOPRO]

I've been eyeballing the Kamp Rite Double Tent Cot myself.

I will be getting a Double, for camping with the wifey. Using the Deluxe single for solo trips. Great tent cots.

 

[lostdreamer]

For a single person, I rate this kind of thing:

http://www.militarymart.co.uk//british-army-issue-camp-bed/prod_380.html

Plus points:
It packs down reasonably well - Not much bigger than a rolled up (& slightly pointy) blanket.
The sprung steel legs and frame mean that it supports you nicely. I have get you find another camp bed as comfy.
Awesome value for money. You can spend a lot more money and end up with a much worse bed.

There is a trick to putting them up - use your body weight to put the legs in. Don't try and just squeeze them. Locate one side of the leg in the frame, then put it on the ground and lean downwards on the other end of the leg to compress it. It should then slide into it's locating point reasonably easily.

Downsides:
Not idiot proof. Everything does have to be properly located to stop them falling apart in the middle of the night, and as mentioned above there is a bit of a trick to assembly.
Because of the shape of the legs, if you put all your weight on one side of the bed then then can roll over and dump you on the ground.

 

[YotaPilot]

As for double cots, there seem to be few choices, but two I have found are the Kamp-Rite, here: http://store.kamprite.com/product.php?is_hc=Y&mode=add&productid=16139&cat=254&page=1

It looks good and doesn't appear or have a bar in the middle. Anybody with experience with this one?

I just read through this thread and don't think anyone mentioned anything about the Kamp-rite double cot...so I will ask again. Anyone have any experience with this cot? I am thinking of this cot for the wife and I.

And looking at the detailed photos on the Kamprite website, there does appear to be a bar in the middle.

 

[PNWINFERNOPRO]

I just read through this thread and don't think anyone mentioned anything about the Kamp-rite double cot...so I will ask again. Anyone have any experience with this cot? I am thinking of this cot for the wife and I.

And looking at the detailed photos on the Kamprite website, there does appear to be a bar in the middle.
View attachment 102148
View attachment 102149

I just added a Double Kamp-rite to the Deluxe Single I already had. Great cots(tents). The Double does have a bar in the middle. I added a quality double self-inflating sleep pad, from Amazon. It can be left inside while the cot is folded.

 

[YotaPilot]

For those who have Kamp-Rite cots, where did you buy them?

I just placed an order with Campingcomfortably.com and they are trying to charging me $165 for shipping. This seems outrageous. My order includes the kamp-rite double cot, kamp-rite single cot, a GSI outdoors pot set, and a two burner camp stove. Their explanation for the shipping cost was that the double cot comes in an extremely large box and UPS charges by size. If I remove the double cost from my order the shipping cost drops the $36.

This does not make sense to me considering I know I can ship something like a longboard surfboard (9 ft long) for around $100.

What are your opinions? Any recommendations of other places to order where shipping would be cheaper?

 

[Ed B]

Amazon sells it and quotes $30.64 for shipping.

 

[YotaPilot]

Amazon sells it and quotes $30.64 for shipping.

Do you have a link? I searched Amazon and only found the tent cot, not the double cot without the tent.

 

[Ed B]

I apologize, it was the double tent cot I saw shipping for that amount. Amazon shows the cot only but it is out of stock.

http://www.amazon.com/Kamp-Rite-FC321-Double-Kwik-Cot/dp/B004M0YY0G