I have finished all my long term travels and sold my van and will be downsizing to the new model Toyota Hiace with a professional fit out. Whilst caravans and most motor homes have a proper bed the camper does not.
As I will travelling on my own now I will more than likely leave the bed setup. But I wonder what bedding solutions camper owners have found the best both for cold weather and warm weather.
-- Edited by cjt55 on Monday 26th of April 2021 08:46:14 AM
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Cheers
Col
(Picture of my beloved Molly (2003 - 2016) who loved the travels as much as I do. RIP old girl. Gone but never forgotten).
We usually sleep in the car as we are too lazy to put the tent up. Have had ice on the car in the morning to when it is to hot.
Have insulated the car which has made a big difference for cold mornings.
We use Thermarest mattresses, after 25 years I had to replace mine & bought a Thermarest Luxury Map 75mm thick, standard size which is the smallest one as we need to fit 2 mattresses side by side.
The Luxury Map is brilliant. But if I did have the room I would have bought a thicker mattress simply to get the best money can buy.
We use full size pillows.
We have feather doonas & prefer these over sleeping bags which we have to leave fully open as they get too hot.
Sheets & feather doonas are more flexible for varying temperatures.
A SIGG aluminium bottle in a large thick wool sock or 2 so you don't burn yourself works well as a hot water bottle & will never leak.
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Procrastination, mankind's greatest labour saving device!
50L custom fuel rack 6x20W 100/20mppt 4x26Ah gel 28L super insulated fridge TPMS 3 ARB compressors heatsink fan cooled 4L tank aftercooler Air/water OCD cleaning 4 stage car acoustic insulation.
I too sleep in the car and I absolutely hated my expensive sleeping bag because I have difficulty turning over and get twisted up and the blankets always slip off:
I discovered by accident (as I was gifted it free) that a good quality king size quilt suits me fine.
I fold it length ways into 3 and get in with two layers on top of me when its cold (one underneath me), woo hoo no need for blanket, and I flip back one layer if it warms up, I just sleep on top of them all if its hot. Yes I have a king size quilt to wash which is a bit of a pain, but I'm soooo cosy in there it's worth it.
Apart from the overall improvement with insulation. We used to get condensation on the tailgate trim panel. Pulled it off & lined it with acoustic foam & now we don't get a drop of water.
We have cut windscreen sun shades to fit every window & double thickness for the front window. Reduces condensation & it's warmer on cold nights. Then you don't need as thick doona.
Thanks for your comments and suggestions everyone. Your suggestion Mike sounds like the way to go and Wannabe Nomad your comment made me laugh. Been there done that with a sleeping bag lol. Hopefully one day you won't be a Wannabe.
-- Edited by cjt55 on Tuesday 27th of April 2021 08:31:10 AM
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Cheers
Col
(Picture of my beloved Molly (2003 - 2016) who loved the travels as much as I do. RIP old girl. Gone but never forgotten).
I should really change my name to partime nomad as I've started taking small trips 20days the longest. But am waiting to get more experience and for covid to be over before I take off for a longer trip.
However, I now free camp on the way over to visit the grandkids in Vic; I even take mr 'I don't want to go camping with you' along with me on these trips or he would miss out on seeing the kids. I must admit now I no longer have little children of my own I avoid standard Caravan parks when I can. I'm loving it
I also have cut windscreen shades to fit all windows, to help keep me warm when its cold and the car cool when its hot, but my cutting out is not as good as whenarewethere lol
Wannabe nomad wrote:now I no longer have little children of my own I avoid standard Caravan parks when I can. I'm loving it
In general I don't like caravan parks, they have nothing I need except power and water and the sites are often small and cramped.
What I do like are the community caravan parks which provide P&W hookups. Less cramped sites usually easy to reverse into, pleasant locations, puts money into the local community, cheaper and more friendly. I'm currently at Lockington in north central Victoria, a lovely little village with P&W for $15 per night. A pleasant outlook and a great setting by the children's park - delightful to hear the cries of play :)
If you don't have it buy Wikicamps and learn to use the filters.
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"I beseech you in the bowels of Christ think it possible you may be mistaken"
Oliver Cromwell, 3rd August 1650 - in a letter to the General Assembly of the Kirk of Scotland
