Air Mattress

Going camping soon....plan to sleep in the bed of the truck. I have a DCLB. Gonna have a canopy with mesh netting around to keep the bugs and rain out as my shelter. As far as bedding I plan to sleep in between the fender wells. Will be two of us....what are yalls suggestions as far as size? Full, twin? queen? I am not interested right now to build a platform so we can go over the fender wells..that maybe for a later date.

Thanks

 

Some options: https://www.truckairbedz.com

 

Air mattresses all leak, all of them, some slow, some fast. You can get a custom size temperpeadic foam that’s much more comfortable.

 

This ^^

 

Does the memory foam get too stiff in cold weather?

 

I’m sure it can, there’s plenty other foam mattresses, even ones that members have made themselves to custom size with the actual mattress material

 

I'm not sure about the size for in between the fender wells but this works amazingly well in my rooftop tent. Academy also sells an electric pump that conveniently works well with the bed outlet.

https://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/klymit-adults-double-v-sleeping-pad#repChildCatid=5148537

 

Also, air mattresses suck body heat away from you as you sleep. Fine for the summer, but very uncomfortable in the colder times.

 

Just bought one of these. Perfect size for the long bed. Insulation of 9.5 (I think the scale is 10 or 9.9). Only concern is price really. At moosejaw it's 20% off.

https://www.moosejaw.com/product/exped-megamat-duo-10-sleeping-pad_10331163

 

That’s looks good, but $300 for an air mattress is steep. They make styro and air pads for under the sleeping bag for $25

Just saw you said price

 

I agree. Nevertheless, there are a few things that made me go with this.

I first started looking at the airbedz. But the amount of space they take up is overkill, and the posts on here regarding the loss of air and on reviews made me less confident in it.

Started looking at the sleeping pads. They are all about 72" long and 20"-25" wide. For myself, sleeping on that more than one night in a row I would be miserable with that width. Plus I wanted something for the girlfriend to sleep on when we both go on trips.

Found this writeup online and the guy uses a Teton cot pad. I really liked this. The material is not sticky, it washes easy, 40" width was perfect to fit between wheel wells. Price is right. Only problem was the length is 82".
https://www.desktodirtbag.com/truck-camping-sleeping-pad-mattress/
The author mentions that he flips it up with the tailgate when sleeping. But I think that is lost space at your feet and kind of silly.

Enter the Exped and it checked all the boxes. From what i have read it is nearing home mattress comfort, wide enough for 2. Self inflating (hand pump to get the firmness right). It has good insulation, 5 year warranty, and can be a guest mattress for the house. Again the MSRP at $350 is really expensive. But I bought this knowing it was exactly what I wanted. Hope this helps the OP decide.

 

My Intex twin sized air mattress fits well between the wheels on top of my platform but I wouldn't suggest it for a couple. I'm 5'10" and the truck bed is 6.1' and it still seems barely long enough. I leave the mattress slightly under inflated to making closing the tailgate easier. On cooler nights I use a thin closed cell foam camping sleeping pad as it offers more insulation. As others have mentioned sleeping on top of air is poor for insulation contrary to what one would expect. I've owned this air mattress for over 10 years and used it every year without leaking problems. It only cost me $20. If it is filled up during the day with warm air and the night is cool then the pressure will decrease giving it a less inflated feel (Ideal Gas Law: PV=nRT) Hope this was helpful.

 

You all can get a memory foam mattress pad, 3-4” thick (same as a rooftop tent), at target for about $35 bucks. Rolls up tight. No inflation needed. Much more comfortable than an air mattress. I’ll just leave this info here.

 

I’ve been waiting for my air mattress to spring a leak so I have a reason to buy one of these. How does it handle moisture from condensation?

 

Expeds are the bomb. I've used the down insulated models for truck camping for a dozen years or so. I prefer hammocks whenever possible backpacking, but never as warm as with the Exped.

 

@eccracer104 hoo the brother up with a mattress deal.

 

I’ve noticed that when I used one the condensation wasn’t a problem as long as I had a blanket or sheet below it and on top of it. The one time I didn’t it got pretty damp

 

Twin bed works perfect. I have a DCSB and if I had a LB the twin size aero would be perfect. That or some of the other truck bed options work.

 

I thought about getting this but didnt have a SB option.

 

What about this?

$198 D&D Futon Furniture Gray Sleeper Chair Folding Beds, Convertible Studio Sofa Bed, High Density Foam (72 x 48 x 6 in Thick)

https://www.amazon.com/Futon-Furnit...ss+48+x+72&dpPl=1&dpID=31awLc6mTKL&ref=plSrch