Bedding for camp stretchers

[Socks]

Ok so there's been a couple of posts recently about camp bunks and camp stretchers and that's got me thinking about bedding for them. What do you use to make sure the kids keep warm in winter and cool in summer? Are sleeping bags enough? We have limited space and don't want to be hauling around bulky bedding but need the kids to be warm and comfy. What do you use and how much space does intake up?

[ScottH]

I have two different weight sleeping bags for the kids, and in winter we take their scout blankets (wool blankets with their scout badges sewn all over them) for extra warmth.

For our extended stay over Christmas, it's fitted sheets wrapped around foam mattresses and lightweight sleeping bags unzipped and used like a doona.

If you are doing an extended trip, or will have dirty kids climbing in and out (not showering every day, etc), then you can use sleeping bag liners to help keep the sleeping bags clean. A liner dries much faster than the whole sleeping bag, so it's much quicker to wash regularly.

[02-SR5]

We use swags

[muzza01]

We use stretchers.  We lie on top of the sleeping bags and have a sheet over the top of us.  If it gets cold, crawl back in the sleeping bag.  Camping mostly in FNQ; nice and warm.

[cm4x4nut]

We have bought the kids a couple of cheap yoga mats that go over the top of the stretchers as a bit of extra padding, then it is sleeping bags and liners and there have been no complaints yet. Normally by the end of the day they are so stuffed, I think they would sleep on bare concrete 

[GeeTee]

I like the consistent above-ground comfort of a stretcher (a bit like a GT Camper  ) but they can be very cold - colder than sleeping on the ground - due to the air circulation and compression of bedding under the occupant's body. Try a self-inflating mattress on the stretcher; a quality old-school wool blanket is also an asset

[JCOJ]

We have self inflating mattresses, then we put a layer of thick wool on top which we go from an ugg boot place, then sheets and a woollen blanket, then we had custom down quilts made and all of this is secured in a custom canvas bag.

Believe it or not it doesn't take up that much space when zipped up - we just place them on top of our bed when packing up, and we just take the layers off it it is a warmer evening.

[02-SR5]

We use swags

Sorry mate,

That came out wrong, my daughter uses her swag on her stretcher. You need to put some thing to place on top to keep your bum warm.

[Redcherokee]

This very interesting.  I am planning on taking dad along on a trip when some nights are likely to get down to around zero. He will be sleeping in his own tent with a stretcher so he doesn't have to get down to ground level as much. As dad is now in his 70's, and hasn't been camping for about 20 years, we are keen to make him as comfortable as possible.  This trip will be a very big deal for him.

What do people recommend?  I am thinking a self inflating mattress on the stretcher, plus a sleeping bag, but am now wondering about adding a blanket on top of the mattress as well as over the sleeping bag.  He is a big guy, so I am hope he copes with the bag ok.

[ozbogwam]

You must make sure you have something under you like a self inflating mattress as it stops the heat getting sucked out of you. We usually then have a decent sleeping bag and for the kids a fleece blanket over that.

[Lori]

A decent self inflating mat will keep you warm without the need for a blanket on top of the mat as well. We have roman and diamantina 4WD mats and they keep us toasty warm from underneath.

In winter we use 0 rated Blackwolf child bags for the kids and I add a fleecy blanket on the inside. Children are always warm with this setup.

In summer I just add sheets to the mat and open the sleeping bag and place it over the top.

[Ashmo]

We have a set of bunks for the kids, we use self inflating hiking mats on the bunks and -8 rated sleeping bags. Thermals and good PJs are a treat and when it really cold they can put on a beanie. Layering is the key.
cheers

[Socks]

Thanks everyone. It's great to hear the different things people have done to keep the munckins warm. After reading your posts I will go look at the self inflating mattresses as well as the different weight sleeping bags for summer and winter. We have about a month before we take the kids away so have time to work out the right combinations

[Jaysea]

Just posted this reply on a similar question but thought would link here as well

http://www.myswag.org/index.php?topic=29312.msg458012#new

[YoWillis]

Hi!
We also use camp strtetchers for the kids and bought them stretcher covers which are like a light doona (padded) that go on the corners of the stretcher "ROMAN Stretcher Cushions".  They give my two comfort and warmth and if its warm, I just put a sheet over it, otherwise they are in their sleeping bags on them.
Hope this helps too....

[Bunyip]

Our daughter sleeps in her -5 sleeping bag ontop of her streater and pillow topper. In winter she zips the bag up, in summer she doesn't. Seems to be comfortable.

Bunyip

[Frostd]

We use swags, whcih are made up with sheets and blankets.  The swags are placed on top of the camper bed for travelling. Easy to make up and easy to pull down.

[Bird]

Stretcher, then a Doonah, or a Sheepskin then sleeping bags... worked everywhere so far for us inc 2c at Sheepyard, and 38c in Silverton.

But depends how well your kid copes. They are all individuals...

[BigJules]

I use a self inflating mat on top of the stretcher.

Here is a couple on Gumtree at Castle Hill, $45.

[Socks]

Thanks Jules. We ended up getting Dinali brand self inflating mattresses at Anaconda on the way home from Lake Lyell on the weekend for 1/2 price. Pretty happy with that cause we need 3 and the setup is costing a fortune

[johnyd]

What do people recommend?  I am thinking a self inflating mattress on the stretcher, plus a sleeping bag, but am now wondering about adding a blanket on top of the mattress as well as over the sleeping bag.  He is a big guy, so I am hope he copes with the bag ok.

This is not a light weight solution by any stretch of the imagination, but it is the most comfortable I've ever been while camping, very close to as comfortable as a good bed really.

I have a King Goanna stretcher.  Since you note he is a big guy I'd recommend this, it is SOLID, also longer and wider than most.  I'm 6'5 and around have slept on it when I was 120kg without a trace of give.  *Cough* It can take two without any give */cough*  Weighs about 20kg and takes up around as much room as a camp chair when folded.  It was around $120

On top of it I have my swag.  I had a mattress custom made for it to replace the standard foam mattress.  It is comprised of a layer of latex with two layers of foam with different densities.  The softer layer is around normal swag foam in density it is around 75mm thick total, 50mm latex, 15mm soft and 10mm dense.  It was $290, weighs around 20kg as well.  The place that I got it made (a local mattress manufacturer) came up with a 3 layer foam option that was almost as good for $140 and it was much lighter, only slightly heavier than a normal swag.  I knew the owner and spent some time out the back with him trying out different combinations of foam densities and materials that we could fit into the available space.  Can't quite remember the exact densities of the foam we figured out were "best".

I have a normal cotton sheet on the swag and almost always sleep under my sleeping bag (0 degree) unzipped and used as a doona.  It's comfortable for a range between 0 and 20 degrees, at the lower end of that a light wool blanket under the sheet helps.  -10-0 I sleep with the bag closed.  Above that I just have a sheet.

If he is really big get him one of the King sized (I think there might be a Super-King).  I could get in mine at 150kg, didn't have much room to move though but the newer bags are actually larger than mine.

I wouldn't want to lug it around at close to 40kg and not a small footprint but as I rarely go further than the wheels will take me, it is perfect.

[prodigyrf]

This very interesting.  I am planning on taking dad along on a trip when some nights are likely to get down to around zero. He will be sleeping in his own tent with a stretcher so he doesn't have to get down to ground level as much. As dad is now in his 70's, and hasn't been camping for about 20 years, we are keen to make him as comfortable as possible.  This trip will be a very big deal for him.

What do people recommend?  I am thinking a self inflating mattress on the stretcher, plus a sleeping bag, but am now wondering about adding a blanket on top of the mattress as well as over the sleeping bag.  He is a big guy, so I am hope he copes with the bag ok.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/AUS-MADE-100-PURE-WOOL-UNDERLAY-UNDERBLANKET-SINGLE-/130524954825?pt=AU_Bedding&hash=item1e63e4c0c9
Just bought a double for the Jayco and they are reversible for the seasons. There are heavier wool content ones for around double the price but that brand and density seems quite good and I figure we could afford 2 new ones for the price of the heavier one, given they'll all flatten and lose their oomph at some stage.

We've used reversible wool underlays on good quality mattresses without pillow top padding for years after a tip from a bedding guy that it's better to change underlays for a freshen up rather than redo a permanent pillowtop, although there are mattresses with removeable pillowtops for that reason. 

[D4D]

This very interesting.  I am planning on taking dad along on a trip when some nights are likely to get down to around zero. He will be sleeping in his own tent with a stretcher so he doesn't have to get down to ground level as much. As dad is now in his 70's, and hasn't been camping for about 20 years, we are keen to make him as comfortable as possible.  This trip will be a very big deal for him.

I am actually in the process of working out the same thing for my dad.

I already have a thermarest so I decided on adding the stretcher and sleeping bag below.
http://www.oztent.com.au/oztent-furniture/oztent-king-goanna-stretcher
http://www.oztent.com.au/oztent-furniture/oztent-rivergum-sleeping-bags

[KingBilly]

Our two teenagers (14 and 18) have these

http://www.tentworld.com.au/products/bedding/item/OZtrail-Jumbo-Padded-Aluminium-Cross-Leg-Stretcher.aspx

and these

http://www.tentworld.com.au/products/bedding/item/OZtrail-King-Single-Self-Inflating-Leisure-Mat.aspx

They use a standard fitted sheet on the bottom with a donna and/or cotton blanket.  Mattresses and linen stores on top of our bed.  Stretchers go in CT tub.

KB

[Redcherokee]

Some interesting ideas there. Thanks.

I already have king goanna stretcher, so will use that.  Will have a closer look at some of the pillow top/wool type options.  He has a wool topper at home, so the familiarity of feel might be an added benefit.