Keeping bed Dry between stops

[shakey55]

Hi all.  I'm pretty new to the camper trailer world and have only had my Central Coast Camper for a little over 12 months  and have luckily only ever had to pack up in good weather.

I'm about to travel from Sydney, cross country to the Victorian / South Australian border, then travel the coast all the way back to Sydney.

I will be kept to a schedule at various locations due to accommodation bookings, so what I am asking is;

What is the best way to keep the bed completely dry if I have to pack up a wet camper ?

I will not have to travel long distances between locations, maybe the longest drive between stops will be around 250 kms


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Tim - Stratford]

You could put a sheet of plastic, like a ground sheet over the bed before folding the camper up.

Sarah

[Dingo0163]

All I use is a 5x8' plastic tarp that costs about $5.00. Just make the bed , throw the tarp over it and pack up the camper as normal. 

[cap8959]

I went to a bedding store and asked for the couple of plastic bags that the new mattresses are in. After the strange look they gave me, and I explained what I wanted them for, they were happy to give me as many as I wanted.

[RWS]

I went to a bedding store and asked for the couple of plastic bags that the new mattresses are in. After the strange look they gave me, and I explained what I wanted them for, they were happy to give me as many as I wanted.

X2...we use the plastic bag the mattress came in on top of the bed...the pocket also doubles as a place to store flooring mats.

[Flocky]

Hi

I just went out today a bought a tarp for this reason
Got a Easter trip planned since January but as the wet season has not come yet knowing my luck it will while I'm on holidays

[HEM19X]

Tarp or plastic, both good,,,, great trip... Port McDonald along the coast is fabulous... but don't forget a couple of days in Mt Gambier.

Awesome.

[GGV8Cruza]

We carry a tarp for when it is really wet. We also now have a large rubber backed picnic blanket from Katmandu which we put over the bed rubber side up when packing up. During normal use it is laid out on the soft floor for some protection and to keep your feet warm in the cooler months

GG

[Redcherokee]

Cheap plastic/ rubbery stuff backed picnic blanket. Cloth side to the bedding. A good compromise between flexible and strength. But the big thing is you know which side is which. 

Also keeps the gravel etc off the bed - even though you think the floor has been swept there is always some when you open up next. Goes on absolutely every time we pack up.

With a little care about how you put it on and take it off it makes a big difference to the dreaded grit in the bed problem.

[staghornflat]

We cut up a plastic tarp and sewed it up like a fitted sheet with elastic around the bottom. Works great and cheap.

[slave]

Tarp or plastic, both good,,,, great trip... Port McDonald along the coast is fabulous... but don't forge a couple of days in Mt Gambier.

Awesome.

It's actually Port MacDonnell and is a lovely spot

[aussieducker]

Im pretty sure you can buy plastic sheet mattress protector, has elastic already stitched in. Use it to cover made up bed.

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk

[Campa]

Customline have an excellent canvas bed cover.
http://www.customline.com.au/product_large/357_27-05-2011_9281.jpg
Made from the same wax converter canvas their camper tents are made from. $250 isn't cheap but it's a great product.

[Beachman]

I must be missing something as when I have packed up in the wet, the bedding area has always remained dry. If inside the tent area is dry when packed up, shouldn’t that mean only dry canvas is touching the bedding area?

So unless you leave a door/window open when packing up, water shouldn’t get inside the tent area?

Wish I could say the same for myself as I get wet & dirty by folding up the wet side of the canvas.

[bussoboy]

we have packed up in the wet more often than the dry as we prefer winter camping and have used several methods but the cheapie $2 tarp works as well as anything else we have used

the very first time we used the camper we managed to trap at least 20 litres of water in the folds of the canvas as we folded it all up which eventually found its way onto the mattress and ever since it has been known as "the Ark"

[Moggy]

Funny eh! When we got out ct, the mattress was in  sealed plastic. SWMBO told me to remove plastic before our first trip because mattress will sweat & go mouldy. OK says I & removed said plastic. Off we go on our first trip & what happens..... it pi$$es down & guess what. Because it also blew like $hit the mattress got wet. Guess who got blamed & now work out how to stop mattress getting wet

Sent from my XT905 using Tapatalk

[chetty]

I bought half a dozen heavy duty painting drop sheets that are like a light vinyl. I store a couple under the mattress if I need them. They are great for a bunch of jobs and are very small when folded up (fit into an a4 envelope type small).

Got them at bunnings for about 4 bucks each.

[vicandug]

We have a bed bag

But

Can anyone who has one please tell me .....  Is there a way to leave it on the bed when stopped without having lumps and bumps under the bed or do you take it off.

[ozstickman]

We just use a cheap tarp.

[pedrogb]

Hi all
I have been thinking about this for a while, was just going to get a tarp, but saw this post.
Went to kathmandu, they had their rubber backed picnic blanket on sale for $28.
That will do us, will cover the bed nicely and keep it dry, can go on the camper floor in between times.
Regards
Pedro