$150 Hybrid Sleeping solution - cot & mattress

[get.outside.75]

After some trial and error with cots and toppers, I think I have come up with the perfect budget sleeping setup.

Cot - https://a.co/d/0d0xeYyi (75 x 27.5)
Mattress: https://a.co/d/07eixZV9 (75x30)

The cot fits perfectly without having to take any supports off. Sits level (it's a 7" raised platform). The front support sits tight against the seat (must remove headrest for install but you can put it back on). Moving the front seat forward to get it in make it much easier to fit in, then slide it back some. Of course with a 75" cot, you can't move the seats all the way back (pic provided for reference). The 7" raise gives you room to stuff stuff underneath and I might look into some storage bags that might work to keep gear.

I tried a 26" wide cot and 25" topper and didn't like it, too much room lost. I am a stomach sleeper and my arms and shoulders take up a ton of space above my head. Plus the cot I got was only 6" high and not level. Now the cot takes up all available space in the back with the 1/3 split up. While the 30" topper is "too wide" you can just tuck it in around the wheel well just fine as shown. I rather have 5" of extra space at my head and arms than a narrow 25" mattress. And I will use this setup for car camping as well and ditch the air mattress my wife uses.

I am much more of a tent camping guy but there are plenty of times I would roll in late and just want to crash without having to get out my tent and break it down in the morning. Hoping to try it out soon when the temps actually get below 98. Ugh.

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[MikeD]

nice. I'm planning a x-country trip next year (to do some mountain west wheeling with a buddy (Bronco) and my son (5G4runner) who live in Denver). Plan to hit National & State parks and forests along the way - this could be a solution to maximizing time on the road and staying comfortable. Was noodling RTT as well but I think I'm going to put my 35" spare on the roof and this solution leaves me more than enough interior storage space for the trip. thanks for the post and photos and links.

 

[get.outside.75]

nice. I'm planning a x-country trip next year (to do some mountain west wheeling with a buddy (Bronco) and my son (5G4runner) who live in Denver). Plan to hit National & State parks and forests along the way - this could be a solution to maximizing time on the road and staying comfortable. Was noodling RTT as well but I think I'm going to put my 35" spare on the roof and this solution leaves me more than enough interior storage space for the trip. thanks for the post and photos and links.

Yeah RTT for me are pretty much out as if I am out camping in any form, I will have 1-4 dogs with me and usually a wife lol. This at least gives me a cheap option if it's just me + 1-2 dogs which is pretty common if I am taking a solo backpacking trip. I typically roll into a campground in the evening and then get up early next morning to start my hike. This would save me a lot of time and no chance for packing up a wet tent.

 

[spyder40]

How is the sag side to side?

 

[get.outside.75]

How is the sag side to side?

This cot is tight as a drum, probably as tight as my Coleman Trailhead which takes quite a bit of muscle to assemble. Certainly tighter than some other cots out there. The support bars on this cot also takes some muscle by the last one. Not saying you won't sag some because it is fabric, but its not much.

 

[calvincartier]

After some trial and error with cots and toppers, I think I have come up with the perfect budget sleeping setup.

Cot - https://a.co/d/0d0xeYyi (75 x 27.5)
Mattress: https://a.co/d/07eixZV9 (75x30)

The cot fits perfectly without having to take any supports off. Sits level (it's a 7" raised platform). The front support sits tight against the seat (must remove headrest for install but you can put it back on). Moving the front seat forward to get it in make it much easier to fit in, then slide it back some. Of course with a 75" cot, you can't move the seats all the way back (pic provided for reference). The 7" raise gives you room to stuff stuff underneath and I might look into some storage bags that might work to keep gear.

I tried a 26" wide cot and 25" topper and didn't like it, too much room lost. I am a stomach sleeper and my arms and shoulders take up a ton of space above my head. Plus the cot I got was only 6" high and not level. Now the cot takes up all available space in the back with the 1/3 split up. While the 30" topper is "too wide" you can just tuck it in around the wheel well just fine as shown. I rather have 5" of extra space at my head and arms than a narrow 25" mattress. And I will use this setup for car camping as well and ditch the air mattress my wife uses.

I am much more of a tent camping guy but there are plenty of times I would roll in late and just want to crash without having to get out my tent and break it down in the morning. Hoping to try it out soon when the temps actually get below 98. Ugh.

Thank you. This is beyond amazing discovery. Super neat and compact.

 

[get.outside.75]

Adding to my budget sleep setup is a $60 never user Napier Sportsz Cove. Fits great and takes up less room than a camping chair. It was the same price as a magnetic screen for the back window and way more useful.

 

[spyder40]

Which size did you get, mid to full? Does it fit tight enough to keep mosquitos out?

 

[get.outside.75]

Which size did you get, mid to full? Does it fit tight enough to keep mosquitos out?

Yes its the full to mid. Certainly looks tight enough to keep mosquitoes out. There are straps on the back corners to tighten it up and there is a second small (2"-ish) flap I guess you would call it, that is there so you could "stuff" into any nook/cranny on the red line. Seems very well thought out.

 

[spyder40]

Thanks! Looks like $110 on Amazon

 

[get.outside.75]

To add info: these $6 bins from Walmart fit perfectly underneath. You can fit two under no problem and they fit between the supports so you can slide them out the back (vs the side).

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Sterilite-28-Qt-Storage-Box-Plastic-Adult-White/8870703312

 

[get.outside.75]

Thanks! Looks like $110 on Amazon

Yeah I got mine on FB marketplace.

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