Should I get a cot or air mattress?

[5Runner]

Trying to lock in my sleep setup before the REI sale ends today, and I keep going back and forth. Would love some input from people who've actually lived with these setups.


Some context on how I'll actually use the truck:

• I'm always solo — never need to carry more than one passenger, so I don't need the back seats functional for people.
• I'm keeping this simple on purpose. I'm in Dallas, and if anything looks like "gear" is visible inside, the car's getting broken into. So no built-out drawer systems or anything visible — I'm planning to just use large plastic tubs for storage, since they're easy to load/unload between trips and don't scream "camping gear inside."

The actual question — three options I'm weighing for sleeping:

1. Fold the rear seat down (without flipping/tumbling it over) and put a cot on top of it
2. Get an air mattress
3. Fully delete the rear seats and use a cot in that space

My hesitation on the air mattress: I know it'd probably be the most comfortable of the three, but I've already had one fail on me — got a hernia-like bulge in it — and I'm guessing the heat inside a parked car in Texas isn't doing them any favors long-term.


Anyone running a cot-over-folded-seat setup, or gone the full seat-delete route? Trying to figure out which holds up better and actually fits before I miss today's sale.

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[JU235]

I "got both." This cot + this mat.

https://www.rei.com/product/229078/rei-co-op-campwell-folding-cot?redirect-pup=false

https://www.rei.com/product/228267/rei-co-op-campwell-sleeping-pad?redirect-pup=false


But I'm also tenting it, not sleeping in the back.

 

[5Runner]

is the cot alone too uncomfortable? Also, does this cot fit into the back with back seats folded, if u have tried it?

 

[JU235]

The cot alone is very stiff. I haven't tried it in the back.

 

[5Runner]

The cot alone is very stiff. I haven't tried it in the back.

Thank you.

 

[shine]

I have an older version of this cot, and it does fit inside - sort of. It will take most of the space in the rear, so you'll need to either move your other stuff or not bring much. Then again, it's REI so you can always return it if it doesn't work out...

I decided to get a drawer system and tinted windows (20% up front, slightly darker in the rear) so the drawers aren't easy to see from the outside. And if I was worried about it, I'd pull the cargo cover over it.

Have you looked at somethink like the Hele Box? That would have been my choice if I didn't want the drawers.

 

[js_panda_rnr]

This isn't helpful as it relates to REI sale, but I'm using the Hele Box system. I have the Duo platform since it's usually the wife and I. If money wasn't an issue I'd probably get the single platform as well for my solo trips. The Hele platforms are very portable and fit nicely over the seats folded down. I've also used it with the rear seats removed which is even better for space/headroom. We have an Exped air+foam mattress that we got from REI outlet for a good price. So far it's been great.

Based on what you've said, I think your best option is to remove the 60 side of the rear seat indefinitely and free up that space for more headroom. You'll need a cot or sleeping platform that has variable height legs. I assume given the hybrid's level cargo area, the middle and rear legs (near the back of the vehicle) would be the same height while the legs near the front of the vehicle would need to be longer. This is easily achievable with something like the Hele Box. I'm not sure how many camping cots have that ability. We also have the REI Campwell cot (someone posted a link above) and I think all of its legs have a static uniform height.

 

[Archer]

I've used cots and I've used cots with built in air mattresses but I think this one is my favorite. Folds up nice, has an 9.5 R value and is by far the most comfortable. Don't think it'll fit inside the 6G.
I use a tent.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DNDWKT7V?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1



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[Tarekith]

Even if you take out the rear seats there will still be the foot wells you’ll need to cover before you can use a mattress in it. A cot is a lot easier IMO and you get storage underneath.

 

[HVLA]

You can get cots for about $75 on amazon every day. What does a $200 cot do?

 

[get.outside.75]

My hybrid work in progress setup here: https://www.4runner6g.com/forum/threads/150-hybrid-sleeping-solution-cot-mattress.12308/

As for air mattress vs cot - In general I sleep worlds better on a cot (with foam mattress pad) than an air mattress. Just a cot would be a hard no. Cot + blow up sleep pad would probably be ok if you sleep ok on a blow up sleep pad in general.

The huge disatvantage to the foam mattress pad is that it takes up a ton of storage at home.

With the cot I have listed above, you can get two of these $6 bins at walmart and they fit perfectly underneath. https://www.walmart.com/ip/Sterilite-28-Qt-Storage-Box-Plastic-Adult-White/8870703312

 

[Zeeke]

I bought two of those cots while on sale. Its actually really comfortable and we did a test night on them. Have not tried them in the back though as our plan is a tent. But the cot and a sleeping bag was great.

What we talked about doing was pulling the back seats and building a platform but wife is afraid if we do that we will need the rear seats and she doesnt want a 2 seat car.

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