Imagine drifting off to sleep under the stars, fully supported and cozy, waking up refreshed and ready for adventure – mate, this is how camp stretcher beds elevate every camping experience (literally). Say goodbye to sleepless nights on uneven ground and hello to restful, rejuvenating sleep in the great outdoors.

As a family of eight who camp often, we’ve sampled our fair share of stretcher beds – here’s our rundown.

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Top Camp Stretcher Beds for Australian Campers

How to Choose the Best Stretcher Bed for Camping

When you go camping, consider investing in a stretcher bed. There’s one for everyone and various sizes, such as single, king single, and double. These beds make the perfect companion if you want to avoid rocky terrain or unwelcome creepy crawlies while still providing convenient transportation and easy setup. Kids will love them too (most of our kids use them). Forget those days of getting up from the cold, hard ground – now’s your chance to take your camping game higher (literally) with these fantastic stretchers.

Single and Double Stretchers

For anyone who values their own sleeping space, single camp stretchers are the perfect solution. Compact and designed to fit one person, they make a great choice for your next camping trip. Double camp stretchers offer even more flexibility. With extra support bars in place as well as reinforced frames, you can rest assured that these durable designs will keep you comfortable throughout the night – just be sure to check weight capacity before purchasing.

Kids Stretcher Beds

Camping with kids can be fun…but it can also be really hard when they don’t get a good night sleep. Take this sound advice from us (we have six kids). That said, we’ve also tested our fair share of kids stretcher beds – here are some of our faves.

Bunk Stretcher Beds

If you’re like us and space is an issue, bunk beds could be a solid solution. We use the Disc-O-Bed Kid-O-Bunk for our smaller kids and the Disc-O-Bed Cam-O-Bunk XL for our larger teenage kids (there’s an in-between size of these bunks as well).

In the scheme of camp bunks, these are the bee’s knees, and worth every extra cent we’ve spent on them. In the past, we’d argue over who’s job was to set up the old camping bunks. After hours of sweating and swearing, they’d finally be ready, and we’d all need a nap!

With Disc-O-Bed Kid-O-Bunk and Disc-O-Bed Cam-O-Bunk, our kids set up their bunks in minutes. It’s incredible. And they’re durable—we take ours everywhere! If you like to keep a compact, tidy space, you’ll love the organization compartments that attach to each bed!

Sleep Better with Stretcher Bed Accessories

Now that we’ve explored the range of camp stretchers, let’s go into more depth on how to transform your bedding arrangement for a really cozy sleep. To make it extra comfortable, you can use sleeping bags or self-inflating mattresses as accessories, giving your camping set up its own five-star feel.

Sleeping Bags

When selecting a sleeping bag for your camping stretcher, it’s important to research the various shapes, sizes and materials available. Rectangular? Mummy? Semi-rectangular? Down or Synthetic Fill Cotton may be an option, too! Want to know more about sleeping bags, we’ve written a blog over here.

Consider factors like temperature rating, weight capacity & size when choosing one of these bags – don’t forget they must fit on your particular camp stretcher as well! And then take care of the item by regular cleaning.

Air Mattresses vs. Foam Mattresses

Now, here’s the conundrum folks often face: air mattress or foam mattress? Air beds are a breeze – lightweight and portable. But foam mattresses take the cake when it comes to solid support and keeping the chill from seeping through. It’s a classic case of needs vs. budget, folks.

Looking for the perfect camping mattress? Check out our article on self-inflating mats.

Tips for Maintaining and Storing Your Camping Stretcher Bed

Camping kit is an investment, and for that reason, we all want to make sure our gear lasts a long time – your camping stretcher’s no different. It doesn’t take much; just a quick inspection every now and then, as well as frequent cleaning, can help maintain the quality so that you’ll be able to enjoy its comfort outdoors all year round, for many adventures!

Cleaning and Storage

To keep your trusty camp stretcher in tip-top condition for your next adventure, a bit of TLC is the key. Give it a gentle wipe down with a damp cloth and some mild detergent – but make sure it’s bone-dry afterwards (nobody wants a mouldy surprise)! When it’s time to stow it away, keep the frame out of harsh sunlight, and make sure it’s in a well-ventilated spot to steer clear of any moisture buildup. Your stretcher will thank you!

Regular Inspections

Regularly inspecting your camp stretcher for wear and tear is a must, especially if it’s your trusty companion on many adventures. Make it a yearly ritual at the very least. This ensures it’s always in top-notch condition, providing peace of mind for a good night’s sleep. Keeping a keen eye during these check-ups guarantees you’ll enjoy optimal comfort and performance every time!

Safety Considerations When Using Camp Stretchers

When using camp stretchers, safety should always come first. Make certain you have the right size and weight for your chosen stretcher so that it provides stability while avoiding any incidents. Set up the bed on a solid and even base to prevent overturning or collapsing issues during camping trips.

Weight Limits

Mate, most of us don’t like to talk about our weight, but…in this instance, you really do want/need to take it into consideration. Pick a stretcher that fits your size and weight needs in order to avoid any ‘incidents’. Typically, camp stretchers can hold anywhere from 100kg-300kg – so there’s one out there for everyone.

Proper Setup

It’s simple, don’t want to end up tipping over one to the ground? Set your stretcher up properly (using the instructions), and set it up on an even, stable surface.

Location Selection

When scouting for the perfect spot to set up your camp stretcher, it’s crucial to select a location that ticks both the safety and suitability boxes. Factors like ground evenness, prevailing winds, temperature variations, and the possibility of rain should all weigh into your decision on the ideal sleeping spot. Make sure there’s ample room not only for your bedding but also for any additional gear, and always remember the number one rule: look up! You don’t want to be sleeping under any tree branches that can come down on you while you’re sleeping.

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