Sleeping Bags

[Guest pelmetman]

We're thinking of going back to using a sleeping bag in the van as opposed to a duvet and wondered if anyone can recommend a good quality one with a liner.

 

SUE

[Guest Tracker]

I think the Queen Mary 2 is a great liner Dave!

 

We use Duvalays - combined duvet / memory foam / and sheets - and very snug and comfortable they are too - and expensive!

 

We didn't buy the Duvalay duvet inserts as we have plenty at home and you can vary the weight according to the season - or your gas supply!

 

The one downside is storage as they are quite bulky.

[Guest pelmetman]

Thanks Rich ;-)..........I guess they attend the shows?..........as its nice to see before you buy :D

 

Dave

[PJay]

Dave

Have you thought of making your own? I would have thought you had an industrial sewing machine.

You could buy cheap bed sheets for making liners

PJay

 

[Guest pelmetman]

PJay - 2012-04-12 6:46 PM

 

Dave

Have you thought of making your own? I would have thought you had an industrial sewing machine.

You could buy cheap bed sheets for making liners

PJay

 

Very true PJay 8-).................what with my thrift agenda you'd think I'd of thought of that *-).............We were thinking that things had moved on, and there are special bags with special liners that are super efficient :D

 

We have used sheets and duvets for 20 years, but thinking about long terming and crawling about in our over cab every week, with my beer belly in the way 8-)............Made me think sod the expense :D

[Guest Tracker]

Dave - all they are is basically two sheets sewn together one atop t'other to give a memory foam topper section about 2'3" wide with a zip on one edge and a single duvet size section also with a zip on one edge.

 

The bottom is then overlapped along the seam and sewn closed to keep tootsies warm so what you then have is a semi sleeping bag with one closed side and bottom and one open side and top.

 

As the duvet section is about twice as wide as the topper section you get easy in and out and overlapping duvet to keep warm - or cool if you peel it back open - and the closed side and end to keep you draught free!

 

If you turn one inside out you can have two on a double bed with both open edges facing either inwards or outwards depending on the mood!

 

If you are down this way come and have a look at ours and a measure up and suss it out if you like?

[Guest pelmetman]

Thanks for the replies (by the way it was me SUE asking). Sorry Rich but can't make head nor tail of what you are saying :$ Going to Norfolk in the summer so might take you up on your offer and have a look.

 

Dave thinks you are on about single bags but we like a cuddle and want a double.

 

Hi Pjay, to be honest I'd never heard of liners it was Dave that mentioned them and he thought it some super effecient method (not sure what!) but if its just a matter of a couple of sheets sewed together and a bit of velcro or buttons then yes we have an industrial sewing machine and will do it ourselves.

 

S U E

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Mel B]

C'mon Dave ... you should be able to make something like this in your sleep!!!!! :$

 

To make 2 of your own 'pouffalays' you'll need;

 

2 x king size duvet covers

2 x single duvets

1 x double memory foam topper

 

1) On each duvet cover, vertically (from top to bottom :D ) measure out the width of a single duvet from one of the sides and mark it all the way down using pins.*

 

2) Sew two lines about 2 or 3 mm apart (ie tram lines) following your pins so you form two 'pocket' sections running vertically.

 

3) Take your memory foam topper and cut it to the width of the smaller pocket (the larger one is the one for the duvet remember *-) .

 

4) Slot the topper into the smaller pocket and the duvet in the larger one, fasten up the bottoms (ie what was the normal duvet cover opening) and you're done.

 

* If you think that the the memory foam topper will be too narrow and/or the single duvet too wide, you can increase the width of the topper (just make sure that the width is no more than half the original width otherwise it will be insufficient to make 2 pouffalays) and cut down and re-edge the single duvet before making the 'cover' to get a bespoke size for your needs! This would make the whole thing less bulky too as you would be reducing the size of the duvet which is the 'fattest' part.

[Mel B]

Sorry Sue, I was composing my response whilst you were posting! :D

 

If you want to reduce the size even more for stowing, you could use inflatable beds (as for camping) instead of memory foam in the 'bases', there are 2 types of these, the ones that self-inflate or those that you blow up ... but I suppose Dave would then be too knackered after all that pumping and not interested in snuggling up next to you ....

:$ :D (lol)

 

... but then again, you could use 'electricity' to pump it up. :->

[PJay]

Another alternative, is use two KING size Duvets i expect the over bed is only double size (Ours is)

 

If use one heavy TOG and one lighter Tog, you swop them around according to the weather, Sleep on one and other over you. This also helps make a more comfy base to sleep on. If you plan to long term, this helps with the storage. If very, very hot, sleep on both with sheet over.

This method worked well for us in a boat, in all weathers

P Jay

[Guest pelmetman]

One advantage with our over cab Mel is that the bed is permanently made up so no storage problems ;-)

 

I like the idea of two different tog duvets PJ :D.......

 

Dave :D

[Derek Uzzell]

Sleeping bags vary significantly in terms of type, size, thermal range, materials used and cost.

 

I have an old review, but the top-scoring bag (which we bought two of) is no longer available. A particular Coleman bag also scored highly, but other bags in the Coleman range were less well rated.

 

http://www.coleman.eu/uk/c-381-sleeping-bags.aspx

 

I suggest you GOOGLE-search on “sleeping bag amazon”, browse through what is available and might suit your requirements, and then read the reviews.

 

As you plan to use a sleeping-bag in an overcab bed, it would be a good idea to get one with a zip on each side, or to obtain two single-size bags that can be zipped together. The two (single) bags we bought ages ago were available in two 'weights'. When zipped together to produce a double-size bag, this permitted the light or heavy tog arrangement P Jay mentions to be obtained. Nowadays (with a fixed rear longitudinal bed) we use duvets of various tog values and, as the Hobby has lots of storage space, in cold weather I normally carry one high-tog duvet, one medium tog duvet and one lightweight. The high and medium tog duvets are used in the way P Jay describes, with the lightweight one as a Sudden Ice Age fall-back.

 

Sleeping-bag liners also come in different sizes, materials (cotton, fleece, silk) and prices. Amazon is currently offering a Gelert polycotton double-size liner for £14, which is probably cheap enough to make DIYing not worthwhile. Plenty of choice – GOOGLE on “sleeping bag liner”.

 

[Dave225]

I assume you tried sleeping bags before and are comfortable with them. Personally we hate them.

 

As mentioned go try the 2 duvet route, as we do. A 10 tog and a lightweight summer one. We have a feather one and a synthetic lightweight one. One goes onthe bottom etc depending on the outside temperature. If it is Med temps (>28 degrees) then just the bottom one with the cover of the top one as a sheet cover does the trick. The duvet stops any sweat hitting the mattress. Dead easy to make and you just wash the covers as and when required.

[PJay]

Dave225 - 2012-04-13 4:23 PM

 

I assume you tried sleeping bags before and are comfortable with them. Personally we hate them.

 

As mentioned go try the 2 duvet route, as we do. A 10 tog and a lightweight summer one. We have a feather one and a synthetic lightweight one. One goes onthe bottom etc depending on the outside temperature. If it is Med temps (>28 degrees) then just the bottom one with the cover of the top one as a sheet cover does the trick. The duvet stops any sweat hitting the mattress. Dead easy to make and you just wash the covers as and when required.

 

10tog!! We have a 20tog sleeping bags, as well as light ones. i guess living in Scotland, you are tougher than us Southerners!!