[3/4 time]

Does anyone know anything about camping cots. I'm getting tired of sleeping on the ground when car-camping for multiple nights. I'm looking at the Slumberjack "Big Cot." Any thoughts?

[dudley]

A few years ago I felt the same way and started bringing some old canvas army cots
They were too narrow and confining and we went back to sleeping on the ground.
Now-a-days I use a fat blow-up air mattress rather than a self inflater.... very comfy I think.
I've often thought about getting larger cots but the $8 air mattress works for me for now.

[3/4 time]

You're absolutely right about the inflatable mattress. We've used a queen size for the past two summers. It seems they only lasted one season, but for about $8 that's fine. I was just thinking, for car-camping a cot would provide a place to sit and sleep. We have this one big tent (8-person) and in that two cots would be like furniture. The Slumberjack is about $70 plus shipping. For me buying two is an investment. We have a 3-week trip planned this summer, assuming the economy doesn't completely tank, and about two-thirds of it will be car camping. I already know I'm spending a week on the ground. I'm thinking that it would be nice to actually get off the ground at some point.

[dudley]

I looked at those cots on the Campmor site.
I believe that they're a lot wider than the ones I have.
Being able to roll out of bed and not having to struggle to a standing position is a plus, and they don't cost any more than a Thermarest
You might think about bringing along mattresses for on top of the cots
Either self-inflating or cheap closed cell foam, both for comfort and warmth

Three weeks huh...
Where ya goin' ?

[3/4 time]

I was planning to use our 1.5 inch self-inflatable thermarest mattresses to put on top. The cot would actually be a bit wider than the mattress, but that would be fine.

We're planning to go to Newfoundland and maybe across to Labrador if the money holds out. Our primary objectives are to camp and hike in the Avalon Wilderness Reserve and hopefully find the caribou herd. We are also planning a stay at Gros Morne National Park and a hike up Gros Morne Mountain.
We really haven't firmed it all up yet. I've got a lot of info and maps from the Canadian government that we're looking over. We're also considering a drive up the Viking Trail to L'Anse aux Meadows from where we may take the ferry over to Labrador. We'll play a lot by ear with the weather in mind; maybe a trip to Twillingate and a trip out to ice berg alley and we really want to kayak Western Brook Pond, which is actually a fjord. We have three weeks in August - it's all really a matter of money.

[dudley]

Always want to go there
I've read that Gros Morne NP is so beautiful that you'd never want to leave.
Also heard that the Viking Trail is a long and lonely road.
Many car on moose accidents with no help coming along for a long time
Sounds like fun

[3/4 time]

I hear the moose population has exploded up there and you're right, everything I've read cautions about driving between dusk and dawn. Also, and I don't remember exactly where it is, but in one part of Newfoundland/Labrador they don't allow you to hike without a (government supplied) locator beacon and bear pole. I'm not sure what the bear pole is for. No way I want to get close enough to be poking any bear with a pole.

[dudley]

I had to find out what a 'bear pole' was....
kinda like a swing set for bears, I guess

... reminds me of the time we got a bear drunk at Clark's Trained Bears
Long story

[3/4 time]

That would make sense, especially in an area with no trees. But we like to hike light. Carrying a pole isn't exciting, but I suppose it's better than having a bear invite himself to dinner.

[3/4 time]

I bought a Slumberjack Big Cot to try it out. Two grown men wrestled for 30 minutes to set it up with one of the hinges actually popping loose under the pressure. Finally with a rubber mallet we were able to get it set up. My son walked in and lift it by the corner and the whole thing sprung like a mouse trap. Back to work we went, but this time it only took 10 minutes of pulling and straining to set it up. I'm reluctant to take it down. Hopefully, once it is stretched out the set up will become a bit easier.