Air beds

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When the water bed exploded we bought a queen-sized Coleman air bed to bridge the gap until we could buy a regular bed set. I think it was around 60 bucks from a camping store, forget how much the battery op pump was. It worked out fine. The bed set didn't. When Sweetie went down to Charleston he took the Coleman bed to sleep on. Anyway, after about a year sleeping on the new bed set I decided my slowly worsening aches and pains were at least due in part to that damned thing, expensive thought it was.

Off I went to Costco and bought an Aerobed, the queen-sized $30 job. Very nice, pillow top and everything, very fast inflation from the built-in electric pump. Seemed oklay, although the aches and pains weren't getting THAT mucb better. Still, I thought it would take several days or a week or so.

Along came the ice storm. On the next night without power the damn Aerobed sprang a slow leak and I found myself sleeping on the board of the platform bed by morning because I couldn't keep the damn thing inflated without power--I had a spare battery-op pump from years ago but it wouldn't compute with this brand of bed. Off I went to the attic, got out the emergency bed--a thick piece of firm foam. Dragged it in front of the gas logs, slept there, not bad. Replaced the Aerobed with the foam on the platform when the power came back on.

Yesterday got delivery of two twin Coleman beds, cost $20 apiece from an internet site, really good price. No king size, see, so had to get two twins. Blew the buggers up, made the bed, slept on it last night. Hardly any creaks this morning! Very comfortable, if you like a firm mattress. And you can't beat the price! Also, you don't have to turn the things and they're VERY easy to move. I shall use the underneath of the platform as storage now that it's easy to get at. Going on Sweetie's experience, it looks as if the Colemans will last a bit longer than the Aerobed (which was returned, btw, money back, no problem.) Even if the Colemans last only a year, I shall consider it money well spent and buy more.

-- Anonymous, December 17, 2002

Answers

Glad that you found a solution that works! I need a soft mattress. Mine is 15 years old and due for the street soon, I think.

-- Anonymous, December 17, 2002

Git, we were both water bed babies, then with the pains creeping in, we splurged and got a "real bed" more pains then even, so I figured before going 1400.00 for a select comfort, I did the same, bought an air mattress Queen size, trimmed the platform of the King Water bed, as we have the doungle Paul bunyon pedistal with 12 drawers. and so far I get about a yr per mattress,but the kicker is I sleep and feel so much better!

I have picked up airbeds when ever they are on sale! (for company!!)

-- Anonymous, December 17, 2002


So, are you saying you both think that the air mattress is better than the water bed?? I have slept on my waterbed with the heater turned on high during the winter so long now that I am terribly miserable on a regular bed. Every joint and muscle hurts when I sleep on a regular mattress. I need soft because of my shoulders mostly, and one hip. They go completely numb if I lay on them on a regular bed unless it is very soft.

-- Anonymous, December 17, 2002

When I was having to work 200 mi from home and had rented a trailer, I bought a Coleman air mattress and loved it. We bought a couple Colemans and a couple other brand for camping. The Coleman's are much superior. Unfortunately DH hates air beds, although we have thought about one of those upscale beds that have 2 different sides so you can have different pressure on each side. I know what you mean about regular beds being so painful. Ours is killing me. Funny thing, we have an old double bed that is soft and I love it and DH hates it :)

-- Anonymous, December 17, 2002

sorry to hear about the bed debates, beckie. fortunately, there's still the kitchen table... ha ha ha ha

-- Anonymous, December 18, 2002


You can make the airbed softer if you want, no problem. I LOVED my water bed, definitely the best choice. However, the heater malfunctioned while I was in the bed and I just barely escaped a very nasty burn where I sit down. In addition, the water cleanup (wall to wall over hardwood) was a bitch. An air bed is the next best. As for different preferences, do what I did and get two twins. $40 plus S&H is a deal! If hubby is really intransigent, then get him a regular twin and you have the air twin, right next to each other in a king frame.

Btw, the kitties loved it when we had the queen Aero in the king frame. There was a "ditch" on my side filled with kitty beds and heating pads. Unfortunately, on a long-term basis it was too difficult for me to climb over them and get out;besides I needed the two twins. (If one blows, we'll have the other to sleep on--these things almost always happen in the middle of the night and who wants to dig in the attic or blow up a spare? I do intend to buy a third to have on hand.)

-- Anonymous, December 18, 2002


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