I love versatility in items used for recreation and disaster planning. Sometimes, my idea of packing for a “spur-of-the-moment” camping trips resembles a disaster bug out. I have a main list that I use for staple items and most of the gear is in one corner of the garage.
A couple of my friends asked me to find cot tents to add to their camping and disaster gear. They frequently include friends on their vacations and instead of people sleeping on the ground or having a ton of gear that includes chairs, cots and tents, having all-in-one gear means more space in the vehicles, in the camp and less time spent packing it all up.
I’ll share my results with you. Prices and sizes of the items vary with manufacturers and features. Some are single beds and a few are double beds, extra-long sizes are available for tall customers.
Cot tents are available in a few big box stores and online. Shop around for the best prices. Each of these cots can be staked to the ground by attaching paracord to the cot rails and driving tent stakes into the ground.
One great advantage is that sleeping above the ground means no bugs or other “intruders” in the sleeping bag. Although there is wind flow under the cot, insulated mattress pads and cold-weather sleeping bags will provide a comfortable night’s sleep.
Compact Dome-Shaped Single
This cot can be used with or without the tent. A hammock under the cot allows for handy storage of snacks or necessary items. At 29 pounds, it’s easy to carry, store and pack into a vehicle when needed.
Original Sized Single
The original Kamp-Rite cot tent weighs only 18 pounds and measures 84″ long, 24″ wide and 28″ wide. Sleepers have 24″ of headroom and zip down windows to allow airflow.
Ozark Trail
This 26-pound bed measures 78″ long, 51″ total height, 31″ wide and sits 16″ off the ground, leaving over 30″ of headroom for a sleeper’s comfort. Although the tent appears box-like, it comes with guy wires to stake to the ground, offering stability in the wind.
Bestway
This all-in-one package includes the cot, tent, airbed, pump, carrying bag and sleeping bag with built-in pillow. Although the exact dimensions aren’t given, an average-sized man is shown in the advertisements sitting up inside the tent without any discomfort. A large zippered door means easy access and exit from the bed.
CampingMaxx
The tent cot is 76″ long and 31″ wide. Instead of straight legs or “U-shaped” legs, scissor-legs allow the cot tent to sit above the ground. The advertisement shows a tent with enough headroom for an adult to sit upright without any trouble.
Oversized Single
For tall customers, Kamp-Rite offers a cot tent that measures a full 90″ long, 40″ total height and 32″ wide. A full 29″ headroom allows comfortable movement inside the tent. The 24-pound weight allows for easy carrying to and from campsites.
Double Sized Cot Tent
For couples, Kamp-Rite offers a double version of their cot tent. Foam pads create a comfortable sleeping surface for bags, air bed or blankets. Generous 36 inches of headroom allows sleepers to sit upright. The cot measures 84″ long and 52″ wide, and is 11″ off the ground.
Bicycle-Pulled Cot Tent
Kamp-Rite offers the Midget (it’s not that small) Busktrekka camper trailer with oversized tent cot for those who want to camp with a bicycle or do not have a car. The camper trailer offers storage for camping gear and the top folds out into a tent and oversized sleeping cot. Stabilizers come down to keep the tent and cot stable and to prevent rocking.
Users can certainly stake the cot down for additional stability.
Who says you have to have a motorized vehicle to go camping or for a disaster bug out kit? For those who practice stealth camping, in which smaller is better, these offer perfect mobile shelters.
Kamp-Rite also offers additional rainflys with both regular and camo fabrics, carrying cases as well as a wide range of camping gear.
My friends have begun adding cot tents to their gear. Teens can have his or her own tent while younger children will sleep in a group tent. Everyone gets a good night sleep, guests have somewhere to sleep and no one has to sleep in the rain.
Source: The author of this article has over 40 years of experience in diverse subjects and skills such as DIY, home improvement and repair, crafting, designing, and building furniture, outdoor projects, RV’ing and more.
