A real fisherman will not be stopped either by the cold or the lack of civilization in the place where he was going to get out. But in order to return home healthy, it is important to provide yourself with a comfortable environment. A winter folding bed in a tent is also useful for winter fishing with an overnight stay in nature, and for a short trip within the city limits – a warm sleeping place will not be superfluous.
Comfortable conditions are an important aspect of outdoor recreation, especially in winter [/ caption]
- Why does a fisherman need a cot or a chair-bed in a tent and on bare ice?
- Summer and winter folding bed: what is the difference
- Comparison of folding beds with chairs and beds – which is more convenient for winter fishing?
- How to choose a clamshell for fishing in the winter
- Types and models
- How to choose a folding bed if you already have a winter tent
- The best manufacturers and models of folding beds and chair beds for installation in a winter tent
- TOP-5 specific models of clamshells suitable for use on winter fishing
- Installing a clamshell
- Care features
- Modification of purchased tent furniture
- How to make a clamshell for winter fishing with your own hands: drawing, video
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Why does a fisherman need a cot or a chair-bed in a tent and on bare ice?
Ice is not the most suitable seating surface, even in good winter clothing and thermal underwear. Being on a cot is much warmer and softer. The second and main function of a portable bed is a comfortable overnight stay in a tent. If you add a good blanket or a winter sleeping bag to the cot, you can safely spend the night outdoors in any frost. Each fisherman chooses the size, weight and model for himself in such a way that he is comfortable.
Summer and winter folding bed: what is the difference
The set of furniture for different seasons should be different. If this is neglected, the equipment can fail, and in the worst case, its owner will suffer. Therefore, for winter fishing, you need to buy a separate folding bed, and leave the summer one for summer. The main characteristics that distinguish winter portable beds from summer ones:
- Frost resistance – winter furniture easily tolerates low temperatures, and summer furniture can break.
- Durability – the reinforced frame withstands a person in warm clothing.
- Waterproof heat-retaining fabric – keeps its owner warm. Summer cots are made of heat-permeable materials.
- An additional insulated cover is required for better heat retention. It can hold a sleeping bag or blanket.
A serious drawback of a winter folding bed is weight. Durable and reliable materials cannot be lightweight.
Comparison of folding beds with chairs and beds – which is more convenient for winter fishing?
Winter tent furniture is not limited to a cot. These can be folding chairs, armchairs, beds. To say that any of this is better or worse than the other is wrong. Each type of furniture has its own purpose and area of application, and even the best product will prove to be bad in the wrong conditions. It is most comfortable to sit
on armchairs– the shape of the back is specially adapted for this, a strong frame and fabric elements will withstand the warmth of a dressed person with full pockets. They are made of the same insulated and waterproof materials as clamshells, but take up less space in the tent and trunk. And only in one place do the chairs lose to cots – the inability to lie down. Therefore, the chair is good for day fishing, but not good for overnight stays. If the capacity of the trunk allows, you can take both. Another option for multi-day fishing is a
chair bed in a winter tent. This design is assembled in a chair during the day, and at night you can sleep on it like on a bed. The
chair-bed will provide comfort day and night [/ caption]
Fact: the weight of the entire set of winter clothing and the contents of the fisherman’s pockets can reach 20 kg or more. This figure should be added to your weight when choosing a clamshell.
Folding chairs are inferior to chairs in convenience – they do not have a back. This is not only the inability to relax, but also an extra wind in the back. Their only advantage is lightness and compactness. Suitable for short exits to the river or lake in the city. For more difficult trips, they are not suitable at all. On the other pole are
camping beds . They are softer than ordinary folding beds, rise higher above the surface, create conditions as close as possible to a city apartment. But camping beds are much larger and heavier than cots. Suitable for owners of a roomy trunk and a sore back at the same time.
How to choose a clamshell for fishing in the winter
To choose a folding bed, you need to know your height and weight in winter equipment, the size of your tent and trunk. A sleeping place that does not correspond to at least one of these parameters is meaningless to consider. If the clamshell does not fit in a tent or trunk, you can adjust it yourself, but this will affect the quality. Furniture that cannot support the weight of the owner cannot be repaired. It is necessary to pay attention to such qualities of a folding bed / bed, which are important when choosing this piece of furniture for a winter tent:
- the strength of the frame – a good product should not have dents, bend by hands even with considerable effort;
- the fabric is tightly stretched in the unfolded state , if you press on it with your hand, it immediately returns to its original position;
- neat and reinforced seams and lacing;
- the ability to adjust the height of the legs, raise the headboard ;
- the ability to fasten a sleeping bag or a cover to the frame , and fastening with laces or zippers is more reliable than buttons and Velcro.
The quality greatly influences the price of clamshells. This should be taken for granted.
Types and models
It depends on the model of the portable bed whether the fisherman will sleep comfortably on it, how much money will have to be spent on additional structures and revisions. What can be found in stores:
- Simple beds with a cover . They have only one function – to sleep while fishing. May have adjustable feet.
- Canopy beds . An additional canopy on the frame creates a cocoon around the sleeper. It is warmer to sleep in it, but it is difficult to quickly react to a bite.
- Transformers (chair-beds) . Combine two pieces of furniture, save money and space. The backrest adjustment mechanism often fails.
Transformer winter bed-chair [/ caption]
Important advice! To understand which of the options is closer, you need to try to sit or lie down in it before buying, so as not to waste your money.
How to choose a folding bed if you already have a winter tent
If a tent has already been purchased, then its size is the determining factor when choosing a berth. A fisherman should fit in it along with equipment, a cot, and there should be room for holes (at least three pieces). In this regard, cubic tents are most convenient – they give the greatest freedom of choice and location of a berth. If the fisherman has a tent of a different model, then you need to decide where exactly the folding bed will be. In length, it should be 20 cm less than the side of the tent along which it will stand.
The best manufacturers and models of folding beds and chair beds for installation in a winter tent
Russian manufacturers like to name clamshell beds after representatives of the animal world:
- Bullfinch transforming chair . Pros: during the day it turns into a chair with a comfortable back, at night – into a comfortable bed. Compact, with adjustable backrest tilt. Withstands weight up to 130 kg. Cons: length 180 cm, very tall owners will be uncomfortable.
- A series of folding beds in a tent for winter fishing “Bear” . Used an aluminum frame, insulated fabric “Greta”, two layers of padding polyester. Pros: there are 3 heights (170, 180 and 190 cm), 2 widths (50 and 75 cm). Increased load – up to 200 kg. You can purchase an additional warm cover, headrest, chair. Cons – the need to buy additional equipment.
Chinese CLBs should be approached with caution. In freezing temperatures greater than -35 °, metal parts can become brittle. At milder temperatures, the beds retain heat well, the height of the legs is adjustable.
TOP-5 specific models of clamshells suitable for use on winter fishing
The rating is based on the popularity of beds among fishermen:
- The undisputed leader is the “Bear” winter cots for fishing . The line includes beds of different lengths, standard and extended widths. The frame is aluminum, which significantly reduces the weight. Used fabric “Greta” and synthetic winterizer. Permitted load 200-400 kg depending on the model. Height from floor – 40 cm for all models. Price from 4500 to 5000 rubles.
- Clamshell “SIBTERMO” and warming mat for it. Galvanized steel frame, two-layer fabric base. The insulated mat is fixed to the frame with braces. Heat is retained by foil-lined foam foam (20 mm). Dimensions 180×65 cm, bed height – 40 cm. The weight of the entire structure is 8.5 kg. The price of a clamshell is 4500 rubles, the price of a mat is 1600-1800 rubles.
- Insulated mat Tackle Fish Transformer Bed . Fits on a summer cot, suitable for autumn and mild winter. Insulation thickness – 12 mm. The price is 1800-2000 rubles.
- Clamshell “Demateks Eleanor” . Universal model for fishing and camping. Frame material – steel, weight 20 kg. Includes a mattress. Dimensions 200x90x35. The cost is from 6000 rubles.
- Chair-bed Decathlon . Steel frame, quilted fabric, 8 legs. The headrest is not removable, its height is adjustable. There are 3 configurations available – armchair, bed and bed with a high headboard (or armchair with legroom). Price from 9000 rubles.
Armchair Cuzo FK6 bed for fishing in a winter tent for long frosty nights: https://youtu.be/65wVbk_MKuo In autumn and winter, if there are no extreme frosts, the Bestway, Shore and Pathfinder beds show themselves well, as well as summer options “Bear” and “Sibtermo”. In combination with insulated mats, they create quite a comfortable temperature in the tent.
Installing a clamshell
Installation instructions are included with each bed. If not, the installation principle can be understood intuitively. The most common options are:
- opening like a normal clamshell;
- installation on a collapsible frame.
The first method provides ease of installation, the second – compactness when folded.
Care features
No special care is required for the clamshell. It can be stored on a mezzanine or on a glazed balcony. The equipment is not afraid of low temperatures, but constant high humidity is undesirable. You also need to avoid mechanical damage, heavy contamination. The storage place should be out of the reach of children and pets. You don’t need to wash your clamshell. If it becomes necessary to clean it, it is done with a dry brush; strong dirt is removed with soapy water or carpet cleaner. If the bed is wet, dry it thoroughly. It is impossible to store a wet clamshell, it will lose its qualities.
Modification of purchased tent furniture
Common modifications to the fishing clamshell that you can do yourself:
- installation of soft tips on the legs – not always required, it is better to make them removable;
- sewing on the lacing for attaching the cover;
- replacement of frame elements with more durable ones, if you need to withstand more weight;
- a tackle box at the feet – it is screwed on from the bottom, and a cover is made of fabric;
- removable awning device;
- additional insulation of the cover.
In order not to have to modify the clamshell, it makes sense to immediately look for the model that is closest to the requests.
How to remake a folding bed for winter fishing (additionally, you can use it as a sled for carrying hand luggage, as well as carry it behind your back, like a backpack, putting the straps from the car):
https://youtu.be/4b1XGN7S5uw
How to make a clamshell for winter fishing with your own hands: drawing, video
If none of the finished products fit the requirements, you can make a homemade cot for winter fishing in a tent. This will require:
- strong metal frame;
- durable fabric;
- insulation;
- lacing, threads, fasteners;
- tools for working on metal and durable fabric.
Crafting will take time and skill. If there is not much of both, then it is better to look for a ready-made bed.
Drawing of the frame [/ caption] Making a clamshell for fishing from a profile pipe:
- Fragments are cut from a profile of 50×25 cm, equal in height to the future legs.
- Fragments are cut from the 25×25 profile along the length of the future sections of the frame.
- The inner frame of the frame is welded, reinforced with an additional frame from the profile, connected to folding elements.
- Legs are welded on brackets, reinforced at the base of the spring to keep them unfolded.
- Painting (optional step).
- Slings are pulled along the frame – this is the basis of the future mattress. The slings should be close to each other.
- The second line is pulled across, intertwining with the longitudinal lines.
- Cordura is sewn over the lines.
DIY fishing bed: https://youtu.be/tl8sTzDg7iA The insulated mattress is sewn separately. Along the edges, you need to provide lacing for attaching to the frame – then it will not slide out. A homemade clamshell is not always easier or more convenient than a purchased one. But with a good master, the product will exactly fit all personal requirements. The soft and warm folding bed is indispensable for a long trip to nature. It is not difficult to find a quality option, it is more difficult to find a sleeping place that will be comfortable for every fisherman.