Hey, getting myself and stuff ready for my first long distance, long timed tour next year... I went to Dicks and a couple other sport stores with no luck, most too big...

Looking for a small sleeping cot that will fit strapped to the back of my luggage rack, next to my sleeping bag... any recommendations on that too. I like being a little cold, so not to thick or hot, easy to back and ride with...but still functional for those nights I put up the cot and bag next to my MC.

I'm not thinking I really need a tent, a tarp for a lend to should do me fine... I think.

Any recommendations on those products or advise for my idea/plan?

Thx in advance.

 

You ain't gonna find a "small" cot.
I do a bunch of camping and this style of self inflating sleeping pads are nice.
Open the valve and the foam expands,, close it and you can get up too 2"s of soft insulation.
Open the valve again and you squeeze all the air out as you roll it,, close the valve and you have a nice tight roll to pack.
It ain't just Cabelas,, they're all over the market;
http://www.cabelas.com/browse.cmd?ca...ad&CQ_SEO=true

 

I would get a small air mattress and Coleman battery powered pump.

 

An "air mattress" actually is about the worst thing you can get.
Your body will spend all night trying to heat the cold air in the mattress,, it's a no win situation.
You should actually try a road trip and/or camping before you comment.

 

A self inflating sleeping pad is what you need. But it needs to go on this cot. It will keep you 3 or so inches off the ground so the cold earth won`t bother you.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Outdoor-Sup...53.m1438.l2649

 

Google: Therm-a-Rest LuxuryLite Mesh Cot

I have used this cot on many camping trips with the Scouts as well as motorcycle trips over the past 5 years. Longest period of time that I used it was 8 consecutive days at Sturgis when we rode there from VA.

For size comparison, here is a pic of a 3 person tent (next to the flag), sleeping bag (in front of the sleeping bag), and the the cot (middle-top of the tent and sleeping bag) on the luggage rack.

The cot is expensive but my back is thankful every time I use it.

 

I wish that was available when I bought mine. Excellent price on same design as I just posted.

 

Thermarest, as others have said. Self-inflating mattress. Big Agnes or Thermarest are among the best. Even the 1.5 inch thick ones are decidedly comfortable.

 

Maybe if you are lying directly on the bare mattress, spent many many a night in a tent with an air mattress & sleeping bag both on the bike and camping and thanked every minute I wasn't dicking with those little sleeping pads anymore, particularly when it was raining out. You are hiking or backpacking the pads are the go to, on bike go comfort, ground is hard after long day in the saddle.

 

one bad *** cot