Family of 5 needs bottom insulation.Cheap suggestions or hacks?

[Grumpy Squatch]

I think these are all excellent options. One question though - you mentioned that you have inflatable pads. What kind? I've successfully used an REI Air Rail pad in a double-layer hammock. But it's narrow and only 1.5" thick. You might be able to get away with using a thin inflatable pad for some of the family.

[kitsapcowboy]

...When you mod the CDT add faux baffles to remove the sewn thru problem of the quilt. It makes a full length UQ and mine got my son down to 28' this weekend and myself into the low 30's last month.

That is most impressive; even with the pseudo-baffle modification, most of the threads I've seen on HF seem to suggest that a CDT doesn't usually contain enough 700FP down to keep typical "average sleepers" warm down below the freezing mark, although I could be mistaken, and I've never messed with one first-hand.

[makingitoutdoors]

I would say your best option for starting on the cheap would be the blue closedcell foam pads at walmart or others. You can cut them down for the kids to save weight and space and then not really be out much when you replace them. Put the pad in your hammock and sleep on it. Works well for my son while he waits on his UQ to come in.

We don’t have any pads at my Walmart. Are they roll up or fold?


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[makingitoutdoors]

Wow for a family of 5 I'd almost suggest a big tent as outfitting 5 rigs for cool temps is going to be a lot of work or a lot of money. When are you planning on hanging? If you wait till late spring early summer this can be a lot less expensive and a lot less work.

The fam is set on hammocking. We’ve been car campers. We live in South Louisiana but we’re hoping to camp in March and April before it’s tooo hot.


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[makingitoutdoors]

I think these are all excellent options. One question though - you mentioned that you have inflatable pads. What kind? I've successfully used an REI Air Rail pad in a double-layer hammock. But it's narrow and only 1.5" thick. You might be able to get away with using a thin inflatable pad for some of the family.

Oh giant twin or queen size mattresses. Nothing transfers over.


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[Philsweep]

We don’t have any pads at my Walmart. Are they roll up or fold?


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You can also get thin closed cell foam at an upholstery shop and cut it to the dimensions you want.

[Floridahanger]

That is most impressive; even with the pseudo-baffle modification, most of the threads I've seen on HF seem to suggest that a CDT doesn't usually contain enough 700FP down to keep typical "average sleepers" warm down below the freezing mark, although I could be mistaken, and I've never messed with one first-hand.

I removed every other stitching to make wide tubes. This also reduced how many faux baffles were made. Then, the baffles were measured 1.5" from the sewn line and lofted up nicely. It's still wide enough to make them about 2", which give less dead space and more loft in return. Since the inside material is now a differential cut from outside, there is no compression.

makingitoutdoors, I hope this helps. If you're interested, I'll get a few pics of the UQ for ya. Too bad you didn't post this last week, we would have had your family come to Florida for HangCon 2018.

[kitsapcowboy]

We don’t have any pads at my Walmart. Are they roll up or fold?

The legendary $7 Ozark Trail CCF pad is a blue roll-up pad...

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Ozark-Tri...-Blue/16783660

[makingitoutdoors]

The legendary $7 Ozark Trail CCF pad is a blue roll-up pad...

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Ozark-Tri...-Blue/16783660

What would the temp rating be like for the pad?


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[dakotaross]

Reflectix works remarkably well, a single layer in mild weather or double it up in cold weather. It will get some condensation, but typically not a lot in mild temps. In colder temps, its better under another pad. Since a lot of regular camping pads are 20" wide and you can get reflectix in 24" width, it makes a good second pad which can insulate the sides of the hammock that wrap around you. Its a lot more pliable than CCF, too.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Reflecti...4025/100020855

This roll could do 5 x 5' lengths, or you can customize the lengths as needed. Its not perfect, but I have to think its about the cheapest you could do.