Home Camping Tips How to Inflate an Air Mattress While Camping

How to Inflate an Air Mattress While Camping

by Rayhan
How to Inflate an Air Mattress While Camping

Are you considering getting a mattress to get the best camping sleep ever? I’ve got an idea! What about an air mattress? Oh, you find it hard to inflate the mattress. No fear when you’re here.

Most of us will consider getting an air mattress when it comes to sleeping materials while camping. Why not? It’s very easy to use and comfortable for sleeping.

However, a beginner camper might find it tricky to inflate the air mattress for camping. I will discuss several methods to blow up an air mattress while camping. So, let’s not keep you waiting anymore.

Inflate Air Mattress With a Pump

There are many pumps for the air mattress available in the market, which you can use to pump the air mattress. I’ve tried to discuss some of them with you. These are:

Inflate Air Mattress With Pump

Built-in pump: The Trendiest Choice

Using a built-in pump can be the trendiest and smartest choice for you. Here, the pumps are manufactured with the air bed itself. Either a battery powers it, or it’s operated with electricity. 

You don’t need to spend any time when using the built-in pump. Just connect it to the power source and power on the switch. The mattress will inflate itself. 

Just make sure to recharge or change the battery before using it. If it’s electricity-based, then make sure to bring a power source with you into which you can plug the pump. 

The only downside is that it’s a bit more expensive than the other alternatives. However, it’s definitely worth the investment if you decide to purchase.

Electric Pump: The Battery-Free Option

Electric pumps are also a great choice. It’s best when you have a hook-up at the camping site. If you don’t have one, you must buy a generator for the power source, which I don’t recommend. Generators are so expensive!

However, if you already own a generator or have a hook-up available, an electric pump can be the most affordable pumping option because the price is so affordable. Moreover, replacing and recharging batteries can be irritating sometimes.

The only con is that you’ll need an electricity source in this, which you may find unavailable sometimes. In this case, you can apply the other methods mentioned here.

Car Socket Pump: The Ultimate Car Hack to Pump Air Bed

If you’re thinking about bringing a car to the campsite, this is the best car hack to inflate an air bed! You’ll get a uniquely shaped plug with your car’s Auxiliary Power Socket. The power socket is 12 Volts, Direct Current. You have to connect that with your mattress opening.

The best part is that you don’t have to bring extra batteries or power sources to use this pump. You don’t need to carry additional expenses to buy a pump. There will be no excess weight in your backpack as well. 

The drawback is that you have to bring vehicles to your campsite. Also, you have to inflate the mattress near your car and carry that to your camp tent, which is a real struggle sometimes.

Bicycle Pump: Best Choice For Cyclers

Bicycle pumps are a fabulous choice as well. You probably already own a bicycle pump if you’ve got a bicycle. So, you need not spend an extra buck on the air mattress pump. Connect the pump nozzle with the bed valve and set it to level 1. Make sure that you’ve laid the mattress for the best results.

The nozzle is mostly smaller than the mattress valve. So, you’ll need to give a firm seal between the nozzle and the valve. I know it’s tough, but you can easily do that with duct tape, strong glue, or your hands.

The only problem is that you may be unable to do it yourself. A friend or camping member can help you with this.

Battery-operated Pump: The electricity-free Option

Battery-operated Pump For Air Mattress

Battery-operated pumps are a fantastic idea for pumping up an air mattress. These pumps can cost you some extra bucks. However, they’re worth it. Choose the pump according to your mattress size. And, also buy the batteries which they’ve suggested to use. 

The best part is that it lasts longer than the alternatives. If you choose the perfect one, it can be the best investment in your camping life.

You can efficiently use this in places where there is no electricity. Besides, it’s more portable and compact, making it more convenient.

 Sadly, you must carry the batteries everywhere or recharge them all the time. It’s a drawback, to be honest, but I think it’ll not be that serious an issue compared to the benefits.

Air Mattress Hand / Foot Pump – The Ancient Way of Pumping Air Mattress

These air mattress inflators are for you if you want to use no electricity or batteries. You can call it “The ancient way” as well. Just kidding!

Amazingly, you can do some workouts by using this as well. You only have to use the pump with your hands or feet, which is a lot of hard work. Yet, if you love to give effort, why not give it a chance?

You can have great family time with your kids as well. The kids can also help you with pumping. Besides, it’s also suitable for those who want an extremely budget-friendly option.

However, please don’t try this if you have health issues. Invest a few more bucks and get a better alternative. Also, it’s not for you if you want to save time.

How to Inflate Air Mattress Without Pump

When you decide to buy no pumps, you can try these methods. All of them are not technically made to pump your air mattress. However, they are good enough at doing this.

1. Air Compressor to Inflate the Air Mattress?

An Air compressor is also a good alternative to the electric air pump. It can do inflation very fastly. Besides, using this is also very simple.

Insert the compressor’s output valve inside the mattress and blow the air. An air mattress valve can help to improve the results. The specific valve is made as to the shape of connecting the mattress valve properly. 

With this, you don’t need to carry extra weight in your packing, and there is no need to spend bucks on a pump. You can call it a 2-in-1 life hack too!

Sealing is the only problem where duct tape can help you give better results. Maybe, you won’t have a compressor at your camping site too. But if you have, then please give it a try. You’ll be amazed by the results.

2. Use Leaf Blower – Is It Possible?

I bet you never imagined this outdoor item could help you inflate your air mattress, yet it does. Lay the mattress and hold the blower in the valve. Use your hands around the valve for better air protection.

You may find the pumping process slower but think about it. It’s just a leaf blower. Have you ever thought about using it as a pump while buying? No, right? So, it’s a bonus part for you.

I know it’s a bit noisy. Still, it’s decent enough to pump up your air mattress.

3. Good Use Of Vacuum Cleaner

Suppose you have completely forgotten about buying a pump and don’t have any time left. What will you do now? Yes, pick the vacuum in your house. It can do your job. You can also use portable car vacuums if you don’t have an electricity source.

A vacuum cleaner is easy to use and available in almost every house. Hold the narrow nozzle of the vacuum against the mattress valve and blow the air. Duct tape can help you more in sealing.

It’s a spontaneous alternative to air pumps, in my opinion. The only problem is that it is hard to carry sometimes. And you may not always find power sources.

4. Can a Hair Dryer / Blow Dryer Do This?

It may seem odd to pump the air mattress while camping, but I would rather say it creatively. It almost works like an electric pump. However, you don’t always need a power source for this. If you don’t have an electricity source, you can also use the battery-operated travel blow dryers.

Just ensure the air is not too hot, as it may melt your mattress materials. You can set cool temperatures for this.

 The valve shape is not ideal for hair dryers. So, it may get tricky to do this. Yet, you can easily do that by doing some DIY with duct tape or anything else.

5. Trash or Refuse Bag- Best For The “Never Give Up” Type of People

Trash or Refuse Bag to Inflate Air Mattress

I know it seems impossible but believe me. I’m not lying. It’s not rocket science to apply this. 

Just fill up the air inside the bag and close the bag’s opening with your hands. Then set up the opening according to your mattress valve and squeeze the air. Repeat this until your mattress gets fully blown up.

In this process, you don’t need anything else except the bag to pump the air bed. Garbage bag is available almost everywhere. Besides, you may carry it with your camping essentials too.

But it’s incredibly time-consuming. But perfect for you if you’re a never give up person. Moreover, this is much easier than blowing up with your mouth.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Yeah, if it’s a good-quality mattress. Then you can use it not only for camping purposes but also for every night sleeping purposes.

The main reason for this is the temperature. Sometimes the cool or hot air can cause your mattress to deflate.

Yeah. If you use the mattress in a bed which already has bugs. Then the bugs can shift in your air mattresses as well.

It depends on your preference. If you like a fully inflated mattress, you should inflate it the most. If you don’t, then pump until it reaches your comfort zone.

That’s all for today. I hope now you know how to inflate an air mattress while camping. There are many options and methods to choose the best one that suits you. Don’t forget to comment on which one you found the best. Also, share it with your camping freak mates. Have a safe camping trip.

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