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Sea to Summit SIM Valves

H

HamishEeyore

Messages
64
Location
Stamford
Vehicle
T6 Ocean 150
We have been on the verge of buying the custom fit, Ocean, lower bed, S2S self inflating mattress for a while. The only thing stopping us is the position of the valves which are at the ‘wrong‘ end for access. We fear this may make getting the bed ready a faff and a juggle in such a small space. How does anyone get round this please ie how do you inflate and position it from inside the van? I can see that, ideally, it would be done from the rear, through the open tailgate, but we are reluctant to buy if this is the only comfortable way of managing it. Thank you for any experience you may have to share.
 
We have been on the verge of buying the custom fit, Ocean, lower bed, S2S self inflating mattress for a while. The only thing stopping us is the position of the valves which are at the ‘wrong‘ end for access. We fear this may make getting the bed ready a faff and a juggle in such a small space. How does anyone get round this please ie how do you inflate and position it from inside the van? I can see that, ideally, it would be done from the rear, through the open tailgate, but we are reluctant to buy if this is the only comfortable way of managing it. Thank you for any experience you may have to share.
I inflate mine from under the tailgate using a rechargeable pump. I almost inevitably have to go to the boot anyway to retrieve the bog in a bag and pull the blind down. While I agree it would be easier inflating from the front, deflating is much easier with the valves at the back. I swap the valve to deflate before getting off the mattress then fold it over from the front and lie on top to squish the air out. Means you can put the bed away and seat upright without getting out of the van in your PJs. Love mine, great nights sleep!
 
Blimey, brings back distant memories of actually getting out, about and camping.
If I can remember back to setting up the mattress then it is easiest to open the tailgate and inflate it from there. It is possible to do inside by pulling it back into the van and using the inflator. It will inflate fully using just one of the valves.
Agreed you would have thought they would be better on the other end but as already said, deflating is a ‘breeze’ and there is no possibility of knocking the valves open in the night?
I think the excellent nights sleep afforded notwithstanding the slightly flawed position of the valves makes it a yes from me. Go for it!!
 
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We just use this double self inflating mattresses which fits on the top or bottom bed in the Cali and the valves are easy to access :)
 
It is a small faff compared to the comfort of many hours of good sleep. Fantastic product that fits perfectly in the Ocean. Well worth £250 compared to the cost of a £50-60k Cali. Go for it!
 
If you want to avoid standing under the tailgate while inflating (because of rain for example), you can try the way I do it:

Take the SIM, position yourself on the bed, sitting, with your back to the tailgate/back of the van. Pull the SIM towards you and inflate. Then crawl over the SIM out of the bed and give it a final push to get it in place. Easy does it. The only situation I can think of, when this would not work, is if you are physically incapable (or very uncomfortable) of sitting on the bed.
 
Thank you for your replies. There are some good points here and I feel reassured that it is manageable. One is arriving tomorrow!
 
Thank you for your replies. There are some good points here and I feel reassured that it is manageable. One is arriving tomorrow!
Let us know how you get on - I’m ‘hovering’ to buy one too. Where did you find the best price?
 
I have the S2S mat and admittedly, I've only used it in a tent a few times for the simple reason that my Van hasn't been delivered yet (although will be v soon) - but I haven't had to use the valves to inflate it other than to open/close them - the mat self-inflates to the correct pressure.

I have stored mine inflated under a bed at home for a few months in the hope that the memory effect is as good as it can be but have people found that it has lost some of the self inflating effect over time? I had been planning to continue to store mine inflated rather than leave it rolled up in the van when I'm not camping somewhere.
 
Let us know how you get on - I’m ‘hovering’ to buy one too. Where did you find the best price?
I’m not completely confident that I have got the best price of the day, but I have bought directly from Sea to Summit for the expected £250 which includes postage for next day delivery. I may have been a bit click-happy at seeing one in stock as last summer when I was looking there were few to be had and could go from ‘in stock’ to ‘out of stock’ while searching for the best deal! I have high hopes of it and hope to remove the vw comfort mattress enabling the mesh boot shelf to be in the higher position, creating a bit more boot height.
 
It is a bit of a faff , but you will not regret.Best solution topper we found.
 
if anyone is looking for one, I'll be selling mine soon. PM me or keep an eye out for the advert
 
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