Best Cot For Car Camping

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If you are looking for the best cot for car camping for the coming season, this text is the right start point. I give a long list of very different options for various camping situations.

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What kind of car camping you plan

When this is about car camping and car camping cots, one could speak at least about the following situations:

Clearly, you might need quite different cots for such situations. This is why below I give rather different tools, and I shall always point back to these separate cases and let you know for which of them a particular cot suits best.

In case A, perhaps you have a van with three rows of seats and when you remove the two rows you will have a flat floor. This was my case in the past. You can use practically any cot on such a car platform. So if this is your situation, it may be good to use a cot that allows for storing some stuff underneath it. Therefore choose a cot that has a bit higher legs, I give some examples below.

In case B.1, you will probably have a bigger tent, so you might go for some comfortable cot, the width is usually an issue with many of them. So I give such wide options.

Note, some cots come with integrated mattresses, and those can be foam or air mattresses. You can use them in options A and B.1; I give some examples below.

I am a mountaineer, so sometimes I take my stuff and climb up in the afternoon and set a camp at a higher elevation, at a place from where I have shorter access to the summit. This is when I want to capture the sunrise, or simply when the climbing tour is long and I have to do so to get back in time. This is the situation described in case B.3 above.

So let me give you my list of cots and you will be able to make an informed choice. All the cots given below are described in detail in my separate reviews.

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My list of the best car camping cots

So here is my list with a variety of very different car camping cots:

 

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1. ALPS Mountaineering Lightweight Cot

This ALPS Mountaineering Lightweight Cot is a very durable collapsible steel construction. So the side beams consist of three tubes nested in each other, and you also have 4 bars that are legs.

This is one of those cots that you can carry shorter distances away from the car. It weighs 9.3 lb (4.2 kg), and its packed size is 34 x 9 x 2 inches (86 x 23 x 5 cm). This makes it rather versatile. Note that the bed is not particularly long, but it is wide, the dimensions are 74 x 30 inches (188 x 76 cm).

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2. Byer of Maine Easy Cot – express setup

This is an incredibly popular cot, and when you see how quickly you can deploy it, you will not be surprised about its popularity. This explains the word ‘easy’ in its name. This cot is from the group of collapsible cots here in the site.

This is a steel construction, very strong and durable, and its dimensions (L x W x H) are 78 x 31 x 18 in (198 x 79 x 46 cm). So the size is great and you have a lot of clearance underneath you.

As I said, there is no assembly here, just open it in one simple move and it is ready. It comes with a very affordable price tag, and this is a product from the company that was established in 1880, believe it or not.

I see this cot as an excellent choice if you change the place frequently and sleep in the tent. The setup cannot possibly be easier than this. So this is a great tool for case B.1, but it is also very much suitable for case A, with case C naturally included.

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3. Byer of Maine Heritage Cot – this is a wooden cot

If you are puzzled about the reasons for having this cot here, just look at its materials. This is the only cot here built from wood. In fact, I do not remember seeing any other wooden collapsible camping cot on the market.

So in view of the wood used here, which really looks pleasant, this is also a nice option to have as an extra spare bed at home as well. But if you are not interested in the wood, just ignore it, you have plenty of other options in the text.

The style of the cot is obvious from the picture, this is a typical X-frame military-style cot. But its dimensions are truly impressive. So you have (L x W x H) 84 x 30 x 18 inches (213 x 76 cm x 46 cm).

I see this as a nice cot for case B.1., and also perhaps for case A if you have a big car.

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4. Chinook Heavy Duty Padded Cot

This Chinook is one of the padded cots here in the list. So in most situations, you do not need any insulation under your sleeping bag.

As the name suggests, this is a heavy-duty item with a welded aluminum frame and 375 lb (170 kg) weight capacity.

The cot is extra wide and very long with the dimensions 80 x 33 inches (203 x 84 cm). Note also that it is quite high, 20 inches (51 cm) so you can store lots of gear underneath it. This is useful if you use this cot in a tent.

You have a reclining backrest as you realize from the picture, and the legs are also adjustable. This is a car camping cot from the group B1 mentioned above, so you would transport it in the car but sleep in the tent. Please follow the link for more.

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5. Coleman Camping Mantis Space Saving Full Size Cot

The Coleman Camping Mantis Space Saving Full Size Cot is from their Mantis series that includes also several tables and chairs. They all share the same features, and this means a collapsible and compact hubbed frame.

The cot is easy to use and with a unique design. A carry bag is included. It weighs 15.84 lb (7.2 kg), and its packs very small. So it will not take much space in your car, the size when packed is 26 x 6.5 x 6.5 inches (66 x 16 x 16 cm).

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6. Coleman ComfortSmart Cot Deluxe – foam mattress included

There are several reasons for having this cot in the list. The first is that it comes with a mattress included. So you have 1.75 inches (4.5 cm) of foam insulation under you, and this all comes with a very affordable price tag.

This is a folding cot, so you have no assembly here, just unfold together with its mattress and your bed is ready in seconds. Its dimensions are 80 x 30 x 15 in (203 x 76 x 38 cm), so you have lots of space for you and also under the cot to store your gear and to save some space, either in the car or in the tent.

This is a tool for cases A, B.1, and C. Its legs are bars, so if used in the car it will fit only if the car floor is completely flat.

Nothing can go wrong with this cot, it has been on the market for some time already and it is very popular. If you need a smaller size, no problem they have a shorter version.

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7. Coleman Queen Size Cot – with air mattress

As the name suggests, this is a cot with an air mattress included, and it is a queen size tool. So this is a very luxurious option, suitable for couples and also for solo use, in a larger camping tent, see many great options here. In view of this, this system is for case B.1.

Everything is impressive in this system. Its dimensions are (L x W x H) 78 x 59 x 22 inches (198 x 150 x 56 cm), and its capacity is 600 lb (272 kg).

The price is truly great, and you have side tables included, plus the pump which operates on batteries. Note that the cot can be used without the mattress, and also the mattress can be used separately. If this cot is too big for you, they have the twin size as well or check in the category of cots with mattresses. Please see more in my review.

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8. Desert Walker Camping Cot – the lightest on the market

Perhaps you would not expect to see this type in the group for car camping because this is a backpacking cot. But remember the various situations mentioned above. So in view of this, the Desert Walker Camping Cot is a really versatile option and it can be used in all situations A, B, and C.

You can definitely use it in any tent, literally, although it may not be the most comfortable choice of course. It will also fit in the car just like any other cot. But its best use is in situation B.3. The reason is simple – this is the lightest camping cot on the market. It is only 2.6 lb (1.18 kg) of weight!

The setup is incredibly easy, you have shock-corded legs and feet permanently attached to each other, and you can make it ready in just a couple of minutes. If you need a cot for any situation, this is it.

However, its dimensions are not suitable for very tall people, you have (L x W x H) 73 x 23.5 x 6 inches (185 x 60 x 15 cm). So if you are a tall guy, please check this Helinox Cot Max.

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9. Disc-O-Bed Large With Organizers – unique bunk cots

As I mentioned above, this is about unique models and representatives of various types of camping cotes. So this Disc-O-Bed bunk cot is something totally unique on the market although it is in the group of double cots here in the site as well as in the collapsible cots.

What you have here is a very versatile and multipurpose 4-in-1 sleep system that allows for the following 4 different configurations:

• bunk cots configuration which you see in the picture,
• double-bed system, with two cots used side by side,
• single cots used separately wherever you need them,
• bench configuration.

So this is an incredible structure and nicely packable, and the dimensions of the beds are 81.75 x 32.25 inches (208 x 82 cm).

This system is for case A and you can use it in various ways as you see from the possible configurations above. You can also carry only one of the cots as well, and use it in case B.1. for sleeping in the car.

As the name suggests, this system comes with multiple storage pouches attached to each of the beds separately. The materials are high quality, the frame is powder-coated anti-rust steel, and the deck is a 600 denier polyester. Observe that they build the version for kids as well and you can see it here.

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10. Eltow Portable Folding Camping Cot

This Eltow cot is one of those cots which you would transport in the car but you would sleep in the tent. This is a folding design so it takes space in the car, but it is thin when packed.

The main reason for adding it here is its reclining design. So you can use it with 5 different backrest positions as a chair in the camp.

It comes with a carry bag included and you also have a pillow. The frame is steel, nicely built, and very elegant.

If you want to see some numbers, the weight is 17 lb (7.7 kg), the capacity is 350 lb (159 kg), and the dimensions are 75 x 27.5 x 12 in (190 x 70 x 30 cm). Please follow the link for more.

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11. Eureka! Quick Set Camping Cot

This Eureka Cot is a new item on the market, but the main reason for having it here in the list is its instant setup. You can literally have it ready in 2 – 3 seconds, and equally fast you can fold it.

This is a type suitable for car camping also because of its construction, it packs nicely so it remains relatively large in one dimension only, the packed size is 38 x 8 x 7.5 inches (97 x 20 x 19 cm). Note that you have a carry bag included. The weight is 23 lb (10.4 kg) so this is not something to carry around, you would use this cot in a tent next to your car.

The bed is very long, the dimensions are 80 x 29 inches (203 x 74 cm) so if you are a tall person, this is a cot to consider.

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12. EVER ADVANCED Folding Camping Cot

This EVER ADVANCED Folding Camping Cot weighs 11.8 lb (5.35 kg) so it is portable to short distances. It is fully collapsible and compact when packed and this makes it suitable for various outdoor activities.

The frame is steel and the legs are quite unique with their locking mechanism. The cot comes with a nicely designed carry bag. The capacity is 250 lb (113 kg). You will want to know that it is very affordable.

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13. FUNDANGO Ultralight Folding Camping Cot

The legs design of this cot may look similar to the cot below, but there is a big difference. The extensions which you see in the picture are not removable, so the cot is used as the picture shows. This makes it a very tall cot and potentially suitable for elderly users who do not like to be close to the ground, to get in and out easier.

The cot is fully collapsible and the packed size of the carry bag shown above is only (L x D) 21.65 x 7.5 inches (55 x 19 cm). It comes with a bonus storage pouch on its narrow side. The weight is 6.8 lb (3.1 kg), so it is not exactly in the group of ultralight cots but this is the name used by the manufacturer.

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14. Go-Kot Premium Camping Cot

This Go-Kot Premium Camping Cot XL is here because of its great length which is 84 inches (213 cm), and also because of its weight of 10 lb (4.5 kg). So this is not a cot to carry long distances although it comes with a nice carry bag. I have added it also to my list of extra-long camping cots.

The cot is US-Made, you have a steel-aluminum frame and an incredibly strong Cordura fabric. This is why they offer a 3-years warranty. Its weight capacity is 350 lb (159 kg).

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15. iUcar Portable Camping Tent Cot – backpack portable

This is the most versatile option here due to the following reasons.

• You can use it as an option for situation B.3 mentioned above, i.e. when you have to move away from the car and spend the night somewhere outside. This would be a tool for mountain climbers, hunters, kayakers.
• But this is also one of the options for case B.1. This because you can detach the tent and use the cot alone in a larger camping tent next to your car.
• You can use it for case B.2, this is a tent – so put it close to the car and you have a shelter to sleep.
• The cot alone can be used for case A, to sleep in the car, and therefore this is the tool for case C as well.

So what you have here is a complete sleeping system, a net inner tent attached to the cot which protects you from bugs, plus a fly which offers protection from the rain. It is only 2.57 kg of weight for the whole system, and it is nicely packable. I have included it in my list of best backpacking tent-cots.

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16. Jet Tent Bunker Cot with poly-canvas fabric

This is a tent-cot system, so this is a tool described by case B.2 above. With such a tool, you will sleep next to your car, you will be off the ground and fully protected, both from insects and from the elements.

There are many single tent-cots of this type described in the site, so why I have chosen this particular model? Well, first I like it so much. You will realize why when you read my full review.

This cot-tent is built from nice materials, so this is not synthetic. What you have here is poly-canvas fabric, a combination of polyester and cotton. So the fabric is breathable. But it has many other great features, like 3 entry points, gusseted vestibules so that you can store your stuff underneath the fly, it is a great size i.e. 2 meters long, it has internal pockets, very stable and reliable, with a very easy setup. But please see more in my full review.

Note, if you are a particularly tall person, you might want to check this Kamp Rite Oversize Tent Cot which is 90 inches (229 cm) long.

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17. Kamp Rite Compact Double Tent Cot – for couples

This is a double tent cot, and the reason for adding it to this list is obvious – if you are with your partner this is definitely the tool to consider. You have an impressive sleeping platform here, 85 x 55 inches (216 x 140 cm), quite a space for two people. So this is the tool for case B.2. above.

There is yet another good reason for having this tent cot here. This is a 3-in-1 system. The meaning is that you can use the tent (and the cot of course) separately. So if you take a tour and spend a night far from the car, you simply detach the tent and carry it as an ordinary hiking tent for two. Isn’t this a great design?

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18. Kamp-Rite Double Kwik Cot – for couples

This is currently the largest double-size cot in the market. The cot has been on the market for several years already, it is very popular and it has stood the test of the time.

As you realize from the title, this is a cot for couples, a large structure, and probably unlikely to be used in a car. So this is a tool for case B.1., i.e. for a tent used close to the car. Obviously, you will need a bigger tent, so if you have no idea where to look for such a tent, please check here.

The bed size is (L x W x H) 85 x 55 x 19 inches (216 x 140 x 48 cm), so you realize this is a huge area and as such it takes lots of space in a tent. So use the fact that it is so high, you can store a lot of your gear underneath the cot. If you need something different please check among double cots here in the site.

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19. Mountain Summit Gear Horizon Easy-Set Cot

The Mountain Summit Gear Horizon Easy-Set Cot is a unique collapsible structure. This is because of its accordion-type steel frame which is behind the words Easy-Set in the name. So all those support bars and legs are one interconnected piece.

The frame is steel, very stable, and sturdy. But the weight is substantial, the cot weighs 28 lb 11.2 oz (13 kg). The capacity is 300 lb (136 kg) and the dimensions are (L x W x H) 75 x 28.7 x 14.5 inches (191 x 73 x 37 cm). The price is very fair.

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20. Naturehike Folding Camping Cot

This Naturehike Folding Camping Cot is collapsible and lightweight with its 5.3 lb (2.4 kg) weight. It is indeed backpack-portable to shorter distances, but this is still not light enough for backpacking, and this is why it is here in the list.

You have removable legs and two heights, 6.7/15 inches (17/38 cm). A carry bag is included, and the capacity is 330 lb (150 kg).

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21. Niceway Oxford Portable Folding Bed With Storage Bag – headrest design

The main reason for adding this cot in the list is its headrest design and it is in the group of collapsible cots. So this is the feature that might be useful for some people as you can manage without a pillow.

But there are several other great features here. This is also a cot without assembly, so you just spread it in all four directions like an umbrella. Its dimensions are (L x W x H): 74.8 x 27.6 x 19.3 inches (190 x 70 x 39 cm). Note, if the length is not good enough for you, please check this Stansport One-Step Deluxe Cot which is 203 cm long and also with an elevated headrest section.

The construction is truly great with many legs (10 in fact) and support bars, a sturdy and reliable steel design. As you see from the picture, it comes with a useful storage pouch attached to the frame. Please see more in my review.

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22. REI Co-op Levitate Sleeping Platform

This cot is unique on the market. You have a frame and the bed platform on it and this includes two removable pieces. You roll them up like an accordion. There are sewn-in aluminum slats inside. The frame is steel.

The cot is both wide and long, easy to use, and quite high. A carry bag is included. The weight is 32 lb (14.5 kg).

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23. REI Co-op Trailgate Vehicle Sleeping Platform

This sleeping system is built specifically for car camping. You have a cot with adjustable legs, slats in the sleeves, and a pad. Note also that the set is available in two sizes.

The legs are extendable in such a way that the cot can be used for car camping where you have an uneven surface, but this is also for a tent of course.

The weight of the mentioned two different options is 31 lb (14 kg) and 45 lb (20.4 kg). A carry bag is included.

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24. REI Kingdom Cot 3

This REI Kingdom Cot 3 is very long, you have 82 inches (208 cm) from one end to another. Because of its nice padding, I have added it also to my list of best padded camping cots.

You also have an integrated pillow in the head section and this is combined with an adjustable headrest. It can easily transform into a lounger when needed. This is a folding cot, and the two front legs are extendable.  The weight is 20 lb (9.1 kg), and the capacity is 300 lb (136 kg).

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25. Tangkula 1-Person Tent Cot

This tent-cot is here because of its incredible versatility, and when you see its features, you will realize that it fits in several options mentioned in the introduction above.

So this is a complete outdoor sleeping system that includes a cot-tent together with all the bedding (a sleeping bag, an inflatable pad, an inflatable pillow, and covers for the pad and pillow), plus a foot pump.

Now, all these elements you can use separately or in many combinations. So you do not have to carry all of them all the time. The cot you can use in a larger family camping tent. You can use the included tent separately as a camping tent, and you can even carry it shorter distances.

The cot is military-style and collapsible, with the usual easy setup. The whole system weighs 30 lb (13.6 kg).

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26. Teton Sports Outfitter XXL Cot – great capacity

There is quite a number of reasons for having this extraordinary cot here in the list. This cot is number one in the length-width-capacity combination. So you have (L x W x H) 85 x 40 x 19 inches (216 x 101.6 x 48.3 cm), and its capacity is 600 lb (272 kg).

This is a sort of a military-type cot, so you have an extra-strong X-shape structure with 3 pairs of legs, though one could say this is an S-shape to be specific. So the cot needs some simple assembly which only implies unfolding it and adding the two end bars, typical for all military-type cots.

Yet another reason for having this great cot here is that it is used as a platform for the Teton Sports Outfitter Quick tent, so it serves as a platform for such a tent-cot configuration.

So in view of all this, the cot presented here is a tool for the cases B.1., B.2., A, and C.

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27. Timber Ridge Camping Cot XL Padded

This Timber Ridge Camping Cot XL is a folding design with some extraordinary features. So the head section is adjustable and reclining. The legs are also adjustable and the feet are pivoting so they adapt to any surface.

This is a fully padded cot so you do not need a pad for 2-season camping. The frame is a steel frame and it comes with side storage elements that include a bottle holder and storage pouches.

This is also a large cot with 81 x 29 inches (206 x 74 cm) bed size and 350 lb (159 kg) weight capacity. Please follow the link to read more.

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28. YAHILL Ultralight Folding Camping Cot

There is one particular reason why I have chosen to include this cot in the list and you can realize it from the pictures above. So this is a collapsible camping cot with extendable legs.

The practical meaning of this is that you can use it a rather tall camping cot when you sleep in the tent near the car, but you can also remove the extensions and use it as a low and lightweight backpack-portable cot if you make some short overnight tour away from your basecamp. You can see above how it looks when you remove the extensions.

The bed size is 74.8 x 25.6 inches (190 x 65 cm) and the capacity is impressive 397 lb (180 kg). The cot is nicely packable and its carry bag is 20.9 x 6.3 x 4.3 inches (53 x 16 x 11 cm).

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29. Yolafe Folding Camping Cot

This is an instant-setup cot that you make ready in seconds. It is portable with its carry bag and a weight of 10.5 lb (4.76 kg). It folds like an umbrella so the packed size is 36.22 x 15.35 x 6.7 inches (92 x 39 x 17 cm).

As you realize from the picture, it comes with an integrated elevated headrest and a pillow, so you do not need any extra pillow with this cot.

Note also that this is a tall cot, 15.74 inches (40 cm), suitable for elderly users. Such a height allows for storing lots of gear underneath it and to save space in the tent. It is also very affordable.

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Final thoughts 

Thank you for reading. Please use the comment box below if you have any question or if you want me to include some specific cot in the list. I wish you a nice day.