Byer of Maine TriLite Cot – Review Of A Reliable Collapsible Bed

The Byer of Maine TriLite Cot is a nicely packable collapsible camping bed with a steel frame and durable bed deck fabric, and with only 7.5 lb (3.4 kg) of weight.

Key features & benefits

What type is it

The TriLite Cot is a collapsible camping bed of a particular type. The side bars are foldable in three sections and the bed fabric remains attached to them. Only the 4 spring steel bar legs are separate and they are attached every time when you use the cot; but this is easily done (see the video below) and you need no tools.

Who is it for

This cot can be used at home as a spare bed for guests. It packs so nicely in its carry bag, and its packed size is 27 x 8 x 3 inches (68 x 20 x 8 cm), so that you will not notice it wherever you store it at home.

But this is also a nice outdoor sleeping bed. With the weight of 7.5 lb (3.4 kg) this is not a tool to carry attached to your backpack, at least not to very long distances. But it is perfect for car camping or for motorcycle touring, and for any other activity where you do not have to carry it yourself. The cot comes with a nice carry bag with a padded shoulder strap.

Observe its length, it is 74 inches (188 cm) so if you are a very tall person, better check something else.

Setup

It is best that you see this nice video, all will be clear:

Observe the following important features:

• There are no end bars here. So the length of the cot is a true useful length.
• There are no bars anywhere under the bed deck, so you are surely free from any pressure point.
• The cot has an organizer pouch attached, very useful to put your mobile, watch, torch, or any other small item which you may want to have at hand during the night.
• The person in the video speaks about 77 inches length. The true length is as given in the specifications, 74 inches.

Using it in a tent

The TriLite Cot is very low, 8 inches (20 cm), and it is not very large, so it will easily fit in any solo tent, even in those that are particularly low, like the Eureka Solitaire Bivy Tent, Catoma Badger, or Snugpak Ionosphere 1 tent.

The clearance under the cot allows you to store some items like trekking poles, axe, books, and similar items.

The legs are steel bars, this should be fine for the tent floor but they are a bit narrow and I would be careful. Four pieces of a thick cardboard under the bars should do the job.

Using it with a sleeping pad

You have probably noticed two straps across the deck. Those are there to secure a sleeping pad so that it does not slide off. You can pass them underneath the cot if you do not need them.

In the summertime, or for home use, you do not need any pad. But you can put it there for comfort.

In the wintertime, you certainly need one. But being off the ground, you need far less insulation. This is because the air under the cot takes around 50 times less body warmth than if you sleep on the ground. So you will save on insulation, no need for extremely high R-value in your pad.

Pros & cons, my rating, price

My only objection is its size. If you are a tall person, try something else there are many collapsible cots presented within this site.

The price is given in the link, daily updated and accurate, so you realize this is quite reasonable for such a cot.

The TriLite Cot has been on the market for several years already, so there are reviews throughout the Internet. On Amazon, it has received quite positive reviews. See how I rate it:

Specifications

• Weight: 7.5 lb (3.4 kg).
• Capacity: 250 lb (113 kg).
• Dimensions (L x W x H): 74 x 25 x 8 in (188 x 64 x 20 cm).
• Packed size: 27 x 8 x 3 in (68 x 20 x 8 cm).
• Frame: steel.
• Bed fabric: durable 600D poly.
• Color: spruce.

Summary

Best places to buy:

Bass Pro

Amazon
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