Doctor, I sleep so much better in my Cali than at home. Am I OK? (Poll)

[Romke]

I am a (nearly) 70 year old male and usually sleep just six hours a night. Being an early sleeper (9-9.30pm is my regular bedtime) I am usually up and wide awake between 3 and 4am. At home that’s fine; there’s the espresso machine, the internet, and central heating. When we’re out in our Cali I still go to bed early but strangely enough I can sleep until 6-7am - a full three hours later than at home. I’m wondering if this is a common phenomenon among Cali owners. What’s your experience?

 

[GrannyJen]

I normally sleep better in the Cali.

I think it's because I leave all the crap at home. In the Cali I can just switch off from most of it.

 

[WelshGas]

On our recent trip we were going to bed at about 8pm and also sleeping to 6-7 am. Could be the fact that we were outdoors all day or the Peroni +/- G & T.

 

[inthemidnighthour]

never slept well in the Cali , never seem to be able to get comfortable however strangely over last weekend i had raised the rear bed section for extra storage underneath.Had a great nights sleep despite the step in the mattress !!

 

[2haw]

I find at home I can get up at least a couple of times during the night for the call of nature but in the Cali, I often seem to be able to sleep all the way through like a big boy... strange.

 

[bigmac77]

At home I’m spoilt there is zero light pollution and zero noise when in the Cali there always seems to be some source of noise and I find it difficult to adapt.

 

[Verity]

I usually sleep better in the Cali, but we slept downstairs last week for one night (boy back to uni trip), which has never been a problem before, and I have still got backache. Terrible night! I may have to just get thicker PJs and sleep upstairs on my own so I can shuffle round a bit.

 

[soulstyledevon]

At home I’m spoilt there is zero light pollution and zero noise when in the Cali there always seems to be some source of noise and I find it difficult to adapt.

At our home they switch the street lighting off between 12pm - 6am.
Ever since they started doing this, my sleep quality improved immensely...

I also sleep like a baby in the Cali.
But it has to be dark and quiet and a bloody good mattress topper and quality pillows.

 

[CDinFrance]

I find the oxygen helps from the vents, and I sleep better.

 

[aileron346]

Generally we sleep much better in the Cali. I think often due to being often a big cooler but also generally just like the ventilation. As well, I agree... a general decluttering effect from being away from all the chores of home.

 

[Jeanba13]

With my two boys 5 and 6 years old, we sleep two hours more in our Chrysler Grand Voyager (we are waiting for the Cali to be delivered next month) than at home. Don't know if it's due to the fresh air, but have definitively great nights of sleep during a camper trip !!

 

[kave]

We tend to get to bed earlier and wake up later in the Cali than at home but I guess I sleep a bit worse. I usually worry more, ie will it rain through, will someone be disturbed we are sleeping in this parking lot etc etc.

 

[Borris]

The best nights sleep I've ever had? hmmm................... when we were gassed in France!

 

[Borris]

Actually I always sleep well wherever I am however I have to admit that I've always found the beds in both our previous SE and Beach rather too firm until recently. My wife has similar views and has sometimes complained of back ache after sleeping in our vans. Our last outing to Dorset was different. The huge bed in our three seater Beach was wonderful after some minor improvements. Firstly as there's only the two of us I often make the bed up at home before we leave especially if we intend to wild camp enroute. This time the bed base consisted of:

1. VW Comfort mattress.
2. Self inflating mattresses x 2 side by side.
3. Zonesleep topper.
4. 10.5 tog king size feather and down duvet.
5. Fitted bottom sheet.

Then on top we have a king size double duvet in its duvet case with two feather pillows in their pillow cases. We used to have a double sleeping bag but found that a pain with the zips etc. The duvet idea is perfect.

As we met up with our Cali friends at the Dorset Highlands End meet, I suppose the one or four glasses of Rioja may also have had some effect.

 

[soulstyledevon]

If you are struggling for a good nights sleep. I’ve always found sex beforehand gets me off into dreamland and I usually don’t wake till morning.
Btw, I’m not offering

 

[WelshGas]

Actually I always sleep well wherever I am however I have to admit that I've always found the beds in both our previous SE and Beach rather too firm until recently. My wife has similar views and has sometimes complained of back ache after sleeping in our vans. Our last outing to Dorset was different. The huge
bed in our three seater Beach was wonderful after some minor improvements. Firstly as there's only the two of us I often make the bed up at home before we leave especially if we intend to wild camp enroute. This time the bed base consisted of:

1. VW Comfort mattress.
2. Self inflating mattresses x 2 side by side.
3. Zonesleep topper.
4. 10.5 tog king size feather and down duvet.
5. Fitted bottom sheet.

Then on top we have a king size double duvet in its duvet case with two feather pillows in their pillow cases. We used to have a double sleeping bag but found that a pain with the zips etc. The duvet idea is perfect.

As we met up with our Cali friends at the Dorset Highlands End meet, I suppose the one or four glasses of Rioja may also have had some effect.

I can see why you make the bed up before you leave.

 

[GrannyJen]

Actually I always sleep well wherever I am however I have to admit that I've always found the beds in both our previous SE and Beach rather too firm until recently. My wife has similar views and has sometimes complained of back ache after sleeping in our vans. Our last outing to Dorset was different. The huge
bed in our three seater Beach was wonderful after some minor improvements. Firstly as there's only the two of us I often make the bed up at home before we leave especially if we intend to wild camp enroute. This time the bed base consisted of:

1. VW Comfort mattress.
2. Self inflating mattresses x 2 side by side.
3. Zonesleep topper.
4. 10.5 tog king size feather and down duvet.
5. Fitted bottom sheet.

Then on top we have a king size double duvet in its duvet case with two feather pillows in their pillow cases. We used to have a double sleeping bag but found that a pain with the zips etc. The duvet idea is perfect.
.

Where do the occupants go? surely no room left ........

 

[Borris]

I can see why you make the bed up before you leave.

We make up the bed before leaving home purely for convienience. We often wild camp and usually stop very late at night but more often than not, in the early hours, leaving before the birds wake up. Just quietly roll to a halt, switch off and climb into bed. No fuss, no noise, no disturbance, no complaints.

Actually making the bed only takes a couple of minutes and is dead easy. My wife deals with the foot of the bed inside whilst I do the head with tailgate open. It couldn't really be any simpler. Making up the bed doesn't take very long either however when touring we often don't bother as there is more than enough room inside for the two us to be very comfortable. Swivel and recline the front seats and you have a wonderful armchair and foot stool at just the right height.

 

[Borris]

Where do the occupants go? surely no room left ........

Fear not GJ there's acres of space in Bluebell bus.

 

[Steve&Bev]

If you are struggling for a good nights sleep. I’ve always found sex beforehand gets me off into dreamland and I usually don’t wake till morning.
Btw, I’m not offering

Thats only half true, as soon as I mention sex Bev falls asleep almost immediately!!

 

[GrannyJen]

Thats only half true, as soon as I mention sex Bev falls asleep almost immediately!!

 

[SusiBus]

I'm in your camp Borris. Found our SE even with a Brandrup topper too hard. Now got a Brandrup topper on top of another Brandrup topper, fitted sheet, Supper Kingsize duvet from our rather large bed at home, and feather pillows, Magic !
Probably cost a lot more than most people would spend on a bed at home, but then California is more money than most peole would spend on a vehicle.

Better sleep than l ever get at home!

 

[Borris]

I'm in your camp Borris. Found our SE even with a Brandrup topper too hard. Now got a Brandrup topper on top of another Brandrup topper, fitted sheet, Supper Kingsize duvet from our rather large bed at home, and feather pillows, Magic !
Probably cost a lot more than most people would spend on a bed at home, but then California is more money than most peole would spend on a vehicle.

Better sleep than l ever get at home!

Excellent.

I'll bet there are plenty of other Cali owners who would like a softer bed as well. Why spend all that money on a camper van and not get a good nights sleep?

 

[Ethel's dad]

The best nights sleep I've ever had? hmmm................... when we were gassed in France!

That'll be the cassoulet......

 

[ArunAlec]

If you are struggling for a good nights sleep. I’ve always found sex beforehand gets me off into dreamland and I usually don’t wake till morning.
Btw, I’m not offering

Normally go to bed pretty early when in the van but tend to get woken by people having sex, what's wrong with Ovaltine?