I have a solar bedchair , nice and flat and supportive , but still getting a bad bedchair back 🙄, anyone use a mattress or memory foam topper , and did it help , I'm broken 😁

In reply to Post #1
Is it an SP C-Tech?

If so I recently got one and it's the best bedchair I've used but, being a side sleeper I had to finally give in and put my Cotswold SIM on it. I was getting hip ache where it is so firm but with the SIM on it is now amazingly comfortable.

In reply to Post #2
I bought a Cotswold SIM on the advice on others on here. Highly rate it and wouldn't go back now. Don't overinflated it, allow it to expand to size and then a couple of quick puffs is enough.

In reply to Post #1
Definitely try a SIM before you do anything else. Just try to find one that fits into you're bedchair. The thicker the better, but a really thick one will not allow you to fold it up with the bag. I wouldn't advise adding air. Just let it self inflate while you set the rest of your gear up, then close the valve/s. If you think it's too soft after a night or two add some air. Remember if you add air by blowing into the sim you are introducing moisture and bacteria which could lead to mould. A pump or blow up bag is better if it's deemed necessary.

In reply to Post #1
Yep sim all the way, makes a big difference...I was actually quite amazed how much more comfy it is...🙂

One of the best things I did this year was get myself a better and bigger spirit level to level my bed off.

For years, I have used a small spirit level and it has been hit and miss trying to get the bed level which I find is the cause of most problems. The bed only has to be out of level slightly, either lengthways or widthways or both and it can be very uncomfortable. When it is bad, I compensate with using a SIM, usually on my second night after a bad uncomfortable first night.

I bought myself a 12" long plastic red spirit level from Wilko's for a mind blowing £1 and what a difference it made when I first used it in Summer, and since then the SIM has stayed in the car. It was instant comfort. The spirit level is also enhanced in its use by having a groove in its plate which fits the metal work perfectly to keep it running straight along the framework and not cockeyed.

I start levelling from the leg which I think is the highest and will not need adjusting and go widthways across the supports under the bed and adjust the opposite leg, then I go longways with the spirit level on the edge of the frame up or down the bed from the leg that I have just raised, and then finish off by going widthways once again on the supports under the bed. And doing a final check longways to the leg that I started from and it should be level. If its out on that last check, start again.

I have found that if the bed slopes downwards, the hips suffer as all your weight seems to rest on them, if it slopes to the head end, the shoulders suffers as then your shoulder seems to take the weight

But, one problem with using a spirit level is the fact it shows up how crap beds are designed. On only a slightly sloping bank, you can find that you do not have enough leg to extend to level the bed off, about 6 "or 7" leg to extend is far from adequate. So, you have to make do and then you suffer. Or take some wooden blocks.

Another thing that has to be perfect too is, all three sections of the bed must match up, its no good having a saggy head end and leg end and a firm middle or vice versa, that is recipe for a bad back and bad knees. Basically tighten up all three sections or loosen them off so that they are all the same.

In reply to Post #6
I hear you Zack but do you actually make it to bed and all set up with all that faffing.......

In reply to Post #7
Here we go again, another one who has obviously not tried something and discounted it.

What faffing? It takes less than a minute to level the bed perfectly which is something you have to do anyway, its only three leg adjustments providing you find the highest leg to start levelling from, its so simple, but obviously not to yourself.

What is the alternative, plonk the bed down on the ground, take a rough guess at levelling it and then faff about with a SIM adjusting that and even worse find its been nipped in the bedchair hinge and got a hole in it when it was last packed away or find it sliding down the bed during the night or yourself and sleeping bag sliding down on top of the SIM.

I know which is the quicker option and if its your mentality to not level a bed, then its probably the reason you suffer because even with a bed that has not been levelled widthways it can be twisted, even with a SIM, it will be uncomfortable as your spine will have to contort itself to match the twist.

It sometimes makes you wonder if its worth posting at times to try and help people.

In reply to Post #8
I´m at my wits end, trying to find a good night´s sleep
I´m a broken man that hasn´t had a painful, stressful, peaceful slumber, as long as i can remember
A new bedchair every year, that ends up in the skip Different mattresses, but nothing seems to work.

Only thing i "haven´t tried", is using a spirit level Might be a tight squeeze

In reply to Post #7
Sounds like b.s. however last time out I was on an awkward sloping bank and the first night I hardly slept at all second night I made sure the bed was perfectly levelled and it made a world of difference. Try jacking one side of your bed at home up by three inches and see how well you sleep.

In reply to Post #6
I use a spirit level app on the phone, it's made a huge difference. What you think is level and what is actually level is amazing and I have a pretty good eye for a wonky picture frame.

Had spinal disk surgery couple of yrs ago, was struggling with beds....

In reply to Post #1
The absolute worst thing I have found and guaranteed to ruin my back is sitting sideways on a bed chair, without a bedchair buddy (seat attached for back support) for even 5 minutes. If I do this I'm done for, so always use one. I use the trakker transformer chair and not had a problem since. Touch wood not had issues with my recent bedchairs sleeping wise.
I do remember my first bedchair, a jrc stealth which was made for midgets with no support whatsoever killed my back and that was when I was in my early 20s.

In reply to Post #12
Any recommendations on a sim ? . I'm currently fishing , yes the bed is level , and I'm broken 😕

In reply to Post #13
I never use a bedchair to sit on, only for sleeping. I don't really suffer from bad backs but the few occasions I have sat on one for any length of time, it was agony. I always carry a folding chair and use that and then stick it under the bed at night.

I use the Cotswold and rate it.

In reply to Post #8
Sorry Zack........I guess the Didn't hit the spot.......

Something that happened to me years ago changed the comfort levels of bedchairs for me. I used my bed chair to sleep on at a family gathering. The legs were all identical adjusted to minimum, (could have been max, doesn't matter as long as they are identical) and the bed was on a perfectly level concrete floor. As soon as I got in the bed it felt amazingly different, I dropped off quickly and slept through with a great night's sleep.
I would say to anybody, especially people with back/spinal problems to take the time needed to get your bed absolutely level with a small lightweight spirit level. If you do it by eye it will always be off and ground that looks level never is.

Please believe me it's a game changer. Just try it once.

In reply to Post #14
Yes 2nd for the Cotswold one, I also recommend not blowing any extra air into it, just open the bed chair and leave it for 45min or so then close the valve.

@Carpbourne do you sleep on your side or back?

In reply to Post #17
On my side , but last night I tried everything , I have a bad back so I'm starting from a poor position ( old injury) . I also looked at the square sided double valve SIM , would slightly thicker version be of more benefit

In reply to Post #18
Reason I asked is that if I was a back sleeper the SP Tech is perfect as it is but as a side sleeper myself I do find the mattress a little firm even though it is well padded. Only thing I can suggest then is giving the SIM a go if you haven't yet, they do make a massive difference.

Definitely use a spirit level of some kind, will transform your sleeping for sure 👍

I was thinking, why don't companies add two small bubble levels per leg? Would be a game changer. Could we'll be a good thing for someone to come up with and sell on eBay etc.

In reply to Post #20
Download a Spirit Level app on to your phone and use a storm pole across the bed and bingo

In reply to Post #21
Or just use it on the cross braces of the legs, no Strom pole required

In reply to Post #22
Or that

In reply to Post #12
Same mate if I do that I'm ruined, my backs so bad had to change profession and on a cocktail of painkillers and still might need surgery

In reply to Post #21
Yeah, got that mate and do similar when setting up my bedchair 👍

I was thinking that how comes they've never added them to beds yet, or could it be the next 'game changer' that they'll add to the beds in the next year and add 100 large for some bubble levels

In reply to Post #22
The keys, say what?

Sounds like a pain grubbing about underneath your chair, especially so if it's peeing down and you have to ram everything inside without getting soaked.

In reply to Post #26
Legs, god knows where keys came from. You don't have to crawl about under it,you level the centre section before you unfold the head and leg sections. It's no bother at all

In reply to Post #26
Not if you do it with the bed folded still

Edit- ip beat me to it

In reply to Post #28
Avids latest bedchairs have a built in bubble to level it .

In reply to Post #29
Yay. Forward thinking stuff 👍

>>>
Or just use it on the cross braces of the legs, no Strom pole required<<<<

That on its own does not work, all it does is level the bed widthways. Both the head end and foot end could be level widthways, but one of the ends might be higher than the other meaning the bed will be angled up or down. That is why you must level the side of the frame as well.

As for using a mobile phone, I have tried it but it is about as useless as a small spirit level. You can have too much of an error gauging that it is running perfectly square on the frame and not twisted. Sometimes it works but only because you guessed right with the phone that it was perfectly aligned with the frame.

A mobile phone spirit level app also needs to be calibrated and checked to ensure it is working against a known level surface, otherwise, it's pointless to use it.

This is probably why I find the Wilko's level perfect, it has that groove in it for levelling pipes so you get perfect alignment.

Another issue with a phone or small spirit level, the side of the frame may be slightly bowed downwards with sitting on them, and depending where you put the "level" could put it way out. Basically, the bigger the level the better to get a better coverage of the frame.

I find it's the middle section that is crucial and needs to be level on both axes, top to bottom, left to right. You don't want your feet higher than your head and a Slightly higher head section and slightly lower foot section is comfortable for me. I think it's a tilt across the bed that causes the problems. It is definitely worth the time and effort to get your bed right for you. The difference is amazing. Once you know what works for you it takes 2/3minutes on the bank. Doesn't matter who makes it, if its properly set up and levelled the way you like it it will be way better.
Let the obsessives obsess, cheap level, 5 minutes work, comfort. KISS

In reply to Post #31
I was only talking about leveling side to side Zack, I thought it was rather obvious you'd just use the frame top to level lengthways.
Using a phone app or a small scaff level is completely fine too, no need whatsoever to be lugging round a long level. I use bubbles every day many many times for my job and I can assure you they are perfectly fine. ( And the applications for work are FAR more critical that they are spot on than levelling a bed up)

In reply to Post #33
So , SIM it is , but there are a few thicknesses to concider . Obviously a compromise between comfort and practicality of putting one on a bedchair , so any thoughts ?

The Tackle box,sell a product called a Guesti chair, it allows you to sit on the floor or across your bedchair,it supports your back,it does a good job, it folds up in your bebchair ,is very light,and only costs £20..

I suffered from iliac syndrome,since I started stretching twice a day and Calisthenics once a day ,I have had no problems..I am a side sleeper as well...

I fell off a bank with a fs 150 petrol Strimmer,which I could not discharge,it went into my lower back,...so I know a bit about discomfort and pain .

Try n build up your core...

I have a fairly old and well used trakker levelite and thought it may have had its day as there was no support and was giving my back some grief. I bought a small single size memory foam mattress topper aprx 2 inch thickness and cut it to size. It adds some weight but worth it for the comfort.

For me it's simple, if you need a Sim to lie well then you bought a bedchair which is not suitable for your back, after 2 back surgeries my back is a mess, tried 9 stretchers and ended up with the Trakker oval levelite tall, the high-density micro fleece mattress fits me so well that that I don't have back pain after sleeping on it.

In reply to Post #37
Yes , but I tried my mates and it seemed fine , but you can't carry on buying £250+ bedchairs until you find one that suits 😕. So the next question is SIM over memory foam ? .

With my bad back I can't lie on a memory foam mattress for 5 minutes (Tried Nash/Avid MF beds), on Trakker's high-density foam mattress I have no problem, but what is good for my back may be unpleasant for someone else it is way too personal, for me a sim is a no go

I bought 9 bedchairs (long live the 30 day money back guarantee)

In reply to Post #1
I've had 3 lots of spinal surgery resulting in a fusion and have been a bad back sufferer for years, the best combination I have found is a Wychwood tactical x bed which is light and firm, with an Exped Megamat 10cm sim on top which is inflated to suit, and I always use a small spirit level to level the bed, makes a massive difference.

In reply to Post #38
I would go with a sim, I have the helium one and it has completely transformed my bedchair, I found not adding to much extra air is the key, I usually leave mine for around 45 mins to self inflate and its perfect
The thing with memory foam is when it gets cold it starts to harden and then becomes uncomfortable, also its more likely to sweat in the summer