How To Inflate Coleman Air Mattress? A Step-by Step Learning Guide

You can master how to inflate a Coleman air mattress in just two steps! However, it’s still essential to read the proper method because you don’t want to damage the air bed accidentally. More so, the specific model you’re using might have special instructions.

We will also talk about how you can keep your air mattress from deflating, along with other valuable skills every air bed owner should know. So what are you waiting for? Continue reading so you can enjoy your air mattress the soonest!

Pros Air Mattress

Custom Firmness

One of the main advantages of having an air bed, especially when it’s used in-home as a permanent or main bed, is that it allows for custom firmness. You can set as firm or soft as you please. Add more air for a firm finish, or reduce for a plush and soft surface. This is great, mainly when used for guests because everyone likes their sleep surface slightly differently.

Back Pain

Although an inflatable one is not necessarily considered the undisputed mattress for back issues, the fact that you can adjust the firmness is a huge benefit for people who have back problems and other types of body or joint pains. This is because some nights the bed may be too soft, so with the press of a button you can quickly add some air for a firmer surface, which will offer better pain relief and better body contouring. Other nights the bed may be too firm, so likewise you can simply deflate a little with one touch and soften the surface.

Sharing a Bed

Still, on the subject of adjustable firmness, almost every full size and above have two separate inner chambers, which means you can have one side firmer or softer than the other depending on you or your partner’s preference. No more disputes as to whether it’s too firm or soft simply set however you like best.

Odor-Free

Because of the PVC material used to manufacture them, there are no nasty off-gassing odors like you may find when a memory foam mattress is new.

No Sagging

Sagging is when the surface tends to give way slowly after years of usage, thus creating a crater-like effect where the person sleeps. When sagging occurs, it usually means time to start thinking about a replacement. A conventional full-size memory foam mattress or some innerspring versions will sag after years of usage, but with an air bed, this isn’t the case as you simply inflate with more air, which eliminates the sag.

Increased Durability

The hard-wearing PVC and ability to counter sagging issues increases the lifespan tremendously over innerspring, latex, or foam. The average conventional type such as latex or spring will last between 7-10 years depending on quality, whereas an air bed can easily last 15 years. More often, if it’s an air mattress with a built-in pump that you have, the pump will fail before the bed will, but these can be replaced easily at a low cost.

Rapid Inflation

Depending on the quality of the pump, an air bed can be inflated to full size within minutes, for example, a raised twin size can be inflated fully in approximately 5 minutes. A non-raised slightly smaller camping mattress can be inflated in about 3 minutes.

Low Price

Well known brands such as Coleman and Intex have managed to bring their prices right down. For example, a twin air mattress can be purchased for as little as $30 online, whereas a twin memory foam mattress can easily cost $300 for a decent quality one.

Many Uses

Depending on its size, an inflatable mattress can be used indoors or outdoors. For example, a twin size low profile option can be taken on camping trips, or, it can be rolled up and left aside as a guest bed for the occasional visitors which you’d easily assemble on the living room floor. Likewise, some people also lay them across their back seat during road trips, which is much more comfortable than sleeping in the car seat.

Cons Air Mattress

Lengthy Assembly

A larger permanent/fixed usage inflatable mattress can take anything between 30 – 60 minutes to assemble and may require two people. However, once it’s assembled the only thing you’ll need to worry about is whether to increase or decrease air based on your preference.

Noisy Pump

Some owners complain of noisy pumps, but these are usually only in budget brands. Also considering pumps are only ever used to inflate or deflate, it’s probably not very often you’ll be using it.

Replacing Pumps

Because of the mechanical nature and reliance upon the built-in pump, if it becomes faulty, you’ll need it repaired either by way of cost or warranty. If your inflatable mattress requires an external pump instead, simply buy a new one from Amazon which should cost no more than $15.

Shorter Warranty

Warranties are generally shorter than that of latex and innerspring, so if the PVC bed structure or pump develops a fault you may need to pay towards it. However, nowadays the cost of a new one will usually be the same as a repair, so you’re better off looking for a new replacement rather than paying towards a fix.

Well, hopefully, this post makes things a little clearer now and will aid in your decision making. For further information please also check our air mattress reviews.

How To Inflate A Coleman Air Mattress

Step #1. Preparation

Please always consult the instructions that come with the specific Coleman air bed you have before anything else. There are 13 models from Coleman, and it’s best to follow any indications that yours may have. Coleman also offers hand and electric pumps, so you can select which you think fits your needs.

Once you understand the instructions, lay your air mattress on the ground to prepare for inflation. The emphasis is necessary on checking the surface if it is free of any sharp objects that can damage your bed. Now that you confirmed it’s safe, unfold your air mattress and spread it out; the edges should be flat.

Step #2. Pump

The valve should be located at the side, and you can remove its cap by pulling the valve cap lanyard. To ensure that the pump’s connection and valve are secured, you must use the proper adapter nozzle. Your mattress can require a specific adapter, and it should be easy to fit onto the valve to receive the pump.

Insert the pump and turn on the switch or start manually if you opt for a handpump. As your mattress is filled, you have to be mindful not to overinflate it. Stop pumping once your reach the ideal inflation, and then push the nozzle into the bed to keep the air from leaking before detaching the pump from the valve.

Finally, close the valve on your air bed, and you’re done! A point worth remembering is to be mindful of where you’ll keep your air bed. Even tight spaces or somewhere close to heat is too risky for the material.

How Do You Inflate A Coleman Air Mattress Without A Pump?

As discussed in the two-step guide above, Coleman offers hand pumps and electric pumps for inflating their air mattresses. But is it possible to inflate your air bed if you don’t have a pump? It might be helpful to know some hacks in case you have no pump within reach.

You can use your vacuum cleaner for starters if it has a reverse setting that blows air and not sucks it. You can also remove the vacuum cleaner bag and use the pipe directly on the mattress. You might find adapters that can connect the vacuum nozzle to the mattress valve more securely.

Another household item that you can use to inflate an airbed is a leaf blower. Connect the air outlet of the model onto the mattress valve to the trick. Both methods will be slower than when using the right pump, but keep them in mind if you have no pump to blow up your Coleman air mattress.

How Do You Inflate An Air Mattress For Camping?

The most convenient way to fill up an air mattress during camping is with its corresponding pump. However, the lack of electricity on the site would be your biggest challenge, so your best option is to use a battery-operated pump or a manual air pump. There are also pumps that you can plug into your car.

You can plug a DC inverter into your car’s cigarette lighter and then connect the pump to the inverter. If you can’t have a vehicle near you, there are battery packs that should work well for most pumps. Finally, a portable air compressor should also work well for an air mattress if you have no air pump.

How Do I Make My Air Mattress Not Deflate?

You should regularly check your air bed for leaks from damages, ripped seams, tears, or holes. But if you notice that your air mattress tends to deflate quickly even without these issues, there are practices that you might be doing. For example, some products shouldn’t be used immediately after filling them up.

You should also never over-inflate an air bed because it can rupture the seam or strain the material. Eventually, the worn-down material can cause the mattress to deflate quickly. And did you know that temperature also affects air bed deflation because the air inside condenses in cold conditions?

Finally, you might speed up deflation if you always have concentrated pressure on the air mattress. Sitting or jumping on an air bed will cause it to lose structure.

Do’s & Don’ts for Air Mattresses

Do: Keep Inflated When in Use

Constantly deflating and re-inflating your air mattress puts unnecessary tension on the seams. If you are blowing up the mattress for a houseguest who is staying for several days, for example, leave the mattress inflated over the course of the stay instead of inflating and deflating it daily.

Do: Deflate for Storage

Air mattresses are inflated within minutes with the use of battery-operated or electronic pumps, but they can take much longer to fully deflate. It may be tempting to unplug the air valve and push the air out of the mattress before storing by rolling it. However, this can be potentially damaging to the mattress. Pushing the air out stretches the seams and could cause the seals to burst. Unplug the valve and allow the mattress to deflate completely before packaging for storage. If your mattress features a speedy deflation setting, let the air escape before storing. Listen near the valve; if there is a faint hissing sound, the mattress is still deflating.

Don’t: Allow Pets

Even if your family pets are used to sleeping on beds or resting on furniture, they should be kept away from air mattresses. Any animal with sharp claws can puncture holes in the air mattress that are difficult to repair. Animals also have the tendency to push off or jump off of furniture, which can stress the seams of the mattress.

Don’t: Overfill

If air mattresses are filled to maximum capacity, they experience excess stress on the seams. It is recommended that your air mattress only be blown to about 90 percent capacity, especially the first time it is used. Each time you overfill the mattress, the mattress becomes more likely to rupture.

Don’t: Sharp Objects

It can be difficult to repair holes in your air mattress. Even duct tape and vinyl patch kits are temporary at best, so it is likely the air mattress will have to be replaced altogether. Keep the mattress away from items such as pencils, safety pins, needles, paper clips or any item with a blade that can ruin the mattress. When lying on the mattress, it is best to empty your pockets of any items that could cause damage.

Conclusion

Coleman air beds are one of the most popular ones in the market. If you’re unsure how to inflate Coleman air mattress, it should be as easy as attaching a Coleman air pump to the mattress valve. Your model may require an adapter to ensure a secure connection, and that’s it!

If you have no pump at hand, you can also use a vacuum cleaner or a leaf blower. However, it will be more tedious and time-consuming. Overall, always consult the manual to ensure that you won’t accidentally damage your air bed.