Does anyone know a trick to erecting the military cot? I'm going on a Puff-Up campout with my two boys this weekend and have had a heck of a time getting the first one together. But they are tight, and comfortable. The two end crossmembers have bushings on one side and are blank on the other. I'm wondering if the bushing side is for when the material stretches a little after use. Then it will tighten back up. Any tips appreciated.

Assume you're using aluminum framed, nylon covered US Military cots. You're missing bushings on one side OR you're looking at the holes for the support poles for the mosquito bar. It is also possible that some kind soul has pressed bushings into the WRONG holes. Using the un-bushed holes WILL eventually shear off the nylon nubs on the ends of the rails. These cots can be a beast to put together until you learn the tricks, especially if they have not been erected for a while, but it is never impossible. If you're trying to assemble into the wrong holes, it can be dang near impossible to put it together. Study the parts closely and I'm confident you can figure out what's amiss.<br><br>HTH,<br><br>Tom

Your assumptions are correct Tom. They are new U.S. Military aluminum nylon cots. The bushings are correct, and they are a beast. I slept on one for 6 months in Korea but only put it together once, with the help of a fellow Marine. I'm going to build some sort of tool for this feat.<br><br>Regards<br>Bruce

You have choices. One is to use about three people to stretch the material until the cross members fit. The other choice is to use one cross member from another cot and use it to leverage the cross members. The rubber on the cross member must fit over the plastic piece that sticks out from the cot. Be carefull not to break the plastic piece off as they are very weak.

It's been years since I set mine up and I can't remember exactly how I overcame the tension in the nylon, but I remember it was a struggle. I think I may have set it up as far as I could, leaving one cross-member off, then laid in it for a while to catch my breath, and that may have stretched it out a little and made the last step easier. <br><br>One thing I do remember clearly is that by putting 2 thermarest air mattresses on top of it made it very comfortable - I've rarely slept better (if you can believe that!).

The last time I slept on one of those, it was made of wood and canvas. Sometimes I feel soooo old...

I thought it was just me. We used to borrow that type from our shelter supplies when our SAR group had overnight excercises. Sometimes it took two people to put the end bars in place!<br><br>Chris

I always thought that the canvas would rip before we got those damned bars over those little stobs...