How to Use the Dually Carabiner: Setup Tips Most People Miss

Quick answer

The carabiner-47634df40388cbdfa4ea9ad8-1913041">Dually carabiner is the small clip that keeps your folded Dually mattress pad compressed and carry-ready. Clip it through the sewn loop on the pad, not through the foam or fabric, and use it to hang or secure the pad during transport. Check the clip before every trip so it does not snag or pop open.

You just unrolled your Dually mattress pad, and there is a carabiner dangling from the corner. It is easy to ignore, but that little clip solves a real problem: keeping a large memory foam pad folded and under control when you are breaking camp. Most people either leave it attached to nothing or clip it in the wrong spot, which defeats the purpose.

This guide walks through the correct way to use the Dually carabiner, from unboxing to packing up. It also covers the mistakes that wear out the clip or damage the pad. If you own The Dually or are considering one, these steps will help you get more out of the accessory you already have.

What the Dually carabiner is actually for

The Dually carabiner is a small metal clip that comes with The Dually two-person camping mattress pad. It is not a load-bearing climbing carabiner and it is not meant to hold your body weight. Its job is to keep the folded pad compressed so it stays compact in a truck bed camper, rooftop tent, or van. When the pad is folded in half or thirds, the carabiner clips through the sewn loop to hold that fold in place.

Because The Dually is a memory foam pad, it does not stay flat when you fold it. The foam wants to spring back open. The carabiner gives you a way to fight that spring without using straps that can crush the foam unevenly. Used correctly, it keeps the pad tidy and makes it easier to slide into a storage spot or carry from the tent to the truck.

• Do not use the carabiner to hang the pad from a tree or rack for long periods; the loop is not designed for that kind of stress.
• Keep the carabiner attached to the pad's loop even when the pad is laid out flat, so you always know where it is.

Step-by-step: using the Dually carabiner correctly

Start by laying The Dually flat and letting it decompress. Memory foam needs a few minutes to return to shape after being compressed. Once it is flat, fold the pad in half lengthwise or widthwise, depending on your storage space. Align the edges so the fold is neat. Then locate the sewn loop near the corner or edge of the pad. This loop is the only correct attachment point.

Clip the carabiner through the loop and around the folded layers of the pad. You want the carabiner to hold the fold, not pinch the foam. If the carabiner feels like it is bending or stressing, you have too many layers or the fold is too thick. Adjust the fold and try again. Once clipped, give the pad a gentle shake. If it stays folded, you are set.

• Common mistake: clipping the carabiner directly through the fabric or foam instead of the loop. This can tear the cover.
• Checkpoint: the carabiner should sit flat against the pad, not twisted or under tension.

Using the carabiner during transport and storage

When you are moving The Dually from your vehicle to the campsite, the carabiner lets you carry the pad like a briefcase or clip it to a larger gear bag. If you have a Dually Custom S for your camper van, the same principle applies: fold along the custom shape, clip the loop, and slide it into its spot. The carabiner keeps the pad from unfolding and taking up floor space.

For longer storage, do not leave the pad compressed with the carabiner for months. Memory foam recovers best when it can breathe. Use the carabiner during trips and short-term storage, then lay the pad flat or loosely folded when you get home. This protects the foam and keeps the carabiner from leaving a permanent crease.

• If you are packing a Rivian x HEST Camp Pillow or HEST X KOA Camp Pillow, do not clip them to the Dually carabiner; use their own stuff sacks.
• A carabiner that is bent or does not close fully should be replaced before it fails on the trail.

Mistakes that wear out the carabiner or the pad

The most common mistake is overloading the carabiner. The Dually is a two-person pad, and folding it into a tight bundle can make the carabiner work harder than intended. If you have to force the clip, fold the pad differently. Another mistake is clipping the carabiner to a belt loop or backpack strap while the pad is still attached. That puts sideways force on the loop and can rip the stitching.

People also lose the carabiner by unclipping it and setting it down in the dirt. Since it is small, it disappears easily. Keep it clipped to the pad's loop whenever it is not in use. If you tend to misplace small gear, consider a spare camping gear carabiner as a backup, but make sure it is the right size for the loop.

• Never use the Dually carabiner for climbing or hanging heavy gear.
• Inspect the loop stitching each season; if it is frayed, stop using the carabiner until it is repaired.

Dually carabiner setup steps

1. Let the pad decompress: Unroll The Dually and let it sit flat for a few minutes so the memory foam returns to shape. Checkpoint: the pad should lie flat without curling at the corners before you fold it.
2. Fold along the natural lines: Fold the pad in half or thirds, matching the edges. For Dually Custom S, follow the curved shape rather than forcing a straight fold. Mistake to avoid: folding against the foam's natural crease, which can damage the layers.
3. Clip through the sewn loop only: Attach the carabiner through the dedicated loop on the pad, then around the folded layers. Never clip directly through fabric or foam. Checkpoint: the carabiner should close fully and sit flat without twisting.
4. Test the hold: Gently lift the pad by the carabiner. If the fold stays closed and the loop is not stretched, you are good to go. Mistake to avoid: carrying the pad by the carabiner alone for long distances; support the pad with your other hand.
5. Store smart: Use the carabiner during trips, but unclip and lay the pad flat or loosely folded for long-term storage at home. Next step: inspect the carabiner and loop before every trip for wear.

Dually carabiner and pad facts

• The Dually: The Dually is a two-person camping mattress pad designed for flat and dry sleeping spaces found in truck bed campers, rooftop tent pop-ups, and tents. It comes in Dually Long 50"x78", Dually Wide 60"x72", Dually Short 50"x64", and Dually Queen 60"x78". The carabiner is sized for these pads, so knowing your size helps you fold and clip it correctly without over-compressing the foam.
• Dually Custom S: The Dually Custom S was designed with specific curvature and shaping to fit dreamily in a camper van. It has two layers of temperature resilient memory foam in a portable, foldable form. The custom shape means you may need to fold along the curves to use the carabiner effectively; forcing a standard fold can stress the loop.

The Dually carabiner is a small piece of gear that makes a big difference in how manageable your mattress pad is at camp. Use it as intended, clip only through the loop, and avoid overloading it. With these steps, your pad stays folded, your carabiner stays intact, and you spend less time wrestling gear and more time sleeping.