Folding Military Cot Spacing Plug (Donut) - 10pk

Picture this: you’re setting up your authentic military folding cot in the backcountry, and one of the critical spacing plugs—those small but essential “donuts” that maintain proper frame alignment—has gone missing. Without these precision-engineered components, your cot frame flexes unpredictably, compromising both comfort and structural integrity. These aren’t just any plastic spacers—they’re the exact military specification parts that have kept service members’ equipment functioning reliably in the world’s harshest environments.

Original Military Engineering You Can Trust

These spacing plugs represent decades of military engineering refinement, designed to solve a critical problem that plagued early cot designs. Each specification reflects real-world battlefield testing and the uncompromising standards that military equipment must meet:

• Precision Tapered Design: Each plug measures exactly .75″ long with a graduated taper from 1.12″ at the large end to .75″ at the small end—dimensions that ensure perfect fit within the aluminum frame channels
• Cross Bar Installation: These plugs mount on the end cross bars where the dowel plug fits into them to maintain correct spacing and tightness on the cot cover
• Military-Grade Polymer Construction: Heat-resistant, impact-resistant plastic that won’t crack in sub-zero temperatures or become brittle under desert sun
• Dual Color Options: Choose between regulation gray (matching standard issue equipment) or black (forest/urban configurations) to maintain authentic military appearance
• 10-Pack Configuration: Packaged exactly as issued to military personnel, providing spares for extended field operations (each cot requires 4 plugs total)
• Perfect Compatibility: Specifically engineered to fit NSN 7105-00-935-0422 folding cots and related military sleeping systems
• NSN: 7105-00-935-0434

From Field Operations to Your Next Adventure

Understanding how these seemingly simple components transform your cot experience reveals the brilliance of military engineering applied to civilian needs:

1. Frame Stability: The tapered design creates a wedge-lock effect within the cot’s aluminum frame joints, eliminating the wobble and flex that plague civilian alternatives while maintaining the quick-setup capability essential in military operations.
2. Cover Tension Control: By maintaining proper spacing and tightness on the cot cover through their cross bar positioning, these plugs ensure the fabric remains taut and supportive throughout the night.
3. Load Distribution: These plugs distribute weight stress across multiple contact points within the frame, preventing the metal fatigue and joint failure that can occur when forces concentrate on single pivot points.
4. Silent Operation: Military personnel required equipment that wouldn’t compromise their position—these plugs eliminate the metal-on-metal contact that creates noise during movement or adjustment.
5. Weather Resilience: The specific polymer blend resists UV degradation, temperature extremes, and moisture absorption that would cause inferior plastics to fail in field conditions.

Essential Field Setup Knowledge

Proper installation of these spacing plugs is critical for optimal cot performance. Install one plug on each end of both cross bars (4 plugs total per cot) with the tapered design oriented correctly—larger end facing outward from the frame joint. The dowel plug then fits securely into each spacing plug, creating the proper tension and alignment that keeps your cot cover tight and supportive. The plug should seat firmly but not require excessive force; military specifications called for hand-installation without tools to maintain rapid deployment capability.

From Combat Engineering to Collector’s Pride

These spacing plugs emerged from a specific military requirement during the development of lightweight, portable sleeping systems for airborne and special operations units. The challenge was creating a folding cot that could withstand repeated setup/breakdown cycles while maintaining structural integrity under combat loads. Traditional rigid spacers failed due to stress cracking, while softer materials compressed over time, leading to joint looseness.

The solution came through advanced polymer engineering—creating a material tough enough to handle military abuse yet precise enough to maintain critical tolerances. Each plug represents the culmination of extensive field testing across diverse climates and conditions, from Arctic training exercises to desert deployments. Today, these same engineering principles serve outdoorsmen, hunters, and collectors who demand the reliability that only genuine military specifications can provide.

What Serious Surplus Collectors Need to Know

Why aren’t civilian alternatives acceptable for authentic military cots?

Civilian replacement parts are typically made from softer plastics with looser tolerances. They may appear similar but lack the structural properties and precise dimensions that military specifications require. Using civilian parts on authentic military equipment compromises both performance and collector value.

How do I verify these are genuine military specification parts?

Authentic military spacing plugs feature the specific tapered design with exact dimensional tolerances (.75″ × 1.12″ × .75″). The polymer has a distinctive feel—neither too soft nor brittle—and maintains its color consistency. Most importantly, the package carries the proper NSN designation that matches military supply records.

Will these fit all military folding cots?

These specific plugs are engineered for NSN 7105-00-935-0422 folding cots and compatible systems. While many military cots share similar designs, always verify compatibility through NSN numbers to ensure proper fit and authentic restoration.

How many plugs does my cot need?

Each complete military folding cot requires exactly 4 spacing plugs—one for each end of the two cross bars. The 10-pack ensures you have sufficient plugs for complete restoration plus spares for future maintenance or multiple cots.

What’s the difference between gray and black colors?

Both colors use identical polymer formulations and dimensions—the color difference reflects different military service branches and deployment environments. Gray was standard for general issue equipment, while black suited forest and urban environments. Choose based on your cot’s original configuration or personal preference.

When you choose these authentic military spacing plugs, you’re not just buying replacement parts—you’re investing in the same precision engineering that has supported service members in the field for decades. Whether you’re maintaining a collector’s piece, restoring family military heritage, or simply demanding the reliability that only genuine military specifications provide, these plugs represent the intersection of battlefield-proven design and civilian adventure capability. Secure your 10-pack today and experience the difference that authentic military engineering makes in your outdoor equipment.