Jeff,
As a long time Camper in seriously wild outback places I shall offer some thoughts based on my experiences.
I've camped on the desert out of Barstow but higher up, that is on the desert like right on it. I was only out a couple three nights and never went back but even with night snakes and spiders none of the four of us had any problems. This was in the summer but I suspect it was nothing like Clay's situation where the sand was over 100.
Having purchased one of those magic fold up chair/cots from Costco I did a car camping trip above "MY Canyon" in NorCal. Found the rocks really injured the metal frame so I modified it by putting pipe insulating slit foam over the bars that touch the ground. After installing I used Gorilla Tape to wrap the foam in and I've never worried about the rocks again. I did notice that I had to 'smooth' the ground out a little or else the chair could tip over (sorta like two cats in a burlap sack). These things aside, if the construction and materials are solid and the bugs are really bad then why not.
But, then again, how much does the cot/tent cost as compared to a reasonably good actual backpacking tent purchased on sale from a company like/similar to REI? At one of their extravaganza sales where they sell off model close outs (like the new model is coming and we want to get rid of the olds one at really LOW prices) I purchased a one man tent, geodesic dome free standing (no pegs required unless one is in heavy wind) type with a single door (not for folks that are claustrophobic) for $35.00. My question to myself at the time was how many should I purchase. This was for a NEW never used Tent complete with all tent accessories. So I put it up at home and loved it. I've backpacked it into the NFAR many years now, have had to put patches over a couple of holes in the floor but no other issues and once the door is zipped shut (treat your zippers with respect as when it fails the bugs get a free pass at you) you turn on your light (assuming you've been star gazing by the fire just enjoying the sound of the river and don't get into the tent till its dark out) and kill all the mosquitoes that came in with you and you are bug free for the night.
The new tents are easy to put up by one person, even while raining, and with simple care they last.
The other thing I can think of is that along the NFAR I've had a couple of tent/bear issues and I don't think the cot tent would survive one of those, just too much for the bears curiosity to play with.
And of course it looks bulky and a bit hefty so if you carry it far it might not be fun. Of course if you have a very convenient way of carrying it like strapping it to an external frame pack frame (no pack just the frame with all the straps & belt) then likely it will carry well. And "I" would certainly not want to carry anything bulky and heavy(HA, HA).
Have fun Jeff and share with us your adventures should you purchase a Cot Tent. All my best wishes to ya...........................63bkpkr
To bad they don't come in "double wide" for over night guests! 
