TENTS

[JC5123]

Been using a Sierra Designs tent for years. I couldn't tell you what model. All I know is it is a convertible 4 season tent. I have had the thing for about 12 years and the only thing that I have had to fix is one of the cinch straps for the rain fly. Mind you this thing has endured hurricane force winds at 12,000 feet on Grand Teton. This was New Years Eve in 2000/2001 when my buddy and I decided that we wanted to be the first to summit in the new year. I swear by these tents. Yes they are expensive. (I think I paid $550.00 in '97) But this is by far the best tent I have ever owned.

As far as what to sleep on...I go very simple. A 3/4 length thermarest under my upper body and I shove the lower half of my sleeping bag into my pack. Using the foam in the backpack to supplement my padding. Works great, more compact and much lighter than my buddies full length thermarest (which he swears by) but that's another thread.

[Badgersmilk]

I gotta hand it to you guys sleeping out in the open, or under a tarp!  I'd tried it a few times and ended up getting eaten alive, or at least kept up all night by bugs.  

A few years back I was sitting at the base of a tree over looking a small gorge in the woods while deer hunting.  The whole gorge was lined with 2-3 foot tall weeds.  After sitting there a while I hear several really strange sounding noises working their way toward me in the weeds that sound kinda like a turkey, dog, racoon, alien mix.  It would come in, then go to the side, then come in, and change course every couple seconds.  While trying to figure out what the heck it was coming at me, a red fox burst out of the weeds and ran right over my lap!  We were both so shocked at the sight of each other I hardly moved, and he just kept on truck'n before I could do anything about it!  But he stepped right on me!  It didn't take me long to realize that he'd smelt, and was drawn in by the beef jerky I had in a zip-lock bag my pocket, and had snacked on a while earlier.  

That experience along with the fact that most other times we go camping either a racoon, opossum, or some other kind of animal (some are still a mystery) will trot around or even through camp makes sleeping out in the open kinda unappealing for us.  We never keep the food stuffs in the tent.  But especially with having a kid and a dog with us, little crumbs are no doubt dropped on the ground around the area.  One time we split open a watermellon on a campground picnic table, and within a few hours had a swarm of racoons up there eating it!

We once tried just using a screen room without a floor in Michigan, and freaking June Bugs, and Lightning Bugs came up out of the ground durring the night and were flying around all over!  

We practice about the same kinda thing as TAB.  It depends on the trip which tent goes with, but either a giant one my wife picked out, that IS nice because you can stand up in it and walk around / change cloths.  Or we have a little "Jeep" 7'X7' 4-person tent that's 11lbs for hiking trips.

I also take a military rip-stop parka with me EVERY hunting trip that I sit on to keep a dry butt, or can use as a small shelter in case of unexpected rain, or I ever end up spending the night in the woods unexpectedly (lost).

Animals DO keep things interesting out there!  

[Big Frank]

Sometimes if I'm only camping one or two nights I don't even set up a tent. I just crawl into the back of my truck where my air mattress and sleeping bag are already set up.

When I do set up the tent I put an air mattress on the ground or use a cot. I found some stuff called seam sealer that comes in a tube and it waterproofs the seams.

[Badgersmilk]

+1 on truck camping too. 

A Dodge Durango sleeps two people perfect!  Well insulated for cold weather.   

We have sleeping bags rated for 40 deg. that are GREAT, when it's within 10 deg. of that rating.  Otherwise they'll cook you alive.  they go on top an air mattress unless we're backpacking.

You guys ever try "Camp Dry" spray?  It works like a charm on tents.  Never had one leak a drop after a good coat of that stuff. 

[tombogan03884]

Yes, I've used Camp Dry for about 35 years. Works great.

[Sponsor]

[Badgersmilk]

Just ran accross this.  Good stuff.   

http://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/1105065/

[PegLeg45]

Yep, done some truck bed sleeping.....usually because at the time, I was to liquored up to put up the tarp.   

[twyacht]

With a crowd, I have an old 10 Man Hillary Tent, that I can roll with hardware to a small duffel bag, but it is heavy, and not for long hikes. You can stand up in it, put folding cots, air mattress's , great shelter in foul weather, and has served me really well for big trips.

Small moving hikes I have a North Face, pup. Good for two folks. Or me and my gear.  I pack 1 or 2 tarps with it. I for underneath, and one to make a "lean to" if the weather is foul.

Sat and drank for 9 hours on the Rocky River in NC, where it went from lightening and thunder, to downpours, to falling temps that led to sleet by morning. Kept all my gear, and me nice and dry, although, it was a long, loud night....

Just me and George back than,......that would be George Dickel...

Spent 10 days on a canoe trip with that tent. Still gets set up and aired out every couple months, wiped out, Scotchguard, and ready to go.

My .02 cents is maintain any tent you have. Don;t leave it packed away for months, set it up in the back yard in good weather, like the Navy, air your mattress on pretty days. After all your going to be laying down there.

Yep, done some truck bed sleeping.....usually because at the time, I was to liquored up to put up the tarp.   

I just remember waking up in the bed of a truck, They told me I was going to the Hyatt Regency....

[Big Frank]

I used to fold my tent the same way everytime. Then I read that it causes wear and leaks where you folded it. Now I stuff it in my duffel bag unfolded.

[philw]

I gotta hand it to you guys sleeping out in the open, or under a tarp!  I'd tried it a few times and ended up getting eaten alive, or at least kept up all night by bugs.  

that is the good thing with a dome style swag  ( like I have )
they have a fly screen on them to keep the bugs and snakes out of them