Moto Camping

[mdisher]

OK... So I've always planned on doing some moto-camping, but it's never happened. I generally ride with my Dad, and there aint no way he's going to camp unless it has a comfy bed.

We're in the planning stages for NAFO and BMWMOA in Gillette, WY. One of the guys already has a couple camp grounds reserved and he's dragging his RT in his toy hauler (he can't do long days because of a back injury).

So Dad and he will be snoozing comfortably in the toy hauler.

- I have a tent so that part is done.

What I'm looking for are recommendations for a decent sleeping bag that's very packable. I tend to pack like a woman, and always bring too much ****, so I can't afford a big *** sleeping bag. I also don't think I'll easily be able to pack a therma-rest either. But I'm open to suggestions. If I could meet up with the Toy Hauler before hand I'd just throw it all in there, but that's probably not going to happen.

 

[dekkerd]

Sleeping bags= western mountaineering for me:

https://www.westernmountaineering.com/index...ection=Products

high quality down, easily stuffable.

As for thermarests, I still use the older rectanglar ones. that, + a chair kit= totally worth it. What type of tent are you using BTW?

 

[keithaba]

I roll up inflatable mat in the middle of a light blanket, 2 adjustable straps to keep it from unrolling, then bungee the sucker to the passanger seat.

I also have 2 little pillows that roll up to a 4X8 inch cylinder.

There are also backpacking sleeping bags, you can look at some at ****'s Sporting Goods or Outdoor World.

A pad is far more important than a sleeping bag, you can always put on more clothes if you are cold. You cannot however, sleep well with rocks and roots stabbing you in the back all night.

 

[wheatonFJR]

I roll up inflatable mat in the middle of a light blanket, 2 adjustable straps to keep it from unrolling, then bungee the sucker to the passanger seat.
I also have 2 little pillows that roll up to a 4X8 inch cylinder.

There are also backpacking sleeping bags, you can look at some at ****'s Sporting Goods or Outdoor World.

A pad is far more important than a sleeping bag, you can always put on more clothes if you are cold. You cannot however, sleep well with rocks and roots stabbing you in the back all night.

+1

 

[mdisher]

I have a Eureka Apex Tent or something very similar. (though I think it's branded something else)... I shopped around quite a bit about 3 years ago when I planned to do this. Back then they were around $200ish?

It's been set up twice but never slept in :/

Since this is a 2+ week trip, I will have my top box and water-proof duffle on the passenger seat.

I have a kermit chair, and it kicks ***.

I know I can easily pack the tent/chair, but am a tad concerned about the bag/pad. I do have a fleece sleeping bag, which for June/July may be all I need. That would make room for a decent pad.

Thanks for the tips!

 

[wheatonFJR]

If you are sleeping at elevation you may need something more than a summer sleeping bag...

 

[luvtoride]

A pad is far more important than a sleeping bag, you can always put on more clothes if you are cold. You cannot however, sleep well with rocks and roots stabbing you in the back all night.

& another thing to mention about a pad, no matter how warm of a sleeping bag that you have, if it isn't insulated under you with some sort of pad, you will lose body heat to the ground once the insulation in your bag compresses. Something between you in your sleeping bag & the ground is hugely important for temp control.

Even if it is hot out, you need something. That is, unless you're a walking furnace.

 

[mdisher]

A pad is far more important than a sleeping bag, you can always put on more clothes if you are cold. You cannot however, sleep well with rocks and roots stabbing you in the back all night.

& another thing to mention about a pad, no matter how warm of a sleeping bag that you have, if it isn't insulated under you with some sort of pad, you will lose body heat to the ground once the insulation in your bag compresses. Something between you in your sleeping bag & the ground is hugely important for temp control.

Even if it is hot out, you need something. That is, unless you're a walking furnace.

Agreed, though I've slept in the IronButt Hotel (read your neighborhood church parking lot, sans tent or bag, in my gear), it's not the most restful sleep.

 

[Geezer]

An air mattress and battery powered pump will do more to keep you warm and comfy than any other camping gear.

 

[twowheelnut]

As a noob camper I learned one thing about bags: Go for a bag of a rating of 0 degrees. I have a 30 degree and even in 40 degree temps it does not do much to keep you warm.

 

[luvtoride]

I always carry an air mattress when I moto-camp. Same thing applies in my book, the air circulating below you will suck heat away from your body.

I've spent no sleepless nights on an air mattress once I solved the air circulation problem.

 

[phil]

I did a thorough research before buying one last month. I ended up with a Big Agnes Crater, which comes with a self-inflating pad. This model is hard to find, and I think it is being replaced by the Lost Ranger model, which requires you to buy the pad separately. The Mfr., located in Colorado, convinced me that a pad under you is important, but insulation under you is not, as it flattens out and loses its properties anyhow. Big Agnes provides a full sleeve to hold a self-inflating pad in place. But there are lots of good models available. Here's what I found:

1. SHAPE - Rectangular is roomy, but packs up too large for bike bags. Mummy style is more compact, and can be found with larger foot and hip area if you need.

2. SHELL - Not much difference here, polyester or nylon.

3. FILL - You definitely want goose down. It rolls up tighter than made-made materials, and provides more R-Value for the bulk. Down is rated by its loft-rate, or ability to expand. The higher number the better, and the more costly. Look for a loft number between 600 and 800. Loft x oz. of fill = total insulation ability. Pay more for high-loft, and you can get away with fewer ounces of fill needed. The best will roll up to 6-7 inches diameter, and 14-15 inch length.

4. PRICE - Down starts at about $100 without the pad, and goes up to over $500 for backpacking model that is rated for -0 F. I bought a +15 degrees model.

I plan to tour the Rockies from B.C. down to Denver this summer, ending at NAFO. Hope this helps.

 

[James]

- I have a tent so that part is done.
What I'm looking for are recommendations for a decent sleeping bag that's very packable. I tend to pack like a woman, and always bring too much ****, so I can't afford a big *** sleeping bag. I also don't think I'll easily be able to pack a therma-rest either. But I'm open to suggestions. If I could meet up with the Toy Hauler before hand I'd just throw it all in there, but that's probably not going to happen.

When camping (at altitude) I usually have a therma rest self inflating pad (2") and a 0 rated slumberjack rectangular sleeping bag. The tent depends on if I'm just spending the night (bivi-tent) or staying someplace for a bit (larger dome). The bag & pad are in a waterproof bag on the seat, the tent & poles can be separate w/poles in the mat & the tent in the side or top case. Mummy bags just arn't that comfy for me & it's just worth a good nights sleep for me to carry a rectangular one.

 

[twistedcricket]

+1 on 0 deg rated bag. Mine is 35 and I pack a fleece liner on most trips.

Check out the pics in my sig, I loaded up my bike for a trip to Rocky Mtn Natl Park with my backcountry gear. The red roll on top is the sleeping pad. Inside my backpack were my clothes, bag, tent and cookset.

It's doable...

 

[brazos parker]

The Mfr., located in Colorado, convinced me that a pad under you is important, but insulation under you is not,

Huh? You lost me here. What's the difference? For a comfortable night's sleep, as Heidi says above, a pad = insulation under you is a must to stop the heat flow from your body to the ground.

3. FILL - You definitely want goose down.

Goose down has high loft/weight, packs small and is comfy. But, if it gets wet, it loses most of it's insulating properties. And, store it (long term) very loosely rolled to preserve it's loft.

 

[Timbo2015]

+1 on the air mattress. I tend to sleep at least half the night on my side, and the self-inflating mattresses just do not provide enough cushion for this. If you stay flat on your back all night, I suspect a thermarest would work fine. Many others are quite happy with them.

+1 on the 0 degree bag. The only caveat is all 0 degree bags are not created equal. Be prepared to spend extra money on a quality bag, probably at least $75 from Cabela's or some other reputable outfitter. I have found, the hard way, that $15 Kmart specials that claim to be rated at 0 are junk.

I have slept in 30-40 degree weather at elevation with my air mattress/$100 Cabela's closeout special sleeping bag. I have to open the bag a bit to stay cool enough under these conditions, and I am a very cold-blooded person.

 

[Capt. Bob]

Threm-o-rest model Prolite 3.

This will roll up to about 1/2 the size of a loaf of bread.

Lafuma Unlimit Warm 'n Light. #800 down. rated at 30 degrees. It's true about a bag not keeping you as warm as the rating...when you sleep in the nude. A quality pair of ski thermals, socks and a polar fleece jacket will help you reach and exceed the bag rating. This bag will stuff down to a little bigger than the therm-o-rest.

Both are very light (about 2lbs. total) and the bag is not that expensive. It carries a one year warranty while other brands are much longer. We've had ours for 2 years and they are still in very good shape.

 

[rapd-rob]

You'll undoubtably want something beneath you. An air mat is ok, but subject to puncture easily, so a thermarest ie: 2" camp king, or similar would do great. Also, down is king for warmth, however, if it get wet or even damp, you're in deep kimshe as far as warmth, and they are difficult to dry w/o a cloths dryer. There are some extremely good synthetic fill bags, however there again you'll get what you pay for; and you will certainly pay for it with many ****** nights of sleep if you go too cheap :angry2: Good luck , let us know how the trip goes.

 

[FJR1300A]

Threm-o-rest model Prolite 3.

+1 on this Therm-a-rest. It packs smaller than a loaf of bread.

Don't go without a pad either, and not just because of the rocks. Laying on the ground will draw the heat right out of you and you will be significantly colder without the pad.

As for sleeping bags, I like a company called Big Agnes. They make hiking gear and the best part about their bags is that the insulation is on top of you and not wasted being crushed under your body. The bottom of the bag is a sleeve that the pad slips into so you can't roll off the pad (trust me this is a problem). I have two of them for different temperature ranges.

+15

https://www.rei.com/product/763873

+35

https://www.rei.com/product/720258

One other good thing about the therm-a-rest and these bags, if you're tall they make them in a longer version so you're not kicking the bottom or sticking out of the top. Good luck on the trip. I'm really looking forward to taking some camping trips myself soon.