Moto Camping

[huk finn]

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 :/

Thanks for the tips!

Set tent up again in back yard & seal seams with water proofer (plus that'll make sure nothings missing, or mildewed, or floor cracked). Maybe rub some wax along zippers

 

[drew231506]

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

Wayyy to heavy and takes up too much room...BTDT.

The way to go is one of those Thermarest pads. Expensive but they're comfy, warm , and very compact.

 

[HaulinAshe]

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

Like me???

 

[Khunajawdge]

This is a topic I am quite experienced with!

1st - Get something that elevates you from the ground. If it's cold or hot you will be more comfortable off the ground. I have graduated from Thermo-Rest pads, to an air matress, to a small cot that I assemble. I have also found that if I put an emergency blanket (yes one of those silver jobs that fold up like a handkerchief) and pack easily, on top of the cot, and sleep in a bag on top of that, I am good for the night! But...& here's the caveat, you cannot turn over, and Must sleep on your back All night. This takes training. Believe it or not (?) there are classes that teach you how to do this. :cowboy:

2nd - Sleeping bag. I have 3. One is a full mummy, 30 degree below (Alpine Designs) bag, which is goose down and stuffable. This is a large package to carry. Hey... sometimes, you have got to anny up the space, to be warm and comfortable! The second bag is a 0 degree bag (Timberline) which is OK when the snow is gone from the high sierra. It isn't too Big when rolled up and stuffed, and the night's stay is above freezing in temperature (this is the one I use the most!). Lastly, I have one of those zippered flannel sheets (Coleman), which is fine for a mid summer over night on somebody's spare bed, couch, or heavily piled carpeted floor.

3rd - Tent - I prefer a tent that I can nearly stand up in, and a 4 man dome is the best (Coleman). I usually end up shortening and adding a pole to each of the tent's original tent pole sets. I try to size my tent to a 22" length which fits best into my 24" (DaKine) duffel/with waterproof liner. I like this duffel (the largest of the 3 that use for camping, because it has side and front pockets which provide easy access for articles needed during the ride.

4th, Don't get me started on the cooking end of this fiasco! I am a very "accomplished cook" and I love to spend an evening over a fire, trying to create a banquet from a can. Maybe on another thread sometime?

Hope any of this helps?

 

[TFC]

I have graduated from Thermo-Rest pads, to an air matress, to a small cot that I assemble.

What exactly is the cot you mention above? The one from Aerostich?

What prevents you from laying on your side/front?

 

[Khunajawdge]

I have graduated from Thermo-Rest pads, to an air matress, to a small cot that I assemble.

What exactly is the cot you mention above? The one from Aerostich?

What prevents you from laying on your side/front?

Oh No, I'm strictly a frugal ***. I got my cot at Big 5 for around 20 bucks! It still packs into less length than 22". "If" I sleep on my side, my arms go numb. This wakes me up, and I have to turn over. "If" I don't turn over, then my arms don't go numb, capiche?

PS. I do own a considerable amount of "stuff" from Aerostitch including 2 Rodacrafter suits. In a pinch, I would "opt" to sleep in one of the 2 of those instead of a sleeping bag!

 

[TFC]

Oh No, I'm strictly a frugal ***. I got my cot at Big 5 for around 20 bucks! It still packs into less length than 22". "If" I sleep on my side, my arms go numb. This wakes me up, and I have to turn over. "If" I don't turn over, then my arms don't go numb, capiche?
PS. I do own a considerable amount of "stuff" from Aerostitch including 2 Rodacrafter suits. In a pinch, I would "opt" to sleep in one of the 2 of those instead of a sleeping bag!

Word. Avoiding numb arms sounds like a good thing. lol

 

[Joe2Lmaker]

Down doesn't insulate when it's wet.

Synthetics have come a long way. The insulation in my bag is Polyguard 3D. It's "water resistant", but "retains thermal efficiency when wet and dries quickly". Luckily, I haven't had the oportunity to test those claims. What I do know is that it packs down really small (stuff sack required) and fluffs up to be really comfortable and warm.

I have a Kelty Light Stalker. I checked their website. but couldn't find it.

Have you ever seen a down bag or jacket when it's wet? or even damp? They're a pain in the *** to dry out. I don't think it's even possible to do without a large dryer and several tennis balls.

 

[mdisher]

I did camp fairly often as a kid, we even had some great down army surplus sleeping bags that my dad brought home from the Army in the 60's. They packed fairly well, we're somewhat heavy.

I looked at the thermo-rests at Bass Pro Shops last night and some bags. I'm a side sleeper and toss a lot, couldn't sleep on my back to save my life, so an integrated pad wouldn't work for me.

I'm probably going to snag a thermorest off ebay they seem to be much cheaper there.

 

[colin]

Also, I'd recommend making sure you know how to setup the tent (if its new) to make sure you know how to do it. Figuring it out on the night is asking for a scramble for a motel.....

This goes for any new gear. Make sure you know how to use it!!

 

[spklbuk]

Can't figure why down-filled sleepbag?...get it wet and your camping is done.

Go quality synthetic...insulates just as good and will dry. You might loose a half day to drying it (go take a hike), but at least your camp trip will continue. I know there are some good campers out there who never get wet when they camp...they are just like good fishermen...they lie!

Get a stuff sack w/ compression straps and compress the crap out of it when on the road. Just store it loosely packed when you get home.

and a big [SIZE=18pt]+1 [/SIZE]on huk finn's tent seam seal.

 

[wheatonFJR]

negatory on the cot...as it allows the air in the tent under the cot to draw the heat out of yer body...unless you prepare for it some other way.

 

[Murph]

You might be interested in this Advrider thread in which a rider discusses camping equipment experiments and receives plenty of advice.

 

[phil]

Can't figure why down-filled sleepbag?...get it wet and your camping is done.

The reason for down is that if you are packing on a motorcycle, it packs to about 1/2 the size of synthetic, weighs less, and provides more insulation. Nothing works if it gets soaked.

 

[luvtoride]

and provides more insulation.

Not if it's compressed under you. I have a down jacket that I wear only on the coldest days. It is very warm... the warmest jacket that I have actually, unless I lean up against something cold... then it is like I have no jacket on at all. Granted, a jacket isn't going to have the thorough fill of a sleeping bag, but loss of heat thru compressed feathers is a true reality. More reason to have good padding right beneath you.

 

[user 213]

Lots of good stuff in this thread. On a slightly different angle, you have a top case, two saddle bags and your duffle. And you don't have room for a big sleeping bag. Err, ok, but here is a secret many people forget - You only need three sets of clothes, maximum, for any length of trip. Pack the bike. Now unpack it and pack it again with only one side case. Everything that is clothes or shoes and doesn't fit in one saddle bag, put back in the house as you won't need any of it. Shoes - Boots and sandals, that's all you really need. If you must, toss some tennis shoes/running shoes in. More that that and you have an odd idea of what you're going to be doing all day on a moto trip.

They have these things called laundromats in every small town, (and big ones), that you're going to go through. Also many RV parks have laundry facilities along with showers. Almost every RV park has a tent area that's empty or nearly so, often just a very nice area of grass away from the RV spots. Hit one of these when you need to do the wash and enjoy a quiet night and get your laundry done too.

Another tip - Get some of the contractor grade large trash bags they sell at Home Depot or Lowes and tuck a few in your gear. Handy for lots of things, but if you're cold at night, or know it's going to be a colder night than you are geared for, put your sleeping bag inside the trash bag. It will help hold the heat in and keep you significantly warmer. Even if you can only get your feet inside the trash bag, it helps a lot. This can cause condensation on the inside of the trash bag which will wet the outside of the bag. A towel between the plastic and the sleeping bag on top prevents this from wetting the bag, but if your bag is synthetic, it's usually not a problem.

 

[FJR1300A]

and provides more insulation.

Not if it's compressed under you. I have a down jacket that I wear only on the coldest days. It is very warm... the warmest jacket that I have actually, unless I lean up against something cold... then it is like I have no jacket on at all. Granted, a jacket isn't going to have the thorough fill of a sleeping bag, but loss of heat thru compressed feathers is a true reality. More reason to have good padding right beneath you.

This is an excellent point and is exactly the reason why I bought the Big Agnes bags. The sleeve assures that you'll stay on the pad and there is less bulky fill to pack into a stuff-sack. As you said, if its compressed beneath you it serves no purpose anyway.

 

[flying junior]

I have a Luxury Lite low-rise cot. It rolls up into a 5"x15" bundle, 2 1/2 lbs, yet it unrolls into a 6'-2" long cot that holds you off the ground. With a self-inflating pad on top (don't blow it up beyond what it will do on its own) it's as comfy as pillow-top bed at home.

I use an REI down sleeping bag rated for zero. This outfit is comfy for sleeping under the stars in the summer in the high sierra as well as for use in a tent when the weather isn't cooperating.

 

[tcfjr]

Lots of good stuff in this thread. On a slightly different angle, you have a top case, two saddle bags and your duffle. And you don't have room for a big sleeping bag. Err, ok, but here is a secret many people forget - You only need three sets of clothes, maximum, for any length of trip. Pack the bike. Now unpack it and pack it again with only one side case. Everything that is clothes or shoes and doesn't fit in one saddle bag, put back in the house as you won't need any of it. Shoes - Boots and sandals, that's all you really need. If you must, toss some tennis shoes/running shoes in. More that that and you have an odd idea of what you're going to be doing all day on a moto trip.

Hear, hear.

I've had good luck on long camping trips using only my motorcycle boots and a pair of water shoes.

These shoes are light-weight, small to pack, and very comfortable after a long day in the saddle. With socks and a pair of jeans they won't draw strange looks at a sit-down restaurant. They protect your feet from those nasty summer bugs, and you can wear them in the campground shower to keep away the nasties down there. All in all, a great way to save space when moto-camping.

 

[spklbuk]

Can't figure why down-filled sleepbag?...get it wet and your camping is done.

The reason for down is that if you are packing on a motorcycle, it packs to about 1/2 the size of synthetic, weighs less, and provides more insulation. Nothing works if it gets soaked.

Take a "gander" at the newer synthetics next time you have the opportunity to actually hold them in your hands and see if you still think so.

Good thread either way.